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Welcome to Dragons Place
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This site is dedicated to bring the most up-to-date Bearded Dragon information to you. Covering such topics as; Care, Maintenance, Feeding, Health issues, Vitamins, Nutrition, Behaviors, and Breeding. | |
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SelectionMaintenance Feeding Nutrition Health Issues
Care Care Sheets Behaviors Breeding Vivarium Design
Bearded Dragons (Genus Pogona) | |
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���There are currently seven different species of the Bearded Dragon. The most common of theses are; The inland bearded dragon (Pogona Vitticeps) and the Lawson's or Rankin's dragon (Pogona Henrylawsoni) Of the two listed the Ponoga Vitticeps or inland/central bearded dragon has the most published information to date and is the one most found as a pet in the U.S.. For these reasons Pogona Vitticeps will be the central focus at this site and be known as bearded dragon or Bds. Reference to any of the other species of bearded dragons will be noted. | |
| ���Bearded Dragons rank among the best lizard pets. They are a very tame lizard and get use to handling rather quickly. They are a good sized (medium) animal with attractive patterns and coloration. Bds average in length of eighteen - twenty four inches snout to tail tip when adults. They show a variety of social and behavioral interactions which include; arm waving, head bobbing, and beard displays to name a few. | |
| ��Bearded dragons originate from Australia. Australia has a vast and varying climate, from sub-tropical to desert. The seasonal changes of Australia are opposite to the U.S.. Australia's winter months are our summer months as well as their summer being our winter. | |
| ��Bds spend most of their time basking in the sun, on tree branches, rocks, fence posts and logs. They are most active during the morning hours with a long rest during the hottest part of the day, they become active again toward the early evening before finding a suitable place for the night. Their choice for a night time resting place is high in the tree tops, even though Bds are not thought of as tree dwellers. They do burrow (dig a shallow hole) and rest in hollow logs, caves, and niches in rock faces as well. | |
| ��Bearded dragons are omnivorous. Eating a variety of plant greens, flowers, fruits and insects. When food is scarce Bds have been noted to eat just about any food item available. They are also able to convert food into the nutrients needed in lean times and store in fat cavities. Also during unfavorable conditions Bds will dig a hole or find a suitable place to rest (see brumation) until favorable conditions return. | |
| ��Based on information gathered from personal experience and published information, Bds live from between five to ten years in captivity. Providing a good captive environment is essential to the longevity of your BD. Other factors that effect longevity are; picking a healthy animal(see Selection), Housing (see Vivariums), Maintenance (see Care Sheets), Feeding (see Feeding), and Knowledge. | |
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��Knowledge is the most important tool to successfully raise and
keep healthy, well adapted Bearded Dragons. "Know before
you try" (see Sad stories)
Selection of a healthy BD right from the start will be crucial to your success. The following is a guideline to help you with your selection. A healthy Bd will be alert, eyes wide open, and active. One that is laying around, looks lethargic, thin, and doesn't become some what active or annoyed when picked up would not be a suitable candidate. A healthy BD will also have a round-ish appearance, good muscle tone, a thick/rounded tail and a good weight when held. Check for all toes and fingers, that there are no bite marks, loose skin or bones showing (especially the hip bones). After making your selection, ask to hold the lizard. Look closely at the eyes ensuring they are clear, look at the underside of the lizard it should have a clean belly with no hard or discolored areas, next look at the tail and vent area, it should also be clean, no dark stains or fecal remains. As mentioned before check the digits, limbs, and tail, any missing parts will NOT regenerate. Check the mouth area to be sure there is no crusting or swelling. Any lizard exhibiting any swelling ( unless a gravid female), dark stains near vent, discoloration, missing digits or tail, any hard crusty areas, lethergy, or inactivity should be avoided. Unless basking or sleeping a BD at rest will sit with the front of the body raised. Maintenance Feeding Nutrition Health Issues Care Care Sheets Behaviors Breeding Vivarium Design <Basic Care Basic care of BDs is an every day event. They need to be fed, watered, cleaned, and interacted with. Feeding
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