Expert Tips For Bathing a Bearded Dragon

It’s a good idea for you to give your bearded dragon a bath at least once a week.  In addition to keeping him hydrated, it will also help out once he starts shedding.  There are a few things you should know to make the whole process a bit easier.  This article will give you a few tips.

Location

First and foremost, you’ll need to decide where you want to give you beardie a bath.  Two of the most popular options are the tub and sink.  You can also bathe him in a relatively large, clear container.  If you decide to use your sink or bathtub, remember to disinfect it thoroughly with bleach and water afterwards.

Water Temperature

It’s also important for you to pay attention to the water temperature.  It should be very warm, but not overly hot.  If you have a thermometer handy, it’s best to have the temperature of the water between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water Level

You never want to put too much water in your beardie’s bath.  The water should be approximately an inch deep.  It should go without saying, that you should never leave your pet unattended while he’s bathing.  Anything can happen if you wander off.

Length

You may be wondering how long you’re supposed to give you beardie a bath.  Anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes is fine.  Just remember that the water will cool off after a while.  Therefore, you’ll need to replace it with warm water.

Defecation

These lizards love to defecate in water.  So, you’ll probably have stool in your beardie’s bath.  It’s best that you remove stool as soon as possible.  This will keep it from contaminating the water.

Expert Tips on Breeding Bearded Dragons

Breeding bearded dragons requires more than putting a male and female together.  If you’re trying to breed these lizards, there are a few things you need to know beforehand.  This article will give you a few tips.

Age

It’s a mistake to breed beardies at a young age.  Younger dragons have an increased risk of egg binding as well as other health problems.  Females bred at too early of an age usually have a shorter lifespan.  It’s best to wait until they’re at least 18 months old.

Behavior

When ready to breed, the male’s beard will darken.  He will try to get the female to notice him by bobbing his head and stomping his feet.  Females will slowly bob their head in return and wave their arms.  The male often gets quite violent when mating as he will bite at the female’s neck to steady his position.

Lay Area

When your dragons start displaying their mating behavior, it’s important that you setup a lay area for the eggs.  If the female can’t find a proper area to lay her eggs, she may become egg-bound.  The area should be large and filled with moist soil and sand.

Eggs

It generally takes anywhere between four and six weeks for the female to lay her eggs.  You should be aware that the eggs won’t hatch on their own if you leave them there.  Instead, you need to dig them up very gently, making sure you don’t turn them upside down.

Females tend to lay some infertile eggs in their first clutch.  They will be yellow when held up to a candle.  Also, they will have a gelatin-like feel to them.  On the other hand, fertile eggs feel more like leather.  They will appear pink when candled.  You should also be able to see a developing, round embryo inside.

Incubation

You should setup your incubator around the same time you construct the lay area to ensure it’s ready.  The temperature should be between 82 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.  There should also be plenty of humidity.  The eggs should hatch in about two months.