Bearded dragons need the proper environment and care to survive as a pet. An appropriate enclosure should have a temperature range of 75 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night; good ventilation; and a substrate to mimic their natural environment.
Lighting should consist of a combination of natural sunlight, if possible, and UVB lighting to help them synthesize vitamin D3. They should also have access to a dish of fresh, clean water and they may benefit from a shallow dish of moistened substrate such as reptile safe soil or sand to help maintain their humidity.
A regular diet of a variety of insects and vegetables is essential for bearded dragons to thrive. Offering live prey from an approved source can help with enrichment, as well as providing a way for them to exercise their natural foraging behavior.
And last but not least, bearded dragons need regular check-ups from a qualified veterinarian to help keep them healthy and monitor for any potential health concerns.
Table of Contents
How do I keep my bearded dragon alive?
In order to keep your bearded dragon alive and healthy, you will need to provide them with the correct environment, the correct food, and regular veterinary care.
Environment:
Bearded dragons need to be kept in an enclosure that is big enough for them to move around freely. The appropriate size ranges from 40 gallons for a baby, to 120 gallons for an adult. Substrates such as sand and bark should be avoided as they may lead to impaction if ingested by the dragon.
Instead, newspapers, paper towels, and reptile carpets are all recommended as safer options. The enclosure should be kept warm and humid so that your dragon can effectively regulate its body temperature.
This can be done by using under-tank warmers, heat lamps, and/or humidity boxes. It is also important to have one side of the enclosure be hotter than the other, as this will allow your dragon to thermoregulate and move between hot and cool spots.
Food:
Bearded dragons should eat a variety of foods, including live insects, vegetables, and commercial prepared diets. All food should be offered in bite-sized pieces and should be dusted with a multivitamin or calcium supplement every other feeding.
A variety of live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and roaches should make up the majority of their diet and should be offered daily. Vegetables that are safe for your dragon to eat include collard greens, mustard greens, carrots, and squash.
Bearded dragons need fresh water available to them at all times, and this can be provided using a shallow bowl or using a dripper system.
Veterinary Care:
Providing your dragon with regular veterinary care can help to ensure they stay healthy and live a long time. This includes regular check-ups as well as wellness examinations, fecal testing, and other diagnostic tests.
It is important to discuss proper housing and nutrition with your veterinarian and have any health concerns addressed quickly.
By providing the right environment, diet, and veterinary care, you can help to ensure that your bearded dragon is happy and healthy.
What do you need to care for bearded dragon?
Caring for a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) requires select supplies and proper knowledge. First and foremost, setting up an appropriate habitat is key for ensuring a healthy environment for your pet.
A 20- to 40-gallon tank provides plenty of space for the Bearded Dragon to exercise and roam around. You will also want to include a heat lamp and UVB lamp for additional warmth and to provide light and vitamin D necessary for the reptile to thrive.
Beyond the habitat, Bearded Dragons need an appropriate diet. In the wild they can eat a variety of insects and vegetation and as a pet they need similar options to stay healthy. A diet of commercial pellets and crickets along with various veggies and occasional fruits will provide the right nutrition.
Best feeding practices include offering food items no bigger than the distance between your pet’s eyes and providing fresh food every day.
You should also designate time and resources to maintain the cleanliness of your dragon’s habitat. The substrate should be cleaned and replaced regularly and the decor should be wiped down with a lightly damp cloth.
The water bowl should be emptied, rinsed and refilled at least twice a week.
Bearded Dragons do not require a lot of handling and should primarily be observed and admired from a distance. A gentle touch is all that is needed if your pet needs occasional treatment.
In short, providing a safe environment with suitable furniture, a balanced diet, regular habitat maintenance and occasional handling is all that is needed to care for a Bearded Dragon.
How often should I hold my bearded dragon?
It is recommended that you hold your bearded dragon for about 10 – 15 minutes a day to help with socialization and bonding. It is important to remember that proper handling is essential, and young bearded dragons should not be held too often, as it can cause them stress.
When holding your bearded dragon, it is important to hold them close to your body and support their body weight. It is important to also hold your dragon in a way that they feel secure, such as cupping their body in one hand, while gently supporting their head and tail in the other.
During handling, be sure to talk to your dragon in a soft, gentle voice. As long time passes, if your bearded dragon feels comfortable, you can slowly increase the amount of time that you handle them.
How do you take care of a bearded dragon for beginners?
Taking care of a bearded dragon for beginners is quite straightforward, and simple to get the hang of. Generally, the key components to a happy, healthy dragon are providing them with the correct environment, proper nutrition, and making sure they receive enough stimulation and exercise.
The environment for a bearded dragon should be kept between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit at night. A special beardie terrarium with a heat bulb, and a UVB bulb should also be provided.
The enclosure should be large enough to accommodate the dragon, and provide them with plenty of space to explore. Substrates such as sand, newspaper, and reptile carpets are all appropriate for the enclosure.
Bearded dragons are omnivores and require both a variety of animal protein, such as insects and small rodents, as well as an adequate amount of leafy greens and other vegetable matter. Fresh food should be provided daily, and live insects should be appropriately sized and dusted with calcium or vitamin supplements.
Frequent handling should also be a part of a dragon’s daily life. This will help them get used to a new environment, and people. As long as you are gentle, bearded dragons usually enjoy being picked up and allowed to explore.
Also providing perches, rocks, toys, and other items to stimulate your dragon is essential to keeping them healthy and happy.
Overall, caring for a bearded dragon is pretty self explanatory and easy to understand, as long as you give them the time and attention they need. With the right environment, nutrition, and daily stimulation your beardie will be a happy, and healthy pet for years to come.
Can a bearded dragon live without a tank?
No, a bearded dragon cannot live without a tank. Bearded dragons are an exotic species of lizard that require special care and environment. In the wild, they inhabit burrows and rocks to hide from predators, regulate their temperature, and search for food.
In captivity, they need an appropriately sized tank or terrarium with a secure lid and the right temperature, humidity, and lighting. They also need plenty of decorations so they can feel secure and have environment enrichment.
Without the proper tank or terrarium, the bearded dragon could become extremely stressed and its health would deteriorate. Additionally, without a tank, the bearded dragon would have nowhere to safely escape to and no place to bury itself or bask in the sun.
Thus, it is important for owners to provide the proper tank for their bearded dragon in order for it to lead a healthy and happy life.
Will bearded dragons cuddle with you?
No, bearded dragons generally do not cuddle with people. Bearded dragons, also known as Pogonas, are large lizards that come from the deserts of Australia, south of New Guinea. They prefer to remain solitary and hide when they feel threatened.
It is unlikely that a beardie would want to cuddle with a person, because they are naturally skittish creatures and would find it intimidating to be handled by a person. However, if you do have a beardie and you handle it frequently with care and gentleness, they may eventually become comfortable enough with you to allow you to pet them.
A good way to bond with your Beardie is to give them regular warm baths and treat them to nutritious snacks like insects, greens, and fruits. It is important to remember that every beardie is an individual and will form its own unique bond with its owners.
Is owning a bearded dragon hard?
Owning a bearded dragon can be challenging, but it is possible with the right preparation and dedication. They require a large and sturdy enclosure as well as a proper lighting and heating system. You must also provide your bearded dragon with adequate space, appropriate substrate, and the correct humidity.
You will also need to monitor and regulate the temperature of their environment. In terms of diet, bearded dragons are omnivores and require a varied diet of both live insects and leafy greens. They must also be provided with adequate calcium, vitamin D3 and water.
When housing multiple bearded dragons together, it is essential to ensure each one has its own space. Finally, providing them with enrichment activities and regular handling is important to ensure they remain happy and healthy.
As you can see, owning a bearded dragon requires a lot of care and attention, but with proper preparation and dedication, they can make wonderful pets.
How long does it take for a bearded dragon to get used to you?
It depends on the individual bearded dragon and their individual personality, but generally it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months for a bearded dragon to become acclimatized to their new environment and begin to become used to their new human caretaker.
During this period of adjustment, it is important to create a safe and comfortable environment for the bearded dragon as a way to speed up the acclimation process. This includes providing a secure and comfortable enclosure that offers ample space and places to hide, making sure the temperature and levels of humidity in the enclosure are suitable, and interacting with the bearded dragon regularly, in a gentle and calm manner, so they can get to know you and begin to trust you.
Additionally, providing appropriate amounts and varieties of food, allowing the bearded dragon to explore their enclosure, and making sure the environment is clean and free of stressors are also important elements of helping a bearded dragon to become used to their new guardian.
Is a bearded dragon a good house pet?
Yes, a bearded dragon is a great house pet. They are a docile, low-maintenance reptile that is often described as easy to handle and train. Bearded dragons are social and relatively easy to tame, making them one of the most popular pet reptiles.
They also have a laid-back demeanor and are friendly with people and other animals if given the right amount of space. Bearded dragons are quite hardy, making them fairly undemanding pets who adapt well to their environment.
Since they are diurnal, they are usually active during the day, so they can enjoy some interaction and playtime with their humans. They are also highly motivated, and some can even learn to recognize and respond to their owner’s voice.
In addition, bearded dragons require minimal space and equipment compared to other reptiles, so they make great house pets, even for beginner reptile owners.
Can you hold a bearded dragon everyday?
No, you should not hold a bearded dragon everyday. Bearded dragons are social and enjoy being held, but too much handling can cause stress and harm your pet. The best way to interact with your bearded dragon is to do a few short handling sessions a few times a week.
Each time you handle a bearded dragon, it should only be for 15-20 minutes. During this time, you can let the bearded dragon explore and crawl around your hand, arm, and shoulder as long as you monitor it and make sure it isn’t going to jump off or get injured.
You can also offer treats or food during handling sessions, to encourage it to stay put and make it an enjoyable experience.
Do bearded dragons recognize their owners?
Yes, bearded dragons are capable of recognizing their owners. Bearded dragons have a natural instinct to recognize signs of danger and signs of familiarity as well. While this may not mean that your bearded dragon will come running to you like a pet dog does, it does mean that over time, your bearded dragon will begin to recognize you and your scent.
To help increase your bearded dragon’s bond with you, it is important to give your pet plenty of individual attention and to handle them regularly. This will help them get used to your smell and voice over time.
Additionally, playing with your bearded dragon and offering treats shows them that you are confident and trustworthy. Just like any pet, your bearded dragon may take some time to get used to you, but with patience and a gentle hand, you may soon have a pet that is eager to be around you.
What are the cons of having a bearded dragon as a pet?
Having a bearded dragon as a pet definitely has its benefits, however, it also can be accompanied by some notable drawbacks.
One of the primary issues with bearded dragons is their enclosure size and upkeep. Many experts recommend that for a single beardie, the enclosure should measure at least 120 gallons, giving them plenty of room to roam, which can take up considerable space in a home.
Additionally, as omnivores, they require a considerable amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and insects to maintain the 60-70% vegetable to 40-30% insect ratio in their diet. This diet can be expensive, particularly if you opt for organic and high-quality food.
Additionally, many stores sell dragons too young to properly sustain in captivity, requiring dedicated and consistent care to ensure they thrive.
Bearded dragons require proper UVB lighting to help absorb calcium (which is common in captivity due to the diet makeup as well as supplements) and prevent ailments such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Specialty bulbs can be tricky to set up and require frequent replacement in order to produce beneficial levels of UVB. Additionally, this type of reptile is prone to infection and stress, requiring close observations and prompt veterinary attention if either arise.
Ultimately, while they can be a joy to own, bearded dragons come with a significant amount of responsibility and require attentive and knowledgeable care. Without it, these animals can suffer from long-term health issues that can be difficult and costly to treat.
