Bearded Dragon Care

What is a Bearded Dragon?

A Bearded Dragon is a beginner-friendly lizard from scrublands. Adults reach 18–24 in and can live 10–15 years in captivity — a long-term commitment. The definitive beginner lizard — a hardy, personable omnivore from arid Australia that thrives with a hot basking spot, high UVB, and a diet that shifts from insect-heavy as a juvenile to mostly leafy greens as an adult.

What size enclosure does a Bearded Dragon need?

The minimum enclosure for an adult Bearded Dragon is 4×2×2 ft (48×24×24 in; 120-gallon equivalent). Bigger is always better — Bearded Dragons benefit from extra space to thermoregulate and express natural behaviours.

What you need:

1. Secure, well-ventilated enclosure — screen top or side ventilation; tight-fitting lid.
2. Thermostat-controlled basking lamp — dimmer or proportional thermostat; never a heat rock.
3. Warm and cool hides — at least one hide on each end of the thermal gradient.
4. Water bowl — shallow, heavy-bottomed; changed daily.
5. Appropriate substrate — species-appropriate depth; moist hide in one corner.

What temperature does a Bearded Dragon need?

Provide a basking spot of 105–115°F and a cool side of 70–85°F. Measure surface temperature with an infrared thermometer. Use a high-wattage basking bulb on a dimmer or thermostat — never a heat rock. Drop to 60–78°F at night to support digestion and immune function.

Do Bearded Dragons need UVB?

Yes — Bearded Dragons need high UVB (target UVI 4.0–6.0). Use a T5 HO 12–14% tube (e.g., Arcadia Desert 12% or Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0) mounted directly above the basking spot. Use the UVB Calculator above to confirm mounting height and basking platform height. Verify with a Solarmeter 6.5 and replace bulbs every 12 months.

What humidity does a Bearded Dragon need?

Maintain humidity at 30–60%. Keep the enclosure on the drier side. Use a digital hygrometer — guessing humidity is a common beginner mistake that leads to respiratory problems and dysecdysis (difficult shedding). A digital hygrometer is essential.

What do Bearded Dragons eat?

Bearded Dragons are omnivores — diet composition changes significantly with age. Hatchlings (0–6 mo): insects 2× daily + daily greens; ~60–80% protein. Juveniles (6–12 mo): insects 1× daily + greens; ~50–60% protein. Adults (12+ mo): insects 1–2× weekly + daily leafy greens/veg; ~20–30% protein. Staple feeders: dubia roaches, crickets, hornworms; staple greens: collard, dandelion, mustard greens. Dust insects with calcium+D3; multivitamin weekly on salads.

Can you house Bearded Dragons together?

Solitary — house individually. Highly territorial; cohabitation causes chronic stress, injury, and death. Start with brief, calm handling sessions (5–10 minutes) and gradually increase as your Bearded Dragon becomes accustomed to you. Wash hands before and after every handling session.

Are Bearded Dragons good for beginners?

Yes — Bearded Dragons are an excellent first reptile. Animals cost 40–100 (normal/wild-type); common morphs 100–300; rare designer morphs 300–1,000+ depending on morph/locality. The main ongoing costs are varied diet items (insects, produce, or commercial diet), UVB bulb replacements, and occasional vet visits.