The lizard lives up to its name by having a pouch on its neck, which has the ability to increase in size and swell in case of danger or emergency. mating season. The organ also changes color and becomes darker.
Appearance of a bearded dragon
An adult agama reaches 60 cm in length. The shape of the body resembles an ellipse, and it is also slightly flattened. The tail is almost twice the length of the body.
The bearded dragon has very unusual and distinctive scales, giving it an intimidating appearance. predatory species. There are also prickly spines that are lined up in rows on the sides of the body, this visually increases the size of the body. The head is triangular in shape, the lateral corners of which are crowned with auditory canals. When the agama feels that danger is approaching, she inflates her pouch on her neck, opens her mouth, and also makes her body less flattened - in this way she tries to intimidate the enemy with her appearance.
Color depends largely on temperature environment and the general condition of the animal. Adults show virtually no pattern; young agamas have spots and stripes on their sides or back. There are differences between male and female. The male's tail is thickened at the base. The so-called “beard” is beige in females during the mating season, and black or deep blue in males.
Habitat of the bearded dragon
Found in large numbers in Australia. Inhabits semi-deserts, rocky areas or sparsely planted forests. The population is high in the eastern part of South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. However, the habitat boundaries never extend beyond the coast.
Bearded dragons in the exotarium of the Belgorod Zoo Lizard lifestyle
The biotope is represented by semi-desert or desert, bush thickets (arid scrub).
The lifestyle is mainly terrestrial, but can also be semi-arboreal. They are active during the daytime. They use the holes of other animals for shelter; they can dig a hole on their own or hide in a crevice of tree roots. Agamas strive to live in their usual territories and do not wander from one habitat to another.
Feeding features of the bearded dragon
The bearded dragon is mostly a carnivore. The diet consists of insects. However, the diet of a young individual consists of 20% plant food, and the remaining 80% includes animal foods. When the agama becomes an adult, the proportions change places.
Due to the extreme aridity of the places inhabited by agamas, they also obtain moisture from food. During the rainy season, she drinks water that flows from her body.
Reproduction and breeding of agamas
A bearded dragon is considered an adult when it reaches two years of age. Males ready for sexual reproduction show off a brightly colored neck pouch, stretch out on their front legs and nod their heads. If the female is ready for copulation, she makes characteristic movements of her tail and head. The process of fertilizing a female lasts about 5 minutes.
After about 70 days, she is ready to lay eggs. To do this, she digs a hole about 40 cm deep, into which she then lays from 9 to 25 eggs. After 90 days, little agama babies emerge, first they digest the yolk reserve, and then begin their normal diet. In one season, a female can lay two identical clutches.
The bearded dragon attracts reptile lovers with its unusual appearance. She has a friendly character and easily makes contact with her owner. Despite the presence of thorns that look quite menacing, taming it will not be difficult. The lizard recognizes the voice, reacts positively to stroking, and sits on the shoulder. She adapts well to living in ordinary apartment with proper care.
Appearance of a reptile
In a bearded dragon original appearance. With a body length of 50-60 cm most of- tail. On the triangular head and throat there are scaly spines, which, in case of danger, swell, resembling a beard. Thanks to these spines, the lizard got its name.
The reptile's body is flattened on top, its legs are muscular and strong. The fingers are sharp claws. On the sides of the paws there are two rows of small spikes.
The reptile has a wide mouth with sharp teeth. The agama lizard grabs the victim with its front teeth, and chews it with its back teeth. The jaws may be yellow or white. She deftly captures insects with the sticky tip of her wide tongue. Excellent vision and hearing help them get food.
The color of the agama can be gray, beige-brown or greenish-brown. The lizard's body is covered with dark stripes and light spots. Depending on the temperature and emotional state, the agama can change color, which varies from golden to dark brown. Young individuals have a lighter color.
You can distinguish a female from a male by characteristic external signs. Males have a thicker tail at the base. During the mating season, the males' beard turns dark blue or black. In females it is orange or beige in color.
Agamas live up to 10 years. Unlike other species of lizards, the bearded dragon does not shed its tail. Due to limited abilities to regeneration, injured individuals are quite common. IN childhood lizards often bite off the ends of their relatives’ tails, but this does not affect their quality of life.
Despite its terrifying appearance, the bearded dragon is an unpretentious, calm, absolutely non-aggressive animal.
Habitat in nature
The bearded dragon's home country is Australia. These are arid semi-desert and desert biotopes, rocky deserts, dry forests, and bushes. Lizards lead active diurnal terrestrial and semi-arboreal lifestyle. They dig holes or use piles of stones and crevices near the roots of trees as shelters.
In hot weather, the agama hides in a shelter or climbs low on trees or bushes and, hiding, sits in a zone of relative ventilation. Lizards stick to their territorial area.
These reptiles were classified in the early 20th century. They belong to the class Reptiles, to the order Squamate, to the Agamov family, to the genus Pogona. The full name in Latin is Pogona vitticeps. The first word means bearded, the second translates as “onion head bandage.”
There are several morphs in the agama population, differing in their characteristic signs:
- Sunburst;
- Salmon (Salmon);
- German Giant (German Giant);
- Blood Red(Red Blood Morph);
- Snow
- Sandfire (Fire-sand);
- LeatherBark (Leatherbark);
- Leucistic (Lusistic);
- Japanese Silverback Dragons (Japanese silver dragon);
- Silkback (Silkback);
- Translucent Morphs (Transparent morph);
- “Dunner” Dragons.
Classification by flowers:
- Orange Morphs (Orange morph);
- White Morphs (White morph);
- Black Morphs (Black morph);
- Yellow Morphs (Yellow morph);
- Tiger Pattern Morphs;
- Red Morphs (Red morph).
Breeding
Agamas become sexually mature in the second year of life. After leaving the hibernation, the lizards are irradiated and fed for 2-3 weeks with food to which preparations containing vitamin “E” are added.
Males acquire " marriage» bright color. In cases where animals of different sexes live separately, females and males are placed next to each other. Males, rising on their front legs and “nodding” their heads, demonstrate the bright color of their throat. Females, ready to mate, express their consent to males by manipulating their tail and moving their head.
45-65 days after mating, females lay eggs. They dig a hole 40 cm deep. Therefore, pregnant females must be placed in a terrarium with a layer of sand of similar depth. The sand from below is moistened. Another way: you can attach a box 40 cm high, about 30 cm wide and long to the bottom of the terrarium. There should be an entrance to it through a hole in the bottom of the terrarium. The box is filled with coconut substrate with vermiculite and sand, also moistened from below.
The clutch is removed and transferred to an incubator. The temperature in the incubator should be 27-29°C. After 65-90 days, babies hatch from the eggs. During the season, the queen lays 2 clutches. The number of eggs is approximately the same, from 9 to 25 pcs.
Having decided to get an agama, you should take care of proper care of the animal. A terrarium for lizards is selected depending on their number. The area of the room for one agama must be at least 100 cm in length and 50 cm in width. The best option for keeping an agama is a horizontal terrarium with sliding glass on the front and side walls. Wall height 60-80 cm.
You should not select a container with a door at the top, because natural conditions reptiles are attacked by birds of prey. All movements above the head are perceived by the agama as a threat. This negatively affects her emotional state.
It is important to ensure there is ventilation in the terrarium. There should be a hole in it that can be covered with a metal mesh. This is necessary so that the lizard does not have difficulty breathing.
You should not choose a plexiglass terrarium. An agama can easily scratch it. Stones, plants and driftwood are used as decoration. It is not recommended to place living vegetation in the container - the lizard will mistake it for food. Considering that in nature these reptiles climb trees and rocks, in captivity they should be equipped with a special place.
The bottom of the terrarium is covered with a fifteen-centimeter bedding. Sand, gravel, pebbles, crushed bark or shavings are used as such. The container is equipped with shelves and houses made of stones, which must correspond to the size of the reptile.
Bearded dragons need bright light for at least 12 hours a day. In addition, she must receive a certain dose of ultraviolet radiation. Its deficiency can lead to the development of rickets in an animal. Therefore, the container is equipped with fluorescent lighting devices.
The terrarium is heated with incandescent lamps, infrared devices or thermal mats. The temperature in certain areas should be uneven:
- area of greatest heating - 40°C;
- cool corner - 23-25°C;
- general temperature background is -27-30°C.
Humidity The air in the room for the lizard should correspond to 35-40%. At night the readings may be slightly higher. To do this, an hour before turning off the lights, once a week the terrarium is sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle.
The agama must have constant access to drink. To do this, install a drinking bowl. Considering that lizards not only drink from the drinking bowl, but also bathe in it, it is better if it is ceramic.
Agamas are omnivores, which makes feeding them easy. However, it should be borne in mind that the lizard’s nutrition depends on its age. The reptile's diet should contain food of plant and animal origin, in the appropriate percentage. Lizards are fed 20% plants and 80% insects for up to a year. The diet of older agamas should contain only 40% animal food, since their metabolic process slows down.
Required products for lizard:
young The lizard is fed every day; for an adult reptile, it is enough to eat every other day. Feeding is carried out during daylight hours for the ducks. It is important to know that the agama needs enough food to eat within 15 minutes. To avoid overfeeding the animal, the remaining food is removed.
The lizard sheds often. The molting process occurs in stages. The head sheds first, then the body and tail. Once every seven days, the reptile should be bathed in warm (30-35°C) water. For bathing you will need a deep basin. It is necessary to monitor the water level, which should be safe for the agama. The duration of the procedure is half an hour. The reptile is then blotted with a paper towel and placed in the terrarium.
From time to time, the agama is allowed out of the terrarium to walk around the apartment, adhering to certain rules. There should be no other animals in the room. To get the pet accustomed to its owners, the agama needs to be picked up once a day. To prevent the animal from catching a cold, it is preferable to let it out on the surface of the sofa rather than on the floor.
How to choose an agama
Before you buy an agama, you should make sure that the reptile is absolutely healthy. What should you pay attention to?
- It is necessary to carefully examine the lizard for damage and wounds. The animal should not have scars, ulcers, wounds, or fresh injuries.
- Check integrity body parts. If an agama is missing the tip of its tail or a finger, this is a common phenomenon, practically the norm.
- Examine the head. The reptile's eyes should be clear and the nostrils clean. There should be no liquid or foam around the mouth.
- Behavior The animal should also not be left without attention. A healthy animal is always alert. The first sign of health is the activity and speed of the lizard. You should observe the agama for some time, given that it is not active 24 hours a day, and even being absolutely healthy, it can be inhibited and lethargic.
Diseases and treatments
Having decided to have an agama, you must adhere to all the rules for keeping it. Proper care caring for the lizard will prevent the occurrence of diseases, and it will delight the caring owner for a long time with its presence and amusing appearance.
Reptile lovers are attracted to the Bearded Dragon by its unusual appearance. Despite the presence of threatening-looking spines, this lizard has a very friendly character. It won't be difficult to tame her. Agama easily makes contact with the owner.
Reptile lovers are attracted to the Bearded Dragon due to its unusual appearance.
History of the Bearded Dragon
The bearded dragon is a reptile that came to us from Australia
The lizard belongs to the agamidae family. It got its name because of the sac located in the neck area, which swells when the animal shows aggression or tries to attract attention during mating season. The reptile's natural habitat is the Australian continent. Agama inhabits regions such as New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland. These lizards live in desert rocky areas and sometimes climb trees.
Appearance of a lizard from a photo
The bearded dragon has a unique appearance
The bearded dragon has an amazing appearance. The length of the body reaches 50–60 cm, with most of it falling on the tail. Lizards can weigh 300 grams or more. The head resembles a triangle. The lizard has a strong build. The back, head and outer sides of the limbs are covered with scales with sharp ends. The short and thick fingers have strong claws. When the agama inflates its throat, the scales rise, resulting in the formation of a beard-like formation.
The bearded dragon does not have the property of dropping its tail, which is characteristic of other species of lizards. For this reason, injured individuals are quite common. Agamas in childhood often bite off the ends of their relatives' tails. Due to limited regeneration abilities, new organ fragments are not formed in these reptiles. But this does not affect their quality of life.
The color of the agama can be beige-brown, taupe or gray. The lizard's body is covered with light spots and dark stripes. The jaws may be yellow or White color. Juveniles have brighter colors. Agamas are able to change their color depending on their emotional state, as well as temperature. IN hot weather they lighten, and when it gets colder they become darker. Eye color varies from golden to dark brown.
Important! Unique Feature agamas - change their shade due to fright. In this state, the lizard turns pale and its paws become bright orange or yellow.
You can distinguish a male from a female by the characteristic external features: Males have a thicker tail base. During the mating season, the beard of males becomes black or dark blue, while in females it is beige or orange. Agamas live 7–10 years.
Video: Key Features of the Bearded Dragon
How to choose a Bearded Dragon?
The lizard must be alert
To choose a healthy animal, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- Examine the reptile and make sure it has no wounds or ulcers. Having scars is also undesirable.
- Since dragons cannot regenerate lost body parts, do not purchase an animal that does not have a paw or tail. The lizard will remain this way for the rest of its life, although sellers may convince you otherwise. But the absence of the tip of a tail or a finger is quite acceptable.
- Examine the area near your mouth. There should be no liquid or foam here.
- A healthy lizard has clear eyes and is also characterized by alert behavior. IN natural environment The agama hunts fast insects, which requires attentiveness and mobility.
Features of maintenance and care
For the agama, it is necessary to create conditions as close as possible to its natural environment.
We create the necessary conditions
A terrarium for an agama must have heating, ventilation and decoration
The terrarium is selected depending on the number of lizards. For one agama you will need a container measuring at least 50 cm in width and 100 cm in length. Choose a horizontal terrarium with a wall height of 60 to 80 cm. The best option would be a terrarium with sliding glass on the side or front wall.
Important! A container with a door at the top is not suitable for an agama. In natural conditions, lizards are subject to attack by birds of prey, so the reptile will perceive all movements above its head as a potential threat, which will negatively affect its emotional state.
You should also take care of ventilation. There should be holes in the bottom, top or side of the container that can be covered with a metal mesh. Otherwise, the agama will experience difficulty breathing. The lizard can be kept alone or in small groups. The optimal option is one male and 2–3 females.
Artificial plants, driftwood, and stones can be used as decoration. N You should not place living vegetation in the terrarium, since the agama will quickly mistake it for food. In nature, lizards climb rocks and trees. So that an agama in captivity can fulfill this need, equip a special place for it. Apply a layer of PVA to the wall and cover the surface with small pebbles or sand. This will not only provide the lizard with the opportunity to climb around the terrarium, but will also become an original decor.
Place 15 cm thick bedding at the bottom of the container. Cat litter, sand, pebbles, gravel, shavings or crushed bark are suitable for this. In the natural environment, reptiles hide from danger by burying themselves in the ground, leaving their heads on the surface. The container is also equipped with shelters: houses made of stones, shelves. They must match the size of the reptile.
Provide lighting and bedding for your lizard
Agama requires bright lighting and must also receive ultraviolet light. For this purpose, the terrarium is equipped with fluorescent lighting fixtures. Ultraviolet deficiency will lead to the development of rickets in the animal. The duration of lighting should be 12 hours a day.
Heat the terrarium using incandescent lamps, infrared devices or thermal mats. The temperature in individual areas of the container should be uneven:
- You need to organize a cool corner with temperatures of 23–25°C.
- You will also need a local heating area (40°C).
- The general temperature background is maintained within 27–30°C.
Air humidity should be 35–40%. At night, the indicators can be slightly increased. To do this, once a week, an hour before turning off the lights, the container is sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. The lizard must be provided with constant access to drink. For this purpose, a ceramic drinking bowl is installed in the terrarium. Do not use containers made of lightweight material. Agamas not only drink from the drinking bowl, but also bathe in it, so they will immediately turn over a light container.
Feeding rules
The agama's diet depends on the age of the individual
Agamas are omnivores, which makes feeding them much easier. The diet should consist of plant and animal foods. In this case, the percentage of feed varies depending on the age of the animal. Young individuals up to 12 months are given 80% insects and 20% plants. After a year, the diet of lizards should contain only 40% animal food. This is due to the fact that in adult animals the metabolic process slows down.
Agama is given:
- cabbage leaves, carrot tops and roots, pumpkin, eggplant, squash, wheat leaves, Bell pepper, peas, green beans;
- parsley, spinach;
- alfalfa, clover, dandelions, buttercups, crocuses, cyclamen, daffodil, spurge, mint;
- peeled apples, grapes, bananas;
- mushrooms;
- crickets;
- mealworms;
- cockroaches;
- snails
The lizard should also consume vitamin supplements such as Reptilife. The young dragon is fed daily. An adult lizard is offered food every other day. Feeding is done during daylight hours.
Important! For an agama, the food it consumes within 15 minutes is enough; the remaining food must be removed to avoid overfeeding.
Video: Feeding the Bearded Dragon
Agama loves water treatments
Agama sheds quite often. This process occurs in stages. The head sheds first, then the body and tail. Once a week, the reptile is bathed in warm water at a temperature of 30–35 °C. For this you will need a deep basin. Monitor the water level, it should be safe for the lizard. The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Then pat the animal dry with a paper towel and place it in the terrarium. After bathing your lizard, avoid drafts.
Video: rules for bathing a lizard
The agama can be periodically released from the terrarium for walks around the apartment. But you need to adhere to some rules. There should be no other animals in the room with the lizard. To a pet accustomed to communicating with the owner, he needs to be picked up once every 1-2 days. It is also advisable to release the lizard not on the floor, but on the surface of the sofa, so that the animal does not catch a cold from the draft.
Important! The agama should not move on a surface that is too fluffy; if the fluff gets wrapped around the animal’s fingers, this will cause necrosis.
Reproduction and breeding
Bearded dragons mate in spring
Agamas reach reproductive age by two years. To stimulate mating, the lizards are first placed in individual containers. They must be kept at rest. In early December, agamas are placed in separate terrariums. Lighting is reduced to 8 hours a day, temperature levels are lowered to 25°C during the day and 20°C at night. The rest period lasts 11–12 weeks. After this, the indicators return to the original level.
The male is then placed in a terrarium where the female is. Mating occurs in March. Agama pregnancy lasts 30–45 days. Females lay eggs in holes 40 cm deep. For this purpose, a layer of sand of appropriate thickness is poured into the terrarium. The clutch contains from 8 to 25 eggs.
The incubation period lasts from 60 to 75 days at a temperature of 28–30°C. During the season, the female can lay 2–4 clutches. Hatched babies begin to eat on the 2nd–3rd day of life. They are fed cockroaches, small crickets, grated carrots, and small pieces of fruit.
Diseases and treatments
- One of the common diseases is pneumonia. It develops as a result of the agama staying in a cool room with high humidity air. The disease can be recognized by a runny nose, which causes the animal to breathe through an open mouth. Pneumonia is divided into 2 types. With the first type of disease, the reptile experiences mucus in the mouth and wet whistles. Type 2 pneumonia is characterized by wheezing. In the first case, treatment is carried out with the antibiotic Ampicillin for 7 days. In the second type, this drug is administered from 9 to 15 days with an interval of 72 hours.
- Salmonellosis - intestinal bacterial infection, which can lead to fatal outcome. Manifests itself in the form of refusal to eat, diarrhea, regurgitation, and weight loss. To treat the lizard, the antibiotic Chloramphenicol is used, which is injected into the stomach through a tube. The procedure is performed 2–3 times. The drug Bactrim is also used. It is introduced into the reptile's body in a similar way over 7 days.
- Cloacitis is an inflammation of the cloaca. At the first stage of the disease there are purulent discharge When the animal defecates, on the second the defecation process is disrupted. Treatment consists of inserting a catheter into the reptile's cloaca and feeding warm water with the drug Tetravil through it into the intestines. The volume of liquid depends on the weight of the lizard.
- Stomatitis is an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa. It occurs as a result of a deficiency of vitamins A and C, as well as mechanical damage. Oral cavity becomes pale and acquires a bluish tint. The vessels are clearly visible. The lizard's oral cavity is treated with a 1% solution of Dioxidin, Iodinol or Ectericide. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment is also used, which is used to treat the affected areas 2 times a day for a week. In addition, the animal is given vitamin C.
- Calcium deficiency in the reptile's body provokes fractures, swelling, and rickets. As therapy, the lizard is given a special complex: a mixture of vitamins D3, A and calcium. The reptile complex is given for a week. If the agama gets injured, treat the damaged area with turpentine liniment or a 10% solution of potassium permanganate.
- Sometimes the lizard refuses to eat. Most probable cause This is overfeeding. If she doesn't eat for two days but drinks normal amounts of water, that's normal. Agama can thus arrange fasting days. If she refuses to eat for more than three days, start force-feeding. Also monitor the animal for symptoms consistent with an intestinal infection.
In order for the Bearded Dragon to feel comfortable in captivity, you need to adhere to some maintenance requirements. The reptile needs a certain temperature and light conditions. Throughout the year she needs fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and live insects. A lack of vitamins, as well as non-compliance with the rules of caring for the reptile, can lead to the development of a number of diseases in the Bearded Dragon.
The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticers) is a lizard from the agamidae family. Previously, this scaly reptile belonged to the genus Amphibolurus. Name this type received thanks to a very characteristic neck sac, which at the moment of danger or during the period of mating flirtation is noticeably swollen and acquires a noticeable dark color.
Description of the bearded dragon
The color of the lizard is characterized by a predominance of yellowish, gray or brown tones and shades. The color may vary depending on the temperature and condition of the bearded dragon. In adults, the pattern on the body is almost completely absent.
Young lizards are characterized by spots and stripes located mainly on the back, as well as on the sides. The pattern is formed by fairly regular geometric patterns. The bearded dragon is sole representative family of reptiles, with the dental system located along the outer rim of the jaw.
Appearance
Mature sizes adult most often reach half a meter. The entire body of the lizard is characterized by a flattened ellipsoidal shape, and the length of the tail is approximately one and a half times the length of the body. Thanks to the very unusual type and structure of scales, the bearded dragon lizard has a very exotic and somewhat predatory appearance. The scales are represented by original prickly spines, located on the surface of the entire body of the lizard in several rows.
This is interesting! The external differences of the bearded dragon by gender are obvious: males have a tail noticeably thickened at the base and have a dark blue or black “beard” during the mating season, while females are characterized by the presence of a “beard” of a soft beige or orange color.
A significant number of spines are located precisely on the sides, which contributes to a visual increase in the apparent size of the scaly reptile’s body. The head area of the bearded dragon has a very characteristic triangular shape with a frame consisting of numerous spines. There are noticeable auditory openings on the sides of the head.
When a clear threat appears, the lizard is capable of strongly flattening its entire body, and also inflates its warty “beard” and opens its mouth wide. Thanks to this behavior, the scaly reptile visually increases in size, which helps to very effectively scare away enemies in natural conditions.
Lifestyle and character
The menacing and unusual appearance that the bearded dragon has is often confusing, but this scaly creature when tamed and home care is very affectionate, easy to handle and enjoys scratching the animal's neck area. The intimidating stance and appearance are demonstrated by males exclusively during the mating season or when defending against enemies.
This is interesting! Bearded dragons are quite fearless animals, so they do not run away from the enemy, but try to scare him away with their unusual appearance, snorting, actively moving their tail, hissing and jumping, as well as squatting on their paws.
Despite the fact that the damaged area quickly heals on its own, the animal’s tail never grows back. It is for this reason that experienced terrarium keepers prefer to keep domestic bearded dragons only separately, pairing them up exclusively for the breeding season.
How long does an agama live?
In natural conditions average duration The life of a bearded dragon does not exceed eight years, but if the rules of keeping in a terrarium are followed, such a scaly reptile can live a little longer - about ten to twelve years.
Bearded dragon morphs
In nature, the bearded dragon is predominantly gray in color with orange, beige, brown and black undertones. Color variations directly depend on the locality of the individual and the surrounding temperature.
As a result of selection, it was possible to develop quite a lot of interesting morphs in terms of color and shade range:
- Leather Вask– a morph bred in Italy with absolutely smooth skin on the back in red, yellow, orange and other color variations;
- Leucistic– a morph represented by individuals that are completely white from birth;
- Wood Red– a morph characterized by a very original and intense red color;
- Snow- a morph that has a white color with yellow and pinkish stripes in mature age, and pale pink color at birth;
- Sandfire– an incredibly popular morph among lovers of scaly exotics, obtained by crossing golden and red individuals;
- Salmon– a morph from pinkish to orange in color, with a disappearing pattern, obtained by crossing SandFire and Snow individuals;
- German Giants– a morph that belongs to rapidly developing lines and is characterized by very large sizes, as well as abundant egg laying;
- Sunburst– a morph characterized by rich yellow and orange color with very original red stripes;
- Trans or Translucent– a morph that has incredibly beautiful black eyes, as well as relatively transparent skin;
- Neurotranslucent– a morph characterized by completely transparent marigolds and exceptionally light tones in color;
- Witblits- a relatively new type of morph, first bred in North Africa, and distinguished by cream flowers in color.
IN last years Domestic terrarium keepers are increasingly breeding the Zero morph, which is a genetic form and is characterized by the absence of yellow, orange or red color pigment. The color of this bearded dragon is characterized by predominantly white or whitish-gray tones..
Range and habitats
The natural habitat of the unusual appearance Scaly reptiles are found in Australian semi-desert zones, sparsely wooded, and rocky areas. A large number of individuals inhabit the states of New South Wales and Queensland, as well as the northwestern part of Victoria, eastern part South Australia and south-eastern Northern Territory.
The bearded dragon prefers to live in arid desert and semi-desert biotopes, dry forest areas, rocky semi-deserts or shady bushes. The animal leads a terrestrial or semi-arboreal lifestyle, and is especially active only during the daytime. Shelters for the scaly reptile are burrows dug independently or by other animals, as well as rocky piles and crevices located near the root system of plants.
On hot days, the bearded dragon most often hides inside shelters or climbs into low vegetation, where it chooses an area with relative ventilation. Agama always sticks to its territorial area, where it lives and feeds.
Bearded dragon nutrition
Today, there are eight species of bearded dragons from the genus Pogona, and all of them in natural conditions lead a predominantly predatory or predatory-vegetative lifestyle. Such scaly reptiles successfully hunt all kinds of insects and small vertebrates. However, as a bearded dragon ages, its main diet consists primarily of plant foods. About 20% of the agama’s total diet is animal food, and about 80% is a diet of plant origin.
As for food of animal origin, bearded dragons give preference to various small vertebrates or invertebrates, and for plant food they use foliage or shoots, fruits or flowers of various plants. In captivity, such a scaly reptile eats various crickets and cockroaches, as well as mealworms, with great pleasure.
This is interesting! The main source of animal proteins is represented by snails and bird eggs, small rodents. Due to the characteristics of the body, the bearded dragon is able to feed only once every few days.
Bearded dragons inhabit areas and areas that are not very rich in water, so such scaly reptiles receive a significant part of their moisture exclusively from the food they eat. Especially interesting behavior bearded dragons are observed during rare rainfalls. During such a period, lizards line up en masse under a rain stream coming from the sky, flatten their bodies and characteristically tilt their heads down. It is in this position that the bearded dragon very effectively collects all the flowing drops with the help of its tongue.
bearded dragon is an attractive lizard that is perfect for beginner terrarium keepers.
The agama has become widespread among reptile lovers due to its unpretentiousness in keeping and breeding in captivity. Let's take a closer look at this interesting animal.
Bearded Dragons, as already written above, live in Australia, from this we can immediately conclude that the most favorable habitat for bearded dragons is arid. Agamas lead a terrestrial lifestyle and are very fond of all kinds of pieces of wood and shelter. There are several subspecies of bearded dragons, but the most common is Pogona vitticeps.
bearded dragon enough large lizard. Adults reach 45-60 cm in length and weigh about 300 grams, and sometimes more. However, it is also worth mentioning that the agama is long-lived. On average, a bearded dragon lives for 10 years, but there are many cases where these lizards have lived much longer. Life expectancy, like that of any healthy animal, depends on the quality of its maintenance.
The appearance of the bearded dragon is quite interesting. The triangular head and flat, spiky body make an impression at first glance. However, the bearded dragon got its name for its very interesting feature. When a feeling of danger arises, the bearded dragon is able to use its secret weapon, namely a special neck pouch that she can inflate to scare away the enemy. Also, agamas can inflate this pouch during mating games in order to impress the opposite sex. The bearded dragon comes in quite a few different morphs, giving a wide range of color variations, from the most common grays and browns, to brighter reds, oranges, and whites.
Known bearded dragon morphs:
- Sunburst
- German Giant
- Salmon
- Sandfire
- Blood Red
- Leucistic
- LeatherBack
- Silkback
- "Dunner" Dragons
- Translucent Morphs
- Japanese Silverback Dragons
And also, there are morphs that separate the subspecies of bearded dragons by color:
- White Morphs - bearded dragon with white coloration
- Yellow Morphs - bearded dragon with yellow coloration
- Orange Morphs - bearded dragon with orange coloration
- Tiger Pattern Morphs - bearded dragon with a tiger pattern on its body
- Black Morphs - black bearded dragon
- Red Morphs - red bearded dragon
As you have already seen, there are many color variations and subspecies of bearded dragons, and choosing a future pet will be an interesting experience.
Good lighting. By this point I mean not only the brightness of the light, but also the duration. For healthy image The life of an agama needs 12-14 hours daylight hours. At this point I would like to draw your attention to one feature of the light. There is not enough light from the window for lizards, even if the terrarium is placed directly under the direct rays of the sun. In the terrarium, it is necessary to artificially recreate the habitat familiar to this species. To do this, you need to install a special UV lamp (a lamp with an ultraviolet spectrum of rays) in the terrarium, which will recreate natural level lighting, and most importantly, the level of required ultraviolet radiation. Please note that there are different UV lamps. Bearded dragons require 7-8% UVB lamps. Ultraviolet light helps agamas synthesize vitamin D3, which is necessary for the full absorption of calcium. It is better to mount the lamps inside the terrarium, or place the lamps so that the rays pass through the grille, for minimal loss of ultraviolet radiation. When installing lamps inside the terrarium, especially when installing heating lamps in the terrarium, be sure to provide protection so that the lizard does not get burned by the hot lamp.- Temperature is especially important when keeping a bearded dragon. In the summer there will be no special problems with keeping such a heat-loving animal, but during the rest of the year, most likely, you will have to constantly heat your pet. Favorable temperatures for keeping a bearded dragon healthy range from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. But do not think that if for some reason the temperature drops slightly below 30C for some time, the agama will immediately die. Such fluctuations can seriously affect the animal's appetite and activity, but agamas are quite hardy animals. But you shouldn’t test the lizards’ endurance; try to stick to the recommended temperature range. To maintain this high temperature There are several types of devices in the terrarium, for example, thermal heating mats, stones with a heating element, as well as heating lamps. All these devices have their pros and cons and are used for different types animals. For agamas, a heating lamp is best suited, since, let me remind you that the bearded agama basically spends all of its time on the ground or on low shelters and pieces of wood, there is a chance that the agama will get burned if a thermal stone or thermo-stone is used. rug Ideally, the terrarium should have a warming area and a cooler zone, in which case the agama will be able to regulate its own temperature. To control temperature and humidity, I recommend purchasing a special thermometer and hygrometer that has a sensor on a wire in order to be able to control the temperature and humidity directly in the terrarium.
- Water and humidity. Like any living creature, the bearded dragon needs free access to fresh water. Place a small drinking bowl in the terrarium and change the water there daily, and also spray the walls of the terrarium so that the agama drinks water, licking droplets of water from the walls and leaves. But keep an eye on the humidity in the terrarium. Favorable humidity in the terrarium for agama is 40%. Such humidity is important not only for the agama’s well-being, but also for favorable molting. If the humidity is insufficient, molting will be much more difficult or may even occur partially, which will cause serious harm to the animal.
- The right soil. When choosing a soil, pay attention not only to aesthetic properties, but also to safety. For young individuals, a regular napkin or grass-like substrate is suitable. Such precautions are associated with some clumsiness of young lizards, which can accidentally swallow pieces of soil. Unfortunately, the wrong choice of soil can lead to dire consequences. Do not use sand, sawdust, wood chips or gravel as substrate for young lizards.
- Shelters. It is important for any animal to have a place where they can feel safe. To do this, it is necessary to install comfortable shelters in the terrarium. When choosing a shelter, pay attention to the dimensions (the agama should easily enter there, be able to turn around there and, accordingly, calmly exit), as well as safety; shelters should not have sharp corners. You can buy a ready-made shelter at a pet store or make it yourself. Most likely, the dragon will spend more time hiding in a shelter, but this should not worry you. Lizards in captivity also spend more time in shelters, so this is normal behavior for a healthy animal.
Scenery. When choosing decorations, pay attention to driftwood, branches, and stones. Agamas climb well. A stable branch or driftwood will perfectly decorate the terrarium and become good place for the agama to rest, where she can warm up. When choosing driftwood, again, check it for safety. There should be no sharp branches on it, and it would also be better if you clear it of bark so that the agama does not accidentally swallow a piece. As the agama matures, it may be necessary to change the scenery; make sure that all shelters and decorations are suitable for the size of the lizard.
By putting these tips into practice, you can create favorable conditions for the life of a bearded dragon.
Feeding your bearded dragon. This is the most important section about caring for any animal. Proper feeding will not only keep the animal healthy, but will also prolong life, and the right diet can enhance the agama’s coloration and increase activity. For the correct diet of an agama, it is necessary to take into account some features of agamas. I would like to note right away that in general, agamas are practically omnivorous, eating both live food and plant food. However, this statement does not mean that you can feed the lizard with everything you need; you should adhere to the rules for feeding the animal. The correct diet for a bearded dragon depends on the age of the individual. For young agamas, it is worth dividing the diet into 80% live food (insects) and 20% plant food(some vegetables and fruits). But the diet of an adult agama should look exactly the opposite. When feeding your agama, make sure that insects and pieces of fruit/vegetables are the right size for your agama. Ideally, the piece or insect will be no larger in size than the distance between the agama’s eyes. Otherwise, the agama may choke.
Young agamas need nutritious food, as they grow and develop very quickly. Feed the young animal insects several times a day, and try to give exactly as much as the agama eats. On average, a young agama should eat about 20-30 insects per day. Also, leave plant food in the terrarium, the agama will definitely eat if he gets hungry. Do not forget to change food every day, do not leave food to spoil in the terrarium.
Diet of an adult agama consists largely of plant foods. During the day, an adult dragon should eat fruits/vegetables, but once a day you can pamper the dragon with a few insects. Agamas love to eat and will not refuse the food offered, but you should be aware that overfeeding will lead to obesity, which means a less active life and worsening health.
What kind of insects are suitable for feeding bearded dragons? In general, the bearded dragon is not picky and will eat any insect that crawls in its field of vision. But you should make sure that the insects that you are going to feed the agama are not poisonous, are suitable in size, and also that the agama must successfully digest them, this means that insects with thick shells are not suitable for feeding. You should not feed lizards those bugs and crickets that run around your house. These insects can be infectious and may also have plaque harmful substances, of which there are a huge number on the streets of the city. TO safe species Insects for feeding bearded dragons include crickets, cockroaches (not domestic ones), mealworms, and zoophobes. You can find these insects in pet stores that raise insects specifically for feeding. The most important point when feeding bearded dragons is calcium. To keep your agama healthy, it is necessary to add calcium when feeding. It's very easy to do. To do this, place the insects that you are going to feed the lizard in a jar, add a little calcium and shake the jar. The required amount of calcium will stick to the insects, and the agama will receive such an important element for its health. Bearded dragons require specialized calcium that is very finely ground and easy to use. You can also purchase it on our website, in the “” section.
Vegetables and fruits are essential for bearded dragons to get the essential vitamins and minerals they contain. Allowed foods include cabbage, dandelions, carrot tops, apples, strawberries and melon. And also, most terrarium keepers feed lizards with special food, which contains all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which will ensure proper healthy eating. And also, the nutritional mixtures contain calcium and vitamin D3, without which a bearded dragon can live short life, since these elements are involved in the life of the lizard, in the processes of growth, development, molting, and are also responsible for the strength of bones and claws.
bearded dragon An interesting and at the same time easy-to-keep lizard that is suitable for both experienced terrarium keepers and beginners. By following simple tips, you can ensure a happy, long, and most importantly healthy life to your bearded dragon.
Loading...
