The Bearded Dragon Manual

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Philippe De Vosjoil. The Bearded Dragon Manual

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Inland bearded dragons have been called the perfect reptile pets—for good reason. They are typically tame, easy to keep, and relatively hardy, and they come in an array of stunning colors. Bearded dragons are also amusing, intelligent, and endearing, so it is easy to understand why they are—and have been—one of the most popular reptile pets of all time. For people with fur allergies, a bearded dragon is often a wonderful alternative. They do, however, have certain requirements, as with any pet. And that is where this book comes in.

When I was asked to update The Bearded Dragon Manual, I was thrilled to be able to offer an additional perspective: that of an indoor breeder of exclusive high-color dragons. During my many years as a wildlife rehabilitator and working at the Baltimore Zoo (now the Maryland Zoo), I had the opportunity to learn behavioral-observation skills and large-collection management techniques. I am very grateful to longtime friend Dr. Thomas Ryan, DVM, and the other brilliant folks along the way who taught me to observe behaviors and then draw conclusions based on those observations.

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The femoral pores are examined next. Prominent femoral pores on a 6-inch juvenile would indicate a probable male. Femoral pores show as a running line of dots on the inner thighs of the dragons.

Another technique has improved the accuracy of sexing small bearded dragons, but it must be performed with extreme care and is best done by an expert dragon handler. This method consists of holding a dragon facing out and lying flat on the palm of one hand while gently bending the dragon’s tail above the body plane with the other hand. We can’t emphasize enough that you must perform this task gently to avoid harming the dragon. Carefully bending the tail toward the ceiling, above the body plane, will cause the skin on the ventral side (underside) of the tail base to be stretched back, which will show the outlines of hemipenal bulges in males. These bulges run directly caudal (toward the tail) from the vent (cloacal opening). A defined, central post-anal groove—two vertical bulges with a channel running between—is a good indicator of a male,. In females, slight post-anal bulges may be visible, but they tend to run laterally from the vent, midline, like the arms of an inverted V. A probable female can appear flat right above the vent or can show one small bump. This method works best with experience and is usually complemented by other concurring observations, such as the male’s thicker tail and wider cloacal opening.

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