| The Bearded Dragon lizard is capable of living a | | | | They will enjoy a warm bath to help remove their |
| healthy and active life in captivity. They do well when | | | | shedding skin. |
| they are able to interact with both their owner and | | | | A warm bath is also another way to make your |
| other bearded dragons. Here are some interesting | | | | bearded dragon eliminate before handling him or her. |
| facts that will aid in healthy and happy bearded | | | | There is nothing worse than having a bearded dragon |
| dragon care. | | | | eliminate in your lap. Before handling, place the |
| The bearded dragon lizard originated in Australia. | | | | bearded dragon in warm water. The warm water will |
| There are six to seven species of Australian dragons. | | | | make it eliminate and you will feel safer with your |
| The most predominant species in the Pogona | | | | bearded dragon in your lap. |
| vitticeps, also known as Amphibolurus vitticeps. | | | | Bearded dragons should have a wide variety of |
| Virtually all bearded dragons that have been captively | | | | choices in their diet. The bearded dragon should not, |
| bred have come to the United States from Germany. | | | | however, be fed meat such as beef or chicken. Meat |
| There have not been any legally exported bearded | | | | contains too much protein and the bearded dragon |
| dragons come from Australia. | | | | will suffer from kidney problems or failures. |
| The bearded dragon lizard will breed very well in | | | | Avoid feeding crickets that are too large. Crickets |
| captivity. With a proper egg nesting area and | | | | should be no larger than the distance between the |
| incubation, the female bearded dragon will produce | | | | eyes of your bearded dragon. Baby bearded dragons |
| multiple clutches of eggs per year. These captive | | | | should be fed one quarter inch crickets and juvenile |
| bearded dragons tend to be healthier than the | | | | bearded dragons may be fed half inch crickets. |
| wild-caught bearded dragon lizards and are often free | | | | These crickets are generally around two-weeks old. |
| of pesticides. | | | | Babies will be eager to eat larger crickets but they |
| Birth defects in captive bearded dragons are rare and | | | | are unable to digest these and may die from |
| most populations survive quite well. Bearded dragon | | | | impactions. |
| breeding has also produced numerous different | | | | Crickets can be tricky to manoeuvre from their box |
| colours of bearded dragons, although they are still of | | | | to a cricket holding tank. One method is to place the |
| the same species. | | | | cricket box in a plastic bag. Open the box in the bag |
| An early sign of inbreeding causing problems in | | | | and shake the crickets out into the bottom of the |
| captively bred bearded dragons is that the bearded | | | | bag. Remove the box and the place the bag in the |
| dragon will not grow to its full adult size. If you intend | | | | tank. The crickets should slide easily out of the bag |
| to breed your bearded dragons, you should ask your | | | | as there is nothing for them to grip onto. This is also |
| breeder what lines your bearded dragon lizards come | | | | a good way to feed crickets to your bearded |
| from so that you may avoid those lines. Inbreeding | | | | dragons. |
| also occurs when bearded dragons are sold to pet | | | | Bearded dragons will change their feeding patterns |
| stores. People buy these dragons not realizing that | | | | with age. A young bearded dragon will be ready to |
| they are related and then breed them. | | | | eat on a moments notice while the adult bearded |
| Bearded dragons are like any other reptile and they | | | | dragon may eat one day but not the next. This is |
| may carry Salmonella. This is a bacterium that causes | | | | especially true during the winter months. |
| food poisoning and can sometimes be lethal. This is | | | | The bearded dragon will be tempted to munch on |
| especially true for children that have an | | | | your houseplants. There are a few houseplants that |
| immuno-compromised condition. Careful handling of | | | | are okay for the bearded dragon to eat. Plants such |
| the bearded dragon lizard will ensure that you remain | | | | as ficus, geraniums, hibiscus, petunias, pothos and |
| healthy along with your bearded dragon pet. | | | | violets. There are some houseplants that are treated |
| Bearded dragons require regular vet checkups as well | | | | with systemic pesticides, this means that the plant |
| as. Check with local veterinarians to see if they are | | | | has taken the pesticide into its system and it will |
| familiar with reptiles. If your vet is not, ask him if he | | | | have to grow out to remove the pesticide. This will |
| can refer to you one that is. You may also check | | | | generally take six to twelve weeks. |
| with the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Vets | | | | These bearded dragon facts should aid you in the |
| for recommend reptile veterinarians near you. | | | | care of your bearded dragon. The bearded dragon |
| Bearded dragons will go through a molting process | | | | will live a healthy and long life if it receives proper |
| like other reptiles. The bearded dragon lizard adult | | | | care and nutrition. |
| may exhibit signs of depression during this phase. | | | | |