SPECIES : Bearded Dragon
(pogona vitticeps).
Distribution and General Ecology
The
Bearded Dragon originates from Australia. They
grow to about 50cm and are well built robust
lizards, All are now captive bred in the UK.
They vary in colour depending on mood, lighting
etc. but are generally a light grey or buff
colour.
Housing in Captivity
A big
vivarium is required for this large lizard at
least 90x45x45cm for a single adult. Because
of the large size of vivarium required you will
need to heat it using heat mats, ceramic heaters
or spot bulbs or a combination of these to obtain
the correct temperature which should range from
28°C to 40°C at the hottest point. All
heating should be controlled by a good quality
thermostat. Placing the heaters at one end will
ensure a good thermal gradient. Lighting should
be of the U.V. type tubes several good high
output U.V. tubes are available from reptile
specialist stores. Substrate should be dessert
types such as repti-sand. You should also provide
hiding places such as hollow logs or cork bark.
Beardies also like climbing so a few strong
branches or large rocks may be provided.
Foods and Feeding
Bearded Dragons are mostly
carnivorous when young, and their diet should
include locusts, crickets, mealworms, waxworm
larvae. A good quality reptile vitamin supplement
should be dusted on the food; a suitable preparation
is Repton. Before feeding, the insects can be
placed in a container, the vitamin supplement
added, and the container then shaken so that
the insects become coated by the powder. A bowl
of fresh fruit, veg & salad items should
also be offered the adults eating more vegetables
than the young. A small water dish of fresh
water should be provided, Many Beardies will
drink from a plant sprayer also.
Reproduction
Male
Bearded Dragons are larger than females with
bigger heads. The throat is darker and the base
of the tail is swollen with the copulatory organs.
A period of courtship proceeds mating, during
this time the animals will be very active. After
several weeks the female will look for a place
to lay her eggs, provide a large area of peat
and sand mixed and kept damp for her to dig
in. Eggs should be removed after laying and
placed in an incubator until hatched
The young will feed after a few days of hatching
and should be fed on small livefood. UV lighting
is important to the growing hatchlings and should
be provided in the form of a high output specialist
lamp.
Health
Bearded
Dragons are generally long lived. They do not
often suffer from disease and veterinary intervention
is rarely needed. The most common problem is
metabolic bone disorder, this is caused by a
lack of vitamin D3 and a calcium deficiency.
Providing good care a varied diet with the use
of a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement
and correct UV lighting should preclude most
health problems. Hygiene is also important and
a reptile safe dissinfectant should be regularly
used on the vivarium and furnishings.
The following are just a few
of the Reptile Care Sheets we have available.
For the full list please contact
us.
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