Our elderly bearded dragons, Spyro, Toothless, and Melbourne, are retiring from the classroom and Ambassador Animal status. Guests will still be able to visit their habitat in the Conservation Learning Center while the bearded dragons enter their next stage of development: their golden years.
Reid Park Zoo is home to three bearded dragons. One male named Spyro, and two females Toothless, and Melbourne or Mel for short. Over the years in their roles as Ambassador Animals, the bearded dragons have taught children and adults about amazing animal adaptations, what makes a reptile a reptile, and how desert animals survive.
In September, their care team noticed that the bearded dragons were not easily climbing onto the higher perches. Soon afterward, Toothless was diagnosed with arthritis by our Zoo Veterinarians. To support their wellbeing their care team decided to make habitat modifications, including sloped branches that are easier to climb and kinder to their joints. They added additional specialized UV lighting, which creates hot spots that the bearded dragons can bask in, to provide even more comfort zones. Even with these adaptations, the decision was made to move Toothless to enjoy a private habitat in the Zoo’s Health Center for the foreseeable future.
Reid Park Zoo is dedicated to whole-life care, meaning our animal care team works to ensure animals have what they need to thrive in every stage of their development. With regular check-ups with Zoo’s veterinarians, our care team will continue to make accommodations as needed in their old age.
Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptiles to keep as pets. Just like elderly dogs and cats, lizards go through different life stages and may need extra care as they get older. Before adopting a pet lizard, it is important to make sure that you can provide appropriate habitat structures, temperature/humidity, specialized UV lighting, and nutrition to support a long, happy, and healthy life. Researching reputable sources and consulting a veterinarian are great ways to learn more before making the decision to care for any reptile!
