Our Baby Bearded Dragons
I heard about a family nearby that was giving away baby bearded dragon lizards. Knowing my teen daughter would want one I started researching them online. Bearded dragons are quite easy to care for, about the same as tree frogs. The hardest part is keeping enough live crickets onhand. They’re very docile, making them great pets for older children. The only thing you have to watch out for is germs. You must wash your hands after you handle them.
I found some reptile tanks for sale at a very good price on Craigslist, arranged for us to see them and the lizards, and loaded my daughter and her friend in the car. I bought both tanks since the price was so good, and ended up putting my aquatic turtle in one. After a quick trip to Petco (where they sell older bearded dragons for $59 each) and a few quick calls to the lizard owners, we were set with our supplies and headed to see the babies.
Bearded dragons can grow to over 20 inches in length. The babies we looked at were only one to six days old and very tiny. They were about 3 inches long and thin. We saw the parents and learned more about their care. We were in love. We decided to bring two babies home.
Until the babies are three to six months old they can’t live in sand. They can ingest it and get sick. We covered the floor of their tank in rabbit food like the previous owners recommended. We included a heating lamp with ultra violent rays that’s set to stay on 14 hours a day and a hollow half-log they can hide under and climb on. We dip their heads in the water dish everyday, something you have to do until they figure out they need to drink on their own. They eat live baby crickets and Romaine lettuce. One of the lizards was scared of the crickets at first, but he’s now chasing and eating them like he should.
I never imagined I’d have a red-eared slider and bearded dragons in my home, with my dogs, cats, parrots and fish, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. When I was a little girl I used to pretend I had a pet store, and dreamed of owning one when I grew up.
October 23rd, 2006 at 11:27 pm
I totally want one now, thanks.
Hehe
December 5th, 2006 at 12:15 am
[...] Since I’m a big animal-lover and own several pets, I thought I’d show you the reason you should own a pet or two. See some of my pets here and here. [...]
March 19th, 2007 at 9:03 am
congrats on your new additions! Bearded dragons are one of my favorite lizards - especially because they are so docile and good with kids (especially when they are older). Its mostly just around babies and toddlers that you need to be concerned about germs - and keeping the cage very clean helps alot too.
Bearded Dragons