Posts tagged ‘Creatures’

Bearded dragons are generally tame and obedient creatures that are easy to love and adore. If you want a bearded dragon as a pet, you should think it over carefully and consider the amount of care and expense that you can provide. A lot of bearded dragons are available from pet stores and online from breeders all over but it is best to arm yourself with ample knowledge to help you choose the best dragon for you and to help you plan ahead on how to care for your pet.

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!

If you own any type of reptile, chances are that you already know that figuring out how to design its cage or enclosure can often be a difficult thing to do. The number one important step that you should take when considering your reptile is to think about the type of animal that you have and what its favorite types of things are. If you’re right on the money, you will be able to develop a favorite home for your reptile. One of the more exotic animals that are frequently owned is bearded dragons. Bearded dragons are not only one of the many favorite reptiles to own, but they are also some of the most fun to decorate for. Bearded dragons need certain things in their habitat cage and if they aren’t there then your reptile will not only feel frightful, but they may even change their feeding habits because of it.

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!