beardeddragon.org is a great website for any bearded dragon lover. They feature heaps of valuable information and a large community forum. The forums are definitely a great place to find and talk to other bearded dragon owners. The forum members are some of the most knowledgable folks you’ll find.
Either way, the Bearded Dragon is a friendly lizard that can be welcomed into any home and are fantastic for beginners due to their docility and ability to adapt to captivity, Affectionately known as Beardies, in the wild they are commonly found living in trees and on the ground in Australia and are known for their mouth-wide-open “smiles” (which is actually a way to help them cool down)!
There are few reptiles that may be able to compete for a spot in the hearts of reptile owners as well as this Dragon. The Leopard Gecko is also a great beginning reptile. Some lizards that are more of a challenge to handle include the Crested Gecko or Blue Tongued Skink. These animals are not quite as outgoing as a Bearded Dragon, but they do not require as much heat or lighting as the dragon.
The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate. By signing up, you consent to receive updates, special offers, program communications and other information via email from Petco.
Bearded dragons can display a variety of morphs. These morphs are mainly based on body types, but can also be derived from selective breeding.
When you’re looking for a bearded dragon, it’s important to understand the different morphs. A morph is a genetic mutation that results in certain traits. The most common are color variations. You can see a wide range of colors in beardies, including beiges, browns, and muted tans.
There are other morphs that result from genetics, such as visual morphs. These are inherited traits that are passed down from parents. They’re often the most unique beardie varieties. Some of them are translucent, meaning they have a transparent appearance. Others, such as hypomelanistic, lack melanin, which makes their skin lighter.
Bearded dragons like many other reptiles have specific lighting requirements that can be really confusing, especially for new owners that don’t have previous experience.
Because of that reason, having a good understanding when it comes to lighting the space of your bearded dragon is very important.
You should know there are plenty of options when it comes to lighting for bearded dragons and choosing the wrong setup can be harmful to your pet. However, if you carefully read our guide you will get plenty of information about setting up proper lighting for your pet.
Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease. Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing or caring for reptiles and should consider having a pet other than a reptile.
Bearded dragons need an appropriately sized and shaped habitat to accommodate their normal behaviors and exercise. It should have a screened top to help prevent escape while allowing proper ventilation. A 20- gallon tank is a good beginner size for a baby bearded dragon. Bearded dragons will reach adult size in one year under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as your reptile grows. If more than one bearded dragon is housed in a habitat, more space will be necessary.
The chahoua gecko is a medium-sized arboreal lizard native to the region of New Caledonia. These reptiles are recognized by their large white lidless eyes with vertically oriented pupils, triangular heads, and strong muscular tails. Chahoua geckos range in color.
Bearded dragons eat a diet of live insects and vegetables. They need a wide variety of safe plants and vegetables, as well as the correct supplements. You can find out more about your beardy's feeding, supplements and water needs in our bearded dragon care sheet.
During cooler seasons, it's normal for bearded dragons to slow down, sleep more and eat less. It's a bit like hibernation, but for lizards, it's called brumation. They shouldn't lose weight or stop eating entirely, so keep a close eye on them and get in touch with your vet if they're losing weight.
Vegetables should not be mixed with meat or bones. The leafy green watercress, for example, is rich in calcium and other vitamins. It also has a small amount iron and manganese. It contains antioxidants to prevent inflammation. It should be kept in check because it contains oxalates, which can affect absorption. It should be avoided if the bearded dragon has a calcium deficiency.
Before bringing the bearded dragon home, it is vital that you set up its habitat. Ensure that it has adequate heat, ultraviolet lights, and food. It is also essential to check the equipment, especially the ultraviolet light and basking pads. The temperature should be at an even temperature throughout the day, but keep the humidity as low as possible.
Reptiles need UVB light to process the calcium they intake from their diets. If your UVB bulb is too weak, too far, or simply too old to provide the stated amount of UVB light, your dragon will experience calcium deficiency which can be quite serious. (Keep in mind some bulbs need to be changed on a monthly basis! and most of them do not last longer than 6 months).
Before you can bring your bearded dragon home, you must first set up the habitat. It is important to ensure that your bearded dragon has heat and food. It is essential to inspect all equipment, including the basking pad and ultraviolet light. It is essential to maintain the same temperature throughout the day. It is important to maintain a low humidity.
Hi! I’m looking into getting a bearded dragon and and am unsure of what to feed him on a daily basis. Do you have a recommended diet plan for daily feeding? Sorry for the confusion! When in doubt, go with the recommendations in the online version of the guide, as sometimes I forget to update the Google docs. Repashy meal replacements are fully balanced, so additional calcium shouldn’t be necessary, depending on your dragon’s bloodwork results, but defer to your vet’s recommendations on that front.
Bearded dragons require minimal veterinary care when appropriately managed with the correct lighting, temperature, supplements, and diet.
A young bearded dragon (4 to 18 months old) will have a bowel movement every day or so, while you can expect those older than 18 months to poop 1-7 times a week.
Bathing your bearded dragon is important for several reasons. Hydration is one of the biggest ones. Many beardies don't like drinking from bowls, but will happily slurp up their bathwater. Baths are of course also important for hygiene.
Bearded dragons require minimal veterinary care when appropriately managed with the correct lighting, temperature, supplements, and diet.