Full of advice for caring foryour pet

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Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets

Your guide to

Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons originate from Australia where they live in rocky regions of the country. They love to climb so you must ensure that you offer them the

means to do this. They are one of the tamest lizards with gentle

outgoing personalities and really do make great pets for the whole family.

Bearded dragons can live to anything between 7 and 14 years old and can grow

to between 16 and 24 inches long. Although they are not one of the hardest pets to look after, they will still require sufficient care and commitment throughout their life.

At home with your Bearded dragonHousing - Ensure that you get as big a home as possible to give your bearded dragon as much room as you can. The minimum size should be 36 x 12 x 18 inches for one lizard. A large aquarium or terrarium fitted with a screen lid is recommended. They love to climb so the cage must allow for both vertical and horizontal movement.

Bearded Dragons love to have attention

from you

Are you ready?

UVB fluorescent bulb - Bearded dragons are active throughout the day and require UVB light from reptile-specific ultraviolet lighting. This is necessary for the metabolism of vitamin D3. The light should be placed 12 inches above the dragon. The light should be on for 12 hours each day. The ultraviolet bulbs should be changed every 6-12 months.

Heating - Your bearded dragon will require a constant supply of heat. This can be done with a heat source at one end of the tank to create a thermal gradient. An under tank heat pad is also another option to provide your bearded dragon with sufficient heat. Heat rocks are not recommended as they can form hot spots that could burn your reptile. If your reptile is sitting with its mouth open then they may be too hot, so do turn off some of the lights or reduce the heater temperature. Heat Rocks are not recommended as they can cause heat burns.

Climbing Equipment - Provide your dragon with plenty of rocks, branches and logs to climb on and a specific area for hiding such as a cave or log.

Substrate - You can line the floor of your terrarium with fine gravel, calcium sand, pebbles or reptile carpet.

Cleaning the cage - You must clean out the droppings and leftover vegetables on a daily basis as they will cause health problems and smell if left.

DietDiet - Bearded dragons are omnivores and so will eat both insects and vegetables. A diet based primarily on vegetables is just as beneficial for them.

Vegetables - Your bearded dragon will enjoy the following vegetables: carrots, dandelion greens, mustard greens, frozen vegetables like carrots, peas and beans. Spinach and broccoli are not a good option as too much can be harmful to your dragon. Lettuce can also be fed, but only occasionally due to its lack of nutritional value. You should feed vegetables to your dragon on a daily basis.

Insects - Bearded dragons will usually eat all types of insects. Common varieties available for them are crickets, mealworms, and wax worms. Insects should be included to your dragons diet every other day. Your local Jollyes will be happy to advise you on suitable insects.

Calcium & vitamin D3 supplement - Your dragon will need calcium and vitamin 3D supplements. If they are lacking in D3 and calcium then they could be prone to metabolic bone diseases, which in some cases can be fatal. The supplement is a powder base so it is easy to coat food with it. You will need to add the supplement to the food twice a week.

How often should I feed my dragon? Babies should be fed 2-3 times a day and adults can be fed once every 1-2 days.

Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets

You need to bath Bearded Dragons 1-2 times a week

Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets

HealthCalcium & vitamin D3 deficiencies - If your dragon has calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies it can cause deformities, stunted growth, seizures, poor bone growth and brittle bones. In some cases it can be fatal. Dietary supplements as mentioned above will help prevent this.

Beta – Carotene deficiencies - Deficiencies in beta-carotene will cause the coloration of your dragon to gradually fade. A good way to prevent this is to provide lots of carrots and yellow vegetables in your bearded dragon’s diet.

Respiratory infections - Low temperatures, high humidity or a combination of both usually causes respiratory infections. Symptoms of this are gasping for breath, noisy breathing and mucus discharge from the nose and mouth.

Fungal infections - Warm and damp environments can infect cuts or wounds on your dragon cause fungal infections which will need to be treated with an anti fungal ointment.

HandlingHandling - Although your dragon will allow you to handle it quite regularly, this should be done in moderation. If your dragon starts to nod its head then this is a sign of dominance. Sitting with its mouth open is a sign that your dragon is trying to cool down. It is not advisable to take you dragon outside as sunlight can trigger different behaviour in tame dragons.

Bearded Dragons are very docile

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Jollyes, only the best for you and your pets

Shopping Checklist We recommend the following items for your dragon.

For further information contact:Jollyes Petfood Superstores

1 Lea Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1AS

n Large aquarium or terrarium

n UVB florescent bulb

n Substrate (aquarium gravel, calcium sand, pebbles or reptile carpet

n Heat pad or lamp

n Rocks, pebbles, logs, climbing equipment

n Hiding place (artificial cave)

n Live food

n Calcium and vitamin D3 supplements

n A book on Bearded dragon care

Bearded Dragon Checklist

It is now time to enjoy your bearded dragon and watch him grow into an important member of the family.