How long do rankin lizards live

These color patterns extend throughout the back of the reptile. On the belly, they usually have a lighter solid color. Females tend to be slightly longer and girthier than males. This is to accommodate eggs when fully matured. Expert Tip: Their length can be influenced by a number of different factors, with genetics and care being the most impactful.

If you want these reptiles to get as large as possible, do whatever it takes to keep them healthy! The trick to keeping these lizards in good shape is to provide an enriching environment and a high-quality diet. This means at least one side should be covered in durable mesh or a high-quality screen. Most owners utilize enclosures that have a screened top and sliding glass doors on the front. The front doors will provide easy access to your lizard while the screen helps maintain humidity levels.

We recommend going with a tank that measures about 48 inches wide, 24 inches long, and 24 inches high. This is roughly the size of a gallon tank. You can pick from one of these enclosures to get started.

They apply for both species. Expert Tip: An enclosure of this size is good for a single lizard. The key is to provide your lizards with ample room to explore. This means that they do spend some time climbing and basking in high places. Some strategically spaced branches, climbing bridges, and vines work well. You can also incorporate a reptile hammock and several slate rocks throughout the habitat for basking. Those climbing accessories will provide enrichment for your lizard while also giving them the means to move around the enclosure.

Expert Tip: Examine those branches, rocks, and vines closely. Another important thing to put in their habitat is plants. You can use real or fake plants, too. The plants add some movement and enrichment. They can also double as shelter whenever your lizard needs some light protection. Shelters are essential for these lizards. Make sure that your enclosure has at least one shelter in it.

Multiple shelters are even better if you have enough space. At the bottom of the enclosure, you have several options for substrate material. Some owners will utilize solid materials that are easy to replace during cleaning.

This includes paper towels, newspapers, shelf liners, and even tile. A soft substrate is good too. If you want to mimic their natural habitat, you can use a mixture of sand, potting soil, and clay. This means that one side of the habitat will be hotter while the other will be cooler. At night, leave the lights off.

They will have a small amount of veg as well at this age, but as they grow and reach adulthood this changes to being a higher amount of vegetation, and less live food. An adult Rankins Dragon will only need live food offering 3 times a week, compared to a baby having live food feedings each day. All feeding should incorporate a good calcium powder, and vitamin powder such as Nutrobal in the relevant supplement regime to make sure your dragon gets everything required in its diet.

Other additions ensure good activity and mental stimulation like branches, logs, rocks and vegetation, which can be altered every now and then, making it interesting to your pet.

A good hiding opportunity will ensure your dragon feels safer, although they are confident lizards and diurnally active, so should be on show more often than not. Use a sand-based mixture such as ProReps Beardie Life or Lucky Reptiles Desert Bedding, which will look and feel more natural to the dragon as well as providing digging opportunity, particularly in laying females.

With all the correct lighting, heating and supplements, it is completely safe to use such substrates. The rock texture and added slate and stones will also enable the dragon to naturally wear its sharp claws.

Rankins Dragon care guide. Obesity is common in bearded dragons as many keepers overfeed their lizards. Though feeding time can be an enjoyable experience for keeper and lizard alike , never feed your beardie more often than is needed. Waxworms, mealworms, and superworms are examples of high-fat feeder insects that should be fed only as occasional treats. A poor diet or lack of supplementation can also lead to severe nutrient deficiencies over time.

These issues will ultimately result in life-threatening conditions such as metabolic bone disease MBD if left untreated. When calcium levels become critically low, the body starts to remove calcium from bones to maintain organ and muscle function.

Thankfully, MBD and other deficiencies are usually treatable. Just be sure to heed warning signs early on. If your lizard begins to exhibit any sign of nutritional issues, consult a specialist veterinarian right away. Though we all feel stress from time to time, stress can be a complex condition to define in the field of biology. Stress can be acute such as when an animal sees a predator and becomes stressed immediately in response. It can also be chronic — occurring over a long period, resulting from an ongoing or repeated stressor such as disease or an unfavorable environment.

Chronic stress is particularly harmful to the health of any animal, and impacts immune system function, appetite, and behavior along with many other things. If your bearded dragon is chronically stressed, it may stop eating or turn a darker shade of brown. Do not ignore these signs. You must try to de-stress your beardie as soon as possible. Infectious diseases are pretty common in reptiles especially those under chronic stress. Internal parasites such as pinworms appear in feces, making them easy for a vet to detect and treat if symptoms do occur.

External parasites — such as mites and ticks — are standard on wild-caught specimens. External parasites are usually visible to the naked eye and are easy to treat — once spotted — using a medicated bath. Mouth rot infectious stomatitis is a bacterial infection of the gums. It can also spread to the jaw bone, causing severe swelling. The most recognizable symptom of mouth rot is an oozing discharge from the mouth. Keep on top of regular tank maintenance and deal with feces and spillages quickly as they occur.

Your bearded dragon will thank you for it. These are typically a result of stress, incorrect humidity or temperature, or an unhygienic enclosure. Symptoms include wheezing and sneezing, along with bubbles or mucus secretions from the eyes, nose, and mouth. You must treat respiratory infections immediately with vet-prescribed antibiotics.