How to Train your Dragon-A Care Guide
(Scientific Name: ‘Pogona Vitticeps’) also known as the Bearded dragon or ‘Beardie’,are named from the spiked folds under the chin, giving the ability to inflate and deflate his/her beard, normally defence mechanism when feeling scared, threatened, agitated or excited.
The Bearded Dragon is one of the many species of agama which originates from Austraila and are currently one of the most common species in captivity in the UK. Bearded Dragons usually live between 10-15 yrs old or more, so they’re quite a commitment.
Environment and Heating
The Bearded Dragon is Diurnal which means they’re active during the day and ectothermic which means they rely on their environment to control their body temperature which is essential for their metabolism and ability to digest food and maintaining good overall health, in captivity this is also essential for absorbing essential nutrience such as vitimins and minerals and the UVB lighting which is used to absorb vitamin D3, needed to absorb calcium to enable bone growth and health, avoiding diseases such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
To keep your Bearded dragon healthy, you need to create a thermogradient in the vivarium: A hotter side, with a Heating bulb and ‘basking zone’-to provide access to heat, with the temperature ranging from 38-42ºC and a cooler temperature ranging from 22-26ºC on the opposite end.
Diet
Animal waste should be spot cleaned on a daily basis as and when it happens and the vivarium should be cleaned with a veterinary disinfectant (such as F10) then rinsed well, at least once a month.
Fresh water should also be given to your bearded dragon on a daily basis, Bearded dragons are Omnivores which means they eat meat (Live food such as locusts, crickets, Dubia Roaches (Limited amount, too many can cause gout) and Morio Worms (Limited amount, due to high fat contents) but also should have a varied diet of vegetables and greens i.e. Spring Greens, Lettuce, Cucumber, Dandelion leaves, prickly pear cactus. All veg, should be dusted with calcium powder and a nutribal (A Multivitamin dietary supplement) when needed.
