Unlike geckos and chameleons, its skin is not as delicate and it loves to be petted and held.

The bearded dragon is popular throughout the United States, and is frequently used as the perfect pet for terminally ill children. That's because its favorite pastime is being held, petted and loved. Being ectothermic or coldblooded, thefreedictionary.com: [2] a bearded dragon will sit on its owner's shoulder for very long periods of time, enjoying the warmth and companionship.

The Aborigines of Australia hunt the bearded dragon as "bushmeat" en.foodlexicon.org: [3], but here in the states and throughout the reptile trade, it is an adored creature. Bearded dragons are sold at most major pet stores.

What do bearded dragons eat? Bearded dragons eat a diet of reptile food, including crickets dusted with calcium powder, mealworms, and fresh greens and vegetables. Always provide a dish of clean fresh water.

When you bring home a baby bearded dragon, feed it very small crickets. A cricket longer than its mouth is wide could choke your baby lizard. Give it something to climb in its habitat because that's its natural instinct.

Another good addition for baby bearded dragons or adults is a reptile hammock available at the pet store. Especially for the babies, it will help with their instinct to climb as high as they can for safety, especially when they sleep.

The next step is to quickly get the eggs to a reptile incubator www.bio.miami.edu: [1] and incubate, which takes about 6 weeks. When newly hatched, a baby bearded dragon's instinct is to head for the tree tops. In their indigenous habit of New South Wales, Australia, baby beardies stay in the forest canopy eating small insects until they are bit enough to come down to the ground and not be so vulnerable.