A tiny, semi-arboreal species of lizard native to Queensland, Australia, is the rankin’s dragon. Rankin’s dragons are well-known for their calm dispositions, playful tendencies, and tolerance of Handling, which makes them excellent pets.
The rankin’s dragon can survive up to eight years in captivity and is relatively easy to care for.
Rankin’s Dragon: A Summary
| Common name | Rankin’s dragon, rankins dragon, pygmy bearded dragon, black-soiled bearded dragon, Lawson’s dragon, dwarf bearded dragon, dumpy dragon |
| Scientific name | Pogona henrylawsoni |
| Natural habitat | Queensland Australia, dry, arid, warm areas, rocks |
| adult height | around 12 inches |
| typical life span | Maximum 8 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Housing | 4 x 2 x 2 ft vivarium or larger, UVB Lighting, basking spot, shady spot, hides, 82–110°F thermal gradient, 30–40% humidity, 12 hour photoperiod, completely dark in evening |
| Experience | Beginner |
Origin
Native to Queensland in Australia, Rankin’s dragons live in warm, rocky, and arid scrublands. Diurnal, these lizards take pleasure in sunbathing. Despite being uncommon in the pet trade, rankin’s dragons are not regarded as an endangered species because they are reasonably widespread in their natural habitat.
Henry Lawson, an Australian poet and author, is honored by the name of the rankin’s dragon, scientifically known as Pogona henrylawsoni.
Manifestation and conduct
The rankin’s dragon is a small species of lizard that has a round head, a short snout, a slender body, and various brown and gray tones. The backs of Rankin’s dragons are uniquely marked with a bowtie. They are also spiky.
Rankin’s dragons and central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) share a common ancestor. Although they look similar, rankin’s dragons are smaller and live less time than central bearded dragons. The dominant beard is absent from Rankin’s dragons as well, and they get along just fine.
Generally speaking, males have thicker tails and larger heads than females. However, looking under a rankin’s dragon’s tail is the most precise technique to sex one. At the base of their tails, males have a single hemipenal protrusion, while females have two lumps.
All pygmy bearded dragons have piercing eyes, scaly skin, and razor-sharp claws that let them hold onto unforgiving objects like rocks and trees. When in danger, these lizards frequently conceal themselves in vegetation, caverns, or ground fissures.
Size and Duration
With a maximum tail-to-head length of 12 inches and a weight of under one pound, the rankin’s dragon is one of the smallest species in the genus Pogona. Males and females are roughly the same size.
In captivity, Rankin’s dragons can live up to eight years. To increase the likelihood of these lizards surviving, provide them with a food high in protein, a heat gradient, and a UVB bulb.
Temperament
The rankin’s dragon is a mild-mannered species that spends the majority of its time climbing, hiding in crevices, and soaking up the sun. These lizards are friendly and get along well with other members of their own species. When harboring several rankin’s dragons, make sure the females outnumber the males.
The rankin’s dragon is usually calm and accepting of handling, however it has been known to bite when threatened. The bite is comparable to a little, tingling pinch, although it is not fatal and is just moderately unpleasant.
The fun and enthralling actions displayed by Rankin’s dragons include head bobbing and arm waving. The daytime is when this species is most active.
Rankins Dragons’ residence
The rankin’s dragon is an animal that can be found in the rocky, hot, and arid areas of Queensland, Australia. To encourage the lizard to behave naturally and have a long, fulfilling life, simulate the lizard’s natural habitat in the cage.
The rankin’s dragon should be kept in a roomy vivarium.
Case dimensions
A vivarium that is at least 4 x 2 x 2 feet in size and has the breadth and height to accommodate a thermal gradient, a thick substrate, and climbing resources like branches and pebbles is needed for Rankin’s dragons. 15-gallon tanks should be used for juveniles.
Lighting
UVB light is required by Rankin’s dragons for the creation of vitamin D3, which enables them to correctly absorb and utilize calcium.
Include a 10–12% UVB light tube that fills the enclosure’s middle two thirds. To create the illusion of a natural day-to-night cycle, keep the light on for 12 hours each day, with complete darkness in the evening. A UVB should be put underneath the tank cover, and the bulb should be changed every 6 to 12 months.
At one end of the pygmy bearded dragon’s enclosure, a basking lamp needs to be added.
Related Reading: Bearded Dragon Brumation, Bearded Dragon Behaviours Explained,
Thermodynamics and Humidity
For the rankin’s dragon to control its internal body temperature, the enclosure must have a temperature gradient, or a hot and cool end. The enclosure’s warm end must remain between 110 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cool end ought to be close to 82 degrees. At night, the temperature can safely drop to about 75°F.
In order to guarantee that fluctuations are maintained to a minimal, install thermometers on both sides and collect readings every day. Add a ceramic heat emitter if the basking lamp isn’t producing enough heat, but make sure heat sources can’t directly contact the lizard’s skin.
Since they are acclimated to dry climates, Rankin’s dragons prefer environments with a low humidity of 30 to 40%. Low humidity is kept at bay with the aid of cross ventilation and a dry substrate. However, sprinkle the enclosure with water softly if the humidity falls below 30%.
Using a hygrometer, check the humidity level every day. Health problems like breathing infections, mouth rot, and excessive Shedding can be brought on by improper humidity levels.
>>>What do You need to know about Fancy Bearded Dragons?
Substance and Adornment
Rocks, smooth stones, branches, logs, and flora have to be used to swap out the rankin’s dragon’s native environment. Make sure the decorations are dispersed throughout the cage and are not harsh.
These lizards benefit from hiding places that shield them from the sun and heat and help them feel safe. Don’t overcrowd the vivarium, but do include caves, plant pots, and areas of thick vegetation to serve as hiding places. Use strong live plants that can survive high temperatures and are simple to climb.
Slate tiles, reptile carpet, newspaper, and paper towels are examples of appropriate substrates. Because they effectively retain heat and aid in the dragons of Rankin’s wearing down their claws, slate tiles are especially suitable.
Avoid using substrate materials that hold onto moisture or that, if consumed, could result in Impaction (an intestinal blockage). Additionally, stay away from substrates like alfalfa pellets that are hard to clean or promote the formation of mold.
Give the rankin’s dragon a solid, untippable water dish to drink from and take baths in.
Cleaning
daily spot cleaning of the rankin’s dragon vivarium. Clear away contaminated substrate, refill the bowl with new water, and dispose of leftover food and trash. If there is waste or debris inside the water dish, thoroughly rinse it.
To stop the spread of dangerous mold and germs, deep clean your home once a month. After removing the substrate, accents, and foliage, wash the entire enclosure, including the walls, with warm, soapy water. Avoid using soap that has been fragranced. Use a bristles brush to remove stains and grimy crevices, but take care not to scratch the glass of the enclosure.
Before restoring the substrate and giving the decorations back, thoroughly rinse the area and allow it to dry.
While cleaning, move the rankin’s dragon to a temporary confinement. Make sure the separate vivarium is cozy, spotless, and offers lots of places to hide.
Rankins Dragon Care
The rankin’s dragon’s calm demeanor, little stature, and adaptable food make it simple to care for. But the prevention of health problems like metabolic bone condition depends on correct husbandry.
Water and Food
Rankin’s dragons are omnivores that consume a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and insects in their natural habitat. Crickets, dubia roaches, locusts, mealworms, morio worms, leafy collard greens, and finely sliced vegetables like carrots and squash should take the place of the lizard’s varied diet in captivity.
The size of live meals, like crickets, should be smaller than or equal to the distance between the eyes of a rankin dragon. Remove any leftover food to keep the enclosure tidy.
Adult lizards should be fed three times a week with a diet of 20% insects and 80% greens, while juvenile lizards should be fed daily with a diet consisting of 80% insects and 20% greens. Due to the fact that their bodies are still developing, children need more protein.
Add calcium powder and multivitamins to the Rankin’s Dragon diet. Two times a week, or more often if the lizard is young, sprinkle on its diet. Make sure the bearded dragon has access to clean, fresh water at all times. To have less of an impact on humidity levels, the water bowl should be solid, shallow, and placed near the cool end of the enclosure.
The dragons of Rankin are not picky eaters. However, avoid giving these lizards acidic, moisture-rich, or vitamin-deficient veggies like iceberg lettuce, spinach, and onions.
Handling
The dragons in Rankin’s books are calm, kind, and infrequently hostile. These lizards are quite tolerant of handling with the right acclimation.
To acclimate the lizard to being touched, handle the rankin’s dragon from a young age and gradually lengthen the time of contact. To stop the spread of hazardous bacteria like salmonella and the transfer of diseases, always wash your hands before and after handling.
The rankin’s dragon should not be handled by the head, legs, or tail. Instead, carefully pick up the lizard, bearing all of its weight, and place it against your chest. Always proceed slowly and predictably.
Keep Rankin’s dragons inside their habitat for no more than 20 minutes at a time since they require high temperatures to survive. Rankin’s dragons should not be handled if they are anxious, ill, hungry, or shedding.
Typical Health Problems
The average lifespan of Rankin’s dragons is six to eight years, and they are generally in good health. These lizards are however prone to ailments that commonly affect reptiles, such as metabolic bone condition, respiratory infections, mouth rot, and impaction.
(MBD) Metabolic Bone Disorder
a deficiency in calcium compared to phosphorus that results in brittle, broken bones. Bone fractures, appetite loss, lameness, uncoordinated movements, anomalies of the legs, a bloated, softening mouth, and an arched spine are among the symptoms.
Depending on how severe the problem is, different dietary adjustments, higher calcium and vitamin supplements, and intense UVB lighting are usually part of the treatment.
Stomatitis (mouth rot)
an illness with bacteria that impacts the lizard’s mouth and gums. Appetite loss, irritated or degenerating oral tissue, swollen gums, a thick mucus, and excessive nasal or oral drainage are symptoms. Without prompt treatment, mouth rot may spread to the lizard’s lungs and result in pneumonia.
Antibiotics and cleaning the lizard’s mouth with an antiseptic are used as treatments. Oral tissue damage may call for surgery. Ideal enclosure conditions, a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and making sure decorations aren’t abrasive can all help prevent mouth rot.
Respiratory infections
An infection that affects and impairs the lizard’s lungs and is brought on by fungi, bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Nasal discharge, tiredness, shallow, fast breathing, open mouth breathing, and weight loss are among the symptoms.
Veterinarian treatment should be given to infected lizards. Depending on the infection’s underlying cause, medication may be administered. It’s important to maintain a warm environment in the enclosure, ideally at the top end of the bearded dragon’s optimum temperature range.
Impaction
when a bearded dragon develops a blockage in its gut or intestines. Regurgitation, lameness, constipation, appetite loss, leg tremors, a large tummy, and a noticeable bulge are all signs of impaction. Treatment options include a warm bath or a drop of olive oil, and if symptoms don’t go away, surgery or an enema.
Impaction is related to inadequate husbandry, like the majority of diseases in reptiles. The lizard may switch to feeding on substrate and debris, which are both difficult to digest and significantly increase the danger of impaction, if it doesn’t get enough nutrients and vitamins.
Shedding
Tight skin, a dull or white colour, lethargy, and a decrease in appetite are all indicators that a rankin’s dragon is going to shed. Avoid violently removing the shedding skin because doing so could inflict excruciating pain and increase the lizard’s risk of infection.
Juveniles shed every few weeks, whereas adults shed a few times a year.
To make sure there is enough moisture in the air for the lizard to shed easily, lightly spray the vivarium.
Breeding
In optimum enclosure settings, rankin’s dragon males and females easily reproduce. When the lizards are at least 18 months old and have experienced brumation, they are ready to breed.
When the female is ready, the male will mount her and implant his hemipenes (reproductive organs) into her cloaca after engaging in courtship activities such head bobbing, arm waving, open mouth breathing, and foot stomping. The mating ritual is brief and usually only takes a few minutes.
After mating, place a nesting box at one end of the enclosure—a secure, 10-gallon space where the female can lay her eggs. With a warm, moisture-rich substrate, such as damp soil, keep the box humid. Within a few months, a gravid female will lay a clutch of between 15 and 24 eggs.
Take out the eggs and incubate them for up to 70 days in a container at a temperature of 82 to 86°F with 80% humidity. To assist their growth, rankin’s dragon eggs should be kept in small aquariums and fed a diet high in protein.
How to Choose and Purchase a Rankins Dragon
The price range for Rankin’s dragons is $100 to $400. These lizards are normally only accessible online, at expos, or through private breeders; they are not frequently encountered in pet stores. Size, age, and breeder can all affect price.
While more expensive, purchasing from a respected breeder is the safest choice because the lizard is far more likely to be healthy and well-acclimatized. A rankin’s dragon with good colouring and activity levels is healthy. Avoid purchasing lizards with skinny, listless bodies or dull eyes.
