head-shot-of-a-pogona-super-extrem-red-super-trans-2023-11-27-05-22-41-utc.jpg

Nala

Nala is a bearded dragon; she is an adult and she's about 4/5 years old. She is native to Australia, and they're commonly found in arid, semi-desert regions, woodlands and scrublands. Bearded dragons can grow up to 18-24 inches long, including their tail. In captivity, bearded dragons can live up to 10-15 years.

By Lola Watts (Student Volunteer Ranger)

Key Facts

Semi Aquatic

Chinese water dragons love warm, humid environments and are often found near fresh water sources which is perfect for swimming and cooling down.

She loves to be in water and regularly has baths, and poos in the bath, which means her water must be changed several times per day.

Omnivorous

Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means she has a mixed diet of insects and vegetables, her diet should usually be about 65-75% vegetables and the rest insects.

People often make the mistake of feeding them too many insects. They can get a taste for these and become overweight!

Enclosure requirements

Her temperature in the vivarium should be around 38-42c for her basking spot and the cool side around 22-26c, her humidity should be at 30-40% but too high humidity can lead to respiratory issues.

Head bobbing

Nala communicates by head bobbing, it can mean multiple things like dominance, territorial behaviour, communicating with other dragons or just reacting to her environment.

Did you know?

Bearded dragons cannot sweat, so the way she regulates her body temperature is by doing something called ‘gaping’. Beardies are ectothermic, which means they rely on external heat sources to regulate their temperature. When basking, their bodies can warm up quickly, so they start gaping to release excess body heat.

The tail helps with balance

Nalas long, sturdy tail isn't just for show, it's a vital tool that helps her move, climb, and stay stable in her environment. When she climbs, her tail acts like a counterbalance, helping her stay steady as she moves on uneven surfaces. When they walk or run, their tails help them stay balanced as her centre of gravity shifts. It moves slightly with her body to help keep her low to the ground and agile, especially if she makes sudden turns or quick movements.