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THE TIMES (Munster, Indiana) 03 June 06 The perfect pet lizard - Bearded Dragons are an easy reptile to care for (Jean Starr)
He doesn't breathe fire or lose his tail. Sid the Sunfire Yellow male bearded dragon lives in sand and loves attention. Michelle Duca did her research on this Australian lizard before acquiring Sid, and is enjoying his laid-back personality.
"He seems to love attention," Duca said. "When he meets someone new his beard turns black and he opens his mouth and makes a hissing sound."
Bearded dragons have risen in popularity over the past few years and with good reason. According to Dr. Larry Reed of Porter, they make good pets. "They're gentle, they don't bite, they're easy to care for, and they don't escape," Reed said. "For lizards they're one of the easiest (to care for)."
Care requires warmth and proper feeding. Most people use an aquarium with bedding purchased at pet stores. Reed recommends feeding the dragons on a surface that prevents them from eating their bedding, which can cause intestinal blockages. They don't need veterinary care unless they get sick, so there is not a lot of maintenance.
"The only problem is when people buy the animal without the book," Reed said. "The worst we see is when it's not fed properly." Bearded Dragons eat crickets and other insects, but if they do not get the calcium supplements they need they can have serious problems. BDs grow very quickly in their first year of life, which is the reason they need the calcium.
Vickie Dachiu has had BDs for 10 years and now breeds them. "They hatch at 4 inches (in length) and they can grow quickly to 21 inches," she said. The Honey Brook, Pa., resident said the lizards are friendly and tolerate people very well. "They're the equivalent of a couch potato but sometimes you have some that are more active," Dachiu said.
She warns people who have large pet birds to keep the lizard in another room. "Dragons are afraid of big birds and cats," she said. "They'll run around their cage or hide in a corner because they seem to know there is a predator about."
Once the dragon grows to its full size, cats seem to just ignore them, as do most dogs, Dachiu said. The oldest dragon Dachiu has is 10. Although he looks the same as the youngsters, he eats a little less and is not as active as he once was.
Several years ago it was discovered by scientists at Cornell University that lightening bugs or fireflies are toxic to bearded dragons. Dachiu said it's a good idea to stick with the insects you know are good for your pet.
In addition, Reed said you can share your vegetables with a pet dragon, as long as they're raw with no butter. You can take them outdoors, and as long as you haven't used chemicals on the lawn, let them eat your dandelions. Although some people fashion leashes for their dragons, they don't move that fast as long as you keep a close watch on them, let them enjoy the fresh air.
Both Reed and Dachiu stress researching the care of a Bearded Dragon before considering purchasing one. "The biggest reality is that the parents buy them (for their children) without doing the research," Dachiu said. People tend to slip up most often with the lizard's feeding. Otherwise, Reed considers BDs "about the best reptile pet you can have."
Bearded Dragons are an easy reptile to care for

interesting, though my beardie has bit me a couple of times even split my fingernail straight down th middle and into the skin below! oh well, she never bitten anyone else i must taste good!LOL

even though bearded dragons do not bite people normally, they are still an animal and can bite. you will ocassionally have a "mean" dragon who does not tolerate people or other dragons. they are not common but it does happen. usually happens to dragons who may have been mistreated or not handled alot at a young age.

anyways, my point is even though they do not normally bite, they are still a creature with a mouth and teeth, therefore can and sometimes will bite.
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Beach Beardies

3.3.11 bearded dragons
1.0.0 Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1.0 Sugar Gliders
0.1.0 Miss Queen Athena (Cat)

actually its more of an occasional nip lots of other people have handled her and not been even hissed at
but all animals are wild so theyshould be treated with erespecti just cant stand when people buy one and expect a kitten
sorry im ranting bad habit i guess

Mike

HAHA hell my cat bites more and hurts more than any reptile ive been bitten by, which include beardies, snakes, and other various lizards. well the tegu bite i took did hurt more but still....HAHA
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Beach Beardies

3.3.11 bearded dragons
1.0.0 Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1.0 Sugar Gliders
0.1.0 Miss Queen Athena (Cat)

Yep, one of my fellas loves to bite me. I also have the split fingernail. Only I got the sideways bite, so mine finally grew out.
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2.1 Albino BP
0.4 100% Het Albino
2.1 100% het Caramel Albino BP
1.0 100% Het Clown
1.0 50% het clown
2.12 Normal BP
0.0.1 Western Hognose
alot of cornsnakes
0.1.0 Dumeril Boa
3.6 Bearded Dragons
1.0.1 Sulcatta tortoise
2.0 Russian Tortoise
1.0 Cockatiel
0.1 Rottweiler
0.2 Boston Terriers
0.1 White Boxer
0.1 Paint Mare
bunch of geckos
0.1 Teenage daughter
1.0 Husband who puts up with all my critters.

I've set our 2yr old dragon on th lawn outside for a while and he suddenly decided to take off at a speed I didn't think he was capable of-it was all I could do to catch up and grab him by his hind quarters before he was gone in deep brush-