The
bearded dragon was in such a bad state of health that police officers initially thought he was also dead.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Justine Hermon said: "It looked as though the
bearded dragon had been tipped out of something as he was surrounded by some wood shavings that looked to have been used at the bottom of the vivarium.
Spike the Animal Man with Kelsie Ashcroft, three, from Blackheath, with a
bearded dragon and python
"Like most
bearded dragons, he chills most of the day, except for feeding and sleeping times.
Among the exotic animals the RSPCA was called about in Shropshire last year was the
bearded dragon, which was dumped in a shoebox near Telford.
Top of the list, as they have been for several years running, are the
bearded dragons. Easy to care for, friendly and affable, beardies have become a sure-fire thing within the reptile trade.
Dylan, aged 9, asked "What colour does it [the
bearded dragons beard] change into?" Which gave a fascinating answer from ranger Hannah who replied: "When they are angry the beard goes black as a warning to keep away, but when the male finds a girlfriend it turns orange and he dances."
Molly, who is currently on the National Certificate in Animal Care, said: "For my project I studied the effect of enrichment on the mental and dietary health of captive
bearded dragons.
Steve and Dexter Five-year-old
Bearded Dragon and five-month-old Chihuahua, owned by Karen Cumming
The children have been studying dragons and as Holly McKenzie from Year 5 had a
bearded dragon as a pet they invited him to school for a little holiday.
It turned out that when these
bearded dragons' eggs were incubated in a warmer environment, they were born a little slow.
EastEnders Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri BBC A new family, the Taylors, with Bronson the dog and Rooney the
bearded dragon, climb out of their van as they arrive in the Square.