Inland Bearded Dragon
(Pogona vitticeps)
Distribution
This species of Bearded Dragon can be found in a range of habitat types in a wide area of Australia. It is also known as the Yellow Headed or the Central Bearded Dragon. It is the commonest Bearded Dragon kept in the UK at present.
Size
This species has an average adult size of between 45 and 50cm (18 - 20 inches) in total length. At hatching they are usually between 8 and 10cm (3-4”).
Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivorous animals. Foods eaten consist of arthropods, frogs, small lizards and birds, mealworms, wax worms, black field crickets, locusts, brown crickets, earthworms, pink mice, snails and some vegetation. Avoid dark greens such as Broccoli and cabbage, but things such as broad leaf water cress, Chinese leaves, dandelions, nasturtiums are good. The food items should be dusted with Calcium powder and all insects should be fed good quality food prior to being fed to the Bearded Dragon to ensure they are as nutritious as possible.
Requirements
- Heat Source:- This should be a guarded and thermostatically controlled reflector spot bulb (either red, green or blue) or conical ceramic heater. Heat mats may also be used as an additional source of heat.
- UV Light Source:- Require a Reptisun 5.0 UVB light. This should be left on for 8 to 12 hours a day and positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking lizard in order to obtain optimum exposure. It should be replaced every 6 months.
- Housing:- This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. A vivarium measuring 90cm by 60cm by 45cm (36 inches in length by 24 inches deep by 18 inches high) is sufficient for a single dragon. However, males are notoriously aggressive and should not be kept with other males. Hatchlings should be kept in a smaller container, which can be housed in their future vivarium.
- Thermostat:- An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards:- These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers:- One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the enclosure. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides:- These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides. Height is often used as a sign of dominance in Bearded Dragons so providing climbing branches which are securely fitted will help to allow your Bearded Dragon to behave naturally. Artificial plants should be avoided as they are often ingested and can cause problems for your lizard.
Water and humidity
These animals require a small, shallow water bowl. This must be changed daily. A gentle misting with tepid water is beneficial once a week, especially during ecdysis.
Temperature
A basking area of 32 - 36°C (88 - 97°F) is required at one end of the vivarium. The background temperature should range from 19 - 28°C (68 - 84°F).
Longevity
Bearded dragons can live for 7 - 10 years in captivity. Some are now exceeding these ages and living up to 14 years.
Substrate
Calcium Sand can be used although these reptiles do not just originate from arid areas and the dust off the sand can mask their colours. Paper can be used. The best substrate at present is Large Pieces of Bark Mulch (dust free and not Pine or Cedar) as this aids in maintaining a reasonable humidity, ensure the bark pieces are too large to avoid accidental ingestion during feeding.
Photograph taken by Stuart Dodsworth.
Map taken from http://www.geocities.com/borderviewdragons/ozmain.html
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/s...-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Pogona_SP_vitticeps']
http://www.geocities.com/borderviewdragons/ozmain.html - Photos and info on Wild Bearded Dragons.
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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