Rankin's Dragon

The Rankin's dragon, also called the Lawson's dragon or black soil dragon, is a small Australian agamid closely related to the bearded dragon but topping out around 10–12 inches instead of 18–24. Like bearded dragons, they're omnivores whose diet shifts from mostly insects as hatchlings to mostly vegetables as adults — but because Rankin's dragons are smaller at every life stage, feeder insects and portions need to be scaled down, not simply copied from a bearded dragon plan.

What to Feed

Dubia roaches are the best staple (soft-bodied, easier digestion). Mealworms/superworms are occasional additions, not daily staples — a tougher chitin exoskeleton is harder on a small dragon's gut, so reserve for larger juveniles/adults. Dark leafy greens daily (skip lettuce). Waxworms sparingly (high fat).

Feeding Schedule

• Hatchling (0–3 mo): insects 2–3x/day — X-Small dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week), roughly 80/20 insects to vegetables
• Juvenile (3–12 mo): insects 1–2x/day — Small dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week), shifting to roughly 60–70/30–40
• Sub-adult (~12–18 mo): insects several times/week — Medium dubia roach nymphs (about 50/week), roughly 40–50/50–60
• Adult (18 mo+): insects 3–4x/week — Medium dubia roach nymphs (about 25–50/week), weighted toward vegetables (sources range 20–40% insects; lean toward the lower end)

Gut-Loading & Dusting

Gut-load 24–48 hours before feeding. Dust with calcium at most feedings for hatchlings/juveniles, 3–4x/week for adults. Plain (D3-free) calcium for most dustings; calcium+D3 or multivitamin 1–2x/week under proper UVB.

Note: no dedicated vet-school or species-specific care sheet exists for Rankin's dragon — the calcium/D3 protocol above was cross-checked against genus-level Pogona vitticeps (bearded dragon) sources rather than a Rankin's-specific study.

Common Mistakes

• Carrying juvenile insect ratios into adulthood (obesity/fatty liver risk)
• Mealworms/superworms too large or too frequent for young dragons (impaction risk)
• Insects wider than the dragon's head
• Unsupervised live insects left in the enclosure overnight (bite risk)