To take care of a bearded dragon, create an ideal habitat, provide them with the right food, take them for vet checks, and keep them nice and clean.
If you are an exotic pet enthusiast, you can consider the docile bearded dragon as your next pet. Bearded dragons are very well mannered, and they enjoy human company. And if it is your first time having an exotic pet, then a bearded dragon will be a great choice.
But since they are reptiles and not your traditional mammal pets, caring for them is very different from caring for dogs or cats. They require a distinct living space with the right temperature and humidity, different food habits, and they can suffer from different illnesses.
We have listed a few pointers for you to help take care of a bearded dragon.
What Type Of Bearded Dragon Can You Keep?
Bearded dragons have eight distinct types. Every one of these types belongs to the Pogona family. These eight different species of the same family are Pogona Henrylawsoni, Pogona Barbata, Pogona Microlepidota, Pogona Minor Minima, Pogona Minor Minor, Pogona Nullarbor, Pogona Minor Mitchelli, and Pogona Vitticeps.
They all have distinct characteristics and differ in colors, and even their behaviors and what they like to eat. The one thing they have in common is that if they are well kept, they will enjoy human company.
But the most common species of bearded dragons that are kept as pets are Pogona Vitticeps. This species of bearded dragons is exceptionally calm and docile. They are easy to take care of and feed. One of the best nutritious treats, such as the Dubia Roaches For Bearded Dragons, is easy to grow at home to feed your reptile friend.
The Cost Of A Bearded Dragon
The cost of a bearded dragon varies from region to region. Since they are native to Australia, bearded dragons in Australia are less expensive than anywhere else.
For example, in the United States, a bearded dragon’s cost can range from $100 to $400 USD, depending on its age.
But in the United Kingdom, a bearded dragon’s cost will range from £40 to over £200. But in Australia, you can get a bearded dragon within $70 to $100 AUD.
Special Permits Are Required
This also varies from region to region. However, one factor that remains is that a permit and licensing are needed to have a bearded dragon as your pet. Because they are exotic animals, a person needs to get a permit from the environment department.
So if you want to buy a bearded dragon from a seller, the seller will require a permit provided by the environment department. If you have the license, then you can legally buy a pet. If you are caught having an illegal exotic pet such as a bearded dragon, you will face a penalty based on your country’s rules and regulations.
How To Prepare The Living Space For A Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptilian creatures. So you need to have a proper living space for them that will keep them warm at all times. Usually, bearded dragons are kept in large containers, just like most other reptilian pets. You can either get a ready-made container from the pet seller or make one for yourself.
If you wish to buy a ready-made container, it will cost you more than $300. But making one yourself will be much cheaper. All you need is a UV light, soil that you can get from your backyard, and four large glass panels. If you buy them individually, the UV light bulb will cost you about $150, and the glass panels will cost you about $80 to $100, which is still cheaper than buying a ready-made container.
But many people do not want to go through the hassle of building a container themselves. So they opt for buying a ready-made container from the pet supplies seller.
The Food For The Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and insects. But what you should feed them depends on their age. If your bearded dragon is young, then you need to provide it high protein-based foods like insects.
Their favorite insect would be crickets. Otherwise, worms will do just fine as well. But if they are grown, you can switch high protein-based insect diets to more leafy green vegetables. You should feed them any green vegetable that you consume, including mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, beet greens, broccoli, and alfalfa grass.
You need to keep in mind that young bearded dragons need to be fed at least twice a day, while adult bearded dragons need to be fed only once per day.
Diseases And Treatment For Bearded Dragons
Of course, there will be times when you see abnormal behavior in your bearded dragon, and it could indicate that your pet is feeling unwell.
Some common diseases specific to bearded dragons include metabolic bone disease, infectious stomatitis or mouth rot, respiratory infections, and adenovirus infection.
If you see your pet behaving strangely or showing abnormal movements, you should immediately take them to the vet. But not all vets are well versed in treating reptiles since reptiles are not that very common as a pet.
So if you want to keep a reptile as a pet, you also need to keep the contact information of a vet who can adequately treat reptiles.
Are Bearded Dragons Safe For Humans
Definitely! This is one of the reasons bearded dragons are really renowned as pets. They are really friendly towards humans. You might even see your bearded dragon getting attached to you. Even kids are safe around them.
But there are some cases where a bearded dragon has shown hostility towards humans. But this is only seasonal. Bearded dragons can sometimes become hostile during their mating season. But otherwise, they are entirely safe. There are no reports of people having allergic reactions to bearded dragons either.
Final Thoughts
Bearded dragons are exotic animals, and keeping one as a pet will surely make the environment of your house much more exquisite. One thing is for sure – your pet will definitely be famous in the neighborhood. But be sure to take good care of it so it can live a healthy and happy life.
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