Bearded Lizard
The Bearded Lizard is also Known as a Bearded Dragon
The Bearded Lizard is native to Australia and named after the spines that surround his throat. While these spines normally lie flat, when the Bearded Lizard becomes agitated they stand up, making him look like he has a beard. In Australia they live anywhere from rocky deserts to coastal forests. In the United States, the Bearded Lizard is captive bred and they are widely sold as pets.
The coloring of the Bearded Lizard ranges from pale gray to brown, reddish-brown and black with faint blotches and a dark stripe. They are whitish underneath with a brown or black throat. Like many other lizards, the Bearded Lizard can change colors from light to dark. They can also run on two legs.
The Bearded Lizard is often recommended as an ideal pet for beginners; They are larger than most other species sold as pets, with an adult being between eighteen and twenty-four inches long. They also have more difficult dietary requirements than some lizards. They are considered a good choice for beginners because they are not at all aggressive and very friendly in captivity. A Bearded Lizard is said to greet people by lifting a front leg and moving it circularly as if waving.
The species most often sold as a pet is the Inland Bearded Dragon or Pogona vitticeps. They are not hard to feed but it does require taking the time to make a dinner of worms and insects mixed with vegetables every day. They like green leafy veggies cut in small portions. It’s best to buy bugs from the pet store so you know that they are not toxic. If your Bearded Lizard should become ill, take a look at his tail. This is where fat is stored for food and if the tail feels bony you will know he is not well. If he is dehydrated, a Bearded Lizard will develop sunken eyes.
The Bearded Lizard will need more equipment initially than other lizards. First of all he will need more space given his size. The best choice here would be a reptarium or if you have more money to spend--a full-size glass terrarium. Another thing you will need is a UV light as this type of lizard needs to receive a lot of light to stay healthy.
The Bearded Lizard doesn’t mind being carried around and at two feet long this is still possible. If he gets proper equipment and care, your pet Bearded Lizard could live to be around ten years old, which is high for a lizard. If you are going to be bringing one home to be a household pet, make sure you get instructions on care and do a little research of your own, whether by reading a book or on the internet. You will want to be sure you are doing everything right to keep your lizard healthy.