About
Originating from Australia, Bearded Dragons are gentle, intelligent and confident Lizards, which make them interesting and rewarding pets. Living for up to 15 years they grow to a maximum of 600mm in length.
Bearded Dragons are best kept alone but can be kept in pairs or small groups so long as there is no more than one male in the group. Males kept together will fight as they mature and can cause serious injuries. Always try to keep beardies of the same size together or smaller ones may get bullied.
Bearded dragons can be sexed accurately unless they are very young. Please ask if you would like us to sex your Bearded Dragon.
Housing
If you decide to keep a male and female together be prepared for them to breed. Bearded Dragons are large and can be active lizards. A pair of adults would need a vivarium of at least 1200 x 625 x 625cm (Approximately 48 x 24 x 24”) Youngsters can be started in a smaller vivarium, Providing the correct temperatures can be maintained. Glass or wooden enclosures can be used.
Heating
Temperature is very important in reptile care as they cannot produce their own body heat and need to be kept within a suitable range for their body to function correctly. Bearded Dragons require a temperature range of up to 35c (95f) in the basking area, down to approximately 27c (86f) in the cooler area. This will provide the dragons with a temperature gradient across the vivarium, allowing them to choose the most suitable temperature at all times. At night the temperature can drop to 22c (70f) Beardies are day active basking lizards they are best heated with white spot lights such as Exo Terra Daylight or Intense basking spots. All heat sources should be controlled with a good quality Thermostat. We also recommend you add 2 thermometers placed each end of the vivarium so you can take easy and regular temperature checks.
Lighting
As previously mentioned Bearded Dragons are day time active therefore require U V light to help them absorb calcium from their diet and prevent metabolic bone disease. Beardies must have a good quality UV light such as the Arcadia Mecury Vapour lamps or Arcadia Desert UV tubes with a 10% UVB output. All lighting must be mounted correctly according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. A 14 hours on 10 hours off circle is ideal for bearded Dragons
Water
It is important to provide your dragon with fresh water every day. It is best to use a shallow dish and provide foot holds if needed to help your beardy and any live food climb out of the water. As Bearded Dragons do not often drink from static water it is recommended that a light spray onto décor or the wall of the vivarium is carried out at least once a day as they will often drink from the water droplets as they move. It is important to remember not to make the substrate to wet as this may bring the humidity up too high.
Your beardy may also benefit from a warm bath once or twice a week.
Hides & Décor
Providing your Bearded Dragon with an interesting and practical Environment is not just important for its wellbeing it is also pleasing to the eye and adds pleasure to your hobby for you. Using different medias such as plastic plants, rocks and pieces of decorative wood. If you are using anything from the outside world please make sure it is safe to use and that you are not contaminating your Lizards Environment. Many Types of substrates can be used and everyone has their preferences on what is best. Sand, Bark, Straw Pellets, Beech Chips and even Paper and Lino can be used.
Feeding
Bearded Dragons Are Omnivores this means the
will eat both meat and vegetation. Fresh Vegetables should be provided daily,
this includes; spring greens, red cabbage, dandelion leaves and flowers,
peppers, baby corn, kale, broccoli etc. These should be chopped up and mixed,
it is a good idea to place the food bowl at the cool end of the vivarium where
the veg will not dry out too quickly. Bearded Dragons also eat a variety of
live foods, including locusts, crickets, waxworms etc. These are not only
nutritious for your dragon but also an excellent source of enrichment for them,
they love chasing insects around their enclosure! If feeding crickets to your
bearded dragon then make sure any that are uneaten are removed in the evening-
if you don’t these can nibble a baby when he is asleep, and at the very least
cause him stress.
Regular use of Vitamins and minerals is very important along with calcium dust Putting
a pinch of calcium dust on its food once every other day should be sufficient
but please read the manufacturers recommendations as products may vary.
Young Dragons should feed on a 80% Livefood 20% Greens and Adults should have 50% mix
Use Mealworms and Waxworms occasionally as treats for your Beardy
Remember to feed your
Locusts and Crickets to give your Dragon as much nutrition as possible. Ask for
a Feeding your Live food guide if you are unsure what to do.
Rons Pet Supplies Promotes good husbandry with all its live stock. We always recommend that a feeding, cleaning and health check routine is put in place and a record of your Bearded Dragons behaviour is recorded.
Please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff for any help and advice you need we are always here to help.
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