Northwestern Bearded Dragon (Pogona mitchelli)

Northwestern Bearded Dragon Pogona mitchelli
Name	Northwestern Bearded Dragon
Name Lat.	Pogona mitchelli
Family	Agamas
Family lat.	Agamidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Australia
Habitat	Semi-desert
Diet	Insects, vegetables, fruits
Humidity	50-60 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	40 cm
Temperature	25-33 °C
Temperature Local	45 °C
Housing Size	120 x 90 x 70 cm
US Units
Size	16"
Temperature	77-91 °F
Temperature Local	113 °F
Housing Size	45" x 35" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the diurnal Mitchell's bearded dragon is western Western Australia and the North Central Territory, where it lives in scrubby and arboreal savannahs, dry forests and semi-deserts.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

5KRL x 4KRL x 3KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. L 120 x W 90 x H 70 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

You will need a desert terrarium structured with roots and stones (hiding places and privacy screen), a graveable substrate of sand/clay mixture and rubble, a small water container and potted plants (e.g. euphorbia, aloe, oleander). A very small portion of the substrate should be kept moist at all times. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water, but not directly the animals (risk of shock).

Temp. day: 25-33 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 45 °C

Humidity: 50-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs depending on the season. They need a high light intensity. Special lamps that produce the necessary heat and UV light are ideal. Daily UV irradiation is essential.

Diet

Young animals feed mainly on insects, with plant food predominating as they get older. The diet consists of live insects, such as crickets, grasshoppers and crickets, as well as nest young mice for adults, alternatively commercial ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles, plus wild herbs, fruit (pears, melons, bananas) and vegetables (lettuce, peppers, zucchini, etc.). Wax moths should rarely be fed in small amounts to adults, but not to juveniles, because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males usually have a broader head and a thicker tail root, where the hemipenis pockets are clearly visible.

The female buries her eggs (5-30 pieces) in the substrate, which must accordingly consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is 60-100 days at a temperature of 27-31 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

The life expectancy can be 10 years.

Important

Adult males behave very territorial and are incompatible with each other. For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C for approx. two months

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; MANTHEY u. SCHUSTER (1999): Agamen, Natur und Tier-Verlag  

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF