These changes I am about to share with you may very well apply to many species of lizards. I’ve had different species of lizards, but that is a story for another time.

Who I know most about are our world’s beautiful Bearded Dragons!! I’ve been a Dragon Mommy to two different scaly angels for nearly 11 years now!!

They are fabulous creatures and wonderful companions! This is especially so if you do not like fur, fleas, or noise-makers.

Once you have what they need, have gotten yourself well educated regarding care & continue to supply the proper heat, diet & lighting, they are low maintenance. Just make sure to hold & love them everyday.

How do these lizards change over time?

Bearded Dragons can be broken down into 4 age groups.  Hatchling is from 0-2 months, Juvenile is from 2 months to 7 months, Sub-Adult is from 7 months to 18 months, and Adult is 18 months on. 

And I found this information here:

http://beardeddragoncaresheet.weebly.com/general-info.html

There is a lot of information on that site, I recommend visiting.

· As a Bearded Dragon ages, you may notice a lessened desire to eat living food

(* this is a relief for some of us who feel guilty about watching wormies & crickets get eaten alive. We also don’t want pet worms & crickets to feed).

The reason they have an alteration in the diet is because …

well, I don’t know why, but they gradually want more vegetables & fruit. Still, they need that calcium powder with vitamin D3, especially if they receive only a small amount of natural sunlight. Sprinkle this upon their food in their dish. *if you have a stubborn lizard that chooses to be hand-fed, keep a tiny lid. Sprinkle powder therein, and dunk the food in it before they bite it. Maybe do this every other eating episode. If you have a ridiculously stubborn lizard who insists on a fruit & veggie smoothie fed to them by a syringe, yeah, they exist, sprinkle powder in the smoothie. Freeze excess, thaw only the portion that they will eat for half a week (ish).

Research veggies & fruit highest in protein, but also research oxalate levels of them in regards to lizards. Remember, proteins are the building blocks to muscle tissue & give to lizards the option to get exercise, safe from predators or getting injured by others.

Spinach, for example is a healthy choice, but the oxalate level is high & will bind with that calcium & aid in the cause of metabolic bone disease. Occasionally, for added protein, you can give unsalted cashew halves or softer nuts, & simmer chicken in water with extra virgin olive oil until no longer pink. I prefer the use of cast iron skillets or stainless steel. I don’t trust those non-stick coating chemicals.

· As a Bearded Dragon ages, you may notice he or she is becoming calmer, slower, mostly downright lazy. Don’t worry. If they otherwise seem happy & healthy, know Dragons are typically very docile creatures. Appreciate this with cuddle time in the sun!

Finally, as you & your Dragon age a bit together, you will notice he or she has favorite things to do or places to rest. Never take their favorite things away, it may be a hammock, perch, or blanket. If they love to dangle half their bodies off of something, make sure they get to do this. If they love spa time in shallow, warm water, give to them this pleasure often. They don’t ask for much.

See Murph:

Wait, what, how’d that last one get in there. Oopsy. I didn’t make that meme. Props to the responsible party.

Love your lizards & the lizards of the world!

If you visit lizardplanet.com, there is a “menu” option to view categories of tips regarding diet, lighting, & more. Also, there lives an option to donate to us. If you wish assistance to donate to a needy facility instead, or would love to save an abused or neglected lizard’s life, please leave a comment. We will help in any way possible.

“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – Dawn Renée