Vivariums are essentially large or small enclosures that are small enough to fit on a desk, shelf, or other type of space where it won’t get in the way, but it will add a pleasant aesthetic look for wherever it is placed. Vivariums can include large aquariums that are full of all kinds of tropical fish, aquariums that are full of other wildlife of the sea, and many other things that include aquarium-like enclosures. Fish are often chosen to be the vivarium of choice simply because they are fun to take care of and there are many varieties that can be chosen. Oftentimes, the people who choose to buy fish do so simply because most of them are not very expensive and they are also fun to take care of. Feeding them and talking to them on a daily basis can be something that is very rewarding for those who choose to take care of fish. But when having this type of vivarium in your office or home, there are certain issues that you must consider. First, feeding needs to be done on a regular basis. If it’s being kept at the office, how will the fish receive their food? Will there be artificial lighting or will the fish be exposed to natural lighting?

An Insectarium and Crabitat are two other types of vivarium that are frequently chosen. Some people love looking at crabs, while others love the many other types of insects and spiders that are available. In fact, tarantulas without their ability to bite anyone are often chosen to be kept in a large aquarium. These tarantulas are often kept by those who already have other types of spiders and are usually viewed as the most dangerous spider that can be kept in a vivarium. When choosing an Insectarium, Crabitat, and other such enclosures, the issue of feeding also comes up. Usually these special creatures will need specialized food that you’ll have to buy on a regular basis from a pet store. How expensive that food is and how your pet crab, tarantula, or other reptile will receive its food is an important matter to consider before buying one.

One type of vivarium that is often associated with a fish aquarium, although sometimes is kept by itself, is a Paludarium. This type of vivarium is often associated with the rainforest and includes many plants, flowers, and other types of plant wildlife that is found in the rainforest. When thinking about having this form of vivarium in your house or office, issues such as lighting and correct materials are often considered. For a Paludarium, artificial and specialized lighting if often needed to help the plants and other rainforest wildlife grow.

As you can see, there are all sorts of vivariums which are popular among many people. The most important thing to think about when choosing a vivarium is the place that it will reside, and how it will be taken care of. Many people delve into the issue of buying any type of vivarium blindly, but careful research should be done to figure out what is necessary.

There are a few elaborate things you need to consider in selecting a bearded dragon for a pet. First off, check out the place or the person where or whom you will be purchasing your dragon from. Pay attention to where the dragon is kept. Check for the cleanliness and breathing space. If the conditions are poor, then most likely you’ll be getting a dragon with poor health . Some pet shops don’t really know how to care for these animals and will do and say just anything to make the sale. Their storages are often too crowded and have inadequate nourishment. It is also best to get to know the breeder/s if you plan on purchasing your dragon online or from a bearded dragon lover to get information on the characteristics and personality of the dragon.

You’ll know that a bearded dragon is good and healthy when:

1.    The size is just right. A six week baby dragon should at least be 6 inches over. Do not buy baby dragons that are shorter because this could mean that they are not yet ready and they may not be able to handle a new environment once you purchase them. Moving them to a different surrounding may stress them out and they may become ill. To be sure, always look for a dragon at least 8 to 10 inches long. It is better to get a juvenile dragon rather than a hatchling.

2.    The eyes are clear and open. The dragon’s eyes should be wide, alert and are attentive to their surroundings. There shouldn’t be any form of excretions or dark circles around the eyes. Most dragons are kept in a clear glass cage and should be looking at you with interest when you see them through the glass. This is a sign that a dragon is in a happy disposition.

3.    The mouth, nose, toes and nails are in good condition. There should be no missing parts and make sure that they are walking normal. Sometimes, baby dragons tend to bite each other while fighting over food or simply when their cages are overcrowded. The mouth and nose should have no sores or any deformities that could mean that a dragon is sick or have a certain disease.

4.    The dragon has ample fat stores at the base of its tail. They say it is possible to determine the over-all health by examining the base of the tail for fat stores. A healthy dragon’s tail is usually curled up towards the head. Make sure that there are no tail nips or protruding bones near or at the end of the tail.

5.    The skin looks healthy. There should be no sores, burns or cuts on their skins. Their skin will look and feel healthy when they are well hydrated. There should be no patches where the scales have been shed. When you touch and pull up the skin, it should go back into place. Also, check for any depressions in the back of the head since this will tell if the dragon is properly nourished or not.

6.    The dragon is active and basking. If the dragon is sluggish and weary, chances are it is sick or is unhappy and might be ill. If they look sick to you, then they might be really sick. You wouldn’t want to care for a sick and sad pet would you?

7.    The parents of the dragon are both happy; healthy and have good characteristics. If they are, chances are the baby will also gain the good characteristics. If the pet store owner or the breeder has managed to make the parents healthy and happy then they will also probably be able to manage to make the babies healthy and happy.

Selecting the right bearded dragon for you may sound easy as the steps listed above but please bear in mind that these pets have special and specific needs that you have to address in order to keep them healthy and happy beings. You have to plan their basic needs such as their home and food and keep watch on their hygiene, health and activities that will keep them busy and happy. It is suggested that you take your time and not to rush. Don’t just purchase any dragon that you see. It may take you some time to find the right dragon for you but if you follow these simple rules and be patient, then you’ll be sure to end up with a bearded dragon just right for you!

Naming your pet bearded dragon can be fun and interesting. It’s like being a new mom or dad – trying to figure out what name would best suit your dragon. In choosing a name for your bearded dragon, you must first trust your imagination and your instincts.  You may name it after mythical creatures, characters from movies, music related names or even by how it looks like. Since bearded dragons hail from the land down under- Australia , why not try giving it a name which relates to it’s country? You can also name it on how your dragon moves, grooves and behaves. If you can’t think of anything, the last resort in naming your pet dragon would be consulting a book of names for babies.

You can be as imaginative and creative as you can get when it comes to naming pets such as a bearded dragon. Don’t  worry, your dragon can’t complain and surely it wouldn’t mind whatever name you give it. Enjoy naming your pet bearded dragon!

When your female dragons show the signs that she’s about to lay eggs, you may think that you’d want to make sure that those eggs hatch. One of the ways to ensure the future of the eggs is by incubating them.

The first thing you should do would be to purchase an incubator (the brand Hovabator would be an excellent choice). You may also need some vermiculite to bury the eggs in. You may also want to use a separate container to incubate the eggs.

When you have the incubator, you may need to first set it up before putting in the dragon eggs. Put some moist vermiculite in the incubator. Now switch your incubator on and put the temperature on at about 84 degrees in Fahrenheit . Don’t put in the eggs yet, just let your incubator stand for one day. This would make the temperature stable.

At this point, you can gently get the eggs from where it was laid and transfer it to the incubator. Make sure to pick out the fertile eggs from the unfertile ones. The fertile eggs should have a whitish and leathery look. Unfertile eggs, on the other hand, are yellowish and would appear to be gelatinous. This may take around 70 days ’till the eggs hatch.

1. Bearded dragons need to bask under the sun or an artificial heat and light source. They are active during daytime, and love to be under a light source. As reptiles are cold blooded, they need heat to assist in the circulation of their blood and digestion. A good location for the basking lamp to be placed is in the center or off to one side of the terrarium so as for you to easily locate your pet reptile. It would be recommended to provide for your reptile a piece of driftwood, a bamboo root, jungle vine or even a tambora wood root.
2. Bearded dragons need a hiding place. These creatures also need a private place from time to time. utilize pieces of wood or vines in their environment with holes or spaces between them so they may have a place to snooze in. They are also curious as to explore all nooks and crannies that are available around them.
3. Reptiles need a place to observe the world around them. They are an active lot, so it would be best to plan the settings they are in for them to go around and scamper up and down. for example, a jungle vine placed at a certain angle will give them a chance to get closer to a light source and get warm on chilly days.
4. Create a natural-looking setting. Bearded dragons are generally from the wild. You must consider this fact and make use of natural materials in order for these reptiles to easily adapt and feel at home in their new environment. Try different types of stones, jungle vines, plant roots and more to make a lifelike environment for your bearded dragon.

Now, on to create that unique terrarium for your bearded dragon :

1. The size enclosure for baby bearded dragons is 20 gallons, while adults require enclosures of up to 40 gallons and larger – with 8 square feet of floor space being preferable.
2. Calcium sand, aspen bedding, and reptile bark are good choices for bedding. It is best to use bedding that is easily replaceable when cleaning is necessary. Tropical moss, bark chunks, and leaves are great additions to the base of your cage. But you should keep in mind that these items should be properly cleaned before placing it inside the terrarium.
3. Situate the basking lamp above the screen to provide ample light and heat for the bearded dragon.
4. Make a selection of natural decorations or materials for these reptiles to play, run around and bask on. Secure them thoroughly first as not to bring any harm to the reptile.
5. Always keep the cage clean. You should regularly dispose uneaten food and waste. It is imperative that you must keep it’s environment clean.
6. Another factor to consider is proper ventilation.
7. You must choose your reptile well in order to ensure that they are simple enough to care for and will live long in  the terrarium.
8. Always maintain a fresh natural look and change any decorations that have worn out. These bearded dragons  will love a change of environment from time to time.

It’s because of this it becomes   important to do the homework to find the best Veterinarian possible.   By doing the questioning and research now to locate a good Reptile Veterinarian you will speed up the process of finding good medical help when the time comes.  And   this, at times can make the difference between a speedy recovery and death of your pet.    Be prepared!

Whether trying to locate a Veterinarian for a dog, cat, bird or reptile it takes research, time and patience.   Keep in mind that the training most Vets get in school on reptiles is very limited simply because they are not the normal household pet.  But more and more people have become interested in exotics and some Veterinarians are doing continuing education seminars and prescribing to medical journals that contain needed information about the subject.  There are several ways to start on your search for the perfect Vet for your Bearded Dragon or other reptiles.

First:  Look at your local telephone book and see if any of the local Vets advertise they have experience with Reptiles

Second:  Ask your fellow reptile owners who they use.  (This can actually be your best source for finding a vet who is knowledgeable with reptiles)

Third:  Call your local Vets office and ask if the Veterinarian does work on Reptiles, and do they have experience with  Bearded Dragons in particular.

Once you have selected a Veterinarian it’s a good idea to take your Bearded Dragon in for health physical.  Let the Veterinarian see your reptile in good health and go over any troubles or concerns the Veterinarian has observed.  He will probably go over things like the diet you are feeding and housing conditions.  This is a great way to find out if you are feeding and housing properly.  Be prepared and take a list with any questions you might want to ask.

After the visit ask yourself the following questions:

1. Did the Vet recognize the type of lizard you have?  Bearded Dragons have become very popular and should be easily identified.
2. Did he/she handle the lizard comfortably and with confidence?  (Your Vet should be relaxed and not uncomfortable around your reptile)
3. Did your Vet take the time to answer all your questions and concerns?

It might take a couple of tries before finding the Veterinarian that you want to work with.  This is where Patience comes in.  But with a little investigation you should be able to find the medical help for your pet.  Once you have found a Veterinarian who has reptile  experience and  that you feel comfortable working with share the good news with other fellow reptile owners.   The more experience your Vet gets the better he/she will be able to deal with your own Bearded Dragon’s needs.

Since bearded dragons are one of the most interesting creatures to develop a cage for, there is one basic principle that should be used when finding a home for this awesome creature. That basic guideline is to use things in the cage that will make the bearded dragon feel like he is in his own natural habitat. Unlike domesticated animals like cats and dogs, reptiles need to be kept in enclosures that will give them a feeling of being in their own natural surroundings. There are plenty of things that bearded dragon owners can do to make sure that the natural feel of the outdoors are kept up, and some of them include having an extra wide casing home for the bearded dragon, as well as including dragon accessories inside the cage.

The first thing that should be done is to purchase a nice and large enclosure for the bearded dragon. When it’s first born, the bearded dragon can be kept in as small a container as twenty gallons. However, it’s best to buy a larger one right off the bat, because adult bearded dragons need fifty to sixty gallons of room that should be at least eight square feet so the dragon will be able to have plenty of room to romp around and climb all over the place. Climbing is another issue when decorating a bearded dragons’ home. Branches and holey logs can be purchased from reptile stores so that the bearded dragon will have a place to climb. However, when purchasing one of these branches or finding them in your own backyard (think natural!), an important thing to note is that the branch should be about as wide as the bearded dragon itself. This is not only is for stability, but is also for comfort of your reptile. Another accessory and decoration that you could use in your reptile’s cage is leaves. You can use leaves that are surrounding the branches and climbing wall, as well as just have them scattered around the bottom of the cage.

Another important natural component of your bearded dragon cage should be somewhere where the dragon can hide. The bearded dragon needs a place to go where he can hide from strangers or simply a small cozy spot to sleep. Using a small plant pot can do the trick, but you may also be able to find an excellent piece of natural furniture at a reptile supply store.

All things considered, a very naturalistic surrounding is the first thing that should be on bearded dragon owner’s minds when coming up with a cage or enclosure that the dragon will be kept in. If it’s not at all natural looking then the bearded dragon will constantly be frightened, but helping him adjust to new life at your home should include very natural decorations in the cage, aquarium, or other enclosure that you choose!

Your dragons should at least be 18 – 24 months old to be ready for breeding. Females need proper nutrition to support developing eggs, shelling and laying them and she wouldn’t be able to do this if she isn’t mature enough. As for males, they need to have accomplished full muscle development to be able to retract their hemipenes safely during mating to avoid damage and infection. Once they have reached full maturity, breeding will be much safer and easier.

You need to plan ahead in order to have a suitable home for your dragons and their babies. They should have a large enough enclosure to allow for breeding activity; a suitable place for the female to lay her eggs, and a proper place to incubate the eggs. Your dragons should be well rested and properly eating before breeding and this can be achieved by shortening their light cycles and lowering their temperature.

Place them together in the enclosure you have set up for their breeding and watch them go through a series of arm waving, beard displaying, bowing and head bobbing. During the whole breeding process, the males tend to be extremely aggressive towards the females. Beard display is a behavior usually done by the male dragons to show hierarchy among male dragons and also during breeding. It could also be a strong expression by the dragon when they are startled or threatened. This is done as if ‘blowing out’ its beard by extending a bone-like structure covering flap of skin therefore giving the appearance of a beard.

Usually, this ‘beard’ changes color and could look almost black and can extend to cover the dragon’s chest area. Head Bobbing is also done by the male dragon to attract the attention of the female dragon and to show dominance over a territory. Arm waving is a behavior by the female dragon to show submissiveness to the dominant male. Usually, the arm waving is done in response to male’s beard display and head bobbing. Raising tails is also a behavior mostly done during breeding that signifies a certain level of alertness and acceptance.

If the female is ready, she will bow to the male or do a slow push-up. The male will come over to bite her by the back of the neck and will manipulate the female into an ideal position where he has full control; and that will allow him to insert his hemipenes into the cloaca to begin copulation. All this happens a bit fast; often less than a minute but is tiring for both dragons.

There may be possible challenges when the female is picky and doesn’t want to mate with the male. You may try to allow the female to see other male dragons so she could choose who she wishes to mate with or simply allow time for the female to get accustomed with the male dragon. Just be patient and wait till she is ready. Never force your female dragon to mate if she is not ready. Sometimes, the female will also give in if the males are very determined and aggressive. Be sure to watch out for any breaks in the skin of your female dragon especially when the male constantly harasses her.

Allow 20 to 30 days for gestation and notice the female to expand considerably and begin to fatten up once she begins carrying her eggs. When she is ready she will begin to look for a place to burrow and lay her eggs and bury them. Some will dig just a shallow sunken hole in the corner while others will dig tunnels deep down as far back as they can. Make sure that you provide a safe laying site for your female to lay her eggs so the eggs won’t die due to egg binding.

The soil must be damp and does not contain any additives or fertilizers in it. You may mix 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 play sand. It is mixed well then warm water is added to moisten the soil but not make the soil soggy or sloppy muddy – just moist enough to have a handful of dirt, and when it is squeezed into a ball in your hand, it stays firm but not runny. The laying site should remain moist and warm. The soil should remain close to 85 degrees and mimic the environment and conditions in the wild.

Once the female dragon has thinned out, then you’ll know that she had laid her eggs. The female dragon may lay from 15 to 50 eggs up to six times in a year. The eggs should hatch in about 60 to 65 days. Bearded Dragon eggs are soft and leathery like turtle eggs and snake eggs. They are not firm and able to crack like a chicken egg. Baby dragons have an egg tooth they use to slit the egg before they can pop their heads out.

All eggs in a single clutch will hatch within 24 hours between each other. The hatchlings may remain in the egg after the initial slitting for several hours before emerging. Once the head is out, they will lay there taking their time and work their way out slowly. During the time they are slowly working their way out of the egg, their little bodies are absorbing all the nutrients left in the egg yolk that is still attached to their umbilical cord and can be seen right after hatching. The umbilical cord will slowly absorb and the belly button will close up. You can see a small slit in newly hatched dragons where the umbilical cord was attached to the egg.

Baby bearded dragons usually start to feed within 72 hours of hatching and needs to be fed several times a day. A baby dragon can eat up to 20 to 30 crickets each feeding. Avoid starving baby dragons unless you want them eating and biting off each other because they are so hungry. Once the babies grow bigger, you may need to separate them into several smaller groups until they grow into a viable age which should not be less than 6 weeks or a size of 6 inches. Smaller babies should never be left with larger babies because they might eat them – seeing the smaller ones as food.

Breeding can be very tiring for the dragons and should therefore be allowed a resting period right after and prior to another breeding activity. This is also known as brumation period – where the temperatures and daylight hours are reduced for a period of two to three months.

Now get started by knowing the particular needs of the reptile you plan to house.  By knowing the needs of your particular pet you will have a better understanding for the most suitable size, layout and materials to use in your project.

First, you should decide the size of enclosure needed .  Consider the size in length, width and depth.  Keep in mind that a larger cage can be more exciting to look into, but some reptiles tend to do better in smaller environments.  Also realize that the larger the cage the heavier the end product will become.

Next step is to create a materials list of the supplies that you will need to get the job done.  Decide which materials are best suited for your project.   Look for materials that will provide for an easy cleanup, heat stability/safety, and also protection from water spills.   For those reasons single or double sided laminated products are frequently used for enclosures.

Doors are a necessity and making the right choice is important.  For example, if you were housing a vine snake which can move like a speeding race car you might choose a small door that limits the area for escaping.  Other animals, because of their size or slowness might have a need for a larger door.  So when you are choosing a door(s) for your cage consider how the door functions as well as the size and location placement.

Give special attention to water, heating and lighting systems. This can make the difference between a thriving or dead reptile.   These items will occasionally need to be refilled, replaced and cleaned.  Because of this, easy removal is an important detail.  You might ask your local pet store owner or reptile experts what systems work best for the type of reptile you are housing.  Knowing this information before making a purchase can save you money and time.   Remember to use the dimensions in the cage plan drawings.

Do you intend to have a single enclosure or several stacking cages?  If you are planning to stack cages making a larger unit, then you might want to plan ahead and attach rolling casters or wheels to the bottom unit.  This will make the job of moving your reptile station much more pleasant when the need to move arrives.  Additionally, thinking ahead at this time, you can also plan for the needed space to hide unsightly electrical wiring from view.  This will most certainly enhance the viewing of your pet later when your project is fully completed.

Don’t forget the  .  You might want to paint, stain or clear coat your cage outside, or apply decorative trim or molding of some kind.  If you choose to use any products on the inside of the cage (paint/stain/clear coating) be sure to inquire if it is reptile friendly before applying it to the surface.

Now feel confident that you’ve done your homework, and start drawing up those plans!  Remember cage building can be a rewarding experience for both you and your pet.

The Bearded Dragons are divided into several sub-species but the most common species as pets are the Pogona Vitticeps. It was formerly known with the scientific name of Amphibolurus Vitticeps and is also sometimes called as the Central Bearded Dragon or the Yellow-headed Bearded Dragon.

The deserts and woodlands of Central Australia are the natural habitat of the Bearded Dragons. They usually like to bask on rocks, amble on bushes and trees and burrow underground and hibernate in extreme weather conditions. Bearded dragons are naturally accustomed to hot, dry conditions and need to be kept in an enclosure that supports this environment should you consider in taking them as pets.

These tiny creatures could grow as long as 2 feet in length including the tails and they feed on a wide variety of plants and insects due to their omnivorous and diurnal nature. They are accustomed to extremely harsh environments and thus can eat almost any food that is available but still be able to store nutrients in their huge abdominal fat bodies. They are usually tan to yellow in color and as their name suggests, have beard-like appearance that is actually a flared out skin in their throat areas that they ‘blow out’ whenever they are startled, threatened or engaged in a mating activity. They have spines all over their throats, sides of the head and body and have a distinct wedge-shaped head that it loves to ‘bob’ around when interacting with others of its kind. They also have tails that are almost as long as their bodies.

Distinguishing males from females is quite difficult among hatchlings and juveniles and their bodies tend to look all the same. But once they become adults, sexual differences become more apparent. The male dragons generally have larger heads and larger, darker beards. But this is always not accurate. The femoral pores of males also help to distinguish them from females. Males have hemipenile bulge in the base of their tails. Looking under their tails you will see two bulges on each side of the underneath of their tail with a dimple in between them. Females lack these bulges and in some cases have just a bump by the vent of their tails.

Bearded dragons reach their full maturity and reproductive age at two years of age or particularly on their 18th to 24th month. During breeding season , the beards of mature males turn black signifying that they are ready and capable of mating. Female dragons may lay from up to 15 to 50 eggs for 6 times the most in a year. These females protect their eggs by burrowing them into shallow nests in warm, moist and sandy soils.

Bearded dragons are typically social creatures and they seem to enjoy interaction with humans. Although they are territorial in nature, they are very easy to tame and are friendly and engaging once they are accustomed and interested in their surroundings in captivity. They frequently become very secure in their environment and soon stop displaying their beard. They are also very easy to keep and handle due to their manageable length and sizes. When they are properly cared for, they can live from up to 7 to 10 years.