Bearded Dragons are found in the arid woodiands and deserts of Central Australia. They grow to be approximately 2 feet long, including the tail, and are a yellowish tan color. The head is wedge-shaped and there are spines on the throat, sides of the head, and along the sides of the body. This reptile is so named because it is able to expand the skin around the throat area when threatened or to defend territory. It is difficult to determine males from females when they are young, but as the Bearded Dragon ages, the males develop larger heads and darker, more impressive beards.
Housing
A 55 to 60 gallon glass aquarium works well for one or two dragons. The floor space matters more than height, so some owners prefer customized cages made from Plexiglas. These are more lightweight and easier to clean than a large glass aquarium. Be sure to include branches and logs where the Bearded Dragon can bask, climb and hide. Provide a food and water dish.
Make sure the enclosure is secure and has no areas where the Bearded Dragon might escape. Ventilation is important, so use a mesh or screen top. Be careful not to use wire lids as reptiles sometimes rub their noses raw on them.
Some people choose to use newspaper as a substrate. There are also substrate materials available commercially that are safe for reptiles. Never use cat litter or soil obtained outdoors where pesticides or urine from other animals might have contaminated it. Reptiles sometimes consume parts on the substrate, so it needs to be safe to ingest.
Lighting
All reptiles require fluorescent full spectrum lighting with UVB. These can be obtained from any quality pet store or can be ordered online from reptile specialty stores. These are absolutely essential because reptiles require vitamin D3, which they normally receive from sunlight. Obviously, when kept indoors, reptiles are unable to receive natural sunlight.
Temperature
The Bearded Dragon needs to be kept in temperatures ranging from 70 to 80° at night and over 80° during the day. There should also be a basking area where the temperature is between 95 and 100°. It is important to have gradations of temperatures so that the animal can move about within this enclosure to regulate its body temperature. The reptile will move to the cooler area when it wishes to lower its temperature and will return to the basking area to raise its temperature. Reptiles must have the right temperature to digest food.
Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivores. They require a balanced diet of proteins and vegetables. Chopped cooked chicken, crickets, worms, dark leafy greens, yellow squash, and green beans are good basics for bearded dragons. Live crickets may be fed and will be relished, but most dragons will learn to eat the canned or freeze dried varieties. Provide fresh water. Younger dragons will consume more insect material, but as the reptile matures, more plant matter should be added to the diet. Calcium and vitamins supplements can be added two or three times per week.
Longevity
Cared for properly, a Bearded Dragon may live up to 10 years in captivity.
Personality
Bearded Dragons are hardy, curious and social. They rarely bite even in the wild and are easy to handle. These features make them more suitable as pets than reptiles such as green iguanas or large constrictors, especially when children are in the home, or when the pet owner is a novice with reptiles.
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