The chahoua gecko is a medium-sized arboreal lizard native to the region of New Caledonia. These reptiles are recognized by their large white lidless eyes with vertically oriented pupils, triangular heads, and strong muscular tails. Chahoua geckos range in color.
The skin of a bearded dragon is extremely rough and can cause severe scratches if it is not handled properly. Once acclimatized, the reptile will be more friendly and easier to handle. To prevent minor scrapes and cuts, it is a good idea to wear long sleeves or light gloves when handling the beardie. Remember that all reptiles can be infected by Salmonella bacteria. This can lead to severe illness.
A nest box must be provided for the Bearded Dragons, as they bury their eggs., an area that contains 10-inch deep sand or soil should suffice. Unlike most reptiles, females will lay three clutches of up to 35 eggs per clutch.
Bearded dragons regularly shed their skin; ensure humidity of habitat is at appropriate level to allow proper shedding. To facilitate shedding, soak lizard in warm water in a large container that allows the bearded dragon to immerse their entire body while keeping their head out of water, or provide a shed box, a hide box with moist sphagnum moss. Be sure to replace the water in the soaking dish often to keep it clean and change the moss frequently to prevent mold from developing.
Bearded dragons can display a variety of morphs. These morphs are mainly based on body types, but can also be derived from selective breeding.
When you’re looking for a bearded dragon, it’s important to understand the different morphs. A morph is a genetic mutation that results in certain traits. The most common are color variations. You can see a wide range of colors in beardies, including beiges, browns, and muted tans.
There are other morphs that result from genetics, such as visual morphs. These are inherited traits that are passed down from parents. They’re often the most unique beardie varieties. Some of them are translucent, meaning they have a transparent appearance. Others, such as hypomelanistic, lack melanin, which makes their skin lighter.
Bearded dragons like many other reptiles have specific lighting requirements that can be really confusing, especially for new owners that don’t have previous experience.
Because of that reason, having a good understanding when it comes to lighting the space of your bearded dragon is very important.
You should know there are plenty of options when it comes to lighting for bearded dragons and choosing the wrong setup can be harmful to your pet. However, if you carefully read our guide you will get plenty of information about setting up proper lighting for your pet.
You no longer need to guess if what you are feeding is beneficial to your bearded dragon or not. This list gives you the information on what to feed your bearded dragon, and also what you should avoid.
How Big Are Bearded Dragons? Before you decide on bringing a bearded Dragon home you must know how big they can become. These reptiles vary in size and shape depending on how they are genetically wired. They should be kept indoors in tanks of 55 gallons or more. A larger tank will give your beardies more hiding places and be closer for their natural habitat. It is fine to start with a small tank. As your beardie ages, it will be better to move to a bigger one.
How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get Before you decide to bring a bearded dragon home, you should know how big they can grow. These reptiles can be very large or very small depending on their genetics. They should be kept in tanks that are 55 gallons or larger. A larger tank will have more hiding places and will be closer to their natural habitat. It's okay to start with a small tank, but once your beardie gets older, you should move it to a larger one.
Bearded Dragon Care Bearded dragons require a clean environment in which to thrive. It is necessary to clean the habitat regularly, including the substrate and accessories. This can be accomplished using a sponge, washcloth, or soft-bristled toothbrush. However, you should not let the habitat become too dirty, as it can pose a serious threat to the health of the animal.
It is important to set up the habitat before you bring the bearded Dragon home. Make sure it has enough heat, UV lights, and food. You should also inspect the equipment, including the basking pads and ultraviolet light. Temperature should remain constant throughout the day. However, humidity should be kept as low as possible.
Bearded dragons are happy to eat vegetables as well as insects. They eat mostly insects in the wild. They are known to also forage for leaves and flowers. They are a great source of protein, and these plants are great for their diet.
Another good food for bearded dragons is apples. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, but do not make them larger than the space between your dragon's eyes. Apples contain a good balance of calcium and phosphorus, but they're lacking in Vitamins A and D.
Always be sure to wash your hands before and after handling your dragon. This helps prevent the spread of most bacteria such as Salmonella. Beardies are very docile towards people. Although they may run away when you try to grab them initially, they tolerate handling very well and may even be content to hang out on your shoulder.
They are likely to shed their skin in the spring and summer when they are eating regularly. Any abnormal shedding may occur near the digits and tip of their tail. When this happens, they may need to be bathed to avoid any infection.
Their natural coloration is dull brown or tan with red or gold highlights, depending on local soil color, but modern breeding practices have produced a variety of color morphs from white to lemon yellow to dark red. Some breeders specialize in dragons with bright blue “tiger bars.” Modern breeding has also produced different scale textures: Dunners (multidirectional scales), Leatherbacks (small, smooth scales), and Silkbacks (no scales).
Turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, iguanas, and chameleons are some common examples of reptiles that need UVB light. This helps prevent animals from developing hypocalcemia (or lack of calcium). UVB lights should be kept on during the day and turned off at night and should be used along with calcium supplements.
Bearded Dragons – 12 Fun Facts
Since bearded dragons are naturally solitary creatures, they do not get lonely if placed alone in a cage or left for some time away from their keeper. They much prefer having their food and heat to themselves rather than sharing it with another bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons are able to imitate other bearded dragons to open doors. “The ability to learn through imitation is thought to be the pinnacle of social learning and long considered a distinctive characteristic of humans.