Bearded Dragons
As far as bad animals go, bearded dragon has quite a reputation for being household pet in most parts of the United States and other Western nations. Though it has comparatively less popularity in the eastern region of the planet. Bearded dragon has an official name of pogona. In wild environment, the average lifespan of a bearded dragon is somewhere around 20 years. This applies to those who are not eaten as prey.
Despite of the fact that there are much larger species of bearded Dragons, which can wait up to several pounds. But in average cases, an average and the most common species of bearded dragon way somewhere between 380 to 510 kilograms.
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About Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragon are not that much a fearsome animal. Though it has some record of attacking human being but only when provoked or severely threatened of its existence. This question comes on the Internet and also to the animal experts quite a lot about what type of animal or what type of aggression can a bearded dragon show towards animals and human beings.
In this part of this article, we will be learning about the basic information about bearded dragon. In a generic sense, bearded dragon is quite a friendly animal in their species. Despite of the fact that some other reptilian siblings might not have the same corresponding nature. But bearded dragon are quite known for their friendly and pet like attitude. The animal has quite a well reputation just for being a pet in the reptilian class. For someone who wants to have a reptile as a pet, and at the same time once it to be outside of the cage and also to be able to hold it in their arms, this is one of the best thing to have.
If the user is supportive towards the type and the habitat of a bearded dragon, one can easily support the living and the maintenance of a bearded dragon. These animals even respond to their owners voices and also they show positive and compassionate responses towards the touch of the owner. Sometimes, just like dogs, even people who are not the owners of the bearded dragon, can be able to pet the animal by simply brushing their hands over its head and under chin.
The reason about their name is quite peculiar. Just like a dragon, these animals are equipped with spikes and uneven surfaces on their skin. If you imagine a dragon, the type of which you would usually see in a movie or in a cartoon, this has quite the resemblance to that thing. The skin under their neck is formed in such a way that it folds down in several layers and covers small spiky projections and that looks quite like a man’s usual beard. The spikes on their skin, along with the skin itself is folded under the chain in such a way that it would almost seem like your dad’s beard.
In the household environment, in which most people would keep their bearded dragon. Such type of environment has the capability of making the lifespan of a bearded dragon for 12 to 13 years and sometimes even 18 to 20 years have been recorded as a lifespan of a bearded dragon. But if you are looking for an average and general estimate, you could say 13 to 15 years is an average that you could expect a bearded dragon to live.
Types of Bearded Dragons
As you are here, it means you are already interested into learning about the different types of bearded dragon that exist in this world. Before getting on with the details, if you have a pet bearded dragon or this is your first one, be sure that you get enough information on the animal.
Such animals are not too common to be exact. That is why some species might require extra care and attention. It always pays to have enough or more than enough information on something that you would have in your home.
In this article, we will discuss some short information and introduction on the types of bearded dragon
Classic, or a.k.a Standard morph
This is basically the common bearded dragon that you see in most houses. As a bearded dragon is mainly a wild animal, getting a pet bearded dragon can somewhat be difficult to manage. But still, there are several cases where you would see a bearded dragon as a pet.
This type of bearded dragon is very common as being a pet animal in households. As they are easy to maintain and quite adaptive to new environments. Such type of standard species has small spikes over their back and large triangular heads with a beard.
German giant morph
In terms of color and body specifications, this is quite similar to the standard morph. But this German counterpart of a bearded dragon is basically the literal explanation of “same thing bigger in size”. When they are grown up to their full size, they require comparatively larger enclosure systems for their size. Sometimes, this “large” means twice or three times as much as space in comparison with a standard morph.
Hypomelanistic morph
the term hyper melanistic basically means below normal color. In a general sense, this type of bearded dragon can be seen with a body color comparatively less bright or vivid than the standard morph. Some of these dragons even look quite similar to pastel color combinations. It almost seems like they have been drawn with elementary pastel colors. This type of bearded dragon is fairly common as well and also has a body type quite similar to the standard morph
Translucent morph
You might have got the idea about what type of bearded dragon it would be by the name. But, no, the body is not transparent. Rather than the spikes on the back are quite thin and you can almost see through them. Even some of the scales on the body are almost transparent.
Leatherback morph
comparatively smaller in size, the leatherback morph is quite in the list of the fancy bearded Dragons in the world. Unlike its other counterpart or species, the leatherback more features a flat back. Which is quite elegantly designed with a flat leather with colouring curvature.
Due to the lack of spikes on their back, the overall coloring of such type of bearded Dragons seems more vivid. As they have more surface to reflect light and to show the variety of colors that they have over their skins.
Keep in mind
Do remember that the four or five types of bearded dragon discussed in this article are from the most common ones or from the species that you would usually have as a pet. As the whole article has an intention towards pet bearded Dragons, we are focusing more towards the common species that would usually have the capability of surviving in a household environment.
Facts About Bearded Dragons
Enough with the formal information, let’s have a look at some of the interesting facts about bearded Dragons. All of the information and facts that have been discussed in this article, are from official and certified sources. None of the information have been collected from any third party websites or information providers. Most of the information are derived from the animal welfare society, administrative authority and popular media such as National Geographic, discovery, so on.
Bearded Dragon’s beard
They’re called bearded Dragons because they have spikes all over their body. And some of the portion of the skin under their neck is usually called up in a way that it would seem like the spikes are actually beards under their chin.
They have means of communication that are peculiar
This is rather a fun fact to be honest. Bearded Dragons usually communicate in a funny way. Whenever the animal sees someone off their own species, they start to wave left and right. Sometimes this waving action can be only seen on the head, and sometimes they wave their whole body to recognize or acknowledge the existence of another animal in the same species. This waving gesture can also be a symptom or a symbol of submission when there is another comparatively larger and dominant dragon is present at the scene. They have been also showing that waving gesture to the owners to acknowledge the fact the owner is present in front of them.
They love to sunbathe
It is not quite unusual that animals do tend to sit under the sun to have a refreshing time. But, a bearded Dragons sunbathing can be seen in such a funny and peculiar way. They would rise their neck and also they would constantly turn their body after a certain interval of time. Just to make sure that everything of their body is getting proper sunlight. It would almost seem like that the animal is simply just asking for more comfort and relaxation.
Higher speed in comparison
Despite of the size of their entire body and the ratio of their legs, a bearded dragon has the capability of running up to 9 mph. Which is just a little more than 13 kilometers per hour of speed. And you might think that 9 mph is not that much of speed. But if you consider the size of the animal and the size of its feet, then it is quite a tremendous speed for them.
Enjoy swimming
These animals have the capability of showing a significant amount of buoyancy. As they can store air inside their lungs and also some other specific parts of their body, they can easily float on water. And in hot weather, they really do love to take a little swim to cool it off.
They can “run”
Bearded Dragons are actually capable of standing with their support of just their Rear two feet. And not just standing, they are also capable of running with their hindlegs.
Their scales show their mood
Just like a cat, bearded Dragons tend to puff their beard or the scales on their skin when they are feeling stressed or unhappy for some reason. on the other hand, a happy bearded dragon will have a smooth-lined skin surface for letting you to that and bet it.
Diet of Bearded Dragons
In this part, we will be discussing about the basic diet chart of bearded dragons. Bearded Dragons are quite omnivorous in their nature. This means that they can eat both insects and animal objects as well as fruits and vegetables. For ensuring the best health of their overall psychological and physical condition as well as maintaining good health of their exterior skin, which is one of the most important parts of their existence. They need a varied and properly balanced diet. In the wild, the average life expectancy of a bearded dragon is comparatively less just because of this case.
While speaking about insects, Bearded Dragons can eat a wide range of food in this case to stop small insects such as king worms or mealworms are one of the most common things that people usually feed the bearded dragons. Also, in this list can be included the name of crickets, small ticks, and fleas, usually the flies that are floating around your house. Well about the flies, you don’t need to feed it. It would automatically take the responsibility of devouring small cockroaches or flies and other small insects roaming around in your house.
Vegetables such as some basic herbs, leafy greens such as parsley and so on, sweet potato, and this list go on and on for the diet list of a bearded dragon. In the wild environment, bearded Dragons are most likely to eat animals rather than vegetables. In such an environment, more than 75% of their diet basically includes crickets and cockroaches, and worms. And sometimes, if a mouse is small enough, well I don’t think I need to say more about that.
Tips about getting a diet properly going
While fixing a diet chart for your bearded dragon, there is a really simple pattern to follow. If you have no idea about the next part, just Google it and you will have all that you need first up you need to focus and keep everything in mind about what would a bearded dragon have eaten if it was in the wild.
You don’t need to bring exactly the creatures that a bearded dragon would eat in the forest. But the type of creatures or the type of nutrition that it would get from the creature is definitely the answer. Let me give you a small list of items that a bearded dragon can usually eat in terms of the non-vegetarian section.
- Crickets
- King worms
- Cockroaches
- Earthworms
- Waxworms
- Butterworms
- Phoenix worms
And this list goes on and on. But if you find a new sort of insect to feed your bearded dragon. Don’t do it right away. Before actually feeding the insect to the bearded dragon, just look it up or ask an expert about the fact of whether or not you can feed that insect to your bearded dragon. That would help you a lot in terms of maintaining a safe and healthy diet for your animal.
Habitat of bearded dragons
In this segment, we will be discussing about the ideal habitat for a bearded dragon. This segment is divided into two sections. The first section will be discussing about the ideal habitat in which a bearded dragon usually lives or wants to live. And the second section will be about setting up the best enclosure system for your better dragon. So that it has the best environment in the household scenario possible.
In the wild scenarios, bearded dragons are mostly found in the Australian and southern regions of the planet such as South America, Africa, some southern parts of India and Middle Eastern region and so on. On a natural basis, bearded Dragons are animals of hot or Tropical climate. Deserts, subtropical Woodlands, savannahs, scrublands are basically the playground or bearded Dragons. Back in 1960s, Australia had basically forbidden and later on banned the exporting of bearded Dragons. And there was a deep reason behind it. As back in the mid 60s, bearded Dragons were facing severe chances of extinction and also the natural balance was being quite harmed as well as animal trafficking on illegal basis was on the rise. Australia had to talk about drastic measures in that case.
Later on, bearded Dragons were also started to being bred in the region of United States for basically pet trade. There are several colors or types or also known as “morph” of bearded Dragons. Some of the most common morphs of bearded dragon are discussed in a previous section regarding the types of bearded dragon. You need to remember that warm habitat and environment is literally crucial for bearded Dragons. As they are in the reptilian class, with cold blooded biological system. They need warm environment to maintain their blood temperature and also not to face any catastrophic biological malfunction.
As a matter of fact, in the fun facts section, we have already discussed about their sunbathing nature. And because of their cold blood, they enjoy sunbathing or warm environment more than anything else.
As for creating an enclosure system for your bearded dragon, there are a couple of things that you need to remember at all times. First of all, maintaining a warm or tropical like temperature inside their enclosure is really important. As warm environment is the only thing that they can be comfortable with. You need to keep a proper heating system as well as insulation to ensure that the heat does not exit. With plenty of logs and half logs a log with reptile carpet will make sure that the heat and the humidity is maintained. And also, to create the humidity, you can use small plants that can survive in enclosed environments. That will be able to create a tropical like humidity. Same goes for the heat at the same time. It will make sure that your better dragon is comfortable at all times.
Bearded dragons behavior
As far as the behavior of bearded dragon goes, they are quite friendly. You cannot compare them with any other reptile. As most of the reptile have tendency to attack. Better dragon is really different. You can feel the friendliness in their behavior. They tend to have a pet like behavior. And they show proper response to affection and love towards them. They tend to waive their body and sometimes waive their head to show acknowledgement of the owner.
Even if someone is waving or brushing their hand over its body. It will show affection and compassion towards the person. You can compare this affection with cats. Just like when you scratch a cat’s head, it will show you symptoms of acceptance. Just like that, bearded Dragons also do the same.
In terms of understanding the behavior. There are some common things that you can keep in your mind. For instance, just like cats, bearded Dragons have a tendency to puff out their beard or spikes when they are upset. Cats don’t have spikes, we know that. But you can see that whenever a cat is in its attack mode or if it is threatened, it will buff out its tail and the fur. In case of better dragon, replace the fur with the spikes. You’ll have your answer
Upon getting too much exposed with cold environment, the behavior will change drastically. Bearded Dragons are cold blooded animals. Which means that they would have an attraction towards heat. Without heat, they will not have comfort. When they feel like they need heat, they would show a tendency to run towards the nearest heat source. Sometimes a lampshade, or outdoors when there is a bright sun. And the habit of their sunbathing is already discussed a few times.
Lifestyle of bearded dragons
In terms of FAQ, this is one of the most common question. People often look for information on lifestyles are better dragon. Even the animal experts get a lot of questions regarding this case. First of all, before discussing the lifestyle of a bearded dragon, let me remind you that this is the most suitable animal in the reptilian glass for having as a pet. Even if you see the local vets, apart from dogs and cats, bearded Dragons are third most common animals that people usually have as pet animals.
Despite of the fact that bearded Dragons are quite native in the Australian region. The United states has the highest rate of bearded dragon as pet animals. And most of them are basically bred from stocks held in captive.
A better dragon is rather a friendly animal. As for their behavior, which has been already discussed. They are quite welcoming and also they understand affection and acknowledge it. They have their own style of communication. With their spikes all over their body, they show aggression with their spikes all puffed out. And when they are relaxed, the spikes go down in a smooth gesture. The most important thing about having a bearded dragon and maintaining its lifestyle is heat and humidity. As the genetic origin is Australia, which means that bearded Dragons will intend to have its surrounding environment with heat, humidity, lots of open air. Which means, if you are willing to create an enclosure device, you need to have all of the things mentioned above. Supplying bearded dragon with UV light or ultraviolet light, has the most important role of them all.
If you are living in a state in the United States or even in the Canadian or European region, and you don’t get a lot of sunlight. Then getting your better dragon proper heat and also UV light is really important. As they are cold blooded animals, they need proper ultraviolet rays to develop vitamin D inside their skin. Without this element, they will not have capability of properly absorbing nutrients from their diet. Even us humans need the existence of sun to actually be able to develop vitamin D under our skin.
Bearded Dragons need adequate humidity. If you are putting it in in closer, and you live in a country that has less humidity, you need to take care of humidification full stuff because without humidity, the heat will not be comfortable to the animal. You can try having a spraying mechanism of fine mist. You can also try soaking the animal a couple of times in the day. And while you are giving heat inside the enclosure device, you can keep a small container of water just to make sure that there is enough humidity inside the enclosure device.
Frequently asked questions About Bearded Dragons.
Conclusion
If you are a person that has interest on reptilian animal to have as pets, bearded dragon is the best solution. Bearded Dragons are quite easy and friendly to maintain full stuff they are also less demanding in terms of their habitat and their nature. In terms of having an exotic animal or something different rather than a dog or a cat, bearded Dragons can be the best and the simplest to maintain.