Bearded Dragon

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!

Bearded dragons are increasingly popular; they may soon overtake the green iguana as the most popular reptile in the U. S. With their unique appearance, docile nature, and minimal care requirements, beardies make a great introduction to reptile keeping. With colorful photos, charts, and tables, this guide covers the basics, including:

• The beardie's background and the various breeds of bearded dragons
• Choosing your bearded dragon
• Setting up and maintaining your beardie's home, complete with a basking area and lighting
• Feeding and caring for your bearded dragon

Part I: The Wonderful Lizard of Oz.Chapter 1: What Is the Lizard of Oz?The Types of Bearded Dragons.Chapter 2: The Wild Life of the Bearded Dragon.Temperature Regulation.Predator and Prey.Beardie Social Interactions.Bearded Dragons as Pets.Courtship and Mating.Chapter 3: Beardies in and out of Oz.Australian Wildlife Crises.How the Bearded Dragon Left Oz.An Australian Perspective.Part II: Your Pet Bearded Dragon.Chapter 4: The Biology of Beardies.Beardie Anatomy.Beardie Physiology.Beardie Senses.Chapter 5: Choosing a Pet Bearded Dragon.Bring Home a Healthy Beardie.Color Variations and Designer Beardies.Where to Get Your Bearded Dragon.Chapter 6: Setting Up Your Beardie's Home.Indoor Housing.Lighting the Lizard of Oz.Providing Heat.Cage Cleaning and Maintenance.Outdoor Housing.Part III: Caring for Your Bearded Dragon.Chapter 7: Feeding Your Bearded Dragon.Fruits and Veggies.Commercial Lizard Foods.Insects.Feeding Babies-Newborn to 4 Months Old.Feeding Adults-4 Months to Adulthood.Water for Your Beardies.Chapter 8: Keeping Your Beardie Healthy.Choosing a Veterinarian.Hereditary Diseases.Nutritional Disorders.Traumatic Injuries.Infectious Diseases.Parasitic Infections.Handling Do's and Don'ts.Dystocia.Neurological Disorders.Environmental Toxins.Brumation.Chapter 9: Breeding Bearded Dragons.Sexing.Conditioning and Nutrition.Getting to Know You.Egg Laying.Incubating Bearded Dragon Eggs.Hatching Eggs.Baby Dragons.Appendix: Learning More About Your Bearded Dragon.Some Good Books.Magazines.Internet Resources.Reptile Veterinarians.Shows, Expos, and Swap Meets.Shopping on the Internet.Index.