Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Bearded Dragon
Latin
Name:
Pogona vitticeps
Native
to:
Australia
Size
Range: 6-24
inches
Life
Span:
5-15 years
General
Appearance:
Medium sized lizard with a large triangular shaped
bead, flattened body and a tail measuring half the length of the animal. Gray,
brown or reddish brown color with small spiny scales covering the body with
longer scales from the back of the head. When threatened a bearded dragon will
puff out its throat resembling a spiky beard. There are many different designer
phases available that can produce different coloration.
Housing
Requirements:
Enclosure:
Hatchlings can be kept in a 20-gallon aquarium for a
few months. Adults will need a 50-gallon aquarium or larger sized cage if more
than one lizard is housed. Branches and rocks are needed for climbing and
basking. A screen top is needed for ventilation. Do not house two adult males
together. You can also use a screened enclosure or custom built enclosure.
Temperature:
Day: 80º - 85º F.
Night: 68º - 75º F
Basking: 95º - 105º F.
A heat lamp should be positioned over one end of the
tank to produce the basking spot.
Use thermometers or temperature gun to measure
temperature.
Heat/Light:
Incandescent bulbs, ceramic emitter, or heat panels
can be used for the basking spot. Full spectrum lighting should be provided
using one of the fluorescent bulbs made for reptiles that produce both UVA and
UVB wavelengths. A mercury vapor bulb which provides heat and light may also be
used. Twelve hours of daylight can be provided through the use of timers.
Substrates:
Caribbean play sand is cheap, fairly easy to clean
and creates a desert looking environment. However, use caution with hatchlings
as some people feel it may cause impaction. Newspaper, Astroturf , paper
towels, alfalfa pellets, and vitamin sand can also be used.
Environment:
Desert habitat
Diet:
Bearded Dragons are omnivores. They need both animal
and plant material in their diet. Crickets,
locusts, cockroaches, mealworms, waxworms,
silkworms, butterworms, red worms, earthworms,
superworms with an occasional pinky will all be
relished by your bearded dragon. You should use
caution NOT to feed fireflys as they are toxic to
Bearded Dragons. Vegetables that you can offer
included greens (turnip, kale, romaine, dandelion,
endive, escarole, mustard, and collard), green
beans,
squash, peas, sweet potato, chicory, watercress, red bell pepper, and cilantro.
Fruits can be
offered
about 1-2 time a week (too much can cause diarrhea) such as blueberries,
strawberries,
raspberries,
cantaloupe, mango, kiwi, and grapes. Commercially made food is also available
for
your
bearded dragon. Fresh water should always be provided. Some bearded dragons
like to be
misted
and lap up the water that way. Powdered vitamin/mineral supplement may be
offered 1-2
times
a week.
Maintenance:
Fresh water should be offered daily. If using
newsprint then clean as needed. Wood shavings should be spot cleaned as needed.
Periodically, the enclosure should be disinfected. A 5% bleach solution makes
an excellent disinfectant. Be sure to rinse the enclosure thoroughly after disinfecting.
As always, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your bearded dragon
or any cage accessories.
Other
References or Recommended Readings:
de
Vosjoli, Philippe and Robert Mailloux. General Care and Maintenance of Bearded
Dragons
Palika,
Liz . Your Bearded Dragon’s Life www.beardeddragon.org
Bearded
Dragons and Other Creatures <http://www.dachiu.com/>