Description:

 

Pogona, also know as bearded dragons are one of the most commonly kept pet reptiles in the world. Natives of Australia, they prefer to spend their lives in warm and arid dessert conditions, but can also be found across much of the continent. 

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Bearded dragons come in a variety of colors depending on their breed/sub species. Making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, while fetching a different price point depending on their rarity and beauty.

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Their beards, for which they are named, are the scaly/spikey area below their mouths which they can puff out and change in color, for the purpose of signaling between predators and fellow dragons.

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Bearded dragons are also known to use vocalizations such as hissing, and will often use hand gestures, waving and even head bobbing as a means of communication.

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When not in search of food bearded dragons love to spend much of their time basking in warm sunlight, and will actively seek out a high place to perch on such as a rock ledge or accessible tree branch from which they will relax and survey their surroundings. 

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Size:

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At their full size, bearded dragons, from head to tail, achieve a body length of around 16-24 inches. With males possibly growing larger than females. However, due to their varied genetics, this size difference is not generally considered a consistent or legitimate way of determining their sex. 

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Males typically will have a larger, and more broadly shaped head then females, but as with their actual full size, this is not always a reliable way to determine gender.

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They are considered among hobbyists as a medium sized lizard. Much larger than your average gecko, but coming in smaller than most monitor lizards and iguanas. Despite being a fairly commonly kept animal, they are still a large commitment for the average keeper when it comes to housing them. Particularly when considering the cost and amount of space they require to live comfortably.

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Temperament:

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Bearded dragons are widely known for their calm demeanor and ease of care - leading to their popularity as household pets - and making them a great beginner lizard for people looking to break into the hobby.

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Juvenile dragons can some times be skittish and prone to nipping as a means of defense, but even with minimal interaction, they tend to outgrow this behavior as they mature. The bite of a juvenile is also not usually powerful enough to cause much pain or damage to the skin.

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Bearded dragons are intelligent animals and typically before long will come to recognize their keepers as a source of food and not danger, so with time they should quickly come to trust petting and gentle handling.

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Bearded dragons can sometimes be housed communally but do have a strong territorial instinct that can make doing so a risk. It is advisable to never keep multiple male bearded dragons together. Even a combination of two females or a male and female can sometimes lead to confrontation, so if purchasing more than one, you must be prepared for the possibility of eventually needing entirely separate accommodations.

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Housing:

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Juvenile bearded dragons can be kept in fairly small enclosures, with even a 20-30 gallon tank giving them space to freely move around. However, these animals are known for their fast growth rate - typically reaching full size within a year, so it is always best to plan ahead and keep this in mind when purchasing one.

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A fully grown adult will require a minimum sized tank of 75 gallons, with larger being preferable. This being the case, they require a fairly large amount of living space, and should still be allowed to occasionally, under supervision, roam around outside of their enclosure for added exercise and stimulation.

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Hides and items to climb and bask on are essential items for keeping your dragon happy. The more stimulus you can provide them within their space, the happier these reptiles are going to be over all. Many bearded dragons also enjoy lounging in reptile hammocks - which can easily be found in most pet shops.

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Bearded dragons require a consistent level of heat in order to regulate their body temperatures. Heat mats can be used throughout their enclosure, often with one below a hiding area, but it's also essential to use basking bulbs to mimic their natural environment. This basking light should be fixed to one side of their enclosure, typically above a stone or raised platform, to ensure a proper heat gradient throughout their living space. 

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The ideal daytime temperature for a bearded dragon is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit with the basking area of their enclosure reaching as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Nightly temperature drops are acceptable, as it provides the natural conditions they would encounter in their wild habitat. Temperatures at night should still not be allowed to drop below 75 degrees, as this will quickly become uncomfortable and dangerous to these animals. The use of digital thermometers is always advisable for ensuring optimal conditions met.

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Bearded dragons don't require the high humidity levels that many other reptiles do. Occasionally misting and providing a water dish should be sufficient to keep the humidity to an adequate base needed to assist with proper shedding and comfort levels. It's also a good idea to actually heavily mist the dragons themselves every so often in order to bathe them. Many of them genuinely seem to enjoy this as well, and during, will drink the water droplets that collect and pour down their head.

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As with many other captive kept diurnal reptiles, dragons require a source of UVB lighting. If they're kept indoors and away from direct sunlight, it is essential to provide them with a source of this lighting for 12 hours daily. Failing to do so can, over time, cause them many health problems and a shortened life span.

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On the matter of substrate, bearded dragons can be kept on a wide variety of different options. Coco fiber and reptile sand are popular choices, but accounting for the large size of their enclosures, and the fact that they typically won't burrow much, it makes sense to go with something easily cleaned and replaced such as repti-carpet or paper.

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Diet:

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Bearded dragons are omnivorous animals, which means they will require both a steady diet of insects, but also certain vegetables and fruits. Be sure to do research into which plants are appropriate for feeding, as some can be unhealthy, or even fatally toxic (I'm happy to assist through e-mail if you have any questions about this).

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Bearded dragons love a varied diet of feeder insects. Different types of roaches, crickets and worms are always a welcome meal for them. Dusting with calcium and vitamin supplementation should also be done regularly to ensure they're receiving a healthy and adequate level of nutrition.

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Bearded dragons need to eat. A LOT. Particularly in the early stages of their life, when they're growing at an extremely fast pace (this is a cost and time requirement that you should factor in with the price tag of housing when deciding whether or not a bearded dragon is the right pet for you).

 

This fast growth is an advantageous gift of their evolution that ensures they spend a minimal amount of time as small prey - but in captivity needs to be fueled by their keeper, as they obviously do not have the ability to forage for food themselves.

 

The general consensus amongst breeders is that juvenile dragons should be fed insects every day - as much as they will eat - even up to 50 or more crickets or comparatively sized insects in a single day.  You can supplement the rest of their diet with plant matter, but as babies, they will require constant animal protein. Once they reach maturity, you can swap this diet, offering more vegetables and significantly less insects. In my experience though, many bearded dragons have their own taste in which types of vegetables and fruits they tend to enjoy, and some experimentation may be needed to find a food that they really take to.

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Treated water should be readily available to your bearded dragon, though if they're being given a proper diet, they will likely get most of their required hydration through other sources.

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Lifespan:

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A well kept captive bred bearded dragon should have an average life expectancy of 10-15 years, although some have been reported to live even longer under the right conditions.

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