pet care of a bearded dragon...pet care of a bearded dragon bearded dragons are lizards. they are...

Bearded dragons are from the lizard species. They are often referred to as “beardies” and are one of the most popular lizards in captivity in the UK. Their name comes from the spikey folds of skin around their neck, which inflate and turn black when they are excited or defending themselves.

They originate from the dry scrublands and woodlands of Australia, therefore in captivity they need their environment to replicate their natural surroundings in the wild.

EnvironmentBearded dragons must be kept in a vivarium. This is a large, secure, glass enclosure. A recommended size to accommodate one lizard is a vivarium which <F��6@�?BA:�4A7��6@�;<:;��84E7<8F�64A�:EBJ�HC�GB��6@�?BA:�4A7�A887�room to move around and stretch out.

As bearded dragons are ectothermic and use the environment to regulate their body temperature, they need a warm end of the vivarium and a cool end. There must also be a basking zone, which is the warmest part of the enclosure. They like to lie, or bask, on a natural stone near the heat lamp provided. A thermostat must be installed to ensure the temperature doesn’t 9?H6GH4G8��G�@HFG�ABG�7EBC�58?BJ��ŧ��4G�A<:;G�

SubstrateThe base of the vivarium needs to be covered with a sand and soil mixture, due to the bearded dragon’s natural instinct to dig. Stone tiles should have ridges to help the reptile grip.

Pet Care of a Bearded Dragon

Did You Know?Bearded dragons are diurnal which means they are active during the day.

#4:8��B9��

LightLizards use the ultraviolet light from the sun to make vitamin D in their skin. This is essential for the storage and use of calcium in their bodies. A special UV light must be installed in their vivarium.


DietBearded dragons are omnivorous; they eat live invertebrates and plants (greens). They like live food, which should be kept in a well-ventilated container and fed the the same ‘greens’ as the dragon so that the lizard benefits from the nutrition.

These lizards must not have spinach, as it affects the dragon’s ability to absorb calcium into their bodies.

Feeding Tips• Remove any uneaten live foods as they can bite the lizard;

• �BI8E�G;8�?<I8�9BB7�J<G;�FHCC?8@8AG�CBJ78E�GB�8AFHE8�G;8�?<M4E7F�:8G�4??�of the nutrients they need.

Safe Greens Live Food

watercress rocket cress

:E4G87�5HŠ8EAHG�FDH4F;dandelions

cloverplantain leaves

cricketslocusts

calciworms

#4:8��B9��

Sunbathing LizardA bearded dragon can be taken outside on sunny, warm days to feel the benefit of natural UV light. Shade must be available and the reptile must be constantly supervised.

Two’s CompanyBearded dragons are fiercely territorial. Males live a solitary life and in the wild, chase other males from their space. Females can fight if they are in groups -� they have been known to bite B99� G;8� GB8F�B9�BG;8E lizards and sometimes kill!��4CG<I8�584E787�7E4:BAF�F;BH?7�58�F<A:H?4E�

Signs of a healthy lizard:• clear, bright eyes;

• thick base to their tail;

• hips will not be sticking out;

• bright colour after basking.


Signs of calcium deficiency:• muscle twitching;

• swollen legs;

• fragile bones;

• deformed limbs, spine, jaw.

#4:8��B9��

Questions1. Explain how bearded dragons came to be known by this name.

2. Why do you think their captive environment needs to replicate their natural environment?

3. Explain why the vivarium needs to be secure and large.

4. ��G;8E@BFG4G�@HFG�58�<AFG4??87�GB�m8AFHE8�G;8�G8@C8E4GHE8�7B8FAnG�ŝH6GH4G8n��*;4G�7B8F

this mean?

5. ��A8J�BJA8E�B9�4�584E787�7E4:BA�<F�C?4AA<A:�GB�CHG�A8JFC4C8E�<A�G;8�5BŠB@�B9�G;8

vivarium. Explain what you think of this idea, and what other suggestions would you make?


6. Why do you think the live food that will be fed to the dragon needs to be fed and looked after?

�� *;4G�<F�G;8�CHECBF8�B9�CHŠ<A:�4�CBJ78E�FHCC?8@8AG�BA�G;8�?<I8�9BB7�589BE8�:<I<A:�<G�GB�G;8�7E4:BA�

8. Your friend is going to get a much larger vivarium and put three bearded dragons in there.

What would you tell them?

9. A bearded dragon has a swollen leg and one of its muscles is twitching. What could be wrong

with it, what could have caused it and what might help, until you can get it to a reptile expert?

�~}� *E<G8�4�78ŜA<G<BA�9BE�846;�B9�G;8F8�JBE7F

�<HEA4?

"@A<IBE8

�6GBG;8E@<6


Answers1. Explain how bearded dragons came to be known by this name.

Bearded dragons came by their name because they have spikey folds of skin aroundG;8<E�A86>�J;<6;�<Aŝ4G8�4A7�GHEA�5?46>�J;8A�G;8L�:8G�8K6<G87�BE�?BB>�GB�CEBG86Gthemselves.

2. Why do you think their captive environment needs to replicate their natural environment?Answers will vary. Possible points: they need to be healthy/ they are animals andneed to be comfortable where they live/ their bodies are reliant on having particularconditions (ectothermic).

3. Explain why the vivarium needs to be secure and large.The vivarium needs to be secure so that the lizard is safe and cannot escape. It needsto be large because bearded dragons grow to 45cm long and need to move around andstretch out.

4. ��G;8E@BFG4G�@HFG�58�<AFG4??87�GB�m8AFHE8�G;8�G8@C8E4GHE8�7B8FAnG�ŝH6GH4G8n��*;4G�7B8Fthis mean?'B�m8AFHE8�G;8�G8@C8E4GHE8�7B8FAnG�ŝH6GH4G8n�@84AF�G;4G�G;8�G;8E@BFG4G�J<??�@4>8�FHE8that the temperature stays the same and doesn’t go up or down.

5. ��A8J�BJA8E�B9�4�584E787�7E4:BA�<F�C?4AA<A:�GB�CHG�A8JFC4C8E�<A�G;8�5BŠB@�B9�G;8vivarium. Explain what you think of this idea, and what other suggestions would you make?I would tell the new owner that I don’t think this is a good idea because beardeddragons instinctively like to dig, and they can’t dig in newspaper. I would suggest theyCHG�4�F4A7�4A7�FB<?�@<KGHE8�7BJA�FB�G;4G�G;8�7E4:BA�64A�7<:�<A�<G�4F�<9�<G�J8E8�<A�G;8<Enatural environment.

6. Why do you think the live food that will be fed to the dragon needs to be fed and looked after?I think that the live food needs to be fed and looked after because the dragon eats livingfood so it needs to be healthy in order to keep the dragon healthy too.


�� *;4G�<F�G;8�CHECBF8�B9�CHŠ<A:�4�CBJ78E�FHCC?8@8AG�BA�G;8�?<I8�9BB7�589BE8�:<I<A:�<G�GBthe dragon?';8�CHECBF8�B9�CHŠ<A:�4�CBJ78E�FHCC?8@8AG�BA�G;8�?<I8�9BB7�589BE8�:<I<A:�<G�GB�G;87E4:BA�<F�GB�@4>8�FHE8�<G�<F�:8Š<A:�4??�G;8�AHGE<8AGF�<G�A887F�4F�<G�JBH?7�<A�G;8�J<?7�

8. Your friend is going to get a much larger vivarium and put three bearded dragons in there.What would you tell them?I would tell my friend that they should only keep one bearded dragon at a time, becausethey are territorial. The males chase each other from their space and the females biteBś�G;8�GB8F�B9�BG;8E�?<M4E7F�4A7�FB@8G<@8F�><??�G;8@�

9. A bearded dragon has a swollen leg and one of its muscles is twitching. What could bewrong with it, what could have caused it and what might help, until you can get it to areptile expert?If the bearded dragon has a swollen leg and one of its muscles is twitching, it could58�FHś8E<A:�9EB@�4�?46>�B9�64?6<H@��"A8�CEB5?8@�@<:;G�58�G;4G�<G�A887F�4�()�?<:;G�<Athe vivarium in order to make vitamin D in the skin, which helps the storage and useof calcium in the body. Also, it should not be given spinach because this stops calciumbeing absorbed within the body.

�~}� *E<G8�4�78ŜA<G<BA�9BE�846;�B9�G;8F8�JBE7F Diurnal - an animal which is active during the day.

"@A<IBE8�z�4A�4A<@4?�J;<6;�84GF�4A<@4?F�4A7�C?4AGF�

�6GBG;8E@<6�z�4A�4A<@4?�G;4G�HF8F�<GF�8AI<EBA@8AG�GB�6BAGEB?�<GF�5B7L�G8@C8E4GHE8�


Bearded dragons are lizards. They are also known as “beardies” and are one of the most popular lizards in captivity in the UK. Their name comes from the spikey folds of skin around their neck, which inflate and turn black when they are excited or need to defend themselves.

They originally come from the dry scrublands of Australia. In captivity, they need their environment to be as similar as possible to their natural surroundings in the wild.

EnvironmentBearded dragons must be kept in a large glass enclosure called a vivarium. It A887F�GB�58��6@�?BA:�4A7��6@�;<:;�9BE�BA8�7E4:BA��84E7<8F�64A�:EBJ�HC�GB��6@�?BA:�4A7�A887�EBB@�GB�@BI8�4EBHA7�4A7�FGE8G6;�BHG��

Bearded dragons are ectothermic, therefore they use the environment to control their body temperature. They need a warm end of the vivarium and a cool end so that they can move when they need to change their temperature. They like to lie, or bask, on a natural stone near the heat lamp provided. A thermostat must be installed to make sure the temperature remains constant.

SubstrateThe base of the vivarium needs to be covered with a sand and soil mixture, as bearded dragons have a natural instinct to dig. Stone tiles should have ridges to help the reptile grip.


Did You Know?Bearded dragons are diurnal which means they are active during the day.

#4:8��B9��

LightLizards use the ultraviolet light from the sun to make vitamin D in their skin. This is vital for their skin to make calcium and store it in their bodies. A special UV light must be installed in their vivarium.


DietBearded dragons are omnivorous. This means they eat live invertebrates - called live foods - and plants, known as greens. Keep live food in a well ventilated container and feed them the same greens as the dragon so that the lizard gets the nutrition through eating the invertebrates.

If bearded dragons have spinach, it affects the dragon’s ability to absorb calcium into their bodies.

Feeding Tips• Take out any uneaten live foods from the vivarium, as they can bite the

lizard.

• �BI8E�G;8�?<I8�9BB7�J<G;�FHCC?8@8AG�CBJ78E�GB�8AFHE8�G;8�?<M4E7F�:8G�4??�B9�G;8�AHGE<8AGF�G;8L�A887�


watercressrocketcress



cricketslocusts

calciworms

#4:8��B9��

Sunbathing LizardA bearded dragon can be taken outside into the garden on sunny warm days to get natural UV light from the sun. Shade must be available and G;8L must be constantly watched.

Two’s CompanyBearded dragons are very territorial and will chase other males from their space. Females can fight if they are in groups - they have been known to bite the toes of other lizards and sometimes kill them!



• hips will not be sticking out;

• bright colour after basking.



• swollen legs;

• fragile bones;


#4:8��B9��

Questions1. Why are bearded dragons called this?

2. Why do bearded dragons need a large vivarium?

3. How do bearded dragons use the environment to control their temperature?

4. Why do they need a soil and sand substrate?

5. *;4G�@<:;G�;4CC8A�<9�4�()�?<:;G�<FAnG�ŜŠ87�GB�G;8�I<I4E<H@��

6. Explain why the live foods are given the same greens the dragon is given.


7. Give three examples of plants which can be fed to a bearded dragon.

8. Why do the uneaten live foods need to be removed from the vivarium?

9. Describe what the outcome might be if more than one female was kept in the vivarium.

10. Would you want to own a bearded dragon? Explain your thoughts.


Answers1. Why are bearded dragons called this?

Bearded dragons are called this because they have spikey folds of skin around their A86>�J;<6;�<Aŝ4G8�4A7�GHEA�5?46>�J;8A�G;8L�4E8�8K6<G87�BE�A887�GB�7898A7�G;8@F8?I8F�

2. Why do bearded dragons need a large vivarium? Bearded dragons need a large vivarium because they grow to 45cm and like to stretch out and move around.

3. How do bearded dragons use the environment to control their temperature? Bearded dragons use the environment to control their temperature by moving from a cool place to a warmer place.

4. Why do they need a soil and sand substrate? They need soil and sand substrate because they have an instinct to dig and these materials are good for them to dig in.

5. �*;4G�@<:;G�;4CC8A�<9�4�()�?<:;G�<FAnG�ŜŠ87�GB�G;8�I<I4E<H@�� 9�4�()�?<:;G�<F�ABG�ŜŠ87�GB�G;8�I<I4E<H@�G;8�?<M4E7�64AABG�@4>8�I<G4@<A��<A�<GF�F><A�which means it cannot store calcium in its body. It can become very ill without calcium.

6. Explain why the live foods are given the same greens the dragon is given. Live foods are given the same greens as the dragon because then the dragon will get the nutrition of the greens as well as the live food, when they eat it.

7. Give three examples of plants which can be fed to a bearded dragon. ';8�584E787�7E4:BA�64A�58�:<I8A �J4G8E6E8FF�EB6>8G�6E8FF�:E4G87�5HŠ8EAHG�FDH4F;�dandelion, clover and plantain leaves. (Accept any three).

8. Why do the uneaten live foods need to be removed from the vivarium? The uneaten live foods need to be removed from the vivarium because they might bite the bearded dragon.

9. Describe what the outcome might be if more than one female was kept in the vivarium. �9�@BE8�G;4A�BA8�98@4?8�J4F�>8CG�<A�G;8�I<I4E<H@�G;8L�@4L�Ŝ:;G�4A7�G;8A�G;8L�@<:;G�5<G8�846;�BG;8EnF�GB8F�Bś�BE�8I8A�><??�BA8�4ABG;8E�

10. Would you want to own a bearded dragon? Explain your thoughts. Answers will vary.


Pet Care of a Bearded DragonBearded dragons are reptiles. Their name comes from the spikey folds of skin around their neck, which inflate and turn black when they are excited or afraid.

They originally come from the dry scrublands of Australia. Their captive environment needs to be similar to their natural environment.

EnvironmentBearded dragons must be kept in a large glass tank called a vivarium. It needs GB�58��6@�?BA:�4A7��6@�;<:;�9BE�BA8�7E4:BA��84E7<8F�64A�:EBJ�HC�GB��6@�long and need room to move around and stretch out.

Bearded dragons need the vivarium to have a warm end and a cool end, so that they can control their body temperature. Putting a thermostat in the vivarium will make sure the temperature does not change.

These lizards like to dig, so put a mixture of soil and sand, bought from the reptile shop, on the bottom of the vivarium.

Two’s CompanyBearded dragons should not live together as they fight for living space. The males chase each other and the females bite off a rival’s toes!

Did You Know?• Bearded dragons are diurnal which means

they are active during the day.

• They are known as ‘beardies’.

• They originally came from the dry scrublands of Australia.

LightA special light which gives of ultraviolet (UV) rays must be in the vivarium. Bearded dragons use UV light to make calcium in their skin. They would normally get this from the sun in the wild.

#4:8��B9��


DietBearded dragons eat live insects and some plants. They must be fed in the morning so that they can digest their food all day.


watercress rocket cress



cricketslocusts

calciworms



• hips will not be sticking out.


• swollen legs;

• fragile bones;


Sunbathing LizardTake your bearded dragon out into the garden on sunny, warm days. This helps them to get natural UV light from the sun. Make sure there is some shade and remember to watch them all the time.

#4:8��B9��

Questions1. What sort of animal are bearded dragons?

2. What other name do bearded dragons have?

3. What do captive bearded dragons need to be kept in?

4. Why should there be a thermostat in the vivarium?

5. What does UV stand for?

6. Should bearded dragons live together? Explain your answer.

7. When should a bearded dragon be fed?

8. Give three signs of a healthy bearded dragon.

9. Why should you take a bearded dragon out into the garden on sunny days?


CANINECASHFLOW

FOR 7-11 YEAR OLDS

www.learnwithdogtrust.org.uk© Dogs Trust 2019. Registered Charity Numbers: 227523 & SC037843

Maths / PSHE / Citizenship

www.learnwithdogtrust.org.uk CANINE CASHFLOW 2

Teacher’s Notes

ABOUT THIS ACTIVITY

In these activities, pupils will practice their adding, subtraction and multiplication of numbers, and analyse data to find the answers while exploring the costs involved in owning a dog.

This is a maths-based activity, but can also be used as part of a PSHE or Citizenship topic about rights and responsibilities and as a follow-up activity after a visit from one of our Education Officers.

You will need:

Copies of the Vet’s Price List, Doggy Items Price List and answer sheets for each activity.

Age range: 7-11 years Subjects: Maths / PSHE / Citizenship


HOW TO USE THIS ACTIVITY

Activities 2 and 3 are for use with older and/or more able pupils, or could be used as a paired, group or whole class activity.

Activity 1 – A visit to the vet

Pupils use the Vet’s Price List to answer a series of questions about the cost of caring for a dog.

Answers: 1) £255, 2) £375, 3) £120, 4) £344

Activity 2 – Doggy shopping

Pupils use the Doggy Items Price List to locate answers and calculate the cost of things that dogs need.

Answers: 1) £21.00, 2)£0.53

3) Large dog: £37 + £11.20 + £5.99 + £6.49 + £12.99 + £3 = £76.67

Small dog: £18 + £6.50 + £3.49 + £6.49 + £12.99 + £3 = £50.47

3a) Large, 3b) £26.20

Activity 3 – How much does Lulu cost?

The Jones family have adopted Lulu. Pupils answer five questions about how much it has cost the family, and how much they saved on vet bills and basic items by adopting Lulu from Dogs Trust.

Answers: 1) £375, 2) £12, 3) £25, 4) £15.48, 5) £277.48

Teacher’s Notes


A Visit to the Vet

1. Millie takes her small, male dog to the vet to be microchipped, neutered and vaccinated. Calculate the cost of Millie’s visit.

2. Tariq takes his large, female dog to the vet to be microchipped, neutered and vaccinated. Calculate the cost of Tariq’s visit.

3. How much more did Tariq pay for his dog’s treatment than Millie?

4. A dog needs to be given flea and worming treatment every month. How much does it cost to treat a large and a small dog for one year?

£

£

£

£

TASK:

Use the Vet’s Price List to answer the following questions.

5www.learnwithdogtrust.org.uk CANINE CASHFLOW

Vet’s Price List

Large dog

£35.00

£40.00

£200.00

£600

Female: £300.00

Male: £180.00

Small dog

£35.00

£40.00

£144.00

£300

Female: £300.00

Male: £180.00

Microchip

Vaccination

Flea and worming treatment (per year)

Insurance (per year)

Neutering


Doggy shopping

1. Harry’s large dog eats two tins of dog food per day. How much does it cost Harry to feed his dog each week?

2. Sally’s dog has a long coat, which needs grooming every day. She bought a new brush, a dog toy and some dog chocolate. How much change did she get from £10.00?

3. Find the prices, and calculate the totals for this shopping list. First for a large dog and then for a small dog.

£

£

£

ItemItem Large dogLarge dog Small dogSmall dog

Bed

2 x bowls

Collar

Engraved tag

Long lead

3 x treats

TOTAL COST

3a. Which dog costs the most?

3b. How much more does their shopping list add up to?

TASK:

Look at the Doggy Items Price List and answer the following questions.


£1.50 large tin

£37.00 large

£2.4

9

£5.99

large

£3.00

short

£12.99long

£18.00 small

£3.99

£6.49

£2.99

£5.60

large

£3.25

small

79p pouch

£8.99 bag

£1.00

Dog bowls

Dog food

Dry dog food

Dog bed

Dog brush

Dog toy

Dog chocolate

Dog treats

Engraved tag

Dog collar

Dog leads

£3.49small

Doggy Items Price List


How much does Lulu cost?

1. The Jones family adopt a small, adult, female dog called Lulu from Dogs Trust. Dogs Trust neuter, microchip and vaccinate all dogs in their care. How much would this usually cost for Lulu?

2. Lulu will be given one month’s flea treatment and wormer before she leaves. How much would this usually cost for Lulu?

3. Lulu will have one month’s pet insurance free. How much would this usually cost for Lulu?

4. When Lulu leaves Dogs Trust, the Jones family are given a brand new collar and short lead and a bag of dry food for her. How much would these items cost for Lulu if the Jones family had to buy them?

5. The adoption fee at Dogs Trust is £150. How much did the Jones family save on vet bills and basic items by adopting? (Hint: add the previous four prices you worked out together, then subtract the adoption fee.)

£

£

£

TASK:

Use both price lists to answer the following questions.

£

£

Answers1. What sort of animal are bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons are reptiles.

2. What other name do bearded dragons have? Another name that bearded dragons have is ‘beardies’.

3. What do captive bearded dragons need to be kept in? Captive dragons need to be kept in a large, glass tank called a vivarium.

4. Why should there be a thermostat in the vivarium? There should be a thermostat in the vivarium because bearded dragons need to be in a place where the temperature does not change.

5. What does UV stand for? ()�FG4A7F�9BE�H?GE4I<B?8G�?<:;G�

6. Should bearded dragons live together? Explain your answer. !B�584E787�7E4:BAF�F;BH?7�ABG�?<I8�GB:8G;8E�5864HF8�G;8L�Ŝ:;G�9BE�?<I<A:�FC468`G;8�males chase each other/the females bite each other’s toes!

7. When should a bearded dragon be fed? A bearded dragon should be fed in the morning.

8. Give three signs of a healthy bearded dragon. Three signs of a healthy bearded dragon: (accept any three): clear, bright eyes, thick base to their tail; hips will not be sticking out.

9. Why should you take a bearded dragon out into the garden on sunny days? ,BH�F;BH?7�G4>8�4�584E787�7E4:BA�BHGF<78�BA�FHAAL�74LF�GB�:8G�A4GHE4?�()�?<:;G�


pet care of a bearded dragon...pet care of a bearded dragon bearded dragons are lizards. they are...

Documents