Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
A native to south and central Australia it can be found in rocky and semi-desert regions. Bearded dragons are active during the day so they need a little more heat than most reptiles daytime cage temps should be around 100F on the hot side of the cage and on the cooler side of the cage around 80F. For multiple dragons be sure to have multiple basking spots. In addition to basking/ heat lights you have to have a uvb/ uva light this light simulates natural sunlight which gives off vitamin d3. They need this vitamin to grow strong healthy bones. Usually reaching a length of 20 inches, and their calm temperament makes them one of the most popular reptile pets. Eating a variety of bugs and veggies such as crickets, mealworms, lettuce, kale, and straw berries sparingly make them a snap to care for. Hatchling babies can easily be kept in a 20 gallon glass tank and adults need a 50 gallon tank 60-70 gallons for multiples. However 2 males shouldnt be kept in the same cage because the will fight for territory, and during the breeding season females may enjoy hiding spots to escape those feisty males. As far as cage accessories go, logs and branches serve well anything sturdy that a bearded dragon can climb or hide under is great just make sure that if you get it from outside to wash it off to get rid of small bugs or parasites. Substrates are fairly simple. Newspaper works fine, but the best alternative is washed play sand or sand that they have at your local pet store for the use with reptiles, but calcium sand should be avoided because if they get to liking the taste of the sand they will eat too much of it and get blockage, they cant digest large amounts of it.
Feeding your dragon is easy insects or veggies can be placed in a shallow food dish hopping crickets need to be de-legged (de-legged means pinch off the large jumping legs) to keep them from running loose in the cage which can be harmful to your dragon if the are too many insects in the cage.
Feed hatchlings crickets 2-3 times daily dusting with vitamin powder 1 time daily
Feed juveniles crickets and mealworms 2 times daily dusting once daily, salad at least once a week no more than one every other day
Feed sub-adult crickets or mealworms 2 times daily dusting 2-3 times a week with a salad every other day and a pinky or a couple of wax worms at least once a week.
Handling your dragon is fun and the dragons enjoy getting out of their cage and out-and-a-bout every other day. To pick up you dragon simply cup your hand and scoop them up be sure not to pick them up by their tail because they will thrash a squirm and it can be harmful to them. When handling, some dragons enjoy a scratch under the chin of a rub on the head, but when petting always go with the scales no against, like petting a dog. Over time usually takes at least a week your dragon will trust you and become tamer (if it is a new pet) they will develop a bond with their owners and make great pets.
