The friendly dragon

Reptilian pets are intriguing and mysterious to some, intimidating and frightening to others. If there's one reptile perfect for changing the minds of those in the latter group, it's the bearded dragon.

Affectionately called "beardeds" by their fans, these lizards are not only tame around humans, but many also seem to enjoy the contact. Even better, they're relatively easy keepers, suitable for almost any pet lover or family situation.

Bearded dragons enjoy exploring, whether on their owners or around the house. They stick out their tongues to touch new surfaces to determine the temperature and makeup of the area. It just adds to their appeal.

"Beardeds also have a split tongue to give them 'stereo,' or directional, sense of smell, so they can follow a mate or prey item more accurately," says Cindy Steinle, president of Small Scale Reptile Rescue and chat leader of Kingsnake.com.

Beardeds are common in the pet trade and easy to find for sale. They live to be about 10 years old and will mature at 18 to 24 inches in length, including the tail. Hatchling beardeds are only about 3½ inches in length and look more like a gecko than a giant lizard species. Common colorings of the bearded are yellow and tan, though they can be found in more vibrant yellow, orange and albino.

The bearded dragon name comes from the display the pet puts on when trying to act tough. The puffed-beard display is only used defensively to scare away potential threats. Along with puffing out, beardeds also flatten out their bellies to look wider, as well as leave their rather large mouths gaping open to intimidate the potential threat.

One bearded is all you need, since they're quite happy to live as they did in the wild, alone except when in search of mates. If you want more than one, however, there's no downside, since they seem to enjoy the companionship of another of their kind. Female beardeds can usually be housed with another female or male, but males should not be housed together because of territorial aggression.

Beardeds need human help to maintain their temperature in captivity, using heat lamps or warming pads. Beardeds do well with choices, in tanks where some areas are cooler, some warmer, a range of 85 to 105 degrees by day, dipping down into the 70s at night.

You'll also need special lighting, since these reptiles need UVB rays to properly absorb dietary calcium. A full-spectrum light should be provided 12 to 14 hours a day most of the year, and 10 to 12 hours in the winter, according to Dr. David Crum of Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services in Vienna, Va.

Omnivores by nature, beardeds enjoy both plants and meat in their diet. Juveniles enjoy a carnivorous diet, while adults become primarily herbivores, enjoying a diet of dark, leafy vegetables and some fruit. All food given to the bearded should be shredded into easy-to-swallow, bite-size pieces. Insects should be given to adult beardeds two to three times per week (mainly crickets), but also mealworms, wax moth larvae and pinkie mice in limited amounts.

Beardeds hit sexual maturity between 1 and 2 years of age, when females will start laying eggs regardless of whether they've been mated. They need to be watched closely for illness at this time, as they can suffer from egg binding and will need to see the vet.

Veterinary care is minimal for pets who are being properly cared for. After purchase, says Dr. Crum, the new bearded needs to be examined for health and parasites, with treatment for the latter if necessary. After that, annual examinations are recommended, to help your veterinarian understand what's "normal" for your pet, so treatment can be more targeted if there's a problem.