08/01/2021
The baby bearded dragons are getting big fast. If you are thinking of getting one, please look over the bearded dragon care sheet.
BEARDED DRAGON CARE SHEET
Bearded Dragon Lifespan
Average captive lifespan is between six and 10 years, though there are reports of specimens living twice that long.
Bearded Dragon Caging Tips
While a hatchling dragon could live in a 20-gallon long aquarium for a short time, it will quickly need a larger enclosure. A 40-gallon breeder aquarium or equal-sized enclosure is the minimum requirement for an adult dragon. A screen lid should be used for proper ventilation. During warm weather bearded dragons can be kept in outdoor cages. Be sure the outdoor enclosure provides both sunny basking areas and shady retreats, as well as shelter from rain. Having access to the sun outdoors provides healthy UV. Bearded dragons like to climb, so some sturdy branches and rocks are welcome in their enclosures.
Bearded Dragon Lighting and Temperature
Bearded dragons like it hot. A basking site of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit works well for adults but keeping the basking point around 115 degrees for babies, helps keep their immune systems up. The basking site can be provided by a spotlight positioned over a rock, branch, etc. at one end of the enclosure. Keeping the spotlight at one end of the cage will allow your dragon to thermoregulate (move between a cooler end of the enclosure and the hotter end with the basking area). The cooler end of the enclosure can be kept at about 75-80 degrees.
In addition to the basking spotlight, provide full-spectrum UVB (ultraviolet) lighting over the rest of the enclosure. This lighting is critically important for dragons that are kept indoors, as it assists them in synthesizing vitamin D3, which aids in calcium absorption. There are many types of lights available. Make sure to never buy the coil uvb bulbs. The tube uvb bulbs come in tropical (5.0) or desert (10.0). Bearded dragons require the desert 10.0. Mounting the UVB on the underside of the lid with wire is best so that there isn’t anything blocking the uvb from getting to the dragon. Make sure that the uvb fixture you purchase has a reflector. Never place uvb so that the light will hit the dragons eyes horizontally.
Heat can also be provided using ceramic heat emitters. Never use under the tank heat or heat rocks with bearded dragons. They cannot feel heat on their belly and will not know to move if it gets too hot, possibly causing severe burns. Keep a thermometer in the enclosure to track the cage temperature. At night, all lights should be off. The tank can go down to about 65 degrees. If the tank is getting cooler than that overnight, you can use a ceramic heat emitter.
Bearded Dragon Substrate
Sand is not recommended for keep young bearded dragons on, or any other kind of loose substrate. Newspaper, paper towel, reptile carpet, slate, or tile are the best options. .
Adult bearded dragons can be kept on these same substrates. Sand mixed with clean soil that has not been treated with any fertilizers, pesticides, etc., or excavator clay can also be used with adult bearded dragons.
If you keep your bearded dragons on a sand mix, reduce the risk of impaction by offering food in a shallow dish rather than placing it directly on the substrate.
Female adult bearded dragons (usually 1year +) should be offered a sand box of either play sand or play sand /soil mix at least 6 inches deep, in case they need to lay eggs.
*Some bearded dragons will produce infertile eggs as early as 9 months old, others may never produce them, but it is best to be prepared just in case.
Bearded Dragon Food
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both animal and plant matter. Insects, such as crickets, dubia roaches, phoenix worms, and super worms, should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement and calcium with D3. Dusting can be achieved by placing the insects in a plastic bag with some of the powder, and shaking the bag to lightly coat the insects prior to offering them to your lizards.
Also offer bearded dragons chopped veggies (such as green peppers, zucchini, carrots, etc.), greens (collard, mustard, turnip, dandelion, etc.) and fruit (kiwi, banana, mango, berries, etc.). Use healthy, vitamin-rich items; sprinkle the appropriate amount of powdered supplements on these foods, too. Avoid iceberg lettuce because it is not nutritious. You can also add some commercially available foods from the major reptile product manufacturers as well. These foods are formulated specifically for the bearded dragon and can be a great addition to the fresh foods that your bearded dragon eats every day.
Water for Your Bearded Dragon
Mist young bearded dragons using a water spray bottle; they’ll lick water droplets off cage walls, rocks, etc., as well as themselves. Don’t overdo it; you don’t want their enclosure to get too wet and become humid. Offer water in a dish that is large enough for them to soak. Be sure to keep this dish and the water in it clean. Spraying some water on their salad can provide a little extra hydration also.
Bearded Dragon Handling and Temperament
Bearded dragons are generally quite docile and will tolerate handling better than other lizard species. This is especially true of adults that have spent their entire lives in captivity (of course, there may be exceptions). It’s not unusual to see fat and happy bearded dragons lounging with or perched on their owners’ shoulders.