Central Bearded Dragon

Introduction

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Physical and behavioural characteristics

• grow to a total length of around 50cm

• long-lived (8 – 10 years)

• males are usually larger than females with proportionately larger heads and a thicker tail base.

• males are usually more intensively coloured than females

• diurnal (active during the day)

• upright stature and covered in small, rough scales

• ‘beard’ displayed when alarmed

• like to get off the ground and are often seen perched on fence posts, logs and rocks.

Environmental requirements for keeping in captivity

• require a reasonably large enclosure

• require an ultraviolet (UV) light source, heating and suitable basking sites

• enclosure must have a range of temperatures from around 20⁰C to 40⁰C during the day

• bark, leaf litter, shredded paper or purpose made substrates must cover the floor of the enclosure, some branches and rocks must be provided for them to climb on.

Natural distribution

Feeding and nutrition

Base diet

• hatchlings are mostly insectivorous and need to be fed a range of live insects (crickets, mealworms, cockroaches) as well as a finely chopped vegetable diet for the first few months

• adults are omnivorous and require a range of finely chopped vegetables, which should be offered at each feed. These should be offered three times each week

• a powdered calcium supplement should be added to each meal and a multi-vitamin supplement (such as Herptevite) added once each week

• feed should be placed into the enclosure around mid-morning and any leftovers removed after 3 – 4 hours

• fresh water must be available at all times.

Enhancements

• soaked dry dog kibble can be added to the vegetable mix once each week

• live insects such as crickets, mealworms and cockroaches can also be offered weekly

• a small amount of canned cat food (non-fish varieties), around 20 per cent by weight, can be mixed into the vegetables once each week.

Considerations when keeping Bearded Dragons in schools

• readily available and relatively inexpensive to purchase ($20 – $50)

• very amenable to handling once conditioned

• individual ‘personalities’ often observed

• most active during the day

• must have direct exposure (not through glass) to a good quality ultraviolet light for 7 – 8 hours each day. The UV globes must be replaced annually and cost from approximately $80 to around $120.

References

Care sheets

Fact sheets

Australian Museum information

Green, D. and Larson, T. (2001) Keeping bearded dragons. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications