Bearded dragons are a popular choice for exotic pet enthusiasts. These lizards come in two varieties, the fancy bearded dragon and the regular bearded dragon. In this article, we will be discussing the differences between the two and exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The fancy bearded dragon is a selectively bred variety of the regular bearded dragon. As the name implies, they are bred for their unique and sometimes bizarre physical characteristics. Their coloration and patterning can range from wild and vivid to subtle and muted.
They have also been bred to have differently shaped heads, tails, and body types. On the other hand, the regular bearded dragon has not been selectively bred and therefore retains its natural physical characteristics.
What Are the Similarities Between Fancy Bearded Dragon and Bearded Dragon?
Both Fancy Bearded Dragon and Bearded Dragon have similar sizes, ranging from 8 to 24 inches. They are generally docile and have a calm temperament, making them good pets. Both dragons can be fed a diet of vegetables, fruits, and insects.
Size
Moving onto the size, both the Fancy Bearded Dragon and the Bearded Dragon are relatively small reptiles. The Fancy Bearded Dragon can grow to around 20-24 inches in length, while the Bearded Dragon can reach up to 24 inches in length. They both have similar shapes and sizes and can make great pets for reptile enthusiasts.
Temperament
Overall, both Fancy Bearded Dragons and Bearded Dragons have similar temperaments. They are known to be gentle, docile creatures. Fancy Bearded Dragons, in particular, are known for their calm and placid behavior, making them a great pet for any reptile enthusiast.
Bearded Dragons are also known for their mellow disposition and can tolerate frequent handling and interaction, though they should not be handled too often or too roughly. They both enjoy spending time with their owners and can become quite attached to them.
Diet
Moving on to the topic of diet, both Fancy and regular Bearded Dragons share a similar dietary requirement. The primary source of a Bearded Dragon’s nutrition is a diet of insects and greens.
Insects such as crickets, mealworms, and cockroaches, should be supplemented with greens such as dandelion greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens as well as occasional vegetables.
Fruits should only be given as a treat, and should not be a regular part of the diet. Both Fancy and regular Bearded Dragons should have their diet supplemented with a multivitamin and calcium powder.
To ensure your Bearded Dragon is receiving the proper nutrition, it’s best to provide a wide variety of food items. Offering different types of insects and greens will provide a better balance of nutrition and help prevent any deficiencies. Additionally, be sure to consult a qualified veterinarian to receive tailored dietary advice.
What Are the Differences Between Fancy Bearded Dragon and Bearded Dragon?
Fancy Bearded Dragons are noticeably larger than their regular counterparts, with a maximum size of 24 inches compared to the standard 16-inch length. Additionally, they differ in physical appearance, with more vibrant colors and patterns.
Lastly, their lifespan is slightly shorter at 8 to 10 years, as opposed to 10 to 12 years for the standard Bearded Dragon.
Size
Having previously discussed the similarities between Fancy Bearded Dragons and Bearded Dragons, it is now important to understand the differences between the two species. One of the main distinctions between the two is size.
The Fancy Bearded Dragon is a smaller species than the traditional Bearded Dragon. Fancy Bearded Dragons reach an average length of 8 to 10 inches, while Bearded Dragons will reach an average length of 12 to 18 inches.
This size difference makes Fancy Bearded Dragons a much better choice for people who are looking for a smaller, more manageable pet. In addition, Fancy Bearded Dragons require less space and are an ideal choice for those who may not have room for a larger reptile.
Appearance
While Fancy Bearded Dragons and Bearded Dragons have numerous similarities, there are also some distinct differences in their appearance. For instance, Fancy Bearded Dragons have generally more vibrant colors than their counterparts.
Fancy Bearded Dragons often have brighter shades of orange, yellow, and red, which can make them stand out amongst a crowd. Furthermore, their scales can be more pronounced, giving them a more regal appearance.
In contrast, Bearded Dragons are usually less vibrant in terms of color, and their scales tend to be less distinct. This gives them a much more muted look compared to their Fancy Bearded Dragon counterparts.
Lifespan
Having discussed the similarities between Fancy Bearded Dragon and Bearded Dragon, it is also important to consider their differences. One way that the two reptiles vary is in their lifespan. While a typical Bearded Dragon can live up to 8-10 years, Fancy Bearded Dragons have been known to live for up to 15 years.
This variance in lifespan can be attributed to the fact that Fancy Bearded Dragons are selectively bred in captivity, and therefore have a much better overall health and resistance to disease. As such, they can live longer than their wild counterparts.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Physical Appearance
Moving on from the differences between Fancy Bearded Dragon and Bearded Dragon, let’s look at their physical appearance. Both types of Bearded Dragons have the same basic body shape and size but there are some subtle differences that set them apart.
The Fancy Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps, has a more vibrant look compared to the Bearded Dragon, Pogona barbata. Its colors are brighter and there are a variety of patterns on its body.
The head and body are usually bright orange or yellow with black stripes, spots, or color variations. This also includes a deep red or pink underbelly. Its tail has vibrant colors and stripes, and its spine may have several horns.
The Bearded Dragon, on the other hand, has a much more muted look. Its colors are not as bright and range from tan to yellow, with darker brown stripes. Its underbelly is usually a grayish-white color. Its tail lacks the vibrant colors and stripes of the Fancy Bearded Dragon and its spine usually does not have horns.
Overall, the Fancy Bearded Dragon has a more distinctive appearance while the Bearded Dragon looks more subtle.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Behavior
Moving away from physical appearance, it is clear that Fancy Bearded Dragons and Bearded Dragons also differ in terms of behavior. It is important to distinguish between these differences in order to determine which type of Bearded Dragon is best suited for your lifestyle.
Fancy Bearded Dragons tend to be more active and energetic than their regular counterparts. This can be seen in their willingness to explore their surroundings, as well as their ability to learn new tricks.
They are also relatively social and enjoy spending time with their owners. Since they are so active, they require larger enclosures with plenty of space for them to explore and play with their toys.
On the other hand, regular Bearded Dragons tend to be more sedentary and may not be as willing to explore their environment. They are also not as social and prefer to spend time alone or in small groups.
They also require less space, as they tend to stay in one spot for most of the day. As such, they may be a better fit for those who don’t have a lot of space or who don’t want to spend as much time interacting with their pet.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Diet
Moving on from behavior, it is also important to consider the diet of the Fancy Bearded Dragon and its regular bearded dragon counterpart. A regular bearded dragon’s diet consists of insects, plants, and fruit, while the Fancy Bearded Dragon’s diet also includes these things, but is more specific.
For example, Fancy Bearded Dragons require more calcium, vitamins, and minerals than regular bearded dragons. Additionally, their meals should be varied and include both live and frozen insects. They should also be given small amounts of vegetables, fruits, and greens, as well as calcium powder to help them stay healthy.
In conclusion, it is important to consider both the diet and behavior of the Fancy Bearded Dragon and regular bearded dragon when making a decision as to which one to get.
The Fancy Bearded Dragon is known for its unique appearance, but it is important to remember that its needs are slightly different and more specific than those of its regular bearded dragon counterpart. With the right diet and care, both Fancy Bearded Dragons and regular bearded dragons can make great pets.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Enclosure
When it comes to the enclosure of a Fancy Bearded Dragon and a Bearded Dragon, there are some key differences to consider.
While both species of lizards require a large enclosure that can accommodate their full-grown size and provide ample space to move around and explore, the Fancy Bearded Dragon’s enclosure should also include hiding spots to provide the creature with a sense of security.
The enclosure for a Fancy Bearded Dragon should mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible. This means that it should include rocks, logs, and other forms of shelter that provide the lizard with a place to hide and feel secure.
It should also have plenty of room to move around and explore, as well as a basking spot with a temperature of 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
In contrast, a Bearded Dragon’s enclosure doesn’t need to provide as much shelter as the Fancy Bearded Dragon’s, as they are more accustomed to open, desert-like environments.
While it should still provide the creature with room to move, explore, and bask, the enclosure should be slightly cooler than the Fancy Bearded Dragon’s, with a temperature of 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Lighting
Moving on from the enclosure, the lighting requirements for fancy and regular bearded dragons are also different. Both types of bearded dragons rely on a good light source to keep them healthy, but fancy bearded dragons need far more specialized lighting than regular bearded dragons.
Fancy bearded dragons need higher UVB levels than regular bearded dragons, so it is necessary to provide them with a UVB bulb. Most pet owners should get a 10.0 bulb, as this is the most common type available and is designed to provide their bearded dragons with the essential UVB they need to stay healthy.
Regular bearded dragons should use the 5.0 UVB bulb instead, which provides them with enough UVB to stay healthy without overloading them.
In addition to the UVB, both types of bearded dragons also need a basking light. This light helps them to regulate their body temperature and provides them with a source of heat, so it is very important to make sure it is set up correctly.
Fancy bearded dragons should have a basking light that is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, while regular bearded dragons can have a slightly cooler basking light of about 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Handling
When it comes to handling a Fancy Bearded Dragon versus a Bearded Dragon, there are some key differences. Fancy Bearded Dragons tend to be more skittish, and they may take longer to adjust to handling.
It’s important to start slowly and work up to more frequent and longer handling sessions. It’s also important to make sure their enclosure is secure, as they may try to escape if given the chance.
In contrast, regular Bearded Dragons may be more tolerant of handling from the start. They may also be less likely to attempt to escape, as they tend to be more content in their environment.
It’s important to take into account the individual personality of the dragon when it comes to handling, as some dragons may be more tolerant of handling than others.
No matter which type of Bearded Dragon you have, it’s important to be gentle with them and to handle them properly. It is recommended to support the entire body instead of just picking them up by the tail, as this can cause injury.
It’s also important to ensure the enclosure is secure when handling them. Be sure to supervise children when they are handling any type of Bearded Dragon.
Fancy Bearded Dragon vs Bearded Dragon: Lifespan
Now that we’ve discussed the handling of Fancy Bearded Dragons and Bearded Dragons, let’s take a look at their lifespans. In general, a Fancy Bearded Dragon can live up to 8-10 years, while a regular Bearded Dragon can live up to 10-12 years.
However, this largely depends on how well the dragon is cared for. If the owner takes good care of their Bearded Dragon, it can live up to 15 years.
The type of food the dragon eats and the amount of exercise it gets will also have an effect on its lifespan. Fancy Bearded Dragons need to eat a balanced diet and should be given plenty of opportunities to exercise.
Regular Bearded Dragons, on the other hand, are more hardy and do not need as much exercise. They also do not require as varied of a diet as Fancy Bearded Dragons.
It is important to note that both types of Bearded Dragons require a high level of care and attention. Regular maintenance and care are essential for any Bearded Dragon to live a long and healthy life.
Proper diet and exercise, as well as regular veterinary checkups, are all important for keeping your dragon healthy and happy.
Conclusion
The Fancy Bearded Dragon and the Bearded Dragon have a lot in common, but they also have several key differences. Both animals require the same basic care, but the Fancy Bearded Dragon requires more specialized attention due to its unique looks.
When considering which type of dragon to adopt, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each species. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the individual’s lifestyle, preferences, and ability to provide the proper care for the pet.
No matter which type of dragon is chosen, it’s important to remember that they both require commitment and responsibility for a long, happy life.
