How to Care for Your Lawson Bearded Dragon
Lawson Bearded Dragon is usually found in small to medium sizes. They are very active diurnal lizards found in central Queensland, Australia. It is found only in areas with black mud flat habitats with dry and less dense vegetation. This lizard is commonly known as Rankins’ Dragon but it is also known as Dampi Dragon Lawson’s Dragon and many other names which makes it very popular.
Further Insights and Relevant Content About Lawson Bearded Dragon.
Appearance Of Lawson Bearded Dragon
Lawson Bearded Dragons are very similar in appearance to young Central bearded Dragons. They can grow to about twelve inches in length. The difference between them and Bearded Dragons is that they have a ball-like head and a raised torso. The beard is less prominent on the underside, while they have small pointed spines on their backs, and spines are often seen near the tail, which are much smaller and can be pale brown to gray as adults. Dragons are either unpatterned or have light daisies on either side of their backbones, and their tails usually have a circular stripe pattern.
Rankin’s dragons are less well-known as pets than the main bearded dragon, but they are still found as a common pet lizard worldwide. They are a great alternative for those who love bearded dragons but struggle due to lack of space.
Behavior And Temperament Of Lawson Bearded Dragon
The Lawson Bearded Dragon is a very interesting lizard that likes to live in very small groups, especially in colonies of three. One of the interesting things about them is that all female dragons can be kept together without causing any problems. This is natural, as female dragons are usually friendly with each other.
But in the case of male dragons, the situation is very different. If more than one male is kept in the same cage, there may be fights between them. Male dragons try to defend their territory in each other’s presence. Which often turns into a fight So if you keep one or more than one, it can be a problem for them. Yes, two females can be kept with one male.
How Much Space Does Lawson Bearded Dragon Need?
The size of the enclosure for a Lawson bearded dragon should be at least Thirty-six length x Eighteen width x Eighteen height, which is about forty gallons. But if you can provide a larger enclosure, that would be great!
Lawson bearded dragons can be kept alone, and are comfortable in it, but it is also possible to keep them in groups, provided proper precautions are taken. The size of the enclosure for the group should be increased to at least forty-eight x twenty-four x twenty-four. Do not keep multiple males together, as they may be injured during fights. Small groups of similar-sized females are best. A male can be kept with one or two females if you want to breed.
Does Lawson Bearded Dragon need UVB?
Yes! Lawson Bearded Dragon are active during the day, so they need UVB lighting in the enclosure. The best UVB bulbs for enclosures 18-24 inches high are:
1. Zoo Med Reptisun T5 HO 10.0
2. Arcadia Desert 12%
The UVB bulb should be half the length of the enclosure and placed near the hot spot. UVB does not pass through glass or plastic, so shining through a window is not sufficient. Use a 6500K LED or T5 HO fluorescent light for daylight. Give eleven hours of light in winter and thirteen hours in summer.
Temperature For Lawson Bearded Dragon
Basking temperatures for Rankin’s Dragons should be between ninety to hundred F and cooler temperatures between seventy-five to eighty-five F. The heat source should be turned off at night to allow the temperature to drop to fifty-five F. Use a digital thermometer with a probe to measure the temperature.
Install a low-wattage halogen flood heat lamp on one side of the enclosure to keep the dragon warm. Avoid using ceramic heat emitters, heat mats, or colored bulbs (red or blue), as they are less efficient. A large, flat rock or wooden branch is best for basking, which absorbs heat safely and effectively.
Humidity
Lawson bearded dragons live in semi-arid areas and do not require much moisture. Keep enclosure humidity between thirty to fifty although a little lower is safe. Use a digital hygrometer, with a hold in the center of the enclosure, to measure humidity. A light mist sprinkling in the morning can be beneficial, as it creates a dew that is useful for your dragon to drink. A simple hand mixer will suffice. If the enclosure is well-ventilated, fogging will not be a problem.
Substrate
The substrate covers the floor of your lizard terrarium and makes it beautiful. This helps maintain humidity levels and provides a place for your pet to dig. The substrate should be naturally where the reptile lives. Lawson bearded dragons should be packed with sand or sandy soil. We recommend using this substrate for them:
- Zoo Med ReptiSand
- Exo Terra Desert Sand
- Exo Terra Stone Desert
- 60/40 play sand-topsoil mix
The substrate should be at least two percent deep and completely replaced every three to four months. Delete poop and urate daily, along with contaminated substrate.
Decoration For Your Pet
These are naturally stressed, so it’s important to provide plenty of things to keep your pet healthy and connected to the environment, no matter how big the enclosure is It wouldn’t be a good job if it didn’t include some things
At a minimum, you will need two hiding places for your dragon and a flat stone area to roam. Still, part of the enclosure will appear empty. To make the enclosure more interesting and increase its functionality, you can add:
- Flagstone or aquarium slate
- Vertically placed concrete slabs
- Branches
- Live or artificial drought-tolerant plants
For a better layout of the enclosure, I suggest looking at photos of Rankin’s dragon’s natural habitat.
Food And Diet Of Lawson Bearded Dragon
These reptiles eat both insects and vegetables. They will eat many different kinds of foods, so it’s important to mix things up.
As a better rule of thumb, about 60 percent of their diet should consist of insects while the remaining 40 percent is vegetables.
Some good insect staples include:
- Crickets
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
- Mealworms
- Dubia roaches
- Waxworms (these worms should be given as the occasional treat, not regularly)
As for vegetables, you can try these foods:
- Collard greens
- Arugula
- Turnip greens
- Dandelion
Lawson’s bearded dragon should be fed daily. To decrease health issues, you can dust food with calcium supplements a few times a week as well.
Supplements For Lawson Bearded Dragon
These dragons need calcium and vitamin supplements to keep them healthy so they don’t become malnourished. We recommend Repashi Calcium Plus LOD, which you can spray lightly on your feeder insects. These supplements are essential for a dragon’s bone health but do not add these supplements to the salad as this may oversupplement them.
Water
Although these are dry habitats, they always need access to fresh water. You should provide water in a small bowl so that your dragon always has access to available drinking water as needed. It is important to change the water daily to ensure a clean and fresh water supply. Clean the bowl weekly with a reptile-safe disinfectant, or whenever it gets dirty, to prevent disease.
Possible Health Issues Of Lawson Bearded Dragon
There are most handful of diseases that Lawson bearded dragons are susceptible to. These issues can affect mostly the range of reptiles raised in captivity, not just this species.
Some of the common issues are respiratory infections and yellow fungus. Respiratory infections are mostly caused by excess moisture in the air. It causes tissue severe in the mouth and nostrils to become inflamed.
Yellow fungus is mostly caused by unsanitary living conditions. It is a contagious illness that causes severe patchy scales to form. Some of these can also experience extreme shedding.
The right way to avoid yellow fungus is to keep the enclosure clean. Perform spot cleanings daily and pick up messes every week. Then, do your best to keep sanitizations once a month to keep bacteria at bay.
Life span
Lawson Bearded dragons have an average lifespan of between six and ten years if they are provided with proper care. Some owners have reported that these little dragons can live up to 15 years, but such cases are rare. As with any other pet, their lifespan cannot be guaranteed. Poor maintenance and unsuitable housing conditions can adversely affect their health. In addition, these lizards can be susceptible to diseases, especially if they are neglected. Don’t miss out. Their food, shelter, and other needs must be attended to so that they are not only healthy but also happy. Your constant efforts can ensure a long and happy life for them.
Handling
Lawson Bearded Dragon often compared to bearded dragons, are known to be tame and tolerate human interaction well. Once they start to trust you, they can be hand-fed and held comfortably. Constant positive contact is essential to building trust with the reptile. Instead of forcing it, it’s better to encourage it to come to you on its own. Hand feeding is very beneficial for him. If you fear pinching, use soft-tipped feeding legs. When lifting the dragon, hold gently from the bottom and fully support its body, especially its feet. This will reduce his fear of falling. Initial handling sessions should be done indoors so the lizard feels more comfortable.
