How to Care for Your Bearded Dragon
A Basic Guide to Bearded Dragon Care
Bearded dragons are some of the most fun indoor pets you can have. They have a lively, funny, curious temperament and don’t take up as much space as a dog or cat. But that doesn’t mean they’re easier (or cheaper) to own.
The first step in getting a bearded dragon is to research, research, research. If you’re new to caring for reptiles, there is a lot to get used to. But don’t feel overwhelmed. In this article, we’ll lay out the basics to get you started. From where to get a bearded dragon to setting up its habitat to care and feeding, this broad overview will give you an idea of what you need, and how to successfully take care of your new scaly friend.
Let’s jump in.
Upfront Costs
For starters, where should you get a bearded dragon, and what should it cost? We strongly recommend not buying from big box stores, as they usually breed their lizards in poor conditions.
Online breeders can be more reliable, but be sure to read up on how they take care of the animals and how they ship. Reptile shows are by far the best place to find a reptile pet overall, but be sure to look for health problems: missing toes, lethargy, foggy eyes, and malnourishment.
In general, you should expect to pay anywhere from $50 to well over $100 for a bearded dragon. But that’s really just the beginning of the cost. The true expense is in setting up its habitat and taking good care of it- especially if (or rather, when) you need to take it to the vet.
Expect to pay $500 or more for your beardy’s habitat and gear. Monthly costs of feeding can be fairly low, especially if you start a colony of feeder insects. But assuming $80 per month or so, plus vet visits, isn’t outrageous.
Bearded Dragon Needs
Bearded dragons (genus Pogona) are native to central and coastal Australia, meaning they like it hot and fairly dry. They are diurnal, meaning awake during the day. Their diet consists of vegetables and insects, and they need lots of both protein and calcium. Juveniles are typically more carnivorous, and grow to eat more vegetables in adulthood.
Creating a Habitat
This is what you need to create the right condition for a bearded dragon:
A Vivarium
Your beardy’s vivarium is its home. Adults need about 4x2x2 feet of space, or a 120 gallon aquarium. These are fairly easy to find used, if you’re trying to save money. Just don’t skimp on space.
Substrate
Next, you need to fill the vivarium with stuff. This helps a ton when cleaning. For beginners, the best option is newspaper. It’s cheap, easy to get, and easy to replace when cleaning.
A Hide and a Basking Spot
Your beardy also needs a cozy place to relax, where they know they are safe from predators. There are plenty of caves or logs available at the pet store that work well for this. It also needs a spot to bask under the heat lamp. You’re looking for a medium to large rock that will retain heat well. This is another pet store purchase.
Food Bowls
You want two food bowls in the vivarium: one for veggies and one for bugs. You can get these at the pet store. It’s also noteworthy that bearded dragons usually need calcium supplements for their feeder insects. Get one with calcium, D3 supplement, and multivitamins.
Heat and Light
Setting up heat and light sources can be delicate. Especially for beginners, we recommend not using a heating pad. Bearded dragons don’t feel pain on their bellies and can burn themselves accidentally on them. Don’t use coil or compact UVB lights either, they’re too intense.
Instead, the best option is a UV or white light heat lamp. Set the lamp over the basking rock outside the vivarium so your lizard can’t get to it. When your beardy is a baby, their basking rock needs to be kept at 105° and 110°F during the day. Adults prefer lower temps- 100° to 105°F. At night, the temp should be lower- between 70° and 75°F. You can easily keep an eye on the basking rock’s temperature with a laser temperature gun.
Humidity
Bearded dragons like dry climates, but too dry is still a bad thing. You want 20-40% humidity for your beardy’s health. If it’s too high, you can add a dehumidifier. If it’s too low, add a water dish. Don’t use a fogger to increase humidity because it will no doubt overshoot the optimal humidity.
Feeding and Nutrition
As we mentioned, bearded dragons need veggies and bugs. Juveniles need more protein (a 50/50 ratio of plants to bugs), adults need more plants. There are lots of options for feeder insects. Dubia roaches are a solid option for their nutritional value and how easy they are to keep. We’re also big fans of black soldier flies as feeder insects. How many to give your pet depends on its age, so read up depending on how old your beardy is.
You should also keep greens available in the vivarium at all times. A bearded dragon with a healthy appetite will eat four to five times a day. Some of their favorite veggie foods are: leafy greens like collards, dandelion, mustard, and turnips, yellow, acorn and butternut squash, green beans, snap peas, sweet potatoes, mango, papaya, and bananas.
Whatever you do, be sure not to give your beardy pinky mice, mealworms, lettuce, fireflies, avocados, and rhubarb, for different reasons. Rhubarb, avocados, and fireflies are all poisonous to bearded dragons and potentially deadly.
Bathing and Cleaning
Last, you will need to clean your beardy’s vivarium and give them the occasional bath. Spot clean (remove feces and uneaten food) the vivarium daily, of course. But it’s also wise to do a deep clean once a month.
Bathing is also important for your beardy’s hygiene. Be sure to use a clean container and warm, clean water without soap.
Those are the basics! Our in-depth guide is a great resource to continue learning about bearded dragon care.