Bearded dragons, also known as beardies, come in various colors ranging from dull brown or gray to straw/yellow to burning orange-red. They are a popular choice for first-time reptile owners, particularly for families with young children who are looking for a reptilian pet. These medium-sized reptiles typically grow between 18-24 inches in length and are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and insects. In captivity, they can thrive on a vegetarian diet.
Bearded dragons make excellent pets because they are not too large and can eat a variety of foods. They are gentle creatures that are active during the day and have limited requirements that are readily available. When selecting a beardie, it is important to check its eyes for brightness and alertness and ensure that it does not have any sores, deformities, or burns. Proper care for your beardie involves attention to several factors, including housing, substrate, food, heating and lighting, water intake, and bathing routine. The vivarium for a bearded dragon should be large, with a 50-gallon enclosure being the smallest size for an adult. When housing a group of adult dragons, ensure that they are housed in a large enclosure and supplied with plenty of logs for basking. Glass can be used as a material for the enclosure since it allows for optimum brightness and vision. However, young females and males should not be housed together as they may mate and run into complications concerning egg binding. For substrate, wheat bran can be used for bearded dragons over 6 months of age, but newspaper or paper towels should be used to avoid problems with impaction. Basking logs can also be added to the enclosure to allow your dragon to feel safe and thermo regulate, while false plants and decorative rocks can be used for decoration. Since bearded dragons are omnivorous, they can be fed proteins and vegetation, including collard greens, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, carrots, squash, peas, corn, and sweet potatoes. Mealworms can also be given as a high-quality source of protein, but in large amounts, they can be hard to digest and cause digestion problems. Bearded dragons also require various greens and dietary supplements, including calcium, D3, and vitamins, depending on the bulbs used, the amount of natural light received, and what they are fed. It is advisable to consult a vet to find a timetable that suits the needs of your dragon. When setting the temperature in the enclosure, ensure that there is a temperature gradient that moves from a hot basking zone to a cooler zone. The basking temperature should be kept above 100 degrees, while the cooler zone temperature should be around 85 degrees. Bright light is also essential for bearded dragons, and active UV/heat or mercury vapor bulbs can be used. In addition to UV light, bearded dragons can be taken outside in an outdoor basking terrarium as they love natural light and may require fewer supplements. However, young dragons should not be taken outside as they may become stressed. Bearded dragons should be provided with water in a shallow bowl that is disinfected once a week. If your dragon does not drink from the bowl, let the water drip gradually into its snout, or wiggle your finger in the water to catch its attention as they love things that move. It is recommended to wash your beardie once a week to keep it clean, hydrated, and aid in shedding. The bathwater used should be warm and only as deep as your dragon's chest, and you should always be at hand and never leave it unattended during the bathing routine.
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