Best Veggies to Feed Bearded Dragon
Suppose you have decided to add a bearded dragon to your family; what an exciting time! These lizards truly can make wonderful companions–and a fabulous addition to nearly any home. There's a lot to learn about your new friend, so we understand if you have a myriad of questions. That's why we're here to answer them all and support you on your journey towards making your bearded dragon's home comfortable.
One of the most important things that you need to take into account when you're creating a comfortable environment for your bearded dragon is the substrate. While it might seem that all substrates would work, this is truly not the case.
In order to ensure that your pet will be happy and healthy in their new home, you should use a substrate that will best support them. If you're unsure of what that is, don't worry–we have the answer for you.
Today, we are going to share everything that you need to know about bearded dragon substrates. First, we will recap about lizards (which bearded dragons are a type of), and then give some background about bearded dragons. After that, we'll discuss what you need to know about bearded dragon substrate.
We'll also share which substrate is suggested for bearded dragons and which you should avoid!
Some Recap on Lizards
The bearded dragon is a lizard, and lizards are part of the reptile class. There are 16 reptile lizard families and more than 380 genera. In addition, there are over 4,675 species of lizards. That sure is a lot of lizards!
The lifespan for lizards varies, but some can live up to 50 years. Bearded dragons generally have a bit shorter life span than that. There's a lot of variation on how lizards reproduce. Most lay eggs, but with some species, the eggs develop inside of the mother lizard.
Depending on the species, you can expect your lizards to mature somewhere between 18 months and seven years. You will be interested to learn that lizards are most closely related to snakes. In fact, there's a certain type of lizard that doesn't have legs and, therefore, really looks like a snake.
Today, you'll see many lizards that resemble the ancient reptiles around during the dinosaur era. The modern lizard's ancestors appeared on Earth more than 200 million years ago, so they certainly have been around for a while. Now that we've provided you with a brief recap about lizards let's talk about bearded dragons specifically.
As we've established, the bearded dragon is a type of lizard, which is a type of reptile. The scientific name for this animal is the Pognoma. Bearded dragons are omnivores, so be sure to provide them food that follows that diet. You can expect your bearded dragon to live somewhere between four and ten years–that's their average lifespan.
The bearded dragon is generally somewhere around 18 to 22-inches and weighs between ten and 18 ounces. The bearded dragon certainly does live up to its moniker, similar to a mythical dragon itself. The bearded dragon is equipped with spiny reptile scales. In addition, they have a beard of spikes underneath their chin. This puffs up depending upon your pet's mood.
There are actually eight different species of bearded dragons that are recognized today. The central bearded dragon, or "Pognoma Vitticeps," is usually the most common species to have as a pet. These animals make excellent pets because they're gentle, active during the daytime, and inquisitive too. You might have heard bearded dragons referred to as simply "beardies" before–this is their nickname!
While having a bearded dragon is extremely rewarding, you will also find that your bearded dragon requires work–though not as much as some other lizards. One of the most important things to get correct is your bearded dragon's habitat. This includes heating, lighting, and, yes, substrate.
Now that we've covered the basics about lizards, let's get to what you need to know about bearded dragon substrate. You might be surprised to learn which substrate is right for bearded dragons…and which isn't as suitable!
What Do I Need To Know About Bearded Dragon Substrates?
One of the most important parts of creating a bearded dragon enclosure is choosing the correct substrate. You will find that the best bearded dragon substrate should not hold a lot of humidity. Instead, it should be dry. This is because this animal is native to the deserts of Australia. Therefore, you should look to replicate your pet's natural environment. Choosing the right substrate can help you do that.
The good news is that the correct bearded dragon substrate is not extremely expensive, and it's safe. It is really just a matter of selecting the correct one. Here are some of the best substrates for bearded dragons. Remember: it should be easy to clean, safe, relatively expensive, look nice, and not hold humidity.
What Substrate is Suggested for Bearded Dragons
The best substrate for your new bearded dragon is reptile carpet. This combines safety and a relatively natural look. Not to mention…it's easy to clean, which is always a win! Reptile carpet is usually a plastic or felt-based cloth. It was created specifically for terrariums, which means that you can rest assured it's safe for your pet.
This carpet can be patterned or plain. In addition, some are textured with grass or even rocks. This can create a more natural look in your pet's enclosure. This is definitely the best option for your pet bearded dragon, regardless of their age.
However, if you decide to purchase a reptile carpet for any species of lizard, be mindful that their nails (and the carpet) are well-maintained. It's possible that their nails can get stuck and be ripped off by the reptile carpet.
The next best substrate is one you might not be expecting: newspaper or paper towels. The major pro of this substrate is that it's a great low-cost option–especially for younger bearded dragons. It's able to be replaced easily and is also not abrasive.
One reason you might not want to use newspaper as substrate, though, is because it is unable to be reused. In addition, it is unattractive–it doesn't help you create a natural-looking environment for your pet. Nevertheless, it certainly isn't the worst option–and it's quickly replaceable. While this substrate might not be as suitable for older bearded dragons, it is ideal for younger ones.
The third best option is to use ceramic tiles as a substrate. Not only are these easy to clean and safe, but they also look relatively natural if you choose a color that would fit with a beardie's natural environment.
There are some cons, though. They're not specifically created for reptiles, and they can be rather difficult to install. Still, ceramic tiles are an excellent option for those who are looking for an eco-friendly, relatively cheap, and attractive substrate. They're also able to be spot-cleaned and sanitized, which is a perk. Just use a clean cloth.
Ceramic tiles are also ideal because they are unable to absorb moisture and also will not warp when they get wet. They also work as a good conductor of heat. In other words, you will find that this substrate doesn't either amplify or decrease the intensity of a heater you might have under the tank. The main downside is the fact that these can be rather difficult to fit into your reptile's enclosure.
What Substrate Should You Avoid for Bearded Dragons
There are definitely some substrates you should avoid for bearded dragons. Most of the time, the reason people pick up these substrates is that they are inexperienced with lizard or bearded dragon ownership. We totally get it: there's so much to learn about your new pet that it can be hard to keep track of it all.
Nevertheless, it's crucial that you select the correct substrate. There are two loose substrates that you should definitely avoid. These include sand and wood shavings. Let us explain why these are two substrates you should definitely avoid.
First, let's talk about why sand is not a great fit for your bearded dragon. It has an extremely high risk of impaction and also cannot be reused. The reality is that this is one of the most common substrates, but it's not very safe. Bearded dragons can accidentally eat sand while looking for calcium. The result? It could be an impaction. It's also dusty, which means that sand can get in your pet's eyes, food, and even water.
Wood shavings should also be avoided. This can absorb moisture, and there's also a risk of impaction too. This is especially valid for baby bearded dragons, but it's relevant for older pets, too.
Top Choices For Substrate
There you have it: the bearded dragon substrate you should use and the substrate you should avoid. We're confident that you will make the right decision for your pet's environment; after all, that's crucial to keep your pet happy and healthy!
SOURCES:
Lizard | San Diego Zoo
Bearded dragons: facts and photos | National Geographic
Top 7 Best Bearded Dragon Substrate Choices | Everything Reptiles
These lizards lost their legs, but don't call them snakes | Washington Post
Source: https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/bearded-dragon-substrate?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=237c912c-9236-4e6b-80d6-6deb06b1d44d
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