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Bearded Dragon Size: Adult length up to 24"
Temperature/Humidity: Ideal daytime temperature for bearded dragons
should range between 75º and 85º. Additionally, a basking lamp should
be used to maintain a local temperature of 110º to 120º. Nighttime temperature
should remain between 60º and 75º. The humidity for these lizards should
be kept at or near 35%. Lighting: All diurnal (mainly active during the
day) lizards require 8-10 hours of ultraviolet lighting to maintain good
health. The use of a timer will assist in maintaining an accurate schedule
of light periods.
Feeding/Watering: Bearded dragons are omnivorous (eat both plant
and animal matter). Therefore their diet should include vegetables, fruit,
and prepared foods (such as pelleted bearded dragon food). Suggested foods:
dark, leafy greens (mustard, collard, radish, and turnip greens or tops,
kale, cabbage, dandelion leaves-stems-flowers, broccoli, non-treated backyard
grasses and weeds, clover), legumes, mulberry and grape leaves, roses,
hibiscus, nasturtiums, carnation flowers, cured alfalfa and timothy hay,
soaked alfalfa pellets, thawed frozen mixed vegetables (peas, lima beans,
carrots, green beans), peas in the pod, cauliflower, soy bean sprouts,
radishes, summer and winter squashes, grapes, apples, oranges, pear, peaches,
plums, nectarines, dates, all types of melons, strawberries, raspberries,
bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. Some high protein content foods suggested
are: dry maintenance dog food, tofu, and scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.
When feeding fruits & vegetables, use four vegetables to every fruit per
meal. It may be best to only offer fruits in every third or fourth feeding.
Red fruits are great for shy eaters as reptiles are naturally attracted
to the color red. Feeding every other day is suggested as well as dusting
food with vitamin/calcium powder every other feeding. Always remove food
four hours after it is offered to prevent spoilage. Insects such as crickets,
mealworms, superworms, and waxworms will also be consumed with gusto.
Offer insects every 3-4 days as supplement to the vegetation offered.
A shallow water dish works best with dragons. Water should be changed
daily.
Habitat/Housing: Individual dragons can be maintained in a 35 to 50
gallon aquarium. A screen lid is essential for proper air exchange. These
lizards are best kept singularly. However, for multiple pets, increase
habitat size accordingly to ensure each individual has plenty of space
to move about and not interfere with tankmates. An undertank heater should
be placed on the same end of the tank as the basking lamp. A shelter for
hiding is necessary, especially if multiple pets are in the same enclosure.
Misting the habitat occasionally will help maintain proper humidity levels
and allow for these desert lizards to intake water in a manner to which
they are accustom. Substrate
(Bedding): 2" to 3" inches of Repti-Sand is recommended for bearded
dragon terrariums to encourage their natural burrowing instinct. General
info: Bearded dragons can be long-lived pets if maintained properly. Their
attentive personality and mellow temperament make them cherished additions
to nearly any household. These unique desert lizards are quickly becoming
one of the most sought after reptiles among hobbyists.
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