Bearded Dragons are native to Australia. They are found in a variety of habitats, from the central desert to woodland habitats. Its exportation from Australia has been prohibited since many years. The population outside presently outside of Australia is the result of illegally exported specimens between the late Seventies and early Nineties. It is found in Australia in relatively large numbers and is neither endangered nor threatened as a species.
Anatomical Characteristics:
The Bearded Dragon gets its name from the line of horizontally placed spines found at the perimeter of an inflatable flap of skin found under the lower jaw.This flap can be inflated outwards and anteriorly to form a beard-like extension to the neck..
Its head is shaped triangularly, narrow at the snout, and widest at the angle of the jaw, but is relatively flattened top to bottom. Even their body is wider than it is high. Their legs look fragile compared to the rest of the body. Their tail is nearly as long as the body.
They can change their colour slightly according to their body temperature as is used as a thermoregulatory mechanism.
They grow to between 18-22 inches (nearly 2 feet) long.
Bearded Dragons live to around 10 years of age.
Behavioral Characteristics:
Especially interesting to watch in a Bearded Dragon is the flaring of the neck pouch. This is done when it feels threatened, territorial or during mating. This makes it appear larger and more aggressive, especially when this is accentuated with a gaping action of its large mouth. During mating, the flaring of the beard is coupled with a dramatic change of colour to jet black. However, this performance seems attractive to the female dragon, which can also flare her beard, but usually less often than males do. Another way they show aggression or dominance is by bobbing their head rapidly up and down. Submission is signaled by raising one front limb and waving it in circles.
Bearded Dragons are very tame pets to have. They are very rarely aggressive to humans and enjoy being handled.
In the wild, Bearded Dragons are also known to run on their two back legs, and are quite fast for that matter.
Sexing:
This is easier to do with adult Bearded Dragons. The males have larger pre-anal and femoral pores. The male has a larger head and a slightly larger body than a female.
Health:
Bearded Dragons are prone to developing metabolic bone disease. This condition means a severe weakening of the bones due to a shortage of the mineral calcium in their diet. Therefore, their food should be supplemented with calcium, which can be bought from pet stores or online. Also, they should be exposed to natural sunlight regularly, as they are cold-blooded.
To minimize Bearded Dragons scratching you, their nails should be clipped regularly using a cat claw trimmer. Only the sharp, blackish end should be trimmed, and no higher than that, so as to avoid causing bleeding.
Their habitat should be cleaned regularly using 10% bleach solution and rinsed thoroughly until the smell of bleach is removed.
Bearded Dragons which do not eat well or regularly might either be feeling intimidated by another male, or else the temperature settings and/or gradients are poorly set.
Diet:
Bearded Dragons are omnivores. Water is mainly provided via the food they eat, or can be spray-misted onto them or provided in a shallow topple-proof container. Food should consist of a combination of crickets, mealworms, superworms, silkworms and wax worms. Veggies and greens in the form of carrots, kale, parsley, romaine, mustard, turnip and collard greens should be offered to Bearded Dragons regularly, but not instead of the insects.
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