Terrarium for bearded dragon. Shelters and decor

Kingdom: Animals
Type: Chordata
Class: Reptiles
Order: Scaly
Suborder: Lizards
Family: Agamaceae
Genus: Bearded Dragons

This cute lizard is an almost ideal pet for both beginners and experienced terrarium keepers. This popularity is due to the ease of maintenance, as well as the unique beauty of this lizard. She is unpretentious, funny and sweet; It is especially pleasant to watch how from a tiny baby the size of a little finger grows a bizarre creature, powerful and strong, comically flat, like a pancake, with a patterned skin, reddish or light spines (“beard”) around the head and an elegant, graceful tail. The bearded dragon is native to Australia. Having come to us from the green continent, bearded dragons took root in terrariums so well that they conquered millions human hearts on all continents. There is only one species of bearded dragon kept in captivity outside Australia, Pogona vitticeps.

The bearded dragon is a medium-sized lizard with a wide, flattened body. The head is wide, triangular in shape. The corners of the mouth, the area around the ear opening and especially the throat of the bearded dragon are covered with sharp spine-like scales arranged in the shape of the letter V - this is the “beard”, the decoration that makes the face of this reptile so expressive. The “beard” is best visible in sexually mature males. Moreover, in times of danger or mating games The throat sac of the male is painted in dark colors - from brown to inky blue and almost black, and this feature is another reason that the species Pogona vitticeps is called the “bearded” dragon. The British call bearded dragons “dragons with a symmetrical beard” - central bearded dragon.

When threatened, the animal inflates its throat and tries to scare off the enemy with splayed spines - this point of behavior should also be taken into account by terrariumists: if the agama rises, swells, flattens incredibly, puffs up its spike-like outgrowths and opens its mouth, it means that it sees some kind of danger in the environment . (You should not pick up the agama or feed it from a position where your hand falls on the animal from top to bottom - it perceives this as a threat from the air, because this is how birds of prey hunt all small animals; it is best to feed or pick up the agama through the side door in the wall of the terrarium.) The strong, powerful legs of the bearded dragon have short toes with claws. Males are slightly larger than females, they have a wider head and a thick tail, otherwise sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed: the coloring of individuals of both sexes is almost the same. If you turn a sexually mature male onto his back, you can see a slight thickening at the base of his tail next to the cloaca (this thickening is not observed in females), as well as pronounced femoral pores.

It is noteworthy that in most adult bearded dragons the tail is often damaged: when joint content young lizards often bite off or accidentally break off the ends of each other’s tails, the wounds heal quickly and this injury does not bring any suffering to the animal, but, unfortunately, the bearded dragon’s tail does not regenerate. To preserve this beloved beauty, experienced herpetologists advise keeping young animals in separate containers and not allowing small agamas to come into contact with each other.

Bearded dragon in the wild

The species Pogona vitticeps is endemic to Australia. It lives in arid biotopes: deserts and semi-deserts with sparse vegetation, dry forests and, in some places, rocky areas. IN coastal strip- never occurs. It leads a predominantly diurnal and terrestrial lifestyle, but in its habitats the bearded dragon can often be seen on the trunks and branches of trees, as well as on the walls of low buildings and on fences. Tenacious claws allow this rather large lizard to climb excellently.

The mating season for agamas begins after a short winter (hibernation), which occurs in July (winter in southern hemisphere matches ours summer months). Bearded dragons do not dig holes, but bury their eggs in the ground to a depth of about 30-40 cm. Like all social animals, bearded dragons live in small flocks, most often in the form of a “harem” of one male and several females. Eating small insects, worms, herbaceous plants, young leaves and shoots. On at the moment The bearded dragon is an excellent subject for terrarism. Very popular in Europe and the USA. Many color morphs (colors) of bearded dragons have been bred in captivity.

The bearded dragon is, of course, not a chameleon, but it can change its color depending on its mood, well-being and temperature in the terrarium.
IN wildlife The lifespan of a bearded dragon is 7-9 years, in captivity it is longer (up to 10 years or more).
Australian researchers have found that bearded dragon saliva contains a weak poison (safe for humans).

Communication

The bearded dragon very quickly gets used to human hands, sits with pleasure on the owner’s shoulder and squints with pleasure if its neck is scratched. But such comfortable behavior and affectionate disposition can be achieved only in one way: by constantly communicating with your pet. To raise a tame agama, you need to stroke it daily, talk to it in a quiet voice at each feeding, and even better, take it out of the terrarium every 1-2 days and hold it in your palms, clearly fixing the animal with one hand and stroking the baby with your fingers with the other, while quietly and tenderly speaking some words to your pet. Reinforce any communication with the agama with affection and treats, and soon a pleasant surprise will await you: a completely tame and friendly creature. If the agama tries to grab your finger or bite you, do not despair and be patient! You cannot punish or beat a pet: this is not a dog or a cat, reptiles have a completely different psychology; they need more time to get used to a person, but, having remembered you and your household, the animal will grow up calm, adequate, non-aggressive, devoid of fearfulness and ready for communication and affection.

Don't grab your bearded dragon's tail! It is fragile, brittle, exceeds the length of the animal’s body, is easily discarded, but does not grow back as beautiful as it was, as we have already discussed above.

Terrarium for bearded dragon

Should be spacious and not too low. Dragons love to climb driftwood, so driftwood is not only a whimsical and beautiful decorative element, but also a vital accessory for your bearded dragon. In addition, when designing a home for a future pet, it is necessary to take into account its growth: a bearded dragon grows tens of times during its life! Of course, she will not be such a giant as, for example, green iguana, however, from a tiny creature the size of a small mouse, it will grow to 30 cm or more (excluding the length of the tail). A bearded dragon terrarium should be designed to replicate the desert climate, meaning it should have a constant source of heat, humidity control, and good ventilation.

Making such a home with your own hands is extremely difficult. You will never be able to take into account all the features of an animal’s anatomy, habits and lifestyle, and in some cases such “amateur activity” can cost the pet’s health and even life! The reptile cannot be overheated or overcooled; it risks getting burned from an incorrectly installed lamp, from an incorrectly placed piece of snags or a pile of stones it risks getting injured, etc.

The best way is to make a custom-made terrarium or equip it after consultation with specialists. A terrarium for a bearded dragon is not the most expensive and can be done in a relatively short time. The main requirements for such a terrarium are the presence of ultraviolet lighting, heating and cooling points, a place to rest and warm up, and all sorts of devices for “entertainment”: driftwood, a background that imitates a rocky wall or rock, safe for climbing (a foam background is not suitable for an adult animal , because it can break off its edges and even bite off a piece). And, as we have already said, purchase or order a terrarium with side doors so that the owner’s hand does not fall on the lizard “from the sky” and does not frighten it.

The size of a terrarium for a bearded dragon should be at least 100 cm in length and 50 cm in width for an adult. When buying a cute, funny baby, the owner may often have no idea how big it will grow (the total body length of an adult, including the tail, varies from 40 to 60 cm). If you live in cramped conditions, refuse such a purchase, but when the desire is too hot, there is an option to take a temporary terrarium for the baby “for growth” with further redevelopment of the interior to purchase a more spacious terrarium. If you want to start breeding, multiply the recommended bottom area of the terrarium by the number of individuals living in it: usually bearded dragons are kept at the rate of 1 male for 1-2 females; two males will not get along in the same territory.

Particular attention should be paid to good ventilation in the terrarium so that there is no moist, stale air - this leads to the appearance of fungal and bacterial diseases of the respiratory system and skin lizards

Can be used as soil for a terrarium various materials, however, it should be remembered that pieces of fine fraction (sand, pebbles, tree bark, etc.) can get into the gastrointestinal tract and this is extremely dangerous for the health of the agama and even threatens to block the gastrointestinal tract.

Most beautiful view The soil for all desert and semi-desert lizards is, of course, sand. However, all babies in the world are the same - they explore the world around us, and they put anything in their mouth, as a result of which they can swallow sand for no reason. Therefore, young ones (bearded dragons up to at least 6-8 months old) are best suited with soft napkins or paper towels, which are so great for cleaning. But here is a beautiful artificial “lawn” made of plastic, imitating green grass, so cute for leopard geckos, hemiteconyx and other small lizards, is not suitable for a bearded dragon. She has too powerful paws and sharp claws, so there will be nothing left of such filler in a matter of days (if not hours). Therefore, the best soil option is the “classic” in combination with safe feeding: – in a separate container (for example, by placing it in an empty carrier without filler), – feeding insects with tweezers, – hand feeding (if the animal is tame and calm), – feeding on a “free range” so that the animal can hunt on its own, but always in a limited, fenced space.

Decor for a terrarium with bearded dragon should be selected with extreme caution. A categorical “no” must be said to all parts made of foam and plastic. The agama is quite active and loves to chew on everything, so polystyrene is dangerous to its life. Plus, even if she doesn't bite the nice parts, the smell of urine and feces will be absorbed into the foam. The best materials for hygienic, safe and durable decor are ceramics and stone.

There is no consensus about shelters for agamas: some terrariumists say that it is not necessary at all, since in the wild, bearded dragons do not dig holes, but bask in the hot sun. Others (we got this information on the Internet) advise making a place where you can hide so that the animal has a sense of security. And, of course, the shelter should not be a bulky ceramic structure that blocks the entire terrarium. In principle, it is better to keep a small bearded dragon with a minimum of decor, and add more as you observe the pet’s behavior - what he likes and where he feels more comfortable. Of course, all lamps must provide excellent illumination of the terrarium and create the desired temperature at the heating point (for a bearded dragon, top heating and ultraviolet light are of paramount importance). However, it is necessary to keep the lamps at some distance from the animals so that they do not get burned: lamps collected in a net or placed at a distance of at least 20 cm from the top point of the snag or stone on which the agama will climb to bask.

Lighting and heating of the terrarium

Like all desert lizards, the bearded dragon needs to maintain temperature and light conditions. Since she leads a diurnal lifestyle, during the daytime she will happily bask under an ultraviolet lamp. The bearded dragon needs ultraviolet light not only for light and warmth, but also for the synthesis of vitamin D3. Upper heating is more important than lower heating, as we have already said, because the behavior of the lizard itself encourages this. Having chosen the most “advantageous” point, the agama will bask for long hours under the rays of the artificial “sun” (Repti Glo lamp No. 8 or 10 is suitable for this - they can be bought at a large pet store or ordered online). Before buying and placing your baby in a terrarium, you need to test its temperature and humidity.

The overall air temperature should be about 28°C, in the “cold” corner – about 25°C, and at the local heating point – about 40°C. If the parameters of your lamps for a certain volume of the terrarium do not allow you to obtain the desired indicators, they can be increased using bottom heating. Ideal option There will be a heating mat that is placed under the bottom of the terrarium. Thermal cords inside the terrarium or heating stones made of foam plastic and other synthetic materials are absolutely not suitable.

Now let's talk about what these lizards eat, because the main question that the owner asks himself when choosing a future pet is:

Among plant foods, the bearded dragon is very fond of green leafy crops: dandelion leaves, lettuce, parsley, celery, as well as apples and grated carrots. Fresh food should be placed in special feeders to prevent ingestion of soil particles.

Agamas should always have fresh water in their drinking bowl. Some sites say that not all agamas learn to use a drinking bowl - you may have to drink a young specimen from a syringe or spray it on its face with a spray bottle. If the agama does not react to water in any way, we can conclude that it is quite sufficient with the liquid obtained from fresh plant food. However, there should still be some moisture in the terrarium for several reasons:

- the agama may want to drink,
– dry air in a terrarium is extremely harmful, air humidity should be about 30%,
– to facilitate the molting process, as well as to cool an animal that is too hot, it is recommended to install a humidity chamber or equip a special corner in the terrarium, where the substrate will be slightly moistened with water.

ATTENTION! It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the drinking bowl because some reptiles often like to do their “business” in the water and use the drinking bowl for these purposes. It is almost impossible to wean an animal from such behavior; one of the solutions can only be advised to move the drinking bowl to another place, but this may not help. During the molting period, the lizard may also begin to splash around in the drinking bowl or wet certain parts of its body with water.

Advantages of a bearded dragon:

- incredibly beautiful and unique
– not aggressive and not dangerous to humans
– unpretentious, has fairly good health, lives long enough
– easily tamed and loves to communicate; The bearded dragon is one of the few "contact" reptiles that exhibit high intelligence and enjoying communication with the owners.

Difficulties in keeping a bearded dragon:

– the terrarium takes up quite a lot of space in the apartment
– you need strict lighting and temperature regime
– all year round needs fresh greens, fruits and live insects
– has a fragile, brittle tail, incapable of regeneration.

Anna Kurtz

bearded dragon is an attractive lizard that is perfect for beginner terrarium keepers.

The agama has become widespread among reptile lovers due to its unpretentiousness in keeping and breeding in captivity. Let's take a closer look at this interesting animal.

Bearded Dragons, as already written above, live in Australia, from this we can immediately conclude that the most favorable habitat for bearded dragons is arid. Agamas lead a terrestrial lifestyle and are very fond of all kinds of pieces of wood and shelter. There are several subspecies of bearded dragons, but the most common is Pogona vitticeps.

bearded dragon enough large lizard. Adults reach 45-60 cm in length and weigh about 300 grams, and sometimes more. However, it is also worth mentioning that the agama is long-lived. On average, a bearded dragon lives for 10 years, but there are many cases where these lizards have lived much longer. Life expectancy, like that of any healthy animal, depends on the quality of its maintenance.

The appearance of the bearded dragon is quite interesting. The triangular head and flat, spiky body make an impression at first glance. However, the bearded dragon got its name for its very interesting feature. When a feeling of danger arises, the bearded dragon is able to use its secret weapon, namely a special neck pouch that she can inflate to scare away the enemy. Also, agamas can inflate this pouch during mating games to impress the opposite sex. The bearded dragon comes in quite a few different morphs, giving a wide range of color variations, from the most common grays and browns, to more vibrant reds, oranges, and whites.

Known bearded dragon morphs:

Sunburst
German Giant
Salmon
Sandfire
Blood Red
Leucistic
LeatherBack
Silkback
"Dunner" Dragons
Translucent Morphs
Japanese Silverback Dragons

And also, there are morphs that separate the subspecies of bearded dragons by color:

White Morphs - bearded dragon with white coloration
Yellow Morphs - bearded dragon with yellow coloration
Orange Morphs - bearded dragon with orange coloration
Tiger Pattern Morphs - bearded dragon with a tiger pattern on its body
Black Morphs - black bearded dragon
Red Morphs - red bearded dragon

As you have already seen, there are many color variations and subspecies of bearded dragons, and choosing a future pet will be an interesting experience.

Good lighting. By this point I mean not only the brightness of the light, but also the duration. For healthy image The life of an agama needs 12-14 hours daylight hours. At this point I would like to draw your attention to one feature of the light. There is not enough light from the window for lizards, even if the terrarium is placed directly under the direct rays of the sun. In the terrarium, it is necessary to artificially recreate the habitat familiar to this species. To do this, it is necessary to install a special UV lamp (a lamp with an ultraviolet spectrum of rays) in the terrarium, which will recreate the natural level of illumination, and most importantly, the level of necessary ultraviolet radiation. Please note that there are different UV lamps. Bearded dragons require 7-8% UVB lamps. Ultraviolet light helps agamas synthesize vitamin D3, which is necessary for the full absorption of calcium. It is better to mount the lamps inside the terrarium, or place the lamps so that the rays pass through the grille, for minimal loss of ultraviolet radiation. When installing lamps inside the terrarium, especially when installing heating lamps in the terrarium, be sure to provide protection so that the lizard does not get burned by the hot lamp.
Temperature is especially important when keeping a bearded dragon. In the summer there will be no special problems with keeping such a heat-loving animal, but during the rest of the year, most likely, you will have to constantly heat your pet. Favorable temperatures for keeping a bearded dragon healthy range from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. But do not think that if for some reason the temperature drops slightly below 30C for some time, the agama will immediately die. Such fluctuations can seriously affect the animal's appetite and activity, but agamas are quite hardy animals. But you shouldn’t test the lizards’ endurance; try to stick to the recommended temperature range. To maintain this high temperature There are several types of devices in the terrarium, for example, thermal heating mats, stones with a heating element, as well as heating lamps. All these devices have their pros and cons and are used for different types animals. For agamas, a heating lamp is best suited, since, let me remind you that the bearded agama basically spends all of its time on the ground or on low shelters and pieces of wood, there is a chance that the agama will get burned if a thermal stone or thermo-stone is used. rug Ideally, the terrarium should have a warming area and a cooler zone, in which case the agama will be able to regulate its own temperature. To control temperature and humidity, I recommend purchasing a special thermometer and hygrometer that has a sensor on a wire in order to be able to control the temperature and humidity directly in the terrarium.
Water and humidity. Like any living creature, the bearded dragon needs free access to fresh water. Place a small drinking bowl in the terrarium and change the water there daily, and also spray the walls of the terrarium so that the agama drinks water, licking droplets of water from the walls and leaves. But keep an eye on the humidity in the terrarium. Favorable humidity in the terrarium for agama is 40%. Such humidity is important not only for the well-being of the agama, but also for favorable molting. If the humidity is insufficient, molting will be much more difficult or may even occur partially, which will cause serious harm to the animal.
The right soil. When choosing a soil, pay attention not only to aesthetic properties, but also to safety. For young individuals, a regular napkin or grass-like substrate is suitable. Such precautions are associated with some clumsiness of young lizards, which can accidentally swallow pieces of soil. Unfortunately, the wrong choice of soil can lead to dire consequences. Do not use sand, sawdust, wood chips or gravel as substrate for young lizards.
Shelters. It is important for any animal to have a place where they can feel safe. To do this, it is necessary to install comfortable shelters in the terrarium. When choosing a shelter, pay attention to the size (the agama should easily enter there, be able to turn around there and, accordingly, calmly exit), as well as safety; shelters should not be with sharp corners. You can buy a ready-made shelter at a pet store or make it yourself. Most likely, the dragon will spend more time hiding in a shelter, but this should not worry you. Lizards in captivity also spend more time in shelters, so this is normal behavior for a healthy animal.
Decorations. When choosing decorations, pay attention to driftwood, branches, and stones. Agamas climb well. A stable branch or driftwood will perfectly decorate the terrarium and become good place for the agama to rest, where she can warm up. When choosing driftwood, again, check it for safety. There should be no sharp branches on it, and it would also be better if you clear it of bark so that the agama does not accidentally swallow a piece. As the agama matures, it may be necessary to change the scenery; make sure that all shelters and decorations are suitable for the size of the lizard.

By putting these tips into practice, you can create favorable living conditions for your bearded dragon.

Feeding your bearded dragon. This is the most important section about caring for any animal. Proper feeding will not only keep the animal healthy, but also prolong life, and the right diet can enhance the agama’s coloring and increase activity. For the correct diet of an agama, it is necessary to take into account some features of agamas. I would like to note right away that in general, agamas are practically omnivorous, eating both live food and plant food. However, this statement does not mean that you can feed the lizard with everything you need; you should adhere to the rules for feeding the animal. The right diet The diet of a bearded dragon depends on the age of the individual. For young dragons, it is worth dividing the diet into 80% live food (insects) and 20% plant food (some vegetables and fruits). But the diet of an adult agama should look exactly the opposite. When feeding your agama, make sure that insects and pieces of fruit/vegetables are the right size for your agama. Ideally, the piece or insect will be no larger in size than the distance between the agama’s eyes. Otherwise, the agama may choke.

Young agamas need nutritious food, as they grow and develop very quickly. Feed the young animal insects several times a day, and try to give exactly as much as the agama eats. On average, a young agama should eat about 20-30 insects per day. Also, leave plant food in the terrarium; the agama will definitely eat if he gets hungry. Do not forget to change food every day, do not leave food to spoil in the terrarium.

Diet of an adult agama V to a greater extent consists of plant foods. During the day, an adult dragon should eat fruits/vegetables, but once a day you can pamper the dragon with a few insects. Agamas love to eat and will not refuse the food offered, but you should be aware that overfeeding will lead to obesity, which means a less active life and worsening health.

What kind of insects are suitable for feeding bearded dragons? In general, the bearded dragon is not picky and will eat any insect that crawls in its field of vision. But you should make sure that the insects that you are going to feed the agama are not poisonous, are suitable in size, and also that the agama must successfully digest them, this means that insects with thick shells are not suitable for feeding. You should not feed lizards those bugs and crickets that run around your house. These insects can be infectious and may also have plaque harmful substances, of which there are a huge number on the streets of the city. TO safe species Insects for feeding bearded dragons include crickets, cockroaches (not domestic ones), mealworms, and zoophobes. You can find these insects in pet stores that raise insects specifically for feeding. Most important point when feeding bearded dragons - calcium. To keep your agama healthy, it is necessary to add calcium when feeding. It's very easy to do. To do this, place the insects that you are going to feed the lizard in a jar, add a little calcium and shake the jar. The required amount of calcium will stick to the insects, and the agama will receive such an important element for its health. Bearded dragons require specialized calcium that is very finely ground and easy to use. You can also purchase it on our website, in the “” section.

Vegetables and fruits are necessary for bearded dragons to receive essential vitamins and the minerals they contain. Permitted foods include cabbage, dandelions, carrot tops, apples, strawberries and melon. And also, most terrarium keepers feed lizards special food, which contains all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which will ensure proper healthy eating. And also, the nutritional mixtures contain calcium and vitamin D3, without which a bearded dragon can live a short life, since these elements are involved in the life of the lizard, in the processes of growth, development, molting, and are also responsible for the strength of bones and claws.

bearded dragon An interesting and at the same time easy-to-keep lizard that is suitable for both experienced terrarium keepers and beginners. Following simple tips, You will be able to ensure a happy, long, and most importantly healthy life to your bearded dragon.

The bearded agama is a fairly unpretentious Australian lizard that is often recommended for beginners. Thanks to its unusual color, calm disposition and ease of care, it is very popular today. Not to mention her interesting appearance, which makes one doubt her earthly origin.

Description

Agama has several species, but the most popular is Pogona vitticeps. They live in arid areas, preferring daytime, and lead an arboreal and terrestrial lifestyle. They got their name from the small pouch located under the jaw. In cases of danger and during the breeding season, they tend to inflate it.

These lizards are very large. A bearded dragon at home can reach a length of 40-55 cm and weigh from 280 grams. They live for about ten years, but good conditions this period can almost double.

The color can be quite varied - from reddish to almost white.

Content Features

A terrarium for a bearded dragon will require a rather large one. Minimum sizes for keeping one individual:

Length – from 2 m;
Width – from 50 cm;
Height – from 40 cm.

It is impossible to keep two males in one terrarium - battles for territory can be extremely brutal. Ideally, it is best to take two females and a male. Another requirement for a tank for keeping agamas is that it must open from the side. Any intrusion from above will be perceived as an attack by a predator, therefore, the pet will immediately show aggression. The terrarium must be closed. It is better to use a grille, this will provide additional ventilation.

You can put coarse sand on the bottom. Do not use gravel as soil; lizards may swallow it. And they will rummage in the sand.

It is important to monitor the temperature. During the day it should not fall below 30 degrees, and at night - below 22. To maintain this regime, you will need to place a special heater in the terrarium. Natural light can be perfectly replaced by an ultraviolet lamp, which should burn 12-14 hours a day.

Every week the agama needs to be bathed or sprayed with a spray bottle. After water treatments, the pet should be wiped with a cloth.

Diet

These lizards are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal foods. The ratio of these types of food is determined based on the age of the agama. Thus, the diet of young individuals consists of 20% plant food, and 80% animal food. Gradually, this ratio changes, and upon reaching sexual maturity, these indicators become exactly the opposite, that is, the number of insects on the menu is greatly reduced. Pieces of food must be cut; they should be no larger than the distance from one eye to the other of the lizard.

Small agamas grow rapidly, so they need large quantities squirrel. It can only be obtained from insects. Therefore, young lizards often refuse to eat plant foods altogether. They are given insects three times a day. There should be enough food for the pet to eat it in 15 minutes. After this time, all remaining food is removed from the terrarium.

Adults no longer need as much protein, so they prefer vegetables, herbs and fruits. Insects can be given only once a day.

Please note that agamas are prone to overeating. If there is too much food, they will quickly become fat and lazy.

Let's list the insects that can be given to lizards: domestic cockroaches, zoobass, flour and earthworms, crickets.

Plant foods: dandelions, carrots, cabbage, alfalfa, apples, melon, strawberries, peas, grapes, green beans, sweet peppers, eggplants, squash, clover, beets, blueberries, dried bananas.

Reproduction

Bearded dragons reach puberty at two years of age. Mating most often begins in March. To achieve this, you need to follow one rule - maintain a standard temperature regime and avoid sudden changes. Pregnancy in lizards lasts about a month.

Agamas are an oviparous species. But in order for the female to lay eggs, she needs to dig a hole 30-45 cm deep. Therefore, the pregnant agama is usually placed in a special container filled with sand. Do not forget that the temperature in it must be maintained at the same level as in the terrarium. At one time, the lizard is able to lay an average of 10 to 18 eggs. They will ripen in about two months.

When the cubs appear, they will need to be transferred to protein diet. Do not leave babies in an aquarium with sand; they may ingest it and die. Place them in a container, the bottom of which will be covered with napkins. As you can see, breeding agamas is not such a complicated process.

Reptile lovers are attracted to the Bearded Dragon unusual appearance. Despite the presence of threatening-looking spines, this lizard has a very friendly character. It won't be difficult to tame her. Agama easily makes contact with the owner.

Reptile lovers are attracted to the Bearded Dragon due to its unusual appearance.

History of the Bearded Dragon

The bearded dragon is a reptile that came to us from Australia

The lizard belongs to the agamidae family. It got its name because of the sac located in the neck area, which swells when the animal shows aggression or tries to attract attention during mating season. The reptile's natural habitat is the Australian continent. Agama inhabits regions such as New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland. These lizards live in desert rocky areas and sometimes climb trees.

Appearance of a lizard from a photo

The bearded dragon has a unique appearance

The bearded dragon has an amazing appearance. The length of the body reaches 50–60 cm, with most of it falling on the tail. Lizards can weigh 300 grams or more. The head resembles a triangle. The lizard has a strong build. The back, head and outer sides of the limbs are covered with scales with sharp ends. The short and thick fingers have strong claws. When the agama inflates its throat, the scales rise, resulting in the formation of a beard-like formation.

The bearded dragon does not have the property of dropping its tail, which is characteristic of other species of lizards. For this reason, injured individuals are quite common. Agamas in childhood They often bite off the ends of their relatives' tails. Due to limited regeneration abilities, new organ fragments are not formed in these reptiles. But this does not affect their quality of life.

The color of the agama can be beige-brown, taupe or gray. The lizard's body is covered with light spots and dark stripes. The jaws may be yellow or white. Juveniles have brighter colors. Agamas are able to change their color depending on emotional state, as well as temperature. IN hot weather they lighten, and when it gets colder they become darker. Eye color varies from golden to dark brown.

Important! Unique Feature agamas - change their shade due to fright. In this state, the lizard turns pale and its paws become bright orange or yellow.

You can distinguish a male from a female by the characteristic external features: Males have a thicker tail base. Male beard during mating season acquires a black or dark blue color, and in females it has a beige or orange color. Agamas live 7–10 years.

Video: Key Features of the Bearded Dragon

How to choose a Bearded Dragon?

The lizard must be alert

To choose a healthy animal, you need to pay attention to the following signs:

Examine the reptile and make sure it has no wounds or ulcers. Having scars is also undesirable.
Since dragons cannot regenerate lost body parts, do not purchase an animal that does not have a paw or tail. The lizard will remain this way for the rest of its life, although sellers may convince you otherwise. But the absence of the tip of a tail or a finger is quite acceptable.
Examine the area near your mouth. There should be no liquid or foam here.
A healthy lizard has clear eyes and is also characterized by alert behavior. IN natural environment The agama hunts fast insects, which requires attentiveness and mobility.

Features of maintenance and care

For the agama, it is necessary to create conditions as close as possible to its natural environment.

We create the necessary conditions

A terrarium for an agama must have heating, ventilation and decoration

The terrarium is selected depending on the number of lizards. For one agama you will need a container measuring at least 50 cm in width and 100 cm in length. Choose a horizontal terrarium with a wall height of 60 to 80 cm. The best option There will be a terrarium with sliding glass on the side or front wall.

Important! A container with a door at the top is not suitable for an agama. IN natural conditions lizards under attack birds of prey, therefore, the reptile will perceive all movements above its head as a potential threat, which will negatively affect its emotional state.

You should also take care of ventilation. There should be holes in the bottom, top or side of the container that can be covered with a metal mesh. Otherwise, the agama will experience difficulty breathing. The lizard can be kept alone or in small groups. The optimal option is one male and 2–3 females.

Artificial plants, driftwood, and stones can be used as decoration. N You should not place living vegetation in the terrarium, since the agama will quickly mistake it for food. In nature, lizards climb rocks and trees. So that an agama in captivity can fulfill this need, equip a special place for it. Apply a layer of PVA to the wall and cover the surface with small pebbles or sand. This will not only provide the lizard with the opportunity to climb around the terrarium, but will also become an original decor.

Place 15 cm thick bedding at the bottom of the container. Cat litter, sand, pebbles, gravel, shavings or crushed bark are suitable for this. IN natural environment reptiles hide from danger by burying themselves in the ground, leaving their heads on the surface. The container is also equipped with shelters: houses made of stones, shelves. They must match the size of the reptile.

Provide lighting and bedding for your lizard

Agama requires bright lighting and must also receive ultraviolet light. For this purpose, the terrarium is equipped with fluorescent lighting devices. Ultraviolet deficiency will lead to the development of rickets in the animal. The duration of lighting should be 12 hours a day.

Heat the terrarium using incandescent lamps, infrared devices or thermal mats. The temperature in individual areas of the container should be uneven:

You need to organize a cool corner with temperatures of 23–25°C.
You will also need a local heating area (40°C).
The general temperature background is maintained within 27–30°C.

Air humidity should be 35–40%. At night, the indicators can be slightly increased. To do this, once a week, an hour before turning off the lights, the container is sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. The lizard must be provided with constant access to drink. For this purpose, a ceramic drinking bowl is installed in the terrarium. Do not use containers made of lightweight material. Agamas not only drink from the drinking bowl, but also bathe in it, so they will immediately turn over a light container.

Feeding rules

The agama's diet depends on the age of the individual

Agamas are omnivores, which makes feeding them much easier. The diet should consist of plant and animal foods. In this case, the percentage of feed varies depending on the age of the animal. Young individuals up to 12 months are given 80% insects and 20% plants. After a year, the diet of lizards should contain only 40% animal food. This is due to the fact that in adult animals the metabolic process slows down.

Agama is given:

cabbage leaves, carrot tops and roots, pumpkin, eggplant, squash, wheat leaves, sweet pepper, peas, green beans;
parsley, spinach;
alfalfa, clover, dandelions, buttercups, crocuses, cyclamen, daffodil, spurge, mint;
peeled apples, grapes, bananas;
mushrooms;
crickets;
mealworms;
cockroaches;
snails

The lizard should also consume vitamin supplements such as Reptilife. The young dragon is fed daily. An adult lizard is offered food every other day. Feeding is done during daylight hours.

Important! For an agama, the food it consumes within 15 minutes is enough; the remaining food should be removed to avoid overfeeding.

Video: Feeding the Bearded Dragon

Agama loves water treatments

Agama sheds quite often. This process occurs in stages. The head sheds first, then the body and tail. Once a week, the reptile is bathed in warm water at a temperature of 30–35 °C. For this you will need a deep basin. Monitor the water level, it should be safe for the lizard. The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Then blot the animal paper towel and plant it in a terrarium. After bathing your lizard, avoid drafts.

Video: rules for bathing a lizard

The agama can be periodically released from the terrarium for walks around the apartment. But you need to adhere to some rules. There should be no other animals in the room with the lizard. To pet accustomed to communicating with the owner, he needs to be picked up once every 1-2 days. It is also advisable to release the lizard not on the floor, but on the surface of the sofa, so that the animal does not catch a cold from the draft.

Important! The agama should not move on a surface that is too fluffy; if the fluff gets wrapped around the animal’s fingers, this will cause necrosis.

Reproduction and breeding

Bearded dragons mate in spring

Agamas reach reproductive age by two years. To stimulate mating, the lizards are first placed in individual containers. They must be kept at rest. In early December, agamas are placed in separate terrariums. Lighting is reduced to 8 hours a day, temperature levels are lowered to 25°C during the day and 20°C at night. The rest period lasts 11–12 weeks. After this, the indicators return to the original level.

The male is then placed in a terrarium where the female is. Mating occurs in March. Agama pregnancy lasts 30–45 days. Females lay eggs in holes 40 cm deep. For this purpose, a layer of sand of appropriate thickness is poured into the terrarium. The clutch contains from 8 to 25 eggs.

The incubation period lasts from 60 to 75 days at a temperature of 28–30°C. During the season, the female can lay 2–4 clutches. Hatched babies begin to eat on the 2nd–3rd day of life. They are fed cockroaches, small crickets, grated carrots, and small pieces of fruit.

Diseases and treatments

One of the common diseases is pneumonia. It develops as a result of the agama staying in a cool room with high humidity air. The disease can be recognized by a runny nose, which causes the animal to breathe through an open mouth. Pneumonia is divided into 2 types. With the first type of disease, the reptile experiences mucus in the mouth and wet whistles. Type 2 pneumonia is characterized by wheezing. In the first case, treatment is carried out with the antibiotic Ampicillin for 7 days. In the second type, this drug is administered from 9 to 15 days with an interval of 72 hours.
Salmonellosis is an intestinal bacterial infection that can be fatal. Manifests itself in the form of refusal to eat, diarrhea, regurgitation, and weight loss. To treat the lizard, the antibiotic Chloramphenicol is used, which is injected into the stomach through a tube. The procedure is performed 2–3 times. The drug Bactrim is also used. It is introduced into the reptile's body in a similar way over 7 days.
Cloacitis is an inflammation of the cloaca. At the first stage of the disease, purulent discharge is observed when the animal defecates; at the second stage, the defecation process is disrupted. Treatment consists of inserting a catheter into the reptile's cloaca and feeding it into the intestines. warm water with the drug Tetravil. The volume of liquid depends on the weight of the lizard.
Stomatitis is an inflammatory process of the oral mucosa. It occurs as a result of a deficiency of vitamins A and C, as well as mechanical damage. The oral cavity becomes pale and acquires a bluish tint. The vessels are clearly visible. The lizard's oral cavity is treated with a 1% solution of Dioxidin, Iodinol or Ectericide. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment is also used, which is used to treat the affected areas 2 times a day for a week. In addition, the animal is given vitamin C.
Calcium deficiency in the reptile's body provokes fractures, swelling, and rickets. As therapy, the lizard is given a special complex: a mixture of vitamins D3, A and calcium. The reptile complex is given for a week. If the agama gets injured, treat the damaged area with turpentine liniment or a 10% solution of potassium permanganate.
Sometimes the lizard refuses to eat. Most probable cause This is overfeeding. If she doesn't eat for two days but drinks normal amounts of water, that's normal. Agama can thus arrange fasting days. If she refuses to eat for more than three days, start force-feeding. Also monitor the animal for symptoms consistent with an intestinal infection.

In order for the Bearded Dragon to feel comfortable in captivity, you need to adhere to some maintenance requirements. The reptile needs a certain temperature and light conditions. Throughout the year she needs fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and live insects. A lack of vitamins, as well as non-compliance with the rules of caring for the reptile, can lead to the development of a number of diseases in the Bearded Dragon.