Bearded dragons - or beardies - do not typically live in an all-sand environment. Instead they prefer to live in rocky outcroppings where they can escape the heat of the day and predators. They can easily wedge themselves into the crevices and fill themselves with air. Their spiky tail covers the opening. This makes it very hard for anything trying to eat it to get a hold of it for a meal. The sand they do come into contact with is simply getting from one place to another - of the loose sand that wears away from the rocks as they weather.

Males are larger than females as adults. They have hard spikes covering many parts of their body, including the "beard" they known for. Female also have this beard, but the males tend to use them more for displays than the girls. When acting out in territorial disputes the male will flare this beard as large as it can while also turning it to a rich black color. Never place two males in the same habitat. Their fierce when defending what's theres. A male can often be housed with several females, however.

Like most lizards, beardies have a third eye called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_eye parietal eye]. This is located on the very top of the head and looks like a milky scale. This is a fully functioning eye, however it is only able to detect light and dark such as shadows going overhead. This is part of their advanced warning system that allows them to see birds of prey flying over head. They act accordingly by darting into the foliage or rocky crevices out of sight and relative safety. For this reason it is always best to go into the cage from the front and not overhead. You will be seen as a predator because of the shadow caused by your hand.

Bearded dragons will need at least a 40gal breeder type tank or larger. They can only be kept together if you have females and one male. Beards also love to climb so several branches and/or vines are needed.

    * Basking: 100-105 for adults, 105-110 for babies

    * Ambient: 80-85

    * Cool end/night time: 70 for babies under a year, 60 for adults.  

*Beardies should NOT have night heat unless their nighttime temps go below the 60-65 degrees. Their bodies need to regulate to lower temps in order for them to "rest and recharge" for the next day.  

Babies should be fed 70% insects no larger than the space between their eyes (crickets, supper worms as a regular and sometimes wax worms as treats once a month or so) and 30% veggies (no ice burg lettuce.. Kale, collard greens, squash, dandelion greens etc.) and a little bit of fruits. Adults are the opposite.

Food should be dusted with calcium (without D3) and vitamins several times a week.