Bearded Dragons are medium sized lizards with docile personalities. As long as you can provide for their lighting and temperature requirements, they are easy to keep. Males and females both make good pets, but if you’re looking for a single pet it’s better to get a male. Females in breeding condition can have complications if not bred.

Scientific Name – Pogona vitticeps

Size

– How large does a bearded dragon get? –

Bearded dragons can grow to approximately 18 to 24 inches in length within 18 to 24 months.

Feeding

– What should I feed a bearded dragon? –

Bearded dragons are primarily insectivorous (about 70% of thier diet should be crickets, mealworms and other invertebrates). They will also eat vegetables, but should stay away from those with high vitamin A or phosphorous contents. They really enjoy Kale and Collard Greens, which should be readily available at your local supermarket. The dragon’s food needs to be dusted at least 3-5 times a week (daily for sub adult dragons) with a Phosphorous-free Calcium powder such as Rep-Cal with D3. Multi-Vitamin powders such as Herptivite, should be used instead of Calcium once or twice a week. Pinky mice can also be offered to adults periodically.

Handling

– How friendly are bearded dragons? –

Bearded dragons are extremely tame. Some adults in the wild will even allow themselves to be picked up without a fight.

Reproduction

– Are bearded dragons bred in captivitity? –

Yes. Australia allows little exportation of its wildlife, bearded dragons are exclusively captive bred.

History of the name

– How did bearded dragons get their name? –

When threatened, a bearded dragon will puff out its throat, resembling a spiky beard.

Description

– What do they look like? –

Bearded dragons are squat-bodied lizards with medium-length tails and small spikes all over their body. The spikes are not sharp, but make them appear threatening.

Housing

– What kind of cage should I keep them in? –

Young lizards should be kept in a 10 to 15 gallon terrarium. Adult dragons can be housed in pairs in a 50 gallon terrarium. Ultraviolet lighting is also extremely important to the health of a dragon.

Temperature

– How warm should the enclosure be kept? –

The ideal temperature is about 88 to 92 degrees F. However, the enclosure should also have a basking area that is in the 105 degree F range.

Water

– How should water be offered? –

Water should be offered three times a week in a shallow dish or pan. Keep in mind, however, that dragons rarely drink from pools of water in the wild, instead getting water from drops of dew on the leaves of plants or from moisture contained within leaves or other food sources.
Lifespan

– How long can I expect a bearded dragon to live? –

Life span in captivity is anywhere from 4 to 10 years.

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