Running Head: Red-Bearded Dragon

Hunter R. Galindo Red-Bearded Dragon Zoology Period 8 West Career and Technical Academy

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The red-bearded dragon lives in the arid woodlands and deserts of Central Australia. Its called the bearded dragon because of its ability to flare out the skin on the throat when its threatened or irritated. It spends most of its time taking shelter on trees or in bushes, but can also be found basking on rocks. When the climate climbs to high temperatures, the red-bearded dragon will burrow underground. In its environment, the red-bearded dragon will forge for its food such as insects, small lizards and mammals, fruits, flowers, and other vegetation. Since bearded dragons are cold-blooded,they require supplemental heat for proper digestion. During the day, they prefer 78-88 degrees and at night, they prefer the mid-70s. since they are cold-blooded, a primary heat source is essential to keep the entire cage within its intended temperature; For this, a series of incandescent lights at the top of the cage is one of the best heat sources. Proper humidity is essential for proper shedding, especially during the winter months when humidity is low you should mist your bearded dragon several times a week. The cage, food, and water bowls should be cleaned constantly with a 1:10 dilution of household bleach. Also if you have more than one dragon, separate cages are necessary to avoid fighting. Since bearded dragons are omnivores, they need a balanced diet of meat and vegetables. Hatchlings eat mostly small insects and as they grow, they start to eat more vegetable matter. Their meat choices vary from pinky mice to crickets to wax worms to cockroaches. The insects should be fed by placing them in a small bowl, and check to make sure that none of the bugs have escaped the bowl and arent contaminating the water supply. Plant matter should make up 20% of their diet and should consist of green, leafy vegetables. Fruit should make up the smallest portion of the food.

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Genetic diseases are hereditary; They occur in the offspring of dragons that are closely related, diseases include a deformed tail or missing/extra limbs. Fungal infections are caused by warm, dark environments. Egg binding can be cause by calcium deficiency or by being under/overweight. Over feeding baby dragons will result in paralysis of the hindquarters and usually fatal. A deficiency of beta-carotine will result in discoloration of your dragon. If the dragons have successfully mated then the female dragon should lay the eggs within six weeks. Thus, an egg laying box is needed, it consists of sand and soil so that the female can dig holes for egg laying. A female will normally lay 15-40 eggs. The female will be skinny or thinner once the egg laying has been done. The box must be air ventilated and kept at a temperature of 82-86 degrees.

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References

http://www.beardeddragonguide.com/bearded-dragon-health-problems-illness/ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=2730 http://www.beardeddragoncare.net/breeding-bearded-dragon-and-egg-incubation/