Bearded Dragon

The homeland of the bearded dragon is Australia. There it inhabits dry habitats with little vegetation such as steppes, semi-deserts, and dry forests. There are 8 species and they belong to the scaled reptile genus of the Agama family. It feeds on leaves, flowers, fruits, small vertebrates, and invertebrates.

At first glance, the lizard with its prickly scales looks like a small dragon. The basic color is grey-brown and has dark gray to black markings. The body size has a total length of 30 to 50 cm, with the tail being one-half to two-thirds. The body is weakly or severely flattened from the back to the abdomen. The legs are comparatively short. The ears form a large hole and the eardrum is exposed. The numerous spines on the body, tail, legs, and flanks are striking. The row of spines at the base of the head and on the rear edge of the lower jaw is particularly interesting. This extends over the throat and forms a kind of beard.

 

If a bearded dragon feels threatened, it flattens its body and expands its throat with muscular movements. At the same time, it opens its mouth threateningly and reveals the bright yellow to the pink interior.

Acquisition and Maintenance

The striped-headed bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and the dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona henry lawson) have proven themselves for keeping in the terrarium.

All bearded dragons are solitary animals. Under certain conditions, the husbandry of an adult pair.

Requirements for the Terrarium

Since the lizard is mostly on the ground, the terrarium needs a large area:

For a striped bearded dragon, the minimum dimensions are 150 cm long x 80 wide x 80 cm high
120 length x 60 width x 60 cm height should be planned for a dwarf bearded dragon. Each additional animal requires at least 15% additional floor space.

The Exe loves it warm and bright. There should be different heat zones and sunbathing areas in the tank. The right temperature is an average of 35° Celsius. The maximum temperature under the heat lamp is 50° Celsius. The coldest area measures around 25° Celsius. At night, the temperature is throttled to 20° Celsius. If the temperatures are right, the lizard’s metabolism is stimulated and it becomes more active.

For sufficient light, plan for 12 to 13 hours of brightness in summer and 10 hours in spring and late autumn. A lamp spot provides additional light in addition to warmth.

The humidity is 40%. With a bowl of water in the basin, this increases. If the terrarium has ventilation with a chimney effect, the necessary air circulation is created.

The terrarium has a rear wall, a substrate for digging, lying places, climbing, and hiding places. It is important to ensure that there is sufficient freedom of movement and that no injuries can occur. The substrate consists of a special terrarium substrate. Tip: You can also make the substrate yourself from fine sand (5/6 share) and clay (1/6 share). The mixture is mixed well, moistened, and firmly pressed to the bottom. If the substrate becomes too dry, it must be moistened again and pressed firmly. The climbing and hiding places consist of stones, roots, thick branches, and thick bark. Built-in surfaces and niches serve as berths.

Bearded dragons are sensitive and alert animals. The right place for the terrarium is a quiet and noiseless place. Avoid direct sunlight, heating, and drafts.

Gender Differences

Males and females can be distinguished at first glance. Distinctive features are the two pockets under the base of the tail behind the cloaca in the adult male. Doubly trained mating organs are located in these. There are also femoral pores (glands) on the lower legs of the hind legs.

Feed and Nutrition

The omnivores prefer live food as their main food. Crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches are fed. In addition, there are regular plant foods such as daisies, clover, dandelion, lettuce, and carrots.

A sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals can be covered with vitamin and mineral supplements.

A bowl of freshwater is always part of the food!