Post by SWRR on Apr 15, 2009 11:08:45 GMT
Bearded Dragon
Common Name(s): Bearded dragon, Common Bearded dragon, Inland Bearded dragon or Yellow-headed Bearded dragon. The terms Beardies, Beardeds, "Tata dragons" & "Lizard of Oz" are also used by hobbyists.
Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps
Birth Size: 8 - 10 cm / 3 - 4 " (incl. tail)
Mature Size: 30 - 60 cm / 12 - 24 " (incl. tail)
Pattern & Colour Morphs: Blood, Fire-tiger, Ghost, Gold, Hypomelanistic, Leucistic, Normal or Wild, Patternless, Red or Orange Phase, Red Desert, Salmon Hypo, Sandfire or Sunburst, Snow & Yellow Phase.
Temperature: 24 - 34 ºC / 75 - 93 ºF temperature gradient & a 35 - 40 ºC / 95 - 104 ºF hot spot. Night temperatures can drop to as low as 17 ºC / 63 ºF.
Brumation (hibernation): None, but some become more inactive during colder months (winter slumber). A period of at least two months, where the temperatures are adequately dropped, are recommended for adequate rest before a new breeding season.
Danger To Man: Beardies have extremely strong jaws and males & females might bite when hungry. Males might be aggressive (but usually will not bite) during breeding.
Life Span: 7 to 12 years.
Captive Care Food: Insects such as crickets, mealworms, locusts, cockroaches, grasshoppers & pinkies (nestling mice). Vegetables such as baby marrows, patty pans, pumpkin, green beans, peas, corn/maize, broccoli, carrots & beetroot. Fruit such as kiwis, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, papayas, melon, apple, peach & pear. The leafs of nasturtium, lucerne/alfalfa, parsley, celery, rosemary, oregano, basil & carrot tops. The flowers of nasturtium, lucerne/alfalfa, hibiscus, dandelion, pansies, carnations & rose pedals. A mixture of these groups must be supplied.
UV Requirements: Full-spectrum UV (UVA & UVB) required (5% or stronger).
Supplementation: Calcium & a suitable reptile mineral/vitamin combination.
Temperament: Usually docile, males might become extremely aggressive towards female & even the keeper during breeding season. Although they occur from time to time aggressive Beardies are scarce. Males & females might bite when hungry.
Similar Species: Other species commonly found in captivity includes the Eastern or Coastal Bearded dragon (Pogona barbata - sometimes referred to as the Bearded dragon or "Jew Lizard") & the two "beardless" bearded dragons, the Dwarf Bearded dragon (Pogona minor) & the Lesser or Lawson's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni).
Common Name(s): Bearded dragon, Common Bearded dragon, Inland Bearded dragon or Yellow-headed Bearded dragon. The terms Beardies, Beardeds, "Tata dragons" & "Lizard of Oz" are also used by hobbyists.
Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps
Birth Size: 8 - 10 cm / 3 - 4 " (incl. tail)
Mature Size: 30 - 60 cm / 12 - 24 " (incl. tail)
Pattern & Colour Morphs: Blood, Fire-tiger, Ghost, Gold, Hypomelanistic, Leucistic, Normal or Wild, Patternless, Red or Orange Phase, Red Desert, Salmon Hypo, Sandfire or Sunburst, Snow & Yellow Phase.
Temperature: 24 - 34 ºC / 75 - 93 ºF temperature gradient & a 35 - 40 ºC / 95 - 104 ºF hot spot. Night temperatures can drop to as low as 17 ºC / 63 ºF.
Brumation (hibernation): None, but some become more inactive during colder months (winter slumber). A period of at least two months, where the temperatures are adequately dropped, are recommended for adequate rest before a new breeding season.
Danger To Man: Beardies have extremely strong jaws and males & females might bite when hungry. Males might be aggressive (but usually will not bite) during breeding.
Life Span: 7 to 12 years.
Captive Care Food: Insects such as crickets, mealworms, locusts, cockroaches, grasshoppers & pinkies (nestling mice). Vegetables such as baby marrows, patty pans, pumpkin, green beans, peas, corn/maize, broccoli, carrots & beetroot. Fruit such as kiwis, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, papayas, melon, apple, peach & pear. The leafs of nasturtium, lucerne/alfalfa, parsley, celery, rosemary, oregano, basil & carrot tops. The flowers of nasturtium, lucerne/alfalfa, hibiscus, dandelion, pansies, carnations & rose pedals. A mixture of these groups must be supplied.
UV Requirements: Full-spectrum UV (UVA & UVB) required (5% or stronger).
Supplementation: Calcium & a suitable reptile mineral/vitamin combination.
Temperament: Usually docile, males might become extremely aggressive towards female & even the keeper during breeding season. Although they occur from time to time aggressive Beardies are scarce. Males & females might bite when hungry.
Similar Species: Other species commonly found in captivity includes the Eastern or Coastal Bearded dragon (Pogona barbata - sometimes referred to as the Bearded dragon or "Jew Lizard") & the two "beardless" bearded dragons, the Dwarf Bearded dragon (Pogona minor) & the Lesser or Lawson's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni).