Bearded dragons hail from Australia and are of the Pogona genus. How did they get their name? From the spines around their head and at the base of their tail – they look almost like a beard!
As omnivores, bearded dragons will eat various insects, greens and fruit. They are used to harsh surroundings, so they aren’t particularly fussy eaters.
This particular lizard is quite friendly – moreso than the popular Iguana – and do not grow any longer than two feet, so they are fairly easy to keep. As a fairly gentle pet, beardies are also quite fond of being handled!
Selecting Your Bearded Dragon
There are several things that you have to look out for when picking a bearded dragon. Is it alert? Are any of its toes or is the tip of its tail missing? Is it active? Are its eyes clean? How well does it move when you pick it up? Does it look to be of healthy weight? How many other lizards are in the aquarium?
If your potential bearded dragon’s eyes aren’t clear, it isn’t moving much and seems lethargic, is missing any parts, has parasites, if its surroundings are dirty or if the bearded dragon itself is dirty, steer clear. In general, if the bearded dragon just doesn’t look happy or healthy, there is a problem.
Playing House
Your new companion will be as happy in a basic glass aquarium (with wire top) as it will be in a fancier enclosure. You can purchase a decently-sized aquarium that’s relatively affordable second-hand – check your local classifieds – depending upon how big your beardie is and how many lizards you plan on keeping. You’ll need enough room for a basking spot with enough heat to bask in (between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, using an overhead light). There must be enough room for your new buddy to retreat to cooler temperatures – the other section should preferably be around 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
It will also appreciate some driftwood to perch on – there’s nothing better than having a spot to sit on to watch the world go by!
You’ll also need to provide some flooring for your beardie’s new house. You can use paper towels, wheat bran and outdoor carpet, all of which are safe for your pet.
Feeding!
Your beardie will appreciate variety in its diet! Here are some recommendations for its foods.
Insects:
- roaches (be careful – they can be big)
- mealworms (freshly moulted)
- waxworms (as a treat)
- grasshoppers
- silkworms
- katydids
- moths
- butterflies
- flies
- beetles
- mayflies
You’ll want to gut load insects before feeding them to your bearded dragon. What does this mean? The insects need to be fed food that’s nutritious for your beardie and to provide extra nutrition. You’ll also want to powder the insects with supplement powders – calcium once per day, possibly a multi-vitamin every week.
Fruits & Vegetables
- apples
- apricots
- bell peppers
- broccoli
- bananas
- dates
- frozen mixed veggies
- figs
- grapes
- grated carrot
- green beans
- kiwi
- melon
- okra
- peas
- papaya
- peaches
- plums
- squash
- sweet potato
- strawberries
- zucchini
Greens
- Alfalfa (pellet)
- bok choy
- chicory
- clover (treat)
- collard greens
- dandelion greens
- escarole
- kale
- mustard greens
- parsley
- spinach (treat)
- beet greens (treat)
- swiss chard
- turnip greens
- romaine lettuce
The Don’ts of Feeding Your Beardie
Don’t feed citrus, iceberg lettuce, tomato, cucumber, wild insects, lightning bugs, dog/cat food or too much vitamin A. These can lead to digestive issues, illness or death.
CLICK HERE to Get the Ultimate Bearded Dragon Care Guide!
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