Baby bearded dragons, scientifically known as Pogona vitticeps, are small and charming reptiles that have gained popularity as pets. These astonishing creatures have unique characteristics, such as having three eyes, which piques the curiosity of many enthusiasts.
In this article, we will explore the intriguing world of baby bearded dragons, including their naming conventions and four fascinating facts you may not have known about these extraordinary reptiles. Native to the arid regions of Australia, these captivating lizards have much to offer, and you’ll be amazed by what you’re about to discover.
1: Did You Know Baby Bearded Dragons are Called Hatchlings?
Baby bearded dragons, known as hatchlings, are among the most amiable reptiles often chosen as pets. Hatching from eggs, these small creatures share the term “hatchling” with various other animals such as baby turtles, crocodiles, alligators, and even geckos. Their friendly nature and intriguing name make them a popular choice for reptile enthusiasts.
2: Bearded Dragon Hatchlings Possess a Unique Sensory Feature
Bearded dragon hatchlings are fascinating creatures with a secret ability: they have a third eye! Similar to mythical cyclops creatures, these little reptiles possess an additional sensory organ that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Located on the top of their head, bearded dragon hatchlings have a distinctive parietal eye, which serves a specific purpose. While their two regular eyes provide vision just like humans, they use this hidden third eye to detect changes in light and shadows.
Wondering how this extra sensory organ helps them? In their natural habitat, bearded dragons often face threats from birds of prey, such as hawks. These predators cast a shadow when swooping down to catch them, and that’s when the hatchling’s parietal eye comes into play. This unique third eye allows them to sense the imminent danger, enabling them to quickly retreat and seek safety.
So, the presence of a parietal eye not only makes bearded dragon hatchlings a fascinating topic for discussion but also plays a crucial role in their survival in the wild.
3: Incubation Temperature May Impact Hatchlings’ Intelligence
A group of UK researchers investigated whether global warming impacts the intelligence of bearded dragons. They conducted an experiment by incubating bearded dragon eggs in two separate incubators with different temperatures. Both incubators were housed in a controlled environment.
After the hatchlings emerged, they were provided with identical living conditions, diets, and routines. When they reached sexual maturity, the researchers showed the dragons a video of an adult beardie opening a sliding door. Then, they observed each dragon attempting to open the same door for five minutes.
The results of the study revealed that bearded dragons incubated at cooler temperatures opened the door more quickly than those incubated at warmer temperatures. This suggests that lower incubation temperatures may contribute to the development of more intelligent bearded dragon hatchlings.
4: Baby Bearded Dragons Really Have a Beard!
Bearded dragons, delightful reptiles, are named after the unique textured skin beneath their chin, also known as the gular pouch. This feature allows them to exhibit fascinating behaviors as a defense mechanism against potential threats.
When a baby bearded dragon feels distressed, it will widen its mouth and expand its gular pouch. This action makes the little creature appear more threatening by giving the illusion of increased size. Don’t be surprised if their chin turns entirely black during this process!
These charming lizards possess distinctive personalities, adding to their appeal as pets. In addition to their beard-like feature, bearded dragons showcase various other captivating traits. Interestingly, they do not imitate one another, meaning each bearded dragon’s personality is genuinely unique. With a friendly demeanor, these reptiles can easily steal the hearts of their owners.
5: Hatchlings Can Change Colors!
Bearded dragon hatchlings, unlike chameleons, display subtle color changes. The primary reason for these color shifts is to regulate their body temperature. For instance, a hatchling feeling too hot will lighten its skin color, deflecting sunlight and cooling off.
As cold-blooded reptiles, bearded dragon hatchlings rely on external warmth sources like sunlight to regulate their body temperature. To stay warm when it gets colder, they can darken their skin color, attracting more heat.
When raising baby bearded dragons in captivity, a heat lamp, UV lamp, and proper humidity levels are essential. The heat lamp helps regulate their temperature, while the UV lamp simulates sunlight, preventing metabolic bone disease and promoting healthy bone growth.
Humidity is critical for maintaining healthy skin and facilitating shedding as bearded dragons grow. A well-balanced humidity level forms a key component of a bearded dragon’s habitat, ensuring they can grow into healthy adults.
In conclusion, bearded dragon hatchlings can change colors for body temperature regulation, adjusting to their environment’s warmth. It is important to maintain the appropriate habitat conditions, such as heat lamps, UV lamps, and humidity levels while taking care of them as pets.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Hatchlings, also known as baby bearded dragons, weigh around a minuscule 2 grams, similar to five paperclips. Their diet mainly consists of insects like baby crickets; they can even eat over 100 baby crickets per day. As they mature, their diet transitions to primarily greens, with insects making up around 20% of their food intake.
Bearded dragons inhabit warm, humid environments such as savannas, scrublands, deserts, and subtropical woodlands. They are partially arboreal, enjoying the company of bushes and low-hanging trees.
In captivity, when setting up a terrarium for bearded dragons, consider the following aspects:
- Size: Spacious enough for them to grow and move freely.
- Temperature: A gradient is necessary with a basking area around 95-110°F.
- Heat Lamps: Set up with a UVB and UVA lamp to prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Substrate: Reptile carpet or a similar material is recommended for hygiene purposes.
- Humidity levels: Not too high to avoid respiratory issues, but enough to aid in shedding.
- Dietary requirements: Balanced between proteins (insects) and greens (leafy vegetables).
These reptiles have a docile behavior and a lifespan of up to 10 years in captivity with proper care—including maintaining suitable temperature, humidity levels, and providing the right diet.