by Kim Doner
It’s interesting what happens when you open up the doors and windows of your
life, figuratively speaking. All sorts of things find their way in, such as unexpected revelations, new friends, hobbies you never knew existed, strays of all sorts — people, cats, dogs.
Lizards.
I leaned forward, studying Clyde. Good name for a lizard, right? Especially an Australian bearded dragon. It was coined from the 1960s hit song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport,” so we figured the recognition of his cultural past would aid in his adjustment to living in the kitchen. “Well, hi, fella. We’re setting you up here; hope you like it! Got your heater, your rock, your light, your water dish … what’s next?” His head turned with precision, and his eyes locked on mine as he returned my stare. Much to my surprise, he gave me a slow nod. Wait, what? He’s actually looking at me! Whoa! I’m eye-to-eye with Mr. Lizard Man!
The staring contest continued. Then I blinked and lost.
Letting a Lizard into Your Life
For those of us living in the southwestern states, these exotic reptiles often trigger comparisons to the childhood phenomena of finding “horny toads.” Indeed, both animals have spike patterns reflecting their names. The “horns” of our native horned lizard follow in lengths along its sides and tail, the body is stubby, and the nose is blunt. On the other hand, a “beardie” has a longer body, triangulate head, and sweeping spiky extensions along the jaw, back of the head, and beneath the chin — a little more like Smaug from The Hobbit, with the beard becoming an ornate collar when the mouth opens and the throat extends.
I knew nothing about these guys. I had always thought reptiles were interesting animals but never pursued a personal relationship with one until I found myself
incorporating an adult steplizard into my life. At the time, there wasn’t a lot of information available — the Internet had bloomed but was nothing like it is today. I did my best by Clyde, who lived to be nine-and-a-half (in later years, I found out that was a decent life span for these guys — whew!). I had really enjoyed him too and was excited to explore more about beardies with this assignment.
Research in all forms ensued: environment (heat source, UV lamp, shallow water bowl/tub, large enclosure), nutrition (bugs — mealworms, crickets, beetles — plus a wide variety of vegetables and fruits), habitat (proper substrate, hiding places, climbing places), and enrichment.
Wait, what? Enrichment? Like toys? And they could be affectionate? I’d never heard of snuggling a lizard. You know psychology classes and all those references to our “lizard brains”? Weren’t those indications of low-level instinct as opposed to higherlevel thinking Well, well, well. Beardies are some of the most tolerant, laid-back, and docile lizards around. Originating from the Land Down Under, there are eight species that offer options of multiple morphs, or color/ skin patterns. Once the lizard is past the juvenile stage, there are techniques and recommendations for you to build trust and, yes, trusting, responsive pets.
To start your beardie adjusting to its life, wisdom dictates giving him time, keeping stimuli at a low level — since they’re diurnal, ensure a proper schedule for lights on and lights off, allow no loud barking or music, keep surroundings calm. Make sure the reptarium is at the right temperature, and spend a few daily rounds of slowly putting your hand in near the lizard. Then start to touch him from the side. Never pick up from the top — it hurts.
Eventually, he should let you slide your hand beneath him (remember, your hand feels warm, which is usually nice to a lizard). Speak in a low tone, and say his name several times during the practice sessions. If he struggles, gently cover his eyes with your other hand for a few seconds until he calms; then put him back down.
It doesn’t hurt to toss in a mealworm after practice so your beardie starts to associate handling with a treat.
Once he relaxes during holding time, extend the minutes and try gently stroking his head. You’ll know he is enjoying this if he closes his eyes. Lizards have to stay on alert all the time in the wild, so he is
showing you incredible trust through a brief nap in your hand.
Good husbandry with your lizard means fresh food daily, such as a variety of bugs and plants. Watching lizards eat is fascinating. They are immediately at attention when crickets are dropped into the enclosure, and one can hear a snap when their (rather human, if you ask me) tongues glom the bug into their mouths and close down as they whip around to hunt another bite. Beardies do well with shallow tubs for bathing too, which is important because their skin absorbs more water that way, helping with digestion and comfort.
A word of caution: It’s essential for anyone who has handled this pet or any part of its home to wash hands extremely well after contact. Lizard poop usually carries salmonella, which is hardly pleasant to experience.
Beardies Like To Play
What is pleasant, though, is discovering that beardies like to play. You can find tons of toys online or make your own — wads of aluminum or ping-pong balls to be pushed around, hidey-holes of hollowed logs, floating bath toys, a good view outside, occasional television shows. Beardies can see in color, so a variety of offerings will also contribute to a happy lizard. Some owners pursue online goodies as well — clothing, costumes, hats, and harnesses for the pet once he’s comfortable with people.
Of course, there are signs when he’s not comfortable. If your beardie is digging, there could be a problem with the thermostat, nutrition, or a need for brumation, which is a form of hibernations lizards go through. If his eyes are bulging in an odd way, he could be loosening the skin to shed soon (and feel rather ticklish). If he rapidly bobs his head, it’s for dominance, aggression, or — if he bobs at the opposite sex — courtship, but a slow bob is usually an acknowledgment or submission.
My favorite behavior, although also a sign of submission, is “the wave.” When I would enter the room and Clyde spotted me, he often slowly bobbed his head and waved at me. Because this behavior immediately scored him a mealworm, it happened daily for years (OK, I’m a sap for reptilian connections).
I am hardly a full-fledged “herper.” (See how savvy I am? That’s the slang for folks who keep reptiles and amphibians; “herping” is when one goes in search of them.) But I’m now having second thoughts. With consistent, gentle attention, a bearded dragon will not only enjoy your company, he will ride on your shoulder, quietly taking in the world. I can’t help but picture a warm day with a dragon on my shoulder, strolling through the park.…
Beardie fans would call me … Mother of Dragon.
Sort of a “Khaleesi Lite,” right?
Just in real time, with a happier ending.
