Complete Bearded Dragon Care Guide

Everything you need to know to keep your bearded dragon healthy and happy

Why Bearded Dragons Make Great Pets

Bearded dragons are one of the best reptiles for both new and experienced keepers. These calm, friendly lizards enjoy human interaction and are relatively easy to care for when you understand their basic needs. With proper care, your bearded dragon can live 10-15 years and become a wonderful companion.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from setting up the perfect habitat to daily care routines.

Getting Started: What You'll Need

Before bringing your bearded dragon home, you'll need to set up their habitat. Every bearded dragon needs a 40-gallon tank minimum (though 75-120 gallons is better for adults), a UVB lighting system, a basking light and fixture, a digital thermometer with probe, substrate like tile or paper towels, food and water dishes, and hiding spots with climbing branches. Adult bearded dragons can reach 18-24 inches long, so a larger tank gives them room to exercise and helps maintain proper temperature zones.

Setting Up the Perfect Home

Tank Size and Layout

Your bearded dragon's tank should be at least 40 gallons for juveniles, but adults need 75-120 gallons. Longer tanks work better than tall ones because bearded dragons are ground-dwellers who love to roam.

Your tank needs two main areas. The basking spot is the warm end where your dragon will spend most of the day soaking up heat. The cool zone provides a slightly cooler area for when they need to regulate their temperature. This temperature gradient lets your dragon move between zones to stay comfortable, just like they would in their natural desert habitat.

Lighting: The Most Important Factor

Bearded dragons need two types of lighting to stay healthy. Understanding these lighting needs is critical because poor lighting is the number one cause of health problems in captive bearded dragons.

UVB lighting is absolutely essential for your dragon's health. Choose a tube-style UVB bulb that covers about two-thirds of the tank length. Mount it inside the tank, 6-8 inches from your dragon's basking spot. Keep the lights on for 12-14 hours daily to mimic natural day cycles. Here's the important part: replace the bulb every 6-12 months, even if it still glows. UVB output decreases over time, even when the visible light remains bright. Without proper UVB lighting, bearded dragons develop metabolic bone disease, a serious condition that causes weak bones and deformities.

Your basking light provides warmth. A regular incandescent bulb or ceramic heat emitter works well for this. The goal is to create a basking temperature of 95-110°F for adults. Juveniles need slightly higher temperatures, around 100-115°F, because they're still growing and have faster metabolisms.

Temperature Zones

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so they rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature. Your tank needs a temperature gradient with the basking spot at 95-110°F for adults or 100-115°F for juveniles. The cool side should stay between 75-85°F during the day. At night, temperatures can safely drop to 65-75°F.

Use digital thermometers with probes to monitor temperatures accurately. Stick-on thermometers often give incorrect readings and can leave you guessing about whether your setup is right.

Substrate Choices

The bottom of your tank needs safe, easy-to-clean substrate. Ceramic tile is an excellent choice because it's easy to clean, holds heat well, and naturally wears down your dragon's nails. Paper towels work great too, especially for quarantine or young dragons. They're simple and cheap to replace. Reptile carpet is reusable but needs regular washing to stay sanitary.

Avoid sand, which can cause impaction if your dragon accidentally eats it while hunting food. Wood chips or bark are too dusty and can harbor bacteria. Gravel or small rocks pose a choking hazard and should never be used.

Daily Care and Feeding

What Bearded Dragons Eat

Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and insects. Their diet changes dramatically as they grow. Juveniles under one year old need about 80% insects and 20% vegetables. Feed them insects daily and vegetables every other day. Offer as many insects as they can eat in 10-15 minutes.

Once your dragon reaches adulthood (over one year old), flip that ratio. Adults need 20% insects and 80% vegetables. Feed vegetables daily and insects just 2-3 times per week. This shift happens because adult dragons have slower metabolisms and need more fiber to maintain healthy digestion.

Best Food Choices

The best insect options include dubia roaches, which offer excellent nutrition, and crickets, which are widely available at most pet stores. Black soldier fly larvae and silkworms are also great choices that most dragons enjoy.

For daily vegetables, focus on nutrient-rich greens like collard greens and mustard greens. Add variety with squash, bell peppers, and shredded carrots. These vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals your dragon needs to stay healthy.

Occasional treats like blueberries, strawberries, mango, and dandelion flowers add enrichment to your dragon's diet. Keep these to once or twice a week since fruits are high in sugar.

Never feed iceberg lettuce, which has almost no nutritional value. Avocado and rhubarb are toxic to bearded dragons and should always be avoided. Don't feed wild insects either, as they may carry parasites or pesticides.

Supplements

Dust insects with calcium powder before feeding to prevent metabolic bone disease. Use calcium with D3 about 2-3 times per week, and calcium without D3 on other feeding days. Add a multivitamin powder once per week. This supplementation schedule ensures your dragon gets all the nutrients they need, especially if UVB lighting isn't perfect.

Health and Behavior

Signs of a Healthy Bearded Dragon

A healthy bearded dragon is alert and active during the day. They should have a good appetite and regular bowel movements. Look for clear, bright eyes and a body free from swelling or unusual lumps. Healthy dragons bask regularly and explore their environment with curiosity.

Common Health Issues

Metabolic bone disease is one of the most common problems in captive bearded dragons. It's caused by inadequate UVB lighting or insufficient calcium in the diet. Watch for signs like a soft jaw, tremors, or difficulty walking. The good news is this condition is entirely preventable with proper lighting and regular calcium supplementation.

Impaction occurs when bearded dragons eat substrate or food that's too large to pass through their digestive system. Signs include no bowel movements for several days, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Prevent impaction by using safe substrate and making sure all food items are smaller than the space between your dragon's eyes.

Respiratory infections often develop when temperatures are too low or humidity is too high. If your dragon breathes with their mouth open or has mucus around their nose, they may have a respiratory infection. This requires a veterinarian visit for proper treatment with antibiotics.

When to See a Veterinarian

Contact a reptile veterinarian if your dragon loses their appetite for more than a week or hasn't had a bowel movement in more than 10 days. Lethargy, unusual behavior, swelling, cuts, or difficulty breathing all warrant professional attention. Finding a reptile veterinarian before you need one is smart planning. Not all vets have experience with exotic pets, so locate a qualified specialist in your area now.

Handling and Bonding

Building Trust

Start slowly with your new bearded dragon. Let them settle into their new home for about a week before attempting to handle them. This adjustment period helps reduce stress and lets them understand they're safe.

When you do start handling, move slowly and speak softly. Support their body with both hands, one under the chest and one supporting the hindquarters. Start with short 5-10 minute sessions and gradually increase the time as your dragon becomes more comfortable. Let them come to you when possible rather than grabbing them from above, which can trigger their instinct to flee from predators.

Safe Handling Tips

Always support both the chest and hindquarters when lifting your dragon. Never grab them by the tail, which can cause serious injury. Watch for stress signs like a black beard or puffing up their body. If you see these behaviors, return your dragon to their tank and try again later. Wash your hands before and after handling to protect both you and your pet from bacteria.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Daily tasks include removing uneaten food after 30 minutes to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth. Spot-clean any waste immediately to keep the habitat sanitary. Check the water dish and refill it if needed, and take a moment to monitor temperatures with your thermometer.

Weekly maintenance involves deep cleaning food and water dishes with hot, soapy water. If you're using paper towels as substrate, replace them weekly. Check that all equipment is working properly, including lights and heating elements.

Monthly tasks include cleaning the glass with reptile-safe cleaner and washing and disinfecting all decorations. This is also a good time to check UVB bulb output with a UVB meter if you have one. Even if the bulb looks fine, UVB output diminishes over time.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Many new keepers start with a tank that's too small. Remember that adults need at least 75 gallons, not the 40-gallon minimum often recommended for juveniles. Another common mistake is using the wrong lighting. Both UVB and basking lights are essential, not optional equipment.

Temperature problems often come from relying on guesswork or inaccurate thermometers. Invest in good digital thermometers to ensure your setup is correct. Diet mistakes happen when keepers don't offer enough variety. Your dragon needs different insects and vegetables to get complete nutrition, not just crickets and lettuce.

Finally, handling a new dragon too soon causes unnecessary stress. Give your new pet time to adjust before you start bonding sessions.

Creating a Routine

Bearded dragons thrive on consistency. Establish daily routines for turning lights on and off (aim for a 12-14 hour cycle). Feed your dragon at roughly the same time each day. Check temperatures at least once daily, and take a moment to observe your dragon for any changes in behavior or appearance. These brief health checks help you catch problems early when they're easiest to treat.

Conclusion

Caring for a bearded dragon is rewarding when you understand their needs. Focus on getting the basics right: proper lighting, correct temperatures, good nutrition, and regular health monitoring. With these fundamentals in place, your bearded dragon will thrive and become a wonderful pet for years to come.

Remember, every dragon has its own personality. Some are naturally more social, while others prefer to observe from their basking spot. Pay attention to your dragon's individual preferences and adjust your care accordingly.

 

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