Not even a week into
school at Har-Bur, we were excited to greet a very special young lady! Skitter,
Connor’s three-year-old bearded dragon, made a visit! Skitter arrived on his
red leash- she enjoys walking with her owner! Skitter attentively and graciously
accepted our gentle touches. We could tell that she was very comfortable in our
room as her beard did not change color to black, her tail was relaxed, and the
spines on her body remained soft. We learned that the spines would turn as
sharp as needles to offer protection should the bearded dragon feel threatened!
We learned many interesting facts. Did you know that bearded dragons need heat and light to digest their food and absorb vitamins (much like a plant with photosynthesis)? Being cold-blooded, Skitter regulates her body temperature by going in and out of the sun/heat lamp. She loves to bask in ninety to one hundred degree temperature areas. She eats fruits and vegetables, and loves crickets for a snack! The crickets are high in fat, so because she is in need of “weight watching” Skitter only occassionally receives this “tasty” morsel!
Skitter’s lucky parents, Hansel and Gretel, had a group of twenty-four babies! After two months of growing in the egg, the babies hatched! Skitter’s visit certainly was exciting!
