Bearded dragons make good pets, owner says
By FRANK ROBERTS, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 21, 2003
Last updated: 10:25 PM
ELIZABETH CITY -- Jim Todd was covered with lizards, and he didn't mind a bit.
Todd is a big, husky guy who sort of melts when he talks about Pogona Vitticeps, more popularly known as the inland bearded dragon. Over the past five years he and his wife, Sarah, have raised more than 200 of the crawly critters, not an astounding figure when you realize they pop out 15 to 25 at a time. Currently, the Todds share their home with 19 bearded dragons.
Lizard lovers abound around the country, with the bearded dragons claiming the title of most desirable of the species. Bearded dragons, which seldom grow to more than two feet in length, get their name from the slim, pointy spines covering their throats and ears, giving them a dinosaur-like look.
``Some sell for up to $25,000 -- that's the price for the pure white lizard,'' said Todd, who wasn't always a lizard fan. ``When my wife first brought one home -- and it was a good-sized lizard -- I had a fit. I told her I'd never touch one of them.''
But once, when she was out of town, Todd had to feed Opie, the lizard. That did it. He and Opie developed a Timmy-Lassie type relationship.
``Opie went everywhere with me,'' he said. ``I'd put him in my shirt and take him with me. People could see his head sticking out.''
His 3-year-old granddaughter, Katherine, loves the lizards. A photograph showing a couple of them crawling over her is in a book showing every lizard the Todds have owned, and comes complete with their descriptions and medical histories.
That knowledge is important for any breeder, and the Todds often buy and sell from other breeders who treat their animals with the same care and love as dog and cat owners.
``We give the lizards away or sell them, but we make sure the family that takes them will take good care of them,'' Todd said. ``If you can't handle their needs, you don't have to have a lizard.''
The needs are simple. They live in a lighted enclosure where the temperature remains about 85 degrees in the cool end, and between 95 and 100 degrees in the basking area. Those temperatures are similar to their native habitat of Australia.
``The dragons require less maintenance than dogs or cats. They eat crickets, worms, vegetables and fruit, and you feed them once a day,'' said Sarah Todd, ``and they love watermelon and cantaloupe.''
They love people, and they love being handled. Bearded dragons are docile and, according to lizard lovers, have the best temperament of all lizards.
``The typical lizard loves to be held, and he'll grab right on to you,'' Todd said, adding that if they become upset, you will know it. ``If they don't get their way, they turn black under the chin which they puff out. That's their way of showing anger.''
Todd stroked and spoke to Kissy and Red, who kept happily busy crawling over him.
``They have a language all their own and `speak' using their heads and tails,'' Todd said. ``Wave at a lizard and he'll lift a foot and wave back. Bob your head and he'll do the same.''
Bearded dragons make good pets, owner says
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Des
http://www.beachy-iguana.com
http://www.herpvetconnection.com (find/recommend a vet!)
http://www.baskingspot.com (daily updated herp news and links)
