Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Bearded dragons come from Jap Australia. They’ll develop as much as 50 cm (1.5 ft) in size. They’ll reside for as much as 12 years in captivity.

Weight loss plan

They’re omnivorous however take a better share of herbivorous meals as they age. Juveniles will take the next share of invertebrate prey corresponding to home crickets, black crickets and locusts. Waxworms and mealworms must be given sparsely. Livefood must be intestine loaded with a excessive calcium content material meals (8% of calcium within the dry matter) and plenty of merchandise are commercially accessible. It’s value checking the label for the calcium content material. Livefood must also be dusted with a excessive calcium balancer with no or minimal phosphorous content material. Livefood must be fed instantly after dusting and eaten promptly. Darkish leafy salad objects and weeds must be the primary vegetable matter supplied and this additionally must be dusted with a calcium complement.

Water

Water ought to at all times be accessible and a container is required which can permit the lizard to submerge fully. This must be modified day by day.

Lodging necessities

• A big a vivarium as doable must be offered, however not less than 120 cm (4 ft) lengthy x 60 cm (2 ft excessive) and 60 cm (2 ft) deep. That is required to allow a thermal gradient to be created alongside the size of the tank (scorching to chilly). Picket or fibreglass vivaria are ideally suited as this gives the lizard with some visible safety and air flow may be offered at lizard stage.
• Reptiles are ectothermic so a warmth supply is required. Sometimes a spot space is created utilizing a spot bulb, offering a basking temperature of 40⁰C. This must be stored on all day. Temperatures must be measured to make sure the tank is just not overheating. The cool finish must be maintained at 25⁰C.    Background warmth may be supplied with a warmth mat (on the again wall) a tubular heater, a warmth plate or a ceramic bulb. This must be set on a thermostat in order that the in a single day temperature doesn’t drop under 25⁰C. The temperatures must be measured with a most/minimal thermometer. Throughout the chilly winter months cautious checking is required to make sure the warmth sources are conserving the tank sufficiently heat. Warmth sources must be guarded to stop thermal burns.
• Bearded dragons should be uncovered to UV-b mild. One of the best sources are the mercury vapour lamps which give out warmth as nicely. This may have to be on all day for 12 hours and at a distance of 30 cm (1 foot) from the lizard. A small department or rock may be positioned under the basking website. It is very important get the basking temperature appropriate. The mercury vapour lamps can’t be fitted to a thermostat. These lamps must be checked usually for his or her UV output and must be modified not less than yearly.
• Good air flow is required and plenty of business vivaria are missing good air flow. Further air flow holes might have to be created.
• Hides are required to supply some safety. Synthetic crops, cardboard bins, plant pots, logs or commercially accessible hides can be utilized. They need to be positioned each on the heat and cooler ends of the tank.
• Substrates appropriate for housing lizards embrace newspaper, Astroturf and a number of the commercially accessible substrates. It is crucial that the substrates both can’t be eaten, or if they’re, don’t trigger blockages as this may show deadly. Wooden chip primarily based substrates ought to by no means be used for that reason.
• The vivarium must be cleaned out not less than as soon as per week to assist forestall illness and an acceptable disinfectant used.

Companions

• Basically the happiest lizard is the solitary lizard. Adults may be maintained in pairs or a harem.
• All reptiles can doubtlessly carry Salmonella.
• Nevertheless it’s not often a reason behind sickness and remedy is just not required.
• It may be transmitted to individuals and good hygiene after handing the reptile is necessary. Typically washing your palms in cleaning soap is adequate. There are commercially accessible disinfectants that can be utilized instead.

Salmonella

• All reptiles can doubtlessly carry Salmonella.
• Nevertheless it’s not often a reason behind sickness and remedy is just not required.
• It may be transmitted to individuals and good hygiene after handing the reptile is necessary. Typically washing your palms in cleaning soap is adequate. There are commercially accessible disinfectants that can be utilized instead.

Parasites

• Inside parasites are frequent however it is very important examine what parasites are current as each pinworms and coccidiosis are generally discovered and the remedies range. It’s best to get a faecal pattern checked by your vet.
• Cryptosporidium is one that’s of concern and particular stains are required to detect whether it is current.

 Indicators of ailing well being – name your vet when you see any of those

• Anorexia – though lizards can go for a short while with out consuming it is very important get the lizard checked out early in order that husbandry corrections or remedy may be began as it could take time for the lizard to reply.
• Dysecdysis – shedding issues are generally seen and this may be because of husbandry issues or an indication of ailing well being.
• Poor progress – There are a selection of causes for a lizard to develop poorly and in case your lizard is just not rising it must be offered to your vet.
• Stomatitis – in lots of beardies dental illness can develop over time if ate up a poor weight-reduction plan and if there’s any discolouration of the mouth veterinary recommendation must be sought.
• Metabolic bone illness – that is sadly nonetheless quite common. Lizards might have problem transferring round and feeding. It is very important get these checked out early on in order that remedy may be began.
• Reproductive illness – many females can collapse whereas attempting to provide eggs. It is crucial that these are offered promptly to your vet for medical or surgical remedy.