Male bearded dragons are a different species than females. Males reach sexual maturity earlier than females. You should also consider diet and habitat before purchasing your new pet. This article will give you information about what to feed your new beardie. Read on to learn more about this fascinating reptile. A bearded dragon’s diet can be complex, but it’s well worth the effort. A healthy diet is essential to your dragon’s health and well-being.
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Males
In captivity, male bearded dragons have been successfully bred into a variety of morphs, including the elusive black-bellied, or “female” bearded dragon. While the differences between the sexes are subtle in the newborn stage, they become more apparent as they grow. Male bearded dragons are generally larger and have a thicker tail than females. The differences in size are especially noticeable on the head, where the male has a more prominently sized cloacal opening.
During the subadult stage, male bearded dragons will increase in size and begin to display more typical adult behavior. These behaviors may include aggression, territoriality, and the ability to breed. The submissive female may show an increased tendency to waving its arms, which is considered a submissive behavior. Once the subadults are sexually mature, their growth rates will decrease as they enter the adult stage.
Sexual maturity
To tell the difference between a male and a female bearded dragon, you can observe their behavior. Male bearded dragons have enlarged femoral pores. Males also have larger heads and thicker tails. They are also more territorial than female bearded dragons. While the male bearded dragons show more aggressive behavior by wagging their tails and displaying aggression, female bearded dragons show more submission through arm waving.
During the subadult stage, a bearded dragon develops more mature behaviors. Both sexes will display signs of sexual maturity. A male bearded dragon may display aggressive behavior while a female bearded dragon will show submissive behavior. Both sexes will need at least three meals daily. The subadult bearded dragons will be nearly full-grown when they reach sexual maturity.
Diet
A good diet for your bearded dragon subadult should include plenty of live insects, as well as fresh, chopped fruit and vegetables. Try to feed a different type of veggie each day, such as lettuce or spinach. You can also offer them plant matter that has insects, such as apricots, nectar, or apricot pits. Your beardie will be happy to munch on these!
Meat is an ideal protein source for a beardie, but avoid mealworms as they contain chitin, which is difficult for your dragon to digest. Instead, choose other insect protein sources, like crickets and mealworms. Pinky mice are only okay when the beardie is pregnant. Another food item to avoid is lettuce. These vegetables have little to no nutritional value, and are mostly water. They can also lead to diarrhea. Also, fireflies are toxic to bearded dragons and should be avoided. Avocados contain high levels of oxalic acid and are not recommended for your beardie’s diet.
Habitat
The habitat of a bearded dragon subadult varies depending on the species. Some beardies live in arid habitats and some are found in woodland areas. The bearded dragon spends most of its day foraging for food. Besides eating insects and small mammals, it also enjoys plants and flowers. Beardies are also playful and will often wave to other lizards when they see them. Because of this, it is important to keep an eye on the environment for potential dangers.
A subadult bearded dragon has spiny scales that can puff up during the shedding process. While this process is unpleasant, it is necessary to remember that the lizards are able to eat small amounts of sand. Commercial sand, on the other hand, is generally not a good source of calcium, and should not be used for your beardie’s habitat. Also, the shedding process begins around the eyes and may even cause impaction in some dragons.
Diet of a bearded dragon
A healthy diet is essential for your beardied dragon sub adult. Fresh greens and other organic material are preferred over spoiled foods. Don’t feed your dragon mealworms or crickets if they’re not fresh. These items may cause digestive problems in your dragon. Besides, mealworms have harder shells that are hard for your beardie to chew. To avoid this problem, you can introduce leafy greens to your beardie’s diet.
Various fruits are also suitable for your beardie, but only a small amount. Fruits are high in sugar, so they shouldn’t be fed too often. Apples are a good choice for your pet, but remember to peel them first. Grapes should also be cut in quarters so that they won’t choke. Avoid bananas, which contain a lot of sugar. You can also give your beardie an apple, but don’t forget to peel it first.