issue 30// vol 47 life & style // no. 19

However, it is important to change their water immediately as it also serves as their drinking water. In general, water should be changed daily, sometimes more than once a day.

Heat/Lighting & Enclosure Care

| have a double dome light with a 100W ceramic heat coil on one side and a 65W UVA/UVB light on the other side. The heat coil must ALWAYS be on, as beardie enclosures need to be around 38 to 41° C (100 to 105° F). Basking spot should be kept at 31 to 38°C (88 to 100°F) and around two feet away from the heat coil. At night, exotics need complete darkness and a temperature of around

21 to 24°C (70 to 75°F). Some sources might claim that red lights or blue lights at night are acceptable, however this is just false. Have you ever experienced a naturally occurring red or blue light? Didn’t think so.

Just like people, reptiles need a natural cycle of day and night. Around 8 to 10 hours of sunlight (UVA/UVB bulb) in the fall and winter is ideal and 12 to 14 hours of sunlight in the summer. At most, reptiles can go 24 hours without heat if necessary, but it is important to ensure they have access to artificial hot spots or sunlight regularly.

This note isn’t so much to do with heat or lighting but does have to do with their habitat: it is very important to spot-clean poop as you see it to ensure that the spread of bacteria and parasites (something that is totally common and even normal in bearded dragons

and other reptiles) is minimized. A total enclosure cleaning is necessary at least once a month, placing all enclosure accessories in a high temperature dishwasher. Never use soap when cleaning your dragon or their enclosure (unless it is reptile-safe soap) as soap is toxic to these sensitive pets. Simply use warm water. When bathing a reptile, fill up a sink or bathtub with warm water up to their knees, provide a rock or something solid for them to cling onto (beardies cannot see water unless it is moving), and let them soak under supervision for 10 to 15 minutes. Then gently dry them off with a clean lint-free towel.

Playtime

If your reptile is scratching up against their tank (known as glass surfing) it’s a sign the tank is too small, or the animal is uncomfortable in their surroundings. It’s a good rule of thumb to take your pet out and play with them and let them explore for around an hour a day minimum. But first make sure all small and dark hiding places,

like under the couch or behind washing machines, are blocked off as dragons and other reptiles love to find dark places to hide.

Bearded dragons don’t like to be picked up from above. Instead, gently reach under them, cupping their legs to ensure they grab hold. When holding your reptile, always have a hand on them as bearded dragons are semi-arboreal— meaning they love to climb and get

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themselves in trouble. But, even a one-foot drop is enough to cause fractured limbs or internal bleeding. Also, adult beardies tend to not grip surfaces as much as baby beardies do.

If you have other pets, keep them separated! There may be tons of videos on the internet of cats and exotic pets hanging out and being friendly, but they are definitely not friends and will likely end up fighting—and the beardie will lose. Same say however that with proper socialization, being introduced at a young age, constant supervision, and patience can mediate a relationship between beardies and other animals. Just watch for their body language and signs of aggression.

It is good practice to thoroughly wash your hands with warm water before and after contact with any pet or its habitat, especially reptiles and amphibians as they are known to have bacteria and parasites inside and outside of their bodies.

There’s so much to know when it comes to caring for your exotic pet; they’re very different from the traditional dog or cat, and they need so much love and care. But it is so worth it for the adorable little creature’s affection and wellbeing.