THE BASIC CARE OF BEARDED DRAGONS

Common Names: Bearded Dragon
Latin Name: Pogona vitticeps
Origin: Australia
Adult Size: 22 inches
Day Time Temperature: 31° - 37°C for Adults Hot Spot
Night Time Temperature: 16° - 21°C for Adults
Food Requirements: Insect, dark leafy greens, occasional pinky mice.
Lighting: Full spectrum (UVB)
Experience: Novice-Intermediate

Introduction
Bearded dragons are fast becoming the most popular pet lizard in herpetculture, they are easily tamed, and seem to enjoy interacting with humans. They are a relatively small lizard reaching just under two foot in length, approximately half of there length is tail.

Housing
Hatchling bearded dragons should be housed in a small vivarium, where they can encounter there food easily, suitable substrates includes newspaper or sand Cage furnishing at this age should include a hide and perhaps a branch. Hatchlings should have a thermal gradient of 34° - 41°C in the daytime and 16° - 21°C. A UVB bulb is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D3 and calcium absorption, and should be switched on 12-14 hours a day. Water should be made available at all times and presented in a shallow bowl.
Adults require a daytime temperature of 31° - 37°C and a night time drop to 16° - 21°C. An adults cage can be more elaborately furnished with branches, plastic plants etc.

Diet
Dragons are primarily insect eaters but do need some fresh vegetables, mainly dark leafy greens such as kale, other vegetables can be offered grated or finely shredded. Crickets make up the bulk of the dragons diet, with the occasional mealworm, wax worm and pinkie mouse being offered. Insects should be given a Gut Loader to increase the nutritional content of the food, and vegetable dusted with a multi vitamin supplement.

Handling
A baby bearded is very fragile and great care must be exercised when handling them, they are frequently skittish at this age and there skin is easily torn, handling should be kept to a minimum until they are approximate 6 months old. Adult bearded can be gently handled and can be taught to sit in your hands or on your shoulder, they seem to enjoy the interaction with us humans, and are easily tamed.