Bearded dragons are popular, docile Australian lizards known for their "beard" of spikes and friendly, hardy nature, making them excellent pets for beginners. Growing to 18-24 inches and living 7-15 years with proper care, they require specific UVB lighting, heat, a 40-75+ gallon tank, and a diet of insects and leafy greens.
Murray State's Digital Commons
Murray State's Digital Commons
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Key Facts & Care Requirements
Behavior: Generally calm, they may wave their arms in submission or bob their heads to show dominance. They rarely bite and are comfortable with human interaction.
Diet: They are omnivores. Adults eat about 70-80% leafy greens (collard greens, kale) and 20-30% insects (crickets, roaches). Juveniles require more protein for growth.
Habitat & Environment: They are desert dwellers, requiring a basking spot of 95-110°F (
) and a cooler end of 75-80°F (
). A 40-gallon tank is the minimum, but larger is better for adults.
Appearance: Commonly orange, yellow, or brown, with various "morphs" (variations in color and pattern).
Unique Features: They have a "third eye" (parietal eye) on top of their head to detect light changes and predators.
Bush Heritage Australia
Bush Heritage Australia
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Health & Maintenance
Lifespan: 4-10 years in the wild, but 7-15 years in captivity with good care.
Lighting: Essential UVB light is required to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Handling: They are generally docile and, unlike many reptiles, often tolerate or enjoy being handled.
Hygiene: They excrete uric acid as a white, powdery paste, not liquid urine.
Uptown Veterinary Hospital
Uptown Veterinary Hospital
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Common Behaviors
Bearding: Puffing out their throat to look larger when scared or territorial.
Head Bobbing: Signifies dominance or mating behavior.
Arm Waving: A sign of submission.
National Geographic
National Geographic
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Bearded dragons should typically be housed individually, as they are territorial.
The Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) is a stunning, non-venomous, nocturnal constrictor found in South American rainforests. Known for its brilliant green color, white dorsal markings, and specialized, long, curved teeth for gripping birds in trees, these arboreal snakes typically reach 4–6 feet in length. They are expert ambush predators using heat-sensing pits, and they give birth to live,, red or orange young that change color within their first year.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
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Key Characteristics and Biology
Appearance: Adults are bright green with white zig-zag stripes, designed for camouflage. They have a striking, "dog-like" head, earning them the scientific name caninus.
Juveniles: Born bright reddish-orange or brown, they transition to green between 6 months to a year.
Size: Generally 4–6 feet, though some can exceed 7 feet in length.
Behavior: They are primarily nocturnal, living in trees (arboreal). They are known for their signature hunting pose: hanging in a tight S-shape over branches, using their prehensile tail for security.
Diet: They feed on birds, bats, and small mammals.
Animal Diversity Web
Animal Diversity Web
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Habitat and Range
Emerald tree boas inhabit the tropical rainforests of the Amazon Basin and the Guianan region, including countries like Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, and Colombia. They thrive in the high canopy, preferring humid, densely forested areas.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
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Conservation and Threats
The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but they face threats from habitat loss and the illegal, often over-collected, exotic pet trade. They are listed under CITES Appendix II, which monitors their international trade.
Reptiles Magazine
Reptiles Magazine
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Captive Care Challenges
Temperament: Known for having a feisty "attitude" and a reputation for being nippy, they are often better suited as display animals rather than handled pets.
Care Requirements: They require specialized, high-humidity, vertical enclosures with plenty of branches.
Feeding: They are sometimes challenging feeders, particularly as
Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are small, friendly, and intelligent parrots from the Cacatuidae family, native to Australia and widely kept as popular pets. Renowned for their crested heads and whistling abilities, they are ideal for beginners, living 10–25+ years with proper care. They require daily social interaction, mental stimulation, and a varied diet.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
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Characteristics and Behavior
Appearance: Typically gray with yellow/white faces and orange cheek patches, though captive breeding has produced many color mutations like Lutino, Pied, and Whiteface.
Temperament: Social, affectionate, more info and active. They enjoy whistling, mimicking sounds, and bonding with their owners.
Voice: Males are better talkers and whistlers, often mimicking tunes, doorbells, or phones.
Lifespan: Often live 15–20 years in captivity, with some living over 30 years.
That Pet Place
That Pet Place
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Diet and Care
Diet: A balanced diet includes high-quality seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
Habitat: They need a spacious cage that allows for flight and exercise, filled with bird-safe toys for chewing and mental stimulation.
Maintenance: Daily, they need fresh water and food. Weekly, cages should be cleaned, and they enjoy being misted with water.
Socialization: As flock animals, they require significant daily attention to prevent loneliness and behavioral issues.
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
National Institutes of Health (.gov)
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Common Health Issues
While generally hardy, they are susceptible to feather plucking due to stress or boredom. They need regular, gentle handling and check-ups with an avian veterinarian.
PetMD
PetMD
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Conclusion
Cockatiels make excellent pets for families and individuals, offering companionship and entertainment in a relatively small package