Bearded Dragon Care: Diet, Types & All you Need to Know
The bearded dragon is one of the most popular reptile pets worldwide, and for good reason. These calm, curious, and easy-to-handle lizards are perfect for beginners and reptile enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re thinking about adopting one or you’re already a proud owner, this comprehensive guide covers everythingyou need to know about these fascinating creatures, including housing, diet, behavior, health, and more.
Bearded dragons, native to Australia, are desert-dwelling lizards known for their ability to puff out the spiky beard under their chin. This behavior, often accompanied by a change in color, is used for communication or defense. I would say this is the most interesting thing on these animals
Facts About Bearded Dragons:
Some general information of this animal:
Scientific Name:
Pogona vitticeps
Natural Habitat:
Arid and semi-arid regions, including deserts, savannahs, and shrublands
Lifespan:
8–12 years in captivity (with proper care)
Adult Size:
16–24 inches (40–60 cm), including the tail
Weight:
250–500 grams (adult healthy weight)
Temperament:
Calm, non-aggressive, and sociable
Buying Your Bearded Dragon
Where to Buy a Bearded Dragon
You can purchase a bearded dragon from a lot of different places, here are the most popular ones:
🐉 Reputable Breeders: The best option to ensure a healthy dragon with proper genetics.
🏪 Pet Stores: Ensure they meet proper care standards before purchasing.
🏠 Reptile Rescues: A great way to adopt and save a bearded dragon in need.
What to Look for When Buying:
If you go buying your bearded dragon to a pet store, these are good signs to make sure your bearded dragon is healthy before buying it:
👀 Clear, Bright Eyes: Ensure the dragon’s eyes are alert and free from discharge.
🐉 Smooth, Clean Scales: Check for a healthy appearance without visible injuries or scars.
🍑 Well-Fed Tail Base: Look for a plump tail base; avoid dragons with thin or bony tails.
🦎 Active and Responsive Behavior: A healthy dragon should react to movement and show curiosity.
🚫 Free from Signs of Illness: Avoid dragons with mites, discolored skin, or labored breathing.
The cost of Owning a Bearded Dragon:
These costs can vary a bit depending on some things like the morph or the enclosure you want to create for your dragon, but in general I would say a bearded dragon is not the cheapest but not an expensive pet at all.
💵 Initial Setup: Costs for the terrarium, lighting, and accessories range between $200–$500.
🍽️ Monthly Expenses: Food, supplements, and electricity typically cost $30–$50.
🩺 Veterinary Care: Occasional checkups or treatments can cost anywhere from $50–$150, depending on the need.
Check our complete comparison between the best places, best prices, advantages and disadvantages and all you need to know to buy your bearded dragon.
A well-designed terrarium is essential to mimic their natural environment. And, actually it is really fun to set it up from my point of view.
Bearded Dragon Tank Size:
The size of the tank of your bearded dragon may vary depending on the morph. Asking before buying your bearded dragon is usually the most recommended thing to do.
🐣 Hatchlings: Require a tank size of 20 gallons (minimum).
🦎 Juveniles: Need a larger tank of at least 40 gallons.
🐉 Adults: Should have a spacious tank of 55 gallons or larger to ensure comfort and proper enrichment.
Heating and Lighting:
These temperatures and lighting may vary depending on the morph. You can check specific indications on our website or ask before buying your bearded dragon.
☀️ Basking Spot: Maintain a temperature of 95–110°F (35–43°C) to allow proper thermoregulation.
🌡️ Cool Zone: Ensure a gradient with a cooler area at 75–85°F (24–29°C).
🌙 Nighttime Temperature: Keep temperatures above 65°F (18°C) to avoid stress or illness.
💡 UVB Light: Necessary for calcium absorption and prevention of metabolic bone disease. Replace UVB bulbs every 6–12 months.
Decor and Substrate:
I think this might be the most fun part of creating the enclosure for your bearded dragon. Take your time to make a fun enclosure for your bearded dragon, choosing the best decoration!
🪨 Rocks and Logs: Provide climbing opportunities and basking spots to mimic their natural environment.
🛖 Hides: Include caves or shelters for privacy and security.
🪴 Safe Substrate: Use reptile carpet, tiles, or paper towels. Avoid loose substrates like sand, especially for juveniles.
💧 Humidity Control: Maintain humidity levels between 20–40% to replicate desert conditions.
If you want to know how to create the perfect enclosure for your bearded dragon visit our article where we show you how to do it!
Bearded dragons have fascinating behaviors that allow them to interact with their environment and owners.
Common Behaviors:
Bearded dragons have some really funny reactions and “dances,” as I like to call them. I would say they have the most funny dance in the reptile world.
🧔 Beard Puffing: A defense or dominance display where the dragon puffs out its beard.
🏋️ Head Bobbing: Often seen in males, this signifies dominance.
👋 Arm Waving: A sign of submission or recognition of another dragon.
🪟 Glass Surfing: Indicates stress or boredom, often from seeing their reflection.
Social Interaction:
Bearded dragons are really friendly, I’m sure you would have fun with them!
🤝 Owner Recognition: Bearded dragons can recognize their owners and may show excitement when they see you.
🦎 Solitary Animals: Bearded dragons are naturally solitary and do not require companions.
💕 Seeking Attention: They enjoy interaction and may approach their owner when they want attention.
Do you want to know more about the behavior of this curious animal? Just check this article where we show you how funny this animals can be.
Breeding requires specific conditions to ensure success. This is an interesting but hard task, so make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Steps to Breeding:
In general, these are the steps to follow if you want to go through this process correctly. However, we strongly recommend asking a professional if you are new to this task.
1️⃣ Ensure Maturity: Make sure both the male and female are healthy and at least 18 months old.
2️⃣ Provide a Nesting Box: Create a warm, safe space for the female to lay eggs, filled with soft substrate like moist sand or soil.
3️⃣ Monitor Mating: Observe their interaction to ensure the mating process is successful and stress-free.
4️⃣ Incubate Eggs: Place the eggs in an incubator at 82–86°F (28–30°C) with proper humidity. The incubation period is typically 60–90 days.
5️⃣ Prepare for Hatchlings: Set up a smaller enclosure with appropriate lighting and food for the hatchlings once they emerge.
If you are interested in this topic, here you have some more information about breeding bearded dragons.
