6 Useful and Interesting Tips About Bearded Dragons

Most reptiles found throughout the world range from the weird and wonderful to the just down right bizarre, which makes the fascinating creatures to observe, study and yes even keep in your own home! One of the most unusual and unique lizards out there would have to be Australia's famous bearded dragon. Because they are native to this part of the world, they have some very specific requirements to keep and care for them, especially if you don't live in a dry, hot desert. As a result, there are many things you'll need to be aware of and consider if you're thinking of having one as a pet. If not, I'm sure you'll find the following tips to be quite interesting anyway.

Here's Why They're Called "Bearded" Dragons by Scott Kinmartin

So firstly you need to consider the bearded dragon's natural habitat. They live in a variety of places throughout Australia, but most commonly in central dry desert regions, scrubland and even coastal forests. However it's pretty much hot throughout the year (especially in the north) in Oz. Therefore you should replicate these conditions in the enclosure. You'll need to be aware of the humidity as well as this plays a large role in the health and well-being of captive bred beardies.

Also they need plenty of water. Now I know you may be thinking, "A desert reptile, needing water - really?" But the answer is yes, most definitely! A dehydrated bearded dragon can be prone to health problems in the future.

What makes these reptiles so interesting and unique is the variety of behaviors they display. In fact they were named after the 'inflating beard' demonstration they use when threatened or during mating. Some other behaviors include arm waving, head bobbing and tail curbing, many of which are quite entertaining to watch.

You'll also be glad to know that they have an incredibly placid, child-friendly temperament. This means they make the perfect family pet. They're very active at times as well. Combine this with their amusing behaviors and great personality and they can safely keep the kids (and you) entertained for hours.

These lizards have become incredibly popular in the pet trade. Ever since they were first smuggled out of Australia in the 1970's, they have spread throughout the world and been successfully bred, kept and cared for in captivity. This way you can be sure they'll make a great pet as so many others around the globe would agree.

Finally, you should probably know that bearded dragons are available in a diverse range of species, sizes and colors. This variation in color is also known as a morph and range from red to brown to yellows and everything in between. In rare cases you can even find pure white bearded dragons. They can grow to be up to 2 feet in length (depending on the species), so you'll need to make sure you have plenty of space to accommodate this.

There's heaps more to learn about bearded dragons and many other things which make them the most interesting reptiles to keep. So keep researching and I'm sure you'll be ready to keep your own in no time at all.

About the Author: Written by Lauren Powell
If you want to learn more about bearded dragons, try visiting Bearded Dragon Answers, a free resource on how to keep and care for healthy, happy bearded dragons for years to come.

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