How to have happy and healthy dragons
Bearded dragon care is manageable given some basic guidelines. To successfully raise your pet, you will need to be fully aware of critical living conditions such as heating and feeding. It is not considered complicated, although consistency in your daily routine will allow your bearded dragon to live a comfortable and healthy lifestyle for up to 15 years.
Lighting and Heating
What kind of lamps do I need?
Caring for the bearded dragon will require full spectrum light (UVB) and sunlight (UVA). A suitable temperature is needed to maintain the health of your pet so that it can be thermoregulated. If it’s too cold, you’ll have trouble digesting your food, and if it’s too hot, you can die from dehydration. Try to get a digital thermometer to track your pet’s environment. That way, you won’t have to play the guessing game about temperature readings.
Can’t I use my study lamp?
Sure you can, just make sure your study lamp is capable of producing 60-100 watts of bright white light, and see if the heat under the bulb is 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. If your study lamp does not meet these basic requirements, you will have to go out and get some real sunlight (sometimes called a heat lamp or UVA lamp). You want your bearded dragon to be happy, right?
How long should I leave the lamp on?
Leave the full spectrum lamp (UVB) and solar heating lamp (UVA) on for 12 to 14 hours. This can be adjusted to simulate your natural lighting conditions. In other words, during winter, there will be fewer hours of daylight available and in summer, you will have more hours of daylight. If you can, get a timer, that way the UVA and UVB lamps will turn on and off simultaneously even if you’re not there.
Nutritional needs
How much and how often?
Bearded dragon care involves proper nutritional nutrition. As a general rule of thumb, feed your pet chunks of food smaller than the size of the space between his eyes. Depending on the age, the older the specimen, the less it will feed it. Perhaps only two or three times a week for fully grown adults. Daily feeding may be necessary for young bearded dragons.
Okay, so what are some of the ideal foods?
You can maximize nutrition by offering a regular rotation of silkworms, waxworms, phoenixworms, and crickets, properly doused with vitamin and mineral supplements. Supplements can even be in the form of a land-based multivitamin intended for young children.
In addition to worms and crickets, meals should include small servings of dark green leafy vegetables, fresh grass, flowers, mustard greens, squash, and kale.
Signs of health
What should I look for when my pet is healthy?
If your dragon shows a belly that appears to be well full and has an upright posture with an alert attitude, this usually shows that you are doing a great job raising your pet. Other signs could be healthy eating habits, a willingness to sunbathe, and no swelling in the tail or toes. If you notice these characteristics, give yourself a pat on the back, because you are doing a wonderful job!
Symptoms of illness
How can I know if my pet is sick?
Be prepared to go to a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles in case there are signs of illness. Spotting a problem as early as possible will increase the chances that your bearded dragon will make a quick recovery.
If you notice a general lack of appetite, a loss of interest in your enclosure or surroundings, eyes closed frequently, limbs that appear lifeless, jaws that appear to have been unused, or abnormal stools, immediately consult a professional in diagnosis and treatment. properly to your pet.
Bearded dragon care can be accomplished successfully once you have the correct information. Your pet’s nutritional and environmental requirements are the most important aspects of proper bearded dragon care.
