Common Behavior From Bearded Dragons

All reptile lovers and even non reptile lovers are bound to be fascinated by the bearded dragon's behavior. This Australian lizard is awake during the day and this means that owners will be able to spend their waking hours observing their reptile friends. Through observing your pet you will become more familiar with their behavior patterns and their sometimes unusual habits.

Dragons are social creatures and although much of their time is spent basking on hot surfaces, other common characteristics of the desert living lizard include tree climbing, bonding, napping and hunting. By nature the bearded dragon is very docile and although they are active hunters they spend much of their time together and in some cases actually sitting on top of each other. As with most other species, male and female dragons display different behavioral patterns and these differences become very evident during mating season.

With the need to impress and attract female admirers, a dominant lizard will bob their head to indicate their readiness and willingness to mate. In return a lady dragon will be happy to wave her arms and bob her head at the male counterpart. Strangely the arm waving is also a common behavioral pattern of the male species and in fact, this unusual 360 degree arm waving ritual was used to first name these creatures. A bearded dragon was originally referred to as the "Tata Dragon" or the "Goodbye Dragon". The arm waving behavior is not a greeting and although part of the mating process the peculiar wave is performed by the native Australian lizard to lower their body temperatures. Considering these guys live in the scorching hot deserts, one may expect a lot of arm waving when in their natural habitats. Owners have also noticed that the pace of the wave flapping may also be an indication of the mood of the dragon whereby slow waving movements indicates a calm relaxed mood, while rapid arm flapping is a sign of aggression.

Brumation is the term used to describe the bearded dragon's hibernation period and even though they do not sleep as the word hibernation suggests the lizards rather 'shut down' their systems and go into hiding. Hibernation tends to last for around four weeks and while in this state of shut down, dragons consume less and this will result in severe weight loss. Hibernation is a natural phase for dragons in their yet pet owners keeping them in captivity should not encourage this behavior by stimulating the winter period, unless they intend to breed the dragons.

Burrowing and digging are other common behaviors of this fascinating reptile and burrowing can be a sign of various things. A female bearded dragon will dig a burrow when she is ready to deposit her eggs, while both male and females will burrow to take a nap or to turn in for the evening. Those who keep the lizards will also discover that burrowing can also be an indication that their pet is stressed and needs some time out. If burrowing continues for a long period of time, owners should be alerted that their pet is stressed, or may be ill.

Biting is part of the bearded dragon's normal behavior pattern and they will bite for any number of reasons. Mating females often bite their male suitors during energetic mating. Biting will also occur if the lizards are hungry, threatened, taunted or scared. A self-defense behavior pattern or mechanism is to wave their arms furiously, open their mouths while emitting strange hissing type sounds, followed by a fast dashing motion and trying to make their bodies as flat as possible.

In general, bearded dragons are passive and social creatures and if they are cared for well and never taunted, these arm flapping, head bobbing lizards make for extraordinary pets. As opposed to many other ordinary pets, dragons will need to receive continual care and attention and if received in the right dosage, pet owners in turn, will be rewarded with the opportunity to witness the somewhat peculiar, yet enlightening behavior of the bearded dragon.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

The Real Origin of Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons make great pets and well cared for, they last for a decade or so. Once you have decided to take a bearded dragon home as a pet, the environment you provide for him needs to closely reflect the habitat he is accustomed to.

Beardies originate and currently live in the deserts and woodland of Central Australia. They spend much of their time in trees and bushes as well as on rocks, basking in the hot sun. When the weather is very hot and reach near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, dragons bury themselves underground to cool down. Being cold blooded, they frequently need to find a balance in temperatures to keep their temperature constant.

The origin of these dragons have exposed them to blinding heat full of UVA and UVB sunlight as well as cooler places to rest such as beneath rocks, under leaves or underground.

For this reason, you need to mimic their natural environment by giving them a source for hot, bright light and cooler sections in their enclosure. Having been accustomed to very little water in the dessert they have originated from, too much water in their enclosure will not be very good for your beardie. Misting or droplets falling form leaves are best for helping your dragon stay hydrated.

These dragons are both omnivores and diurnal. They forage for food like small lizards, insects, mammals, flowers, fruit and other plants in the daytime. Wild beardies are accustomed to catching wild, live insects that have not been exposed to insecticides and small mice themselves.

Nowadays, bearded lizards are bred in captivity worldwide. This is because exporting them from Australia are illegal and for some species, very limited. Bearded pets that are bred in captivity are just as healthy as wild bearded dragons. If you are not a native of Australia, you will be able to find a beardie at your nearest pet shop or online.

Beardies are also called the yellow-headed bearded dragon or he central bearded dragon. Belonging to the genus pogona, this pet is scientifically named the pogona vitticeps or amphibolurus vitticeps.
Physical Characteristics:

Yellow or tan in color, bearded dragons are called "bearded" because they have a "flaring out" ability in their skin throat area when threatened. The word "dragon" comes from the Australian word for "lizard." A flat body, this "beard" becomes quite pronounced when the dragon is feeling alarmed. There are spines on the side of the wedge-shaped head, the side of the body and a tail that is almost as long as its body.

It is not easy to distinguish the females from the males when the beardies are hatchlings. In adults, however, sexual differences are apparent. Males can be distinguished form the females because of their femoral pores, larger heads and darker beards.

A well-cared for bearded dragon in captivity can live about eight to twelve years. There have been reports of "beardies" living up to fifteen years old, however.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Discover The Amazing Facts of Bearded Dragons

Reptiles are amazing creatures and are becoming more popular, especially the bearded dragon. Some important yet interesting facts on bearded dragons that most don't even know about.

These reptiles are very docile, meaning that they are calm and easy to handle. They love interacting with their human owners. They originate from Australia's desert area and like the hot and humid environment. Keeping this in mind if you are planning on getting one, they need special heating and lighting to stay healthy. They also do not grow very big, usually around 7 inches to 12 inches which makes them easy to keep even if you live in an apartment.

Many mistakenly think these guys eat only live prey, but that is not true at all. They love vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, and a variety of fruits. They do need some live prey like crickets and meal worms, this has a lot to do with their age and size.

There are a wide variety of bearded dragons one will see in pet shops and at reptile shows, but the most common one you will see is known as the Inland Dragon. Named for their natural habitat in Australia's mainland area.

These lizards should be kept in a glass tank with one side of their tank being the hot side while the other side is the cool side. They regulate their body heat by switching which are of the tank they will be at. It is very important to keep these temperatures at the proper settings.

They also need what is called a hide box, where they can hide when they feel threatened. When feeling threatened they will also puff up their bearded and it will usually turn black, this helps ward off any predators they might attach them. Most mistaken this as aggressive when it is not at all.

Most bearded dragons will never bite their owners or others. They only act this way to protect themselves.

If you plan on acquiring one of these amazing lizards I hope this has enlightened you on some important facts on bearded dragons. They are well worth owning and you will enjoy them for years to come as long as you properly learning about them and care for them.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Bearded Dragons Care 101

A great choice of pet for beginning lizard enthusiasts and reptile hobbyists who are more experienced, bearded dragons do require special care. Pet beardies are docile reptiles that breed well in captivity. This is a great choice for pet owners that are thinking of adopting a bearded dragon.

Dragons that are properly cared for can live for up to twelve years. If you are a new bearded dragon pet owner, you need to learn how to care for your pet properly. Properly caring for your bearded dragon includes giving him the proper enclosure, substrate, food, water, lighting and temperature.

Diet

The proper diet is very important for properly caring for your bearded dragon. They are omnivorous which means that they eat insects, vegetables and fruit. You can purchase or catch the insects yourself, although it may be safer to buy insects since the ones you catch yourself may have been exposed to poisonous insecticides. Other insects include cockroaches, earthworms, wax worms, king worms and mealworms. You can feed him all the crickets he can eat in ten minutes and do this for three times daily. Fresh vegetables need to be administered every day.

You can put a pinch of calcium dusting on his food, since he needs this to grow as well. Your beardie cannot recognize standing water, and misting his food with mineral-rich water will keep him hydrated. He also recognizes water dripping down leaves, so you can spray plastic plants with water as well. Keep in mind that too much water is harmful for your bearded dragon, however, since they originate from the dessert.

Housing

For your beardie's housing, provide him with the biggest enclosure that you are able to afford and accommodate. For hatchlings, aquarium-type tanks that are between ten and fifteen gallons are good enough. Adult bearded dragons, however, need a terrarium that is between fifty and fifty-five gallons large. Being semi-arboreal, enclosures need to be rectangular, which means that they need to longer rather than taller.

Make sure that the housing you provide has a screen lid rather than using wood, glass or Plexiglas, which hinder air circulation. For the flooring or the substrate of your enclosure, do not put sand if your beardie is under the age of six months old, since they tend to eat sand at this age. The best flooring substrate would be paper towels, vinyl or tiles.

Lighting

Proper lighting is one more aspect of bearded dragon care that you need to take into consideration. Aside from a bright daytime light bulb, your lizard requires a special UVB light to manufacture the vitamin D3 it needs to metabolize calcium. To properly care for your bearded dragon, you need to provide it with fourteen hours of very bright light and ten hours of darkness.

Temperature

Gradient temperature in the enclosure of your pet also needs to be provided. Bearded dragons are cold blooded and move from one side of his cage to another in order to keep his temperature even. One side of his space needs to be between ninety-five and one hundred degrees Fahrenheit for basking, while the other side needs to be between seventy-five and eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit. In the evenings, the temperature needs to be lower than seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The area for basking needs to be between one hundred and one hundred-five degrees Fahrenheit.

Brumation

Dragons do not hibernate but do tend to slow down during the wintertime. This means that they may take a few weeks off and barely touch their food and hide away. This only applies to adult bearded dragons since younger ones under eighteen months of age need to eat regularly.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

A Guide To Bearded Dragons Sexing

In order to determine the sex of a bearded dragon the lizard should be held in the palm of the hand. The tail should be facing the onlooker and the tail must be gently lifted to allow a clear view of the ventral opening. The ventral opening is located just at the base of the tail and while sexing bearded dragons, caregivers must be mindful not to bend the tail too far toward the head of the dragon. This action may result in a break in the vertebra. The male species of the dragons have two bulges at the ventral opening, while the female dragon usually has one bulge, but it is not uncommon for the lady lizard to have no bulge whatsoever.

This 'tail up' method of sexing is the most accurate method, as unlike many other species, female and males do not have obvious sexing characteristics. Both sexes are known to do the 'dragon wave' however, the female will perform this strange waving motion in an attempt to indicate her readiness to mate. There are experienced breeders who have the ability to spot the slight appearance differences between the dragons. These signs or differences between the sexes, can include a darker beard, a thicker tail base and a larger head size. These are the general characterizes of the male lizard. These are not always accurate signs to look for when sexing dragons and generally the tail lifting method is preferred.

The visible bulge that is present at the base of the male's tale is due to the two 'hemi-penises'. Femoral pores, in some cases can also be clearly seen when determining the sex of your pet. Because these pores are very distinctive in the male lizards, and not always seen on the female lizard, this can also aid during bearded dragon sexing. As a rule the female lizards never have femoral pores, which mean that a lizard with the femoral pores is always a male.

If sexing is being done with the hope of breeding a pair of dragons, it is important to remember that a female dragon should be no younger than two years of age. If the lizard is immature, she will experience complications during breeding. There are cases of lizards being too young to breed and this leads to the female being unable to deposit the clutch of eggs. This results in a blockage and may cause the immature female lizard's death. If uncertain about the lizard's readiness to breed, a prospective breeder is urged to seek professional advice.

Once the process of sexing the reptiles has been accurately carried out, and the caregiver is satisfied that they have a male and female pair - lizards in captivity require human intervention in order to breed. The breeder will need to simulate the breeding season, which is usually winter or late autumn and this is easily done by simply lowering the temperature (slightly) in the lizard's lair and reducing the amount of daylight hours.

Those who are new to the world of these incredible reptiles will soon learn how to easily spot the differences between the male and female species. Once ready to breed, this process will prove to be a rewarding and fascinating experience. Many online video clips have been posted on the internet where you are able to follow the step by step instructions on how to safely and accurately carry out breaded dragons sexing.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Overview - Bearded Dragons Species

The eight species of bearded dragons have been named after the areas or regions in Australia in which they are naturally found, with the exception of the Dwarf, Kimberly and Black Soil Bearded Dragon. Common names for these fascinating lizards include the Central or Inland Dragon, the Western, the Eastern, and the Northwest Dragon. The Central type is the most common domesticated lizard.

Most of these reptiles share the same characteristics, and most are semi-arboreal. This means they spend part of their days clambering on tree branches and the other part of their day, on the ground. Most of their time however, is spent on the ground which is why when purchasing or building a cage for your dragon it is best to have more ground space than height. All species are omnivorous and as such their diet includes a mixture of plants and meat. All eight bearded dragon species are sun worshipers and spend much of their day soaking up the sun's warmth.

The central bearded dragon is the most common lizard type that is kept in captivity, though breeders are now offering the other bearded dragon species as pets. The Central lizard's natural habitat is woodlands and rocky desert or semi desert areas, so these reptiles are expert tree climbers and enjoy clambering on rock faces. As a norm, dragons in the wild are not social creatures and are normally seen alone. There are times when gatherings of dragons are spotted especially at well-known feeding places or in basking areas. As a rule, most of the species are loners.

As a whole, all species are docile creatures and because these exotic pets thrive in captivity, the central or inland dragon is being bred for the purposes of pets. By recreating their natural habitat in a vivarium or cage, the dragons live a happy and fulfilling life. Most of the species share common lizard characteristics, and differ only by skin tone or by size. All dragons are generally hardy creatures and because they are relatively easy to care for in captivity, their attractiveness as being family pets is growing fast.

Interestingly, though this specie of bearded dragon can now be found all over the world, in the mid 1960's, Australia passed a law that prevented the trade of any native wildlife, including bearded dragons. Most of the Australian native lizards found outside the country were illegally smuggled and then used to breed. Over the years, breeders have carried out experiments to alter the skin colors or tones and they have successfully managed to breed dragons with unusual colors, such as red and gold hues.

With the inland or central dragon being the most common of the species, much of lizard's common characteristics and features were learnt by studying this particular specie of lizard. Another name that the inland dragon goes by is the Yellow Headed Bearded Dragon.

At maturity, the lizard reaches at least two feet in length, including its tail. To accommodate this and most other species, a vivarium of at least 55 to 60 gallons is required. To replicate the environmental settings of the Australian lizard's natural habitat, the temperature should be set at 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and the basking temperature needs to be between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the first time lizard keeper, the bearded dragon species that is highly recommended as a pet is the central or inland dragon. Most breeders only breeding this particular specie and sourcing this breed of lizard should be relatively simple.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Feeding Bearded Dragons - The Do's And Don'ts

Bearded Dragons are omnivores and this means that they need to be fed a diet which includes several different food groups. Do not feed them food which is larger than the space between their eyes as this has shown to cause paralysis in their hind legs. Feeding insects such as crickets, should be done once a day but fresh greens, like leafy veggies should be on offer throughout the day. Do remove all uneaten crickets from the tank, as these uneaten bugs will annoy the your pet at night, by gnawing on him. Crickets are the most common insects fed to dragons, as these insects are excellent sources of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water. The crickets are able to satisfy just about all the bearded dragons nutritional needs. Being omnivores, these lizards will also require a diet rich in plant matter, like flowers and vegetables. Do not feed your dragon iceberg lettuce.

Do ensure that at all times, not only at feeding times that these desert living reptiles have access to fresh water. Although most pet owners may never see their dragons actually drinking the water, they rely on the water to cool down. They also use the water as a type of exfoliator to rid themselves of shedding skin. Do not feed a onions, or any types of cabbage leaves as these types of vegetables must be avoided. Bearded dragons should be offered different fruits during feeding time. The recommended fruits which are good for the lizard's diet include apples, figs, grapes, kiwi fruit, pears and raspberries.

When it comes to vegetables, flowers and herbs these reptiles are by no means fussy and they will happily consume cucumber, kale, patty pans, parsley, radish leaves, rocket, pansies and even rose petals. Do remember to change the diet, as a wide selection of foods will encourage a good and healthy appetite. It will also prevent boredom. To keep the bearded dragon in tip-top shape, pet owners must make certain that they receive the full quota of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

Do remember to wash all greens, fruits and herbs as parasites may lurk on the foods and this will lead to parasitic infections. Although safe to eat, beardies are not excessively keen on foods like super worms, wax worms and meal worms. As a treat, the lizards can be given nestling or baby mice.

Do not at any time attempt to feed your dragon fireflies. These insects can prove fatal to these lizards and for pet owners who are living in an area frequented by fireflies - extra care should to be taken to make certain that fireflies do not enter the enclosure or tank. Do not try to give the lizard any type of raw meat at feeding time and other foods that should be avoided, include, frogs, toads, lizards or birds. Raw meat contains high quantities of salmonella and bacteria and this combination can prove fatal to the dragon as well.

Do not stress when it comes to feeding. It is important to find out as much information as possible when it comes to bearded dragon feeding patterns and care. Since there is a wealth of information to be found, first time owners will soon learn and discover all that is needed to keep these fascinating and social lizards, in good physical shape.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Bearded Dragons Information And Care Tips

Caring for bearded dragons requires an ongoing commitment and giving these exotic pets the right amount of care means work and dedication. Since these lizards have an expected lifespan of up to fifteen years, before deciding to purchase one, prospective pet owners must thinking carefully about their decision and weigh up all the pros and the cons. Bearded dragons are by far the most fascinating of all pets and they make great pets for both children and adults. They are relatively docile and tend to be rather social which means they enjoy spending quality time with their owners.

The cash outlay needed to setup a natural environment for these lizards may be slightly costly, as a glass enclosure or tank will have to be purchased to house them. Due to the fact that these exotic pets have a love for tree climbing, miniature trees will need to be placed in the tank to create an environment which is as close as possible to their natural habitat. The cost outlay for the tank, along with the lighting, bedding and the other necessary tank accessories, such as hiding logs amounts to roughly $200. Depending on the season which is being created in the bearded dragon's simulated habitat, the light will be needed to remain on for a period of between ten to twelve hours per day.

Being social reptiles, the bearded dragon must be taken out of their enclosure at least once a day and it is during this time that the he will explore their surroundings and socialize with the family. When it comes to diet, those caring for bearded dragons will need to make certain that they have an adequate supply of live calcium coated crickets on hand, along with baby mice or rats and super worms. Since these pets are omnivores their diets will also contain a variety of greens and they will enjoy a choice of leafy green vegetables like kale, or peas beans and a selection of fruits, like ripened strawberries.

Bearded dragons are not fussy eaters and as long as they are enjoying a varied diet they will thrive in captivity. When feeding the your beardie live crickets, all uneaten crickets need to be removed from the tank as they crickets tend to nibble or bite your dragon. A rule of thumb while caring for bearded dragons is that these exotic reptiles should never be fed any food that is larger than the space between their eyes. It has been discovered that larger foods can cause paralysis of the back legs and as such the diets should only be bite-size portions.

In giving your beardie the appropriate care, the owner must clean the tank regularly and using a good yet non-toxic sanitizer will allow the tank to remain hygienically clean for longer. It is vitally important for owners or those who handle the bearded dragons to wash their hands thoroughly after handling the bearded dragons, as they are known carriers of salmonella bacteria.

Those who are looking for a pet that need only minimum care and little attention, are advised not to opt for a bearded dragon, as although they make for wonderfully fascinating pets, beardies require continual care and attention and in considering that their diet is made up of a selection of live foods, like the calcium coated crickets, earthworms and baby mice, those who are squeamish may not enjoy feeding times.

In terms of cost, although the initial setup or cash outlay for the tank or enclosure may seem costly, in general caring for bearded dragons will not require a fortune, and most of their foods, such as the baby mice can be purchased or sourced from local pet stores or from specialty breeders while crickets are more readily available. Caring for a bearded dragon will be a fun and fascinating adventure and will offer many years of enjoyment.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

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