Bearded Dragon
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[[Image:Bearded_Dragon_Homer.jpg|thumb|left|Homer - Owned by Snakewrangler]] | [[Image:Bearded_Dragon_Homer.jpg|thumb|left|Homer - Owned by Snakewrangler]] | ||
| - | 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 - | + | 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 - or 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. | + | Males are larger than females as adults. They have hard spikes covering many parts of their body, including the "beard" they're known for. Females also have this beard, but the males tend to use them more for display 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. They're fierce when defending what's theirs. 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 | + | 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 overhead. 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 are a lizard that goes through a dormancy period called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormancy#Brumation brumation]. This is a period where metabolism slows down and eating comes every few days or longer during the winter months. Not all beardies brumate, but many do. This period can last anywhere from just a couple of weeks, to the entire winter season. Those under a year rarely go into this state of dormancy, but most adults will. Adjust [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bearded_Dragon#Temperature temps] accordingly and follow the [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bearded_Dragon#Diet feeding guide]. | Bearded dragons are a lizard that goes through a dormancy period called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormancy#Brumation brumation]. This is a period where metabolism slows down and eating comes every few days or longer during the winter months. Not all beardies brumate, but many do. This period can last anywhere from just a couple of weeks, to the entire winter season. Those under a year rarely go into this state of dormancy, but most adults will. Adjust [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bearded_Dragon#Temperature temps] accordingly and follow the [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bearded_Dragon#Diet feeding guide]. | ||
=== Supplements === | === Supplements === | ||
| - | Food should be dusted with calcium (without D3) and vitamins several times a week. | + | Food should be dusted with calcium (without D3) and vitamins several times a week. If the beardie has a good and varied diet, then adding D3 to it could cause a serious vitamin overdose know as ''hypervitaminosis D3''. This can cause kidney damage, calcification of the soft tissue, and premature death. This website, [http://www.uvguide.co.uk/vitdpathway.htm UV Guide UK - Sunlight an Vitamin D], helps explain how the process works and why too much D3 can cause such issues. |
=== Hydration === | === Hydration === | ||
