Bearded Dragons

MEET THE FAMILY

This is the story of three Bearded Dragons: Daddy Beardie, Mummy Beardie ('Marmalade') and Baby Beardie ('Smeggie').

Beardie was a rescue lizard.  I don't know exactly how old he is as he came to us as a fully grown adult about five years ago.  He's fairly lethargic (you could say 'laid back') which would suggest he's middle-aged. 

Along came Marmalade about a year later.  I felt sorry for Beardie being on his own all day and felt he needed a companion of the non-human kind, so when she turned up at the same rescue centre that Beardie came from, I knew she was 'the one'.  You may be able to see from the picture that she has a bent tail (just one of her many afflictions) - this was caused by her previous abusive owner throwing her against a wall (unprintable what I think about him!).

I've read that Bearded Dragons are generally solitary animals, but no-one can tell me that Beardie and Marmalade didn't enjoy each other's company (most of the time).  Although they each had 'their own space' in the shape of a hollowed log, I would invariably come down in the morning with both of them huddled together under one log with Beardie's tail wrapped around Marmalade.  They never fought, but sometimes I felt sorry for Marmalade when Beardie was 'in the mood for love' and he would bite her neck (giving him leverage).  Not once did she use the excuse "Not now darling, I've got a headache!"

Marmalade laid eggs three times - the first time laying over 20.  Each time a female lays eggs, she digs a nest for around 5-7 days prior to the event, during which time she refuses to eat, so it's important to build her up before-hand and give her calcium supplements.

When the eggs arrived, I was told that it's important not to turn them over, or they'll die.  Each egg was carefully placed in the separate compartment of an egg box in a substance called 'vermiculite - this was then placed in a friend's incubator and the eggs were lightly sprayed with water at regular intervals to keep them moist.   

Around seventy days later, I got a phone call to say that the eggs were hatching - I went round to see them, and that's the first time I met Smeggie.......

In the wild, a Bearded Dragon's natural habitat is anything from sub-tropical woodlands to savannah to desert - a far cry from a vivarium inside a house in Thorpe Bay, but I try to make their lives as comfortable as possible.

Beardies like to be handled and I make sure I take them out of their vivs every day.  I wouldn't say they were spoiled, but I make them a hot water bottle while they're out, or use the microwave to heat up the oat filled duck you can see in the picture.   

I try to vary their diets, but they're not always that co-operative.  Beardie's favourite meal is fresh mealworms (but will only eat when he feels like it), Smeggie prefers wax worms and fresh herbs (any time, any place, anywhere!), and Marmalade was a crickets fan.

Sadly, Marmalade's no longer with us, but while she was alive, she and Beardie shared one vivarium, while Smeggie had (still has) his own batchelor pad.  Now Marmalade's gone, the two males still have to be housed separately (or they'll fight).  They both have spacious vivariums: one 4' long x 3' high, and Smeggie's 4' long and 4' high (as he likes to climb).

While Beardies are fairly easy to keep, there are many things that you have to get just right if they are to live long and healthy lives.  Set up costs can be expensive: vivarium, reptile bowls, UV lights, heat lamps, heat pads, substrate etc., and specialist reptile vet's bills can be very expensive.

I use a hairdresser's bottle to spray the Beardies with water (this helps them shed their skins) and exceptionally - they get VIP treatment here - and yes, I know I'm mad, but I use a medicine dropper to give them water as they never help themselves to a drink.

If you're thinking of getting a Beardie, read everything you can about them first.  If you're buying one for a small child, bear in mind that they live for around 15 years, and the novelthy can wear off. 

A Beardie in a vivarium is basically your prisoner.  It can't get out, can't complain if it's too hot or too cold, can't help itself to food or drink, and is dependant on you for absolutely everything.  If you want to get one, please try your local rescue centre first - there are loads needing re-homing, although females are few and far between and very expensive to buy.

For more imformation on Beardies,  click here.......

To order a take-away meal of crickets, wax or meal-worms, crickets or delicious locusts, delivered to your home six days a week (depending on area) click here..........