Bearded Dragon Care Guide

Editor: petmaven

Bearded Dragon Care Guide:
The Pet Maven’s Tips on Caring for Your Beardie

This guide is provided to aid pet owners researching the proper care for their pet.

General Information

Bearded Dragons make great pets for children and other beginning herp enthusiast. They have extremely docile and trusting temperaments. Hatchlings are 3 to 4 inches in length and grow to 5 or 6 inches in one month. By the end of their second month, they should be 6 to 9 inches in length. From 2 to 6 months the average growth rate is about 1/2 inch a week. Adults average 18 to 20 inches full grown, but can reach 2 feet in length. Bearded Dragons are native to Australia. Beardies can flare a flap of skin under their lower jaw when they are upset or disturbed.

Selection

Selecting a healthy reptile is one of the most important steps in maintaining bearded dragons. Generally, it is possible to determine the overall health of a lizard by examining the base of the tail for fat stores. Your pet bearded dragon should appear robust with ample fat stores at the base of its tail. A healthy dragon should appear alert with both eyes wide open and attentive to its environment. A dragon with noticeably recessed eyes may be dehydrated.

If possible, purchase your bearded dragon from a local independent pet store where you can see the reptile before you buy it. These businesses usually have the best prices on your animal and the supplies you will need to care for it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good independent retailers will have many years of experience caring for all types of animals. They will share this knowledge with you if you ask. If you shop at a larger store, be wary of “sales associates.” Many are paid on commission and may try to sell you supplies you don’t need. Do not take advice from young retail clerks. When you look for advice online, validate the information by checking multiple sources.

Questions you should ask before you buy:

Q: Is this reptile wild caught (w.c.) or captive-bred (c.b.)?

A: Most commercial bearded dragons are captive-bred. Captive-bred reptiles are often more expensive than their wild caught counter parts. A wild caught reptile may have a shorter life span than a captive-bred reptile. Also, wild caught reptiles may be infected with parasites. If your lizard is wild caught, ask if it has been treated for mites and internal parasites. Mites may be noticed first around the eyes, or the corners of the mouth. They are little, round, and black or brown. They can be treated by commercial products available at the pet shop or by a veterinary strength solution available through your vet. Internal parasites may be detected if the dragon has symptoms of weight loss, worms in the stools, runny stools, or listlessness. If you observe these symptoms, the bearded dragon should be diagnosed and treated by a vet.

Housing

You will get the most value out of your habitat if you purchase a unit large enough to house a full-grown dragon whether you purchase your beardie as a juvenile or adult. Give each adult beardie 4 square feet of floor space in their habitat. Emulate their natural environment for maximum enjoyment of your pet.

Substrate: For Bearded Dragons four inches long or longer we recommend CaribSea All Natural Reptile Calcium Substrate White Sand. It is an affordable and low maintenance substrate. Maintain the sand by sifting out bowel movements. Replace the sand as needed. For Bearded Dragons under four inches long we recommend ZooMed Cage Carpet. Maintain the carpet by washing it in warm water.


Lighting and Heating: A Bearded Dragon's natural habbitat is a humid desert. To keep your Bearded Dragon warm we recommend using a high wattage ZooMed basking bulb capable of keeping the tank at least 90 degrees. (You will need a higher wattage bulb for larger habbitats.) To simulate darkness we recommend a ZooMed Night Red Bulb. Your Bearded Dragon will need a consistant day/night schedule to maintain optimal health and prevent stress. Inexpensive timers may be used to switch lights at approximately the same time each day.

Cage Accessories: Rocks and Branches Sandblasted grapevine makes an excellent cage accessory. To avoid burning your beardie do not use heat rocks or under tank heaters with a sand substrate, as sand conducts heat.

Feeding, Water, and Supplements

Calcium and vitamin D reptile supplements or balanced reptile food.

Last updated May 31, 2007.

Disclaimer

The information in this care guide is provided to aid pet owners researching the proper care for their pet. This basic information is based on our personal experience and / or research. This is not a comprehensive guide. Please do not use this guide to diagnose illness. If you believe your pet may be ill, please consult a veterinarian.

Categories: Pets | Reptiles and Amphibians