In terms of selecting a good aquarium it is advisable to procure one which allows for partition. For example, having a large aquarium which allows for partition reduces costs of taking care of bearded dragons since you wouldn’t have to continually change the aquarium in order to adjust to the growth of your pet bearded dragon. Throughout the development of your pet and his lifespan, you wouldn’t have to spend so much of changing his habitat, an aquarium with partitions allows for easy adjustment. Normally an advisable aquarium which could permit for adjustment would have to be 55-70 gallons. In terms of the materials used in an aquarium, it has been noted that the white melamine is a component which maintains the brightness of the cage. This is very important since a bright environment encourages the appetite of your pet bearded dragon. This particular material helps maintain and hold light inside the enclosure instead of just passing through the glass sides of the aquarium. The fronts of the glass aquarium are able to let the pet bearded dragon to see the world outside; you would even get the chance to interact with your pet.

Aside from preparing the bearded dragon habitat, you should also know where to properly place such habitat since the external environment of the habitat could also affect the conditions inside the habitat. Firstly you must locate a place you felt most secured with. This is in terms of accessibility, feasibility as well as monitoring. You should find a place where you could easily see or check your pet bearded dragon. The place should also allow for such a habitat to exist. The cage should be placed in a place away from direct sunlight and it should be far from where areas which could get pretty busy but at the same time a place where are also other things are going around but to certain moderation only. Bearded dragons like to observe their surroundings and this kind of pet is very curious. A place which is seldom visited is not advisable. Most of the time bearded dragons prefers being in places where they could observe other things in their surroundings.

The first type would be the Coastal Bearded Dragon. This can be usually located in the eastern and southern parts of Australia and in contrast to the other breeds of bearded dragons; this type is not often preferred by pet enthusiasts. The coastal bearded dragon looks very dull in color and relatively dark. Inland dragons are rather chosen because they are easier to tame compared to the coastal ones, and they are also larger in terms of size. Spots can rarely be found on the neck area of coastal dragons. Among all other types, the coastal bearded dragon appears to have a very strong physical structure, higher resistance to temperature change, including coldness and high levels of moisture in the environment.

Second, another type of bearded dragon is the Rankin Dragon. If the Coastal Bearded Dragon can easily be located in the eastern coast of Australia, this on the other hand usually lives around Queensland, most on the central area. This type is the rarest of all the existing bearded dragons in the world; therefore it is very difficult to acquire even a single Rankin Dragon. It is unique in such a way that Rankin dragons inflate their beards. Their size is an advantage compared to the inland bearded and coastal dragons. This feature has caught the attention of bearded dragon owners, breeders and the like. It created such a demand wherein it therefore became too difficult own one. The maximum size for this type would be around 13 inches, which is very small.

Last among the types of bearded dragons, there is the Inland bearded dragon. This is the most common among all types and is also known as the central bearded dragon. This type is what we often see in pictures and such since it is unusual for people to see. They are the gentlest and the friendliest among the other breeds. Pet enthusiasts are utterly fascinated with its breeding characteristics, making them attractive for breeders to hold them captive. The demand for them is very high and likewise cheap, so they are made available in the market. Inland bearded dragons have a very obvious spot in the neck area, making it easy to distinguish them from the other types.

As discussed, the types of bearded dragons vary according to several factors. Like the Inland bearded dragon which has a very distinctive spot, the Coastal, which is hard to tame, and the Rankin dragon that lives in Queensland. In conclusion, they all are distinct yet important. And that uniqueness is what makes them all special.

Feeding bearded dragons

Aside from the food items that you should take note of when feeding bearded dragons, there are also consideration that you must take note regarding external factors which could affect the manner in which you pet bearded dragon feeds. Body temperature also plays an important role in feeding your bearded dragon. For instance, if your bearded dragon does not have the right body temperature, its appetite could be affected. One of the factor which affects the body temperature of a bearded dragon is the temperature of the environment it is in. If the temperature of the enclosure is too extreme the appetite of a bearded dragon is discouraged. There is indigestion therefore the bodily functions of your pet bearded dragon is affected.

In order to properly feed your pet bearded dragon, you should be mindful of several ways in which you could properly facilitate it.

• First, you should know the origins of the insects you are about to feed your pet bearded dragon. You should be aware of what kinds of foods it has consumed. The kind of food items that the insects feed on would determine the nutrients your pet bearded dragon would be getting.
• To protect your pet bearded dragon, you should rinse the vegetables thoroughly before feeding your bearded dragon.
• You should be able to regularly check and maintain the heat and light of the enclosure the bearded dragon is placed in. Since heat and light affects temperature you should always be mindful of it as temperature greatly affects the appetite of a bearded dragon.
• Try and hand-feed insects to your dragon.

Just in the same manner as you should know the right kinds of food you should feed a bearded dragon, also demands that you should also know what not to feed it. In essence, wild insects or plants are not advisable to be fed since the nutritional contents of these food items are not beneficial for your pet bearded dragon.

Healthy bearded dragons

Feed your bearded dragons a variety of nutritious foods that are essential for their growth and resistance for infections or illnesses.

Know the proper feeding according to your pet’s age. Baby bearded dragons are given with an specific amount of food which is right for their age while adult bearded dragons are being fed with the right amount of food and the number of times they have to eat. Always give a precaution when feeding your pets to avoid overdose or lacking of nutrients from the foods they take.

Bearded dragons are omnivores so they welcome meats and plants. Meat contains the highest protein but too much protein intake may cause overdose for your “beardies”. Although vegetables such as spinach and other dark leafy veggies are rich in calcium, they are sometimes not healthy if being fed in large amounts. Dandelion Greens, also known as weed, mustard greens and collard greens can be fed to bearded dragons regularly.

Crickets are also being fed to bearded dragons so it’s essential if you give your crickets with healthy stuff. Your bearded dragons absorb all the nutrients from the crickets. Baby bearded dragons are being fed with crickets properly and with precaution to avoid impaction.

You can also present their food with powdered vitamin supplements.

Feed your bearded dragons with the essential foods in right temperature. Never give them frozen lettuce and the like.

Mealworms are also one of the best sources of protein. Give large amounts of your bearded dragon only the right amount of mealworms so that it’s easy to digest and you can also avoid digestion problems.

Always check your bearded dragon’s cage if it has the proper temperature which is essential for their digestion. What some owners don’t know that if they left the bearded dragons cage in a cold temperature, this may cause “beardies” digestion problems. These desert reptiles are cold-blooded that’s why they prefer to live in a warm temperature to survive.

Other common factors such as stress may lead your bearded dragon to eating disorders which may result constipation and more exposed to parasites. Putting your bearded dragon in a quiet and calm environment can be beneficial of taking care of them.

Giving them a warm bath is also essential for them as it may give refreshment and helps eliminate the production of bacteria that you can get from their skin.

If there are unusual movements or signs of discomfort occurred, you might think that your bearded dragon is sick. It is advisable to take them to an expert veterinarian as soon as possible before it gets worst. You can also ask advice from your vet on how to give the proper treatment at home and what are the things to avoid. By doing your part as an owner, it is possible that you can have a healthy bearded dragon.

When feeding bearded dragon, you should be aware of the important things to avoid feeding mistakes such as the amount of protein or calcium they need, the number of times they have to eat in one day, the essential foods that they have to take at their age and the like. Also ensure that they only have the required amount of vitamin A to avoid overdose.

Bearded dragons love crickets so you must give them not just an ordinary cricket but a healthy cricket. What you give to your cricket is what your bearded dragon will have so it’s best to take care of your cricket by nourishing them with healthy foods and good environment. You should also pay attention to your cricket’s storage. Baby bearded dragons are more eager to eat crickets in bigger size but this can lead them into impaction.

Bearded dragons are just like humans, they should also eat clean and healthy foods to keep them healthy and alive. You can avoid any diseases by washing the vegetables thoroughly before they eat. Make sure that they are chopped finely to avoid choking and impaction. Bearded dragons can also be fed with fruits such as mangoes, strawberries, carrots, zucchini and squash.

Their body and food’s temperature also matter to them. If they are given food items with wrong temperature or those that do match with their body’s temperature, they will not show any appetite and it will be hard for them to digest the food. This may also cause problems in digestion such as constipation and the like.

Maintain your bearded dragon’s cage cleanliness. Always clean the dish and clear uneaten foods such as greens and veggies inside its cage on a daily basis. When feeding them with a prey, always remember to match its size to your pet’s mouth. A younger prey is much better because it only contains lower chitin.

A right content of water should be offered to bearded dragons by spraying, misting greens and veggies or putting on a dish. Aside from the normal foods, you can also give your bearded dragon vitamin and mineral supplements. You can also powder these supplements on crickets.

Do not over feed your bearded dragon. Although bearded dragons used to look and act as hungry reptile, they should have a regular eating schedule which is only done once in the morning or evening. Always remember that bearded dragons does not accept or absorb any kind of foods so you should not give them anything that is not recommended for them to eat. Know their limitations and the foods that are prohibited. By being aware of tips in feeding bearded dragon, you can ensure their health to live longer.

Stop worrying because it is just normal; in fact, it’s a part of their life cycle. In this case, your pet is undergoing a bearded dragon brumation.

Bearded dragon brumation refers to the semi-hibernation state that these reptile pets undergo during the winter months, that is common among reptiles. During the winter season, the reptiles adapt to the changing temperature by being dormant for thermoregulation. These animals usually find places for them to insulate and adjust to the temperature that is called hibernaculums. Rocks, burrows and even the water are examples of hibernaculum found in nature.

All reptiles may not have exactly the same way of brumation. Some factors that may affect them are its specie, nature (whether captive or not), existence (number of years living) and gender among many others. But there are also patterns that are observed commonly among them like reptiles’ brumation starts when temperature starts changing and dropping (start of fall) and ends when temperature starts to rise again. Most of them have lessened activity and have lesser consumption of food and water. They may also have the changing of skin. The length of brumation cannot also be generalized as it also varies from one reptile to another.

Your bearded dragon is a reptile, therefore, it undergoes brumation. But, contradict to some beliefs, some bearded dragon do not undertake brumation.

Bearded dragon brumation usually starts when your bearded dragon turns one year old, and in its second winter. You will notice that it start to have a decrease in appetite, sleeps more and prefers to stay on their hiding places. Just because it is normal, this doesn’t mean that you have nothing to do but wait for its process to end. Remember that reptiles stay alive by relying on their stored fats (glycogen) in their body, so their fasting is understood. But it should be put in mind that they still need water, so always make sure that their water container is existent.

Misting their noses and letting them lick it is another option. Since their brumation has something to do with the temperature, try to mimic the temperature of what they were used to by adjusting the lighting around them. Let them sleep or hibernate as much as they want, but also make it to a point to gradually check you pets every now and then.

Owners should understand brumation and their bearded dragons because their brumation can also be controlled by “starving them” or decreasing the food intake, setting their lighting temperature and mimic imitate the nature of bromating. But this process is discouraged when it comes to sick pets. For more information, consult your veterinarians to clarify the things to want to know.

One of the causes of impaction could be food. Normally the problem occurs when bearded dragons consume food items which prove to be larger than what their digestive system could handle. If the food item is large enough, it would have a hard time moving along the digestive system thus it results to problems such as impaction. In order to prevent such things from happening, you should be well aware of the fact that the size of the food items to be consumed by your pet should be not larger than the space between its eyes. This is the most common way of measuring whether the food is digestible for the pet or not. There are food items which bearded dragons could eat, however because of their size they could only increase the chances for impaction to occur, thus you should be cautious in the size of the food item that you would be feeding your pet.

Aside from food, temperature could also contribute to the occurrence of impaction. Basically there are certain temperature levels wherein bearded dragons are able to digest food properly. Bearded dragons have a hard time digesting food if the temperature is not right. It should be noted that the cage of the pet or the place where the pet is placed should be sustained with a temperature between 100 to 115 degrees. This is the most appropriate temperature that encourages proper digestion in bearded dragons. Provided that bearded dragons eat a certain food item which is not easily digested and given that the temperature is not right, impaction is likely to happen.

Aside from the food items that bearded dragons are constantly fed with, there are other materials that may be located near them which they could accidentally consume. Particularly to items placed inside the cage, these items which are not exactly edible could pose a threat to bearded dragons. There are reported cases wherein these materials could also lead to impaction. For example substances such as pellets of any kind and a number of dried plant-based materials have been noted to cause impaction for some case. Available supplements in the market also pose risks for impaction. The more important thing in keeping away from and avoiding the occurrence of impaction in bearded dragons is always a cautious and observant mind. As a pet owner you should be able to guarantee the surroundings of your pet as well as what it consumes.

1. Essentially, variation is a key ingredient. Providing your bearded dragon with only crickets as its source of food would only lead for it to be malnourished. Try to make its diet a lot more exciting by providing different kinds of foods.

2. On the subject of preserving and sustaining health of bearded dragon as well as its diet, it is necessary to take note of two things related to the feeding of your pet with merely crickets; essentially you could fill the crickets some healthy matters. Fundamentally the type of food the crickets eat determines the kind of food that your bearded dragon would get to eat. So you have to take note of what the crickets are eating. Apart from this, you could also add supplementary vitamins to your bearded dragon’s diet.

3. In case you are feeding your bearded dragon with vegetables, it would be important to know that spinach as well as other dark leafy vegetables is considered not healthy in huge amounts. These kinds of vegetables could filter the necessary calcium that your bearded dragon is need of.

4. It is a general rule that your pet bearded dragon should never get to eat any amount of iceberg lettuce. Its feeding is particularly prohibited.

5. Some green vegetables prove to be very beneficial to a bearded dragon, among these are:  collard greens, Dandelion greens and the like. These kinds of greens are extremely good for the health of a bearded dragon thus regular intake is allowed.

6. One reliable source of protein for a bearded dragon is mealworms. On the other hand, it should be noted that when these mealworms are consumed in huge amounts, the bearded dragon may have problems digesting them and digestion complications may be encountered.

7. Nevertheless, it should be noted that when taking care of a bearded dragon everything has to be in moderation and they have to be controlled since overdoing things could lead to a lot of problems. When providing a variety of approaches when taking care of your bearded dragon, putting in small amounts would be the more appropriate choice.

8. Aside from taking care of the food of your bearded dragon, you should also be aware of the temperature that is present in the cage of the bearded dragon. Temperature plays an essential role for the digestive system of a bearded dragon. You have to properly moderate the temperature of the cage to avoid encountering problems.

A bearded dragon proves to be a great pet since it could provide a certain kind of companionship. In order to receive that different kind of companionship, you have to do your part of taking care of it as well.

There are several choices in assembling a house for a bearded dragon which is very useful in making your pet as comfortable as possible. Some of these include cages for pet reptiles, both cheap and expensive aquariums and fish tanks, even clear and tall rectangular containers and such. The choices are endless and tremendous. You just have to use your creativity and budgeting skills. But of course, a pet owner should also remember that planning for a cage should match the necessary needs of a bearded dragon to have a longer and healthier life.

There are a lot of tools available for use in a bearded dragon setup. Designs vary based on the preference of the owner and at most times, the pet’s behavior as well. A good suggestion for an artificial home would be an absolute imitation of a bearded dragon’s natural place of living. The more natural, the better for them, and a few pointers might be also helpful in putting up your pet’s cage.

First is to ensure that the place has a good environment and placement of different elements. Bearded dragons are usually kept alone and away from other reptiles. They are quite territorial and can be dominant over other animals. Mixing them up with the other bearded dragons might cause harm or injury, and oftentimes, death. For breeding, male and female bearded dragons should not be kept together until they are suitable for mating. Females should always be separated from the males to avoid giving birth too much. Female bearded dragons should live together but there could also be problems. The bottom line thought is to take caution in things like these.

Cages, on the other hand, should be given utmost care. Spacious, decorative cages would be perfect for a bearded dragon. Shelf liners are used because of its durability and convenience. Do not use harmful objects and hard, difficult surfaces in building up their homes as this might cause danger later on. Bearded dragons like to take in everything, and putting on perilous materials may spell trouble. Branches could also be placed in their cage. Things that can facilitate exercise and physical activities can be given for them to be fit. Give them a food and water dish where they can be fed worms and vegetables and fresh, clean water. Bulbs can also be installed, to help them build stronger bones, and this will increase their performance.

The bearded dragon setup is really easy and effective in ensuring the welfare of your pet. Just by following the pointers given above, you’ll surely never go wrong and expect a happier relationship between you and the bearded dragon.

In choosing your own bearded dragon pet it is essential that you are able to determine instantly or observe right then there how active or how alert the bearded dragon is. For example, it is not advisable to buy a bearded dragon which appears to be sluggish. You also have to take note whether it could lift its head or not. This particular observation could help you land a good kind of bearded dragon. Also, prior to purchasing a bearded dragon, you should also take note if the bearded dragon has sores or burns. You also have to check for deformities as well as external parasites. It is advisable that you check the size of the bearded dragon, most of the time, the size of a bearded dragon determines its age.

If the bearded dragon seemed very young there are chances wherein it would tend become very delicate. Young bearded dragons are more prone to illnesses and they also tend to get much stressed. If you want to have an easier time in taking care of a bearded dragon, it would be best to get yourself a more mature or more developed type of bearded dragon. For first timers, it is recommended that they get themselves a juvenile type of bearded dragon instead of a hatchling since a juvenile type of bearded dragon is much easier to handle compared to a hatchling type.

In selecting a bearded dragon pet, you also have to look for certain signs which would indicate if your selected bearded dragon pet is a good one. It is advisable to look for good signs in a bearded dragon before you decide on getting it. Provided that the signs to be discussed are found in a particular bearded dragon then that dragon would be your best choice. For one you should look if the bearded dragon has no missing tail nip as well as toes. Its tail should also curl up in the direction of its head. The bearded dragon should also be basking or active. Lastly, if the eyes of the bearded dragon are open as well as clear then that bearded dragon is the right choice.