By: Miguel
Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Longevity: 7 to 10 years (Proper Captive Conditions)
Size: 18-24 inches
Behaviors:
Beard display: Defensive behavior
Arm waving: Submissive behavior, often done by young dragons. Mature females normally perform this behavior towards males during breeding season.
Head Bobbing: Dominant behavior in males. (Rapid up and down head movement)
Bowing: Submissive behavior normally performed by females. (Appear like slow push ups)
Gaping: A form of thermo-regulation when basking under a heat source. Performed as a means to cool down.
Enclosures:
Housing:
Bearded dragons can be kept singly or in sexual pairs. Never house two males together because they will fight. Also, the dragons being housed together should be approx. the same size. If not, the larger one will out-compete the smaller one for food and will pick on it. It is not uncommon for a larger dragon to try and eat the smaller one.
The minimum requirements:
Indoor terrariums: 36 inches L x 16 inches W x 17 inches H (can be smaller for one dragon) but a larger vivarium is preferred if housing 2 or more dragons
Substrate: Aspen pellets, alfalfa pellets, sand (no finer than #30)
Landscaping: Bearded dragons enjoy climbing and basking. Basking and resting areas should be created with large rocks and or wood sections.
Lighting: One flood light over each basking area. Wattage of bulb will depend on the size of enclosure. Also full-spectrum lighting is highly recommended. Bearded dragons benefit from direct sunlight for at least 30 min., 2-3 times a week.
Heating: Daytime Temperature should be 80-85 degrees F on the cool side, with at least one basking area reaching 90-115 degrees F. Use of a thermometer is mandatory. (DON’T GUESS!) Night-time temperature can fall safely to as low as 65F.
Feeding:
Food sources: Crickets, king mealworms (super worms), and plant food (Mustard Greens, Collards, etc.). Dust insects with Calcium Supplement like Repcal, Miner-All, or Osteoform
1-2 Months: 3/8″ gut-loaded crickets 2-3 times a day (dusted with Calcium Supplement). Finely chopped mustard greens every other day.
2-4 Months: 1/2″ gut-loaded crickets twice a day (Dusted with Calcium supplement for 1st feeding). Finely chopped mustard greens, collards, endive, romaine, squash
4 Months-Maturity: 3/4″ gut-loaded crickets once to twice daily. (Dusted with Calcium supplement every other day). Chopped mustard greens, collards, endive, romaine, squash every other feeding.
Adults: 4-5 week old gut-loaded crickets and/or super worms every 1 to 2 days. (Dusted with Calcium supplement twice a week). Chopped mustard greens, collards, endive, romaine, squash every other feeding. Females during breeding season should be fed and supplemented with Calcium daily.
Vitamins: Vitamin/mineral supplement: 1 part multi vitamin (Herptivite) to 5 parts calcium powder (ie.Rep-Cal).
Water: Fresh clean water should be offered 2-3 times a week in a shallow dish.
Recommended Reading:
General Care and Maintenance of Bearded Dragons
By: Philippe de Vosjoli & Robert Mailloux
This article written by:
By: Miguel
