Facts on Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons can be found mostly in Australia. Their scientific name is Pogona vitticeps, also known as the Inland or Central Bearded Dragon. They have become more popular as people learn more about them. They are friendly and attach to their owners quickly.

These lizards can range in size between 7 inches to 12 inches. Measurements are taken from the tip of their nose to the beginning of their tail.

These guys can look mean and furious when scared or intimated by puffing out their beard and turning dark colors under their chin and belly. But on the contrary these guys are very tame and easy to handle that even a child as young as 7 years old can handle them, without the fear of being bitten.

Another aspect that has made them more popular is their interaction with humans. They are interesting and fun to watch. They will actually interact with you and play with you, now not like a dog or cat, but each beardie has it's own unique personality.

The common bearded dragon that are available in the pet shops today mostly are inland or sometimes referred to as central bearded dragon. They're named as such because of their natural habitat within the wild where they can be found; in central or mainland of Australia.

There is another type where they natural environment is near the coastal area. They're better known as coastal bearded dragon. They used to be very popular in the pet community but getting lesser now.

Besides 2 of these common dragons, less common types of bearded dragons tend to be Rankins and Vittikins. These are the reptiles which can be really hard to find in the pet shops.

Many of these reptiles are very similar, but may be somewhat different in size or their colors. They may be categorized as mid-size pet dragon. Male could grow up to about 24 inches long, and female is approximately 20 inches. Their tail is about half of the body length.

These lizards have rough skin on the back and side of the body but soft along the belly part. Their lifespan is approximately 7 years or more.

Because of the strict rules of international pet buying and selling, most of the bearded dragons found in United States and United Kingdom tend to be captive bred locally. Most of the time, the beardeies which are for sale in pet stores these days are mainly inland or central dragons where the majority of the hobbyist may find.

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Tips For Choosing Habitats For Bearded Dragons

It's important that you provide your dragon with a proper enclosure.  There are a few things you need to consider when buying one.  This article will give you a few tips for choosing bearded dragon habitats.

Size

The most important consideration by is size.  Your beardie will be unhappy and unhealthy if you keep him in an enclosure that's too small.  Dragons up to seven inches long can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium.  20 gallon tanks are suitable enough for those measuring up to 12 inches.  Adults over 12 inches long should be kept in 20 gallon aquariums.

Space

Whatever size enclosure you choose, it's more important to have more ground space than vertical space.  Unlike many other types of lizards, bearded dragons don't spend a lot of time off the ground.  They only climb trees and other objects occasionally, so you need to make sure they have plenty of ground space.

Material

Another important consideration when choosing habitats for bearded dragons is material.  You should get one made from wood or glass.  These two materials will help retain heat inside the enclosure. 

Avoid wire cages because they don't retain heat.  Also, your dragon may injure his nose or feet if he's kept in this type of cage.  If you must get one of these cages, look for one that has plastic-coated wire.

Lid

You may be wondering why you'll need a lid if bearded dragons don't like to climb much.  Well, your lizard will certainly climb towards the opening if he sees it's a way to freedom.  Therefore, make sure you get a lid that fits tightly so that it can't be pushed open easily.

There is a lot you need to learn about caring for bearded dragons. So, stop by bearded-dragon-care.net today to learn about things such as common bearded dragon illnesses.

Finding the Right Bearded Dragon Breeders

When it comes to finding the right bearded dragon breeders there are some important things you should look for. Not all breeders are alike and you should know your facts before going out and dealing with just any breeder.

Here are some basic guidelines on bearded dragon breeders -

The area where the beardies are being bred should be clean
You should be able to see both parents of the beardie you are interested in.
The breeder should be able to answer all questions and concerns you have.
You should be allowed to hold and examine the beardie.

The beardie you are interested in should not be housed with a lot of other beardies. He/she should be in a good and clean tank. If he/she is in with other beardies, be sure it has proper lighting and heating and no more than around 10 other beardies if he/she is under 3 months old.

There are a lot of ways you can find local breeders in your area, the first place to start is to do a Google search for bearded dragon breeders in and then the name of your city or state. Also check local newspaper listings and your local pet stores. Find out when and where reptile shows will be in your area, these are great ways to see beardies and how they interact with others.

As with any new pet, make sure the beardie you are looking at is healthy and happy and alert. He/she should be aware of their surroundings and not show any signs of sickness. One important thing you should always find out, is if the breeder has any type of guarantee on the lizard. This is vital and you should be allowed at least 7 days guarantee to be able to take the lizard to your vet and have him/her checking thoroughly.

These are just a few tips for seeking out a dragon breeder. Do your research and know the ins and outs about bearded dragons. Understand how they should look and act in captivity.

These lizards are becoming more and more popular and there are more and more bearded dragon breeders popping up everywhere. Not all of them are legit and if you know about the lizard you will know what to be on the look out for. Do not just get any beardie because he/she is cute. We hope these tips will help you find just the right bearded dragon breeder so you can have a healthy and happy beardie for years to come.

Discover more information about bearded dragon breeders visitor our site http://www.beardeddragoncaretips.com/

6 Tips To Keeping Your Bearded Dragon Illness Free

The first question you must ask yourself before buying a bearded dragon is:

Do I have access to a good reptile veterinarian?

This is so very important because unfortunately bearded dragons do fall ill and you'll want to have quality care available when and if this occurs. Normally vets don't have the specialized knowledge of reptile vets and wouldn't be able to deliver the same quality of care.

It's usually easy to identify a sick bearded dragon as they will give you a number of telltale warning signs. Just like people, they will develop a 'sick' looking appearance, become lethargic and lose interest in food. However these signals may change depending on the cause of the problem. Below is a list of illnesses you may encounter as a bearded dragon owner.

- Nutritional disorder

- Beta-carotene deficiency

- Overeating

- Parasites

- Ectoparasites

- Ectoparasites

- Endoparasites

- Respiratory diseases/infections

- Viral illnesses

- Fungal diseases

- Gastrointestinal infections

- Traumatic injuries

- Hereditary diseases

- Reproductive disorders

- Neurological disorders

- Environmental disorders

- Metabolic bone disease

- Yellow fungus

As you can see there's quite a list and whilst beardies usually live for between 4-10 years. Some of these illnesses have the potential to shorten this life expectancy dramatically. Though most of the time beardie health problems are completely preventable. With a properly established enclosure, good lighting, plenty of space and a healthy diet you should enjoy many, many happy years with your beardie.

Some tips to keeping your beardie safe and healthy are below:

- Always wash your hands - you may be the carrier of harmful bacteria so always practice good hygiene before and after handling your beardie.

- Clean the enclosure on a regular basis to keep it sparkling clean and too avoid the nasty smells. This includes replacing the substrate as often as necessary.

- Clean food and water dishes often, as this can harbor bacteria also and cause your beardie to become ill.

- Always monitor the temperatures inside the enclosure with a thermometer and check it regularly.

- Familiarize yourself with his natural behaviors, so you can identify when he starts to act a little strange

- Have a reptile vet in an area near you.

You can learn more about bearded dragon illnesses at Bearded Dragon Answers, a free resource where you'll learn everything you need to know about caring and keeping bearded dragons.

Expert Tips on Caring For Baby Bearded Dragons

So, you've got yourself a small dragon.  Well, baby bearded dragons require slightly different care than their older counterparts.  Keep reading to pick up a few tips on caring for baby beardies.

Habitat

Obviously, adults need a larger enclosure than juveniles.  It's important that you don't house a baby in a vivarium that's way too large.  It will likely make him very uncomfortable.  Babies should be kept in a maximum 20 gallon tank until at least four months old.  Don't forget to put some rocks, wood, and sticks in the habitat so he can climb around.

Substrate

The type of substrate that you use with baby bearded dragons is very important.  Since they're pretty sloppy eaters, they commonly ingest pieces of substrate.  Therefore, it's best to use carpet or some type of paper product as a substrate.  As your beardie ages, you can change the substrate to sand.

Crickets

You need to feed babies crickets on a regular basis.  Provide all he can eat within 15 minutes.  However, it's important that you don't feed him crickets that are too large for him.  Not only may he choke on the oversized cricket, it may also lead to impaction or pressure on the spinal cord which can cause paralysis.

Water

Baby dragons don't usually drink their water from a bowl.  Instead, they usually choose to get water from misting or soaking.  It's best to mist them about three times each day to ensure that they stay hydrated.  Older dragons tend to eat more salads, so they get water from them.

Mates

Are you thinking about moving your baby dragon in with others sometime in the future.  Well, you need to make sure that they're approximately the same size.  If not, the larger dragon will probably be aggressive and attack the smaller one.

There are probably many more things you need to learn about caring for bearded dragons. Fortunately, bearded-dragon-care.net provides everything you need to get started. So, stop by today to start reading about topics such as how to setup proper bearded dragon housing.

5 Tips to Preparing Safe, Healthy Food For Your Bearded Dragon

There is a wide variety of food that is suitable for your bearded dragon. It is both easy and inexpensive to create a great beardie meal. However there are some things you might like to know. Below are a number of tips to help you to prepare the ideal bearded dragon lunch.

Tip #1
A good place to start looking for good quality food is right in your own home. A leftover salad is perfect as it requires no effort to make and will actually help to dispose of those unwanted scraps. However be careful of lettuce as this has no nutritional content. Also it's not a very good idea to apply salad dressing or seasoning to your beardies food. A great idea is to set aside a portion for your beardie before you apply these flavorings. You can apply the same principle to vegetables and fruit also.

Tip #2
Cut the food into a size no larger than the distance between your beardies eyes. If it is cut too large your beardie is likely to experience problems with digestion. Adults can generally be fed human portion sizes, but judge for yourself as it will depend on the size and maturity of your dragon. It's very important that you never feed juveniles or babies food that is too big for them to eat. This tip is of most importance when they're feeding on insects, however it applies to all other foods as well.

Tip #3
Be very selective about the insects you give to your beardie. Under no circumstances should it ever be fed fireflies. They are extremely toxic! Limit the use of mealworms as they can have very tough skin and cause impaction in your beloved pet. Also be careful of collecting your own insects in the backyard as these may have been exposed to chemicals which are harmful to bearded dragons such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers.

Tip #4
Vegetables should make up 85% of your bearded dragons diet. However also supply a portion of insects such as grasshoppers, moths and flies as they are a great source of protein. To round it all out, provide fruit and flowers. They are a natural addition to their diet and promote good health.

Tip #5
Lastly, always provide plenty of water. Although they are desert dwelling animals and very good at conserving water, it is also essential that they have some available. Some suggestions are to keep a water dish in the enclosure or to spray their food with water before feeding.

Want to learn more about bearded dragon food? Visit Lauren's website at www.beardeddragonanswers.com where you'll find a full list of healthy food and the harmful things to be aware of and avoid.

Buy A Bearded Dragon - Important Tips on How to Get a Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons are reptiles that are native to Australian and they can be found in the wetland areas as well as the desert areas. The most popular types of beardie come from the deserts. These reptiles are easy to handle and will be loved by all.

When looking to buy a bearded dragon there are a number of things that you need to lookout for before making the actual purchase.


Always ensure that the prospective bearded dragon is active and aware of its surroundings
Check to see that the nose, eyes and mouth are free from any forms of oozing and pus
They should be free of bite marks and sores and should be able to walk and run freelyOnce you have decided on which beardie to purchase you should wait until you have all the necessary amenities at your home before you buy him or her.

You will need two sources of light, one to provide heat and the other for UVB exposure. You will need a reptile carpet for the flooring. Sand should be avoided as well as other materials that are not intended for your beardie. The local pet shop should be able to explain everything to you.

You need to have a food dish and a water dish and something for your beardie to perch on. They love to bask underneath their heating lamp.

The home that you provide for your bearded dragon should be of an adequate size. Never house a beardie that is more than 6 inches in length from the base of the tail to the nose in a terrarium that less than ten gallons, if you plan on keeping more than one beardie they should never be housed together especially males as they will fight each other. Two females can be kept with one male but the more beardies you have in one terrarium larger the tank will have to be.

The terrarium that you provide for your bearded dragon should come with a screen top that can be easily removed. This is how you will gain easy access to your beardie for feeding and interaction. It is never recommended that you let your beardie roam freely around your house as these creatures are extremely curious and may try to eat something that can be harmful to them.

To buy a bearded dragon check with your local pet shop or news paper classified ads. You can also visit a reptile show as there are many breeders that will know a lot about beardies and be able to sell you some.

It is always best to know the background before you buy a bearded dragon. It is even a good idea for you spend some time with the dragon that you want to buy if that is possible.

This part is important, so pay attention

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