An excellent choice for reptile hobbyists is bearded dragons. Bearded dragons that are kept as pets are quite docile and will breed well in captivity. These lizards are an excellent choice for a beginner who is dedicated to keeping their pet healthy and happy. Bearded dragon care is actually quite easy french beard without mustache.
If a beardie receives the proper care it is able to live for up to fifteen years. If you are new to caring for a bearded dragon then you will need to know how best to care for your pet properly. You will need to provide the correct enclosure, water, food, substrate, lighting and temperature
Bearded Dragon Diet
In caring for your bearded dragon the correct diet is extremely important. They are omnivorous creatures this means that they eat vegetables, fruits, and insects. You will be able to purchase insects from your local pet store or you can catch them on your own. Keep in mind the ones that you purchase may have been exposed to poisonous substances, so catching the insects yourself may not be a bad idea. Bearded dragons will feed on earth worms, wax worms, king worms, cockroaches and meal worms. They also love crickets. You should provide them with as much as they can eat in ten minutes three times each day. They must also be provided with fresh vegetables on a daily basis.
You can also include a pinch calcium which should be dusted on the food. Calcium is necessary for growth. Bearded dragons do not usually recognize standing water. So you will have to mist the food with water that is mineral rich. He or she will recognize water that is dripping from a leaf. You can also spray a plastic plant with water. Giving them too much water is just as dangerous as not giving them any at all as they originate from the dessert.
Bearded Dragon Terrarium
When thinking about the correct accommodation for your bearded you should always remember that they require a lot of space. For young hatchlings an aquarium-like tank in the region of 10 to 15 gallons is just the right size. Adults on the other hand will require a terrarium of fifty and fifty-five gallons in size. Because they are semi-arboreal this means their enclosure should be rectangular in shape proving them with more length than height.
The housing that you provide should have a screen lid, so your beardie does not climb out when it is not supposed to. A lot of people have lids made of Plexiglas, wood or regular glass which is a bad idea since these will prevent proper air circulation. If your beardie is less than 6 months old avoid using sand as a substrate because they may end up eating it and that will be detrimental to their health. The best substrate to use is vinyl, paper towels or tiles.
Terrarium Lighting
Having the correct lighting is in the bearded dragon enclosure is another aspect that should be taken into consideration. In addition to a bright day-time light you will need to provide your beardie with a special UVB bulb this is necessary for the production of vitamin D3 which is aids in the metabolism of calcium. To ensure your bearded dragon is receiving the proper care you will need to provide it with fourteen hours of bright light and the balance of the day should be spent in darkness.
Terrarium Temperature
When setting up your pet enclosure a gradient temperature should be provided. Being cold-blooded they will move from one side of the cage to the other so as to keep their body temperate even. The enclosure should have two varying temperatures one side should be between 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit and the other side about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature should be lowered to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the evenings. The area that is designated for basking should be between 100-105 degree Fahrenheit.
Bearded Dragon Brumation
During the winter time dragons will slow down considerably. You may notice that they may hide away for a few weeks and will hardly eat. This only applies to the older beardies as the younger ones will have to eat on a regular basis.
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