Bearded dragon is a gentle soul
Diablo loves raspberries and grooves to good tunes
Most adoring pet owners would do anything for their cherished companions, but could they speak for their furry or feathered or finned friends and tell us what they are thinking? To find out, we’re putting pet owners to the test with the personality questionnaire made famous by French novelist, Marcel Proust. Meet Katrina Maurer and Diablo.
Native to Australia, bearded dragons are accustomed to basking year-round in the hot, arid outback. Despite being born in the Great White North, Diablo is quite content to spend his days in a sizable glass terrarium at the High Park Nature Centre, replete with his own private heat lamp and large, weathered rock for snoozing under.
At age 13, Diablo is a senior — and a decidedly picky eater. He prefers arugula to lettuce. “We actually have to hand-feed him mealworms, which would be like a human eating nothing but bacon,” says Maurer.
Diablo would prefer people embrace the misperceptions around bearded dragons being intimidating, spiky and aggressive. He likes to keep his soft, scaly skin and charming nature under wraps.
“Puffing out his beard looks scary but it’s really just for show,” Maurer says. What or who is the greatest love of Diablo’s life?
Raspberries. When he eats them he gets them all over his lips and it looks like he’s wearing lipstick. What does Diablo consider his greatest achievement?
He caught a cricket a couple of years ago and he was pretty happy about that. He’ll rest on that laurel for years. If Diablo were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Hercule Poirot (the fictional detective created by famed English novelist Agatha Christie). Diablo is very thoughtful and observant and they’re both very methodical and slow. What is Diablo’s idea of perfect happiness?
To be sitting high up on a warm rock without seeing his own reflection (in the glass walls of his enclosure).
He sees his reflection this time of year and thinks it’s a competing bearded dragon and he tries to dominate — so the dance that they do, they do it together and then he
works himself up. What is Diablo’s most marked characteristic?
He’s very easygoing. He’s not aggressive at all — only to his reflection.
With people he’s very gentle and I think that’s what’s special about him. (Bearded dragons) make wonderful pets. What does Diablo most value in his friends?
Patience. Which talent would Diablo most like to have?
Dancing. His head bobbing goes really well with dance music so it looks like he’s popping and locking (a popular street dance move). Who are Diablo’s favourite writers?
Agatha Christie. And food critics. He’s interested in knowing a lot about food. Although, sometimes when we try to feed him and he’s just not into it — instead of moving his body away he’ll just close his eyes and pretend we’re not there. Who are Diablo’s heroes in real life?
Houdini, our red-eared slider turtle, because of his adventurous spirit. He’s fast compared to Diablo. There’s the hare, the turtle and then there’s Diablo. What is Diablo’s motto?
Slow and steady. And always be ready. If you know exactly what your pet is thinking, email us at petpsyche@gmail.com and tell us why they should be profiled.