A Beginner's Guide in Choosing a Bearded Dragon Lizard
Bearded dragons are from the reptile family that may be excellent home pets. They are commonly docile although their appearance may appear otherwise. Sometimes they seem as if they even enjoy being handled and like to take baths or dips in the water. As they are awake during the day and asleep in the night, their owners can enjoy watching them. Many herpetologists recommend them as pets because of their tame disposition and size.
Bearded Dragon lizards make good pets for children, as long as they are supervised. They require lesser time and effort as compared to cats, dogs, and even fish. Their diet consists mostly of live bugs (you can get them at you local pet store) and vegetables. They usually favor small worms and grasshoppers. Green leafy vegetables are good for them and should be a main component of their daily diet. The leaves should be chopped or torn into relatively small pieces before being fed to the lizard.
Deciding that you want a lizard for a pet is only the first step. You have to consider many things before buying any breed. Two main categories may help streamline your planning and choosing process. Choose and buy a lizard according to its characteristics and to the amount of care you can provide.
As mentioned previously, the Bearded Dragon lizard is a recommended choice becuase they are friendlier than their other lizard cousins and their small size require a smaller space to live in.
After deciding to make the Bearded Dragon your house pet, check if the one you are purchasing is a healthy lizard. It is imperative that you check and approve the qualities of the one you are buying.
Some guidelines can be:
1. Check the lizard's eyes. They should be wide, alert, and obviously attentive to their surroundings.
2. The mouth, eyes, tail, and feet should be in good condition. There should be no sores or wounds of any kind.
3. There shoud be no scar or cut on the lizard's skin.
4. Check for fat storages at the base of the tail. A healthy lizard has ample fat stores. Avoid those with jutting bones near or at the end of the tail.
5. There should be no patches where the scale has been shed.
After you have made sure that you are purchasing a healthy and legal Bearded Dragon, consider the amount of care you can provide. These pets have special and specific needs that you need to address to make sure that they remain happy and healthy.
First off, where are you going to put your Bearded Dragon? They are usually housed in glass aquariums with a screen as a roof to allow enough air to circulate. The minimum size of your aquarium should be 91 x 46 x 36 cm. This will ensure that your lizard has enough space to grow and exercise in. Make sure that you clean their homes at least once a week. Like any other pet, a clean environment is imperative for your lizard to continue being healthy.
Humidity is another requirement you ust fulfill. Lizards need a humid enviromnemnt. This means that the air in their aquarium should contain enough water. You can provide this by spraying a water in their tankevery few days.
A long fluorescent light should also be installed in their aquarium. This will mimic the light the sun gives off and will stimulate your Bearded Dragon's appetite and digestion. Ultraviolet light is necessary for your lizard's growth and developement.
Michael Torresi
Home Portal* 
Reptile Rescue Den 
