I never thought I’d fall in love with a dragon, but it happened. Meet Yogi, my little Dragly Wagly Inland Bearded Dragon – the prettiest, sweetest, and most loving animal on earth! I can already hear you asking, “You own a dragon?” Yes, you do.

Yogi isn’t a fire-breathing cartoon dragon or even a Komodo dragon. She’s a unique desert breed from Australia with special needs, and my daughter adopted her to give to my son as a birthday gift. But, as children do, my son decided it was too much responsibility and that’s how Yogi came into my life. I invested $300 to provide her with the necessary equipment to thrive in New Jersey, where the climate is very different from her native land.

Keeping Yogi’s room at the right temperature is crucial , as is proper lighting. It quickly became clear that my son wasn’t up to the task, and I became the proud owner of my new baby. Caring for an exotic animal takes diligence, but it’s not difficult. For bearded dragons, a complete diet includes live food, a generous mix of calcium-rich greens, and fruit.

I remember the tough winter we had a few years back – getting meals and wax worms was a real challenge. During a particularly wet spring, it was a struggle to keep Yogi interested in dining. But we made it through those difficult seasons, and when the next spring arrived, Yogi and I were blissfully sunning ourselves in her garden out back while I tended to the plants.

Bearded dragons require water and a specialized mix of ultraviolet light provided by sunshine and special lights in their tanks. It’s crucial to ensure they have an appropriate mix of ultraviolet and blue night lamps to maintain a constant temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. While yellow light is fine during the day, it is important not to use heat blankets placed under the tank, which can burn the animals. Remember, sand gets hot!