Bearded Dragons

Species:  Pogona Vitticeps                 

Natural Distribution:  Continental Australia

Length:  22-23in (57-58cm)

Description

Bearded Dragons are popular lizards with both beginners and experience keepers and make wonderful pets especially if hand reared from young.

Bearded Dragons require a wide distribution of heat ranging from 28°^c (82°f) to 40-43°^c (104-110°f) and a basking spot is vital. They are veracious eaters and as omnivores they are easy to feed.  Include a fresh bowl of vegetables and fruit  daily along with live food such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms and occasionally pinkie mice. A source of calcium such as cuttlefish should be given regularly especially to youngsters and pregnant females, multivitamin supplements should also be offered once or twice a week as beardies can lack these in captivity.

Bearded dragons should reach full size at about 6 to 8 months if fed well on a balanced diet.  Males can be identified by there broader heads and their display of a black throat during courtship.

Vivarium Set Up

Size:  60x24x18in (150x60x45cm)

Design:  Terrestrial                        Type:  Desert                        Substrate:  Dust Free Sand

Temperature:  28°^c (82°f) at cool end to 40-43°^c (104-110°f) at hot spot  21-24°^c  (70-75°f) at night

Photoperiod: 14 hours

Winter cooling: 7-8 weeks 17-18°^c (63-65°f) cool end 24-26°^c (75-80°f) hot spot 15°^c (60°f) at night

Lighting:  Full Spectrum (UVB) and Basking Light

Feeding

Omnivorous - Insects (crickets, locusts, mealworms, wax worms) 

Vegetables and fruit including chopped apple, orange, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, water cress and Chinese leafs.

Add multivitamin and calcium supplements regularly.