Of all reptiles available for pet lovers, bearded dragons
are the most popular and among the most sought after because they make for good
pets. Bearded dragons are usually called “beardies�. They have spiny scales and
a beard made up of spikes. This beard puffs up and turns black when it is
stressed, excited, or anxious.
Asides found in homes as pets, they are also found in zoos. You
can purchase these reptiles from pet stores, breeder websites, or reptile expos.
Although you can catch them in the wild and turn those to pets, captive-bred
ones are easily adaptable to humans and a new environment.
Bearded dragons are alert, inquisitive, hardy but also
gentle. They are native to Australia but can also be found in other countries
and their natural habitat is arid woodlands and deserts. They also like to
spend a lot of their waking hours on trees, bushes and also basking in the sun
on rocks. They live for an average of 4 to 10 years and can grow up to about 18
to 22 inches in length.
Beardies can be any color from red to brown, green, yellow
or white. They are omnivores meaning they feed on practically everything including
plants, flowers, fruits, insects, and small lizards. You may read more about
this interesting reptile here.
Playing with Your Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons can survive alone and do not need to form
bonds or get lonely. They do not need to interact but humans do need to and as
a beardie owner, you might be wondering how you can relate to or play with your
pet. Below are some of the ways you can do this.
Understand Your Pet
Understanding your pet and its behavior is important in
relating with it. During breeding, a beardie may puff its beard and open wide
its mouth to show dominance and this makes it look aggressive. Both males and
females do this. They sometimes bob their heads too and when in submission, a
bearded dragon will hold one of its front legs up while waving it slowly.
Knowing and understanding this behavior will allow you to know when and how to
relate to it.
Build Trust
Until a relationship or friendship develops between you and
your beardie, it is most likely it will be nervous and apprehensive when you
want to handle it and play. To be able to build trust, as a baby beardie,
handle it frequently. It will start twisting and turning around your arm. It
will also climb your hand and sit on your shoulder. To handle
or pick your beardie, place your hand underneath its belly gently scooping
it up and then curve your finger around it. Avoid picking by its head or tail
as much as possible.
You can hold your beardie over soft surfaces such as beds,
couches, or carpet. It may struggle while holding him but be sure it is calm
before you let go so it does not get injured. Also, stroke his head gently to
calm it, talk to it frequently and hand-feed it to build trust. Finally, ensure
you are aware of what signals as fear or aggression in your beardie.
Let it Run in the Grass
Occasionally, let your pet out of its terrarium and let it
run through the grass. As you do this, it is advisable to put a leash on it or
let it be in an enclosure so you do not have to start looking for it all over
the place or even lose it completely if it somehow gets away. The grass must however
be free of any chemicals before you do this.
Let it Swim
Find a large storage tank or bowl and fill it with water that
is not deeper than its elbow and allow it to swim. The water’s temperature
should be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can add a reptile safe conditioner
and a few toys to enable it to enjoy some fun.
To learn more about bearded dragons and different things
about them, visit sites like: beardeddragonguidance.com.
Conclusion
Every living thing, even when they can stay and survive by
themselves, occasionally needs some attention and exposure. Avoid ignoring your
beardie and leaving it alone to itself. Checking on it and playing with it
often will make it fun for both of you.