Getting 2 Rankin/Lawson Dragons.

[GoredGuar]

Getting two Rankin/Lawson dragons. (on sep 30 - 5 weeks!)

I know they're a type of bearded dragon, but the bearded dragon forum seemed (from the latin name below) only to be for the most well-known variety.

I'd like it if anyone could give me some further information or tips if you have some yourself, it would be greatly appreciated.

... My tank is approximately 3.5 feet long, 2 feet high, and 2 feet wide. Is that ok for them?

I've heard that you cannot feed them spinach - is there any other fruit or veg I should avoid?

 

[Haroldo]

Not to sound rude or anything, but have you asked for information from the person you're buying them from? They are still a lizard kept infrequently and we might all benefit from the info...

 

[beardieman]

here are some things you may not know.
number one they stay small. 11-13 inches full grown
number two you can keep two males in one tank they are social. (i dont suggest keeping male female less you want and can take care of babies.)
they eat the same things that normal beardies do just smaller scale. Basically the same rule. no longer than the space between their eyes

with proper care they live 5-9 years on average
should have light 14 hours a day during the spring and summer months
10 hours a day during fall and winter (this is not required just what they would have naturally)

just like a bearded dragon their basking spot temp should be between 100 and 110 degrees.

here is a care sheet i got a few years ago when i used to own a few rankins (lawsons) dragons lol its awesome when you have things on your comp from years back that can help people still lmao

Rankin's Dragon-Pogona brevis
Origin-Central and western Australia.
Temperment/Handling-Usually docile. A few may require taming.
Hardiness-Fairly easy to breed and maintain in captivity as long as needs are met. Beginners should purchase Rankin's 6weeks and older because they may be a little easier to care for than new borns.
Life Span-Not sure, I would guess much like beardeds being 5-8 years.
Housing-Baby Rankin's dragons should be kept in smaller enclosures about the size of a 10 gallon aquarium. Young Rankin's may nip each others tail and limbs if enough food is not provided. A 20 or 30gal long aquarium is adequate. Substrate-Layers of newspaper, paper towels, reptile carpet, or slate. At night or when temperatures are a little cooler the Rankin's will dig a bed in the corner of their cage. Sand does look nice but baby Rankin's should always be kept on newspaper or paper towels to avoid impaction. Always house lizards of equal size together. Smaller animals may not compete as well for food and basking spots.
Enclosure maintenance-Rankin's enclosures may get a little messy. Papers should be changed as often as possible, removing fecal matter daily. Water should always be fresh. All cage items should be thoroughly cleaned with a dilution of 1part bleach to 30parts water once a month making sure to thoroughly rinse. Check all electrical devices as often as possible to help prevent fire hazards.
Heat/Temp-The basking temp should be 100-110F. Daytime temps should be about 80-85F on cool end of the enclosure. Nighttime temps can drop to about 70F. Temps should be slightly cooler in the wintertime.
Humidity/Water-Rankin's Dragons are a species that prefer a dry environment. Mist once every day and soak them every other day to aid in shedding and keep them hydrated. Babies should be soaked once a day. A water dish should be offered at least three times a week. Rankin's get most of there liquids from the veggies they eat.
Diet/Food-Veggies-Many veggies are suitable for Rankin's. Some of the best include dandelions, collard, mustard, and turnip greens, kale, and other dark greens. Never give iceburg lettuce or romaine lettuce. All vegetables should be thoroughly washed. Insects should be no larger than the width of the head. Insects that are good staples include Hornworms, Phoenix worms, crickets, silk worms, and a large variety of roaches. Babies-should be fed insects 2-3 times daily with greens available at all times. This is the age to start introducing a variety of new items as baby Rankin's are very curious. Babies should be monitored at feeding time to make sure everyone gets their fair share. Juvies-should be fed insects 1-2 times daily, with greens available at all times. Adults-should be fed insects daily or every other day, with greens available at all times. Adults eat a lot fewer insects so more veggies should be offered to accommodate the change in appetite. Remove all free roaming food items if not eaten within 15-20min. Insects will foul water and stress the beardies.

 

[AdamJB]

Where are you gettting them from? Cuz Ive been wanting one for some time now but can't seem to find a breeder...

 

[StinaKSU]

I'd be interested to know where you're getting them from as well!

 

[acpart]

I asked about Rankin's Dragons a few months ago and someone directed me to Sandfire Dragon Ranch. They have adult males listed at $150 on their website and when I emailed them (this was probably in July) they replied that they had some juveniles as well. It might make sense to contact them. (www.sandfiredragonranch.com).

Aliza

 

[beardieman]

i hope the care info i posted helped ya bro.

 

[GoredGuar]

Thanks so much for the care info!

Hmm...I work at the Birmingham Nature Centre on a Saturday, so I asked Adam, (the reptile-house guy) about them. He was rather enthusiastic! So, he's going to show me how to feed, care for lizards next week, ie hands on.....

...Hmmm, Haroldo, I did get info from the storeguy, but...sometimes you can't trust them - they may be telling you a 'rose-tinted' tale. For example, one store I went to said that bearded dragons only cost 3 pounds a week to feed! (I never went there again!)

I come from the UK, Birmingham. Shop I'm buying them from is in King's Heath, and they're 65 english pounds each, bred in Gloustershire.

4 weeks to go! I'm so excited!

 

[Haroldo]

Thanks Brian for posting some info about the species...I intend to get a nice group of them going in the next few years...

GoredGuar, I can understand where you're coming from...I only inquired about info particularly because it is so prevalent nowadays for customers to not hold who they buy from accountable for given them sound advice. Its fine to compare "information pools" but I thought making the comparison public (by reproducing the info you recieved online) might serve some good. There was no way of anyone knowing whether or not you had recieved any care advice and further, whether or not it was of any value.

In any case, thanks all for those who chimed in with some valuable info/resources. And GoredGuar, good luck with your exciting new project. Please post some pics when you get them.

-Harold

 

[GoredGuar]

Sorry if I offended you - I didn't mean to!

...Yesssss, pictures will be posted once I get them. The shopworker is going to give me a half-hour talk before I take them home, so I'll relay some things back to here.

 

[Haroldo]

Sorry if I offended you - I didn't mean to!

...Yesssss, pictures will be posted once I get them. The shopworker is going to give me a half-hour talk before I take them home, so I'll relay some things back to here.

No offense taken...apparently just miscommunication (largely on my part). I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for updates...

 

[leolover2]

If you haven't seen the months issue of reptiles magazine the main article is about rankins dragons. Check that out for additional info to.