Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. They are friendly, docile, and easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners and experienced owners alike.
But before you bring home a bearded dragon, you need to know how to provide them with the best possible care.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about bearded dragon care, from housing and feeding to health and training.
By the end of this article, you will be ready to embark on the bearded dragon journey and enjoy the rewards of owning these amazing animals.
However, if you wish to have access to a complete manual on how to take care of a bearded dragon, you need to know about the Bearded Dragon Secret manual.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Bearded Dragons: A Gentle Giant
Bearded dragons are a type of lizard that belongs to the genus Pogona. They are native to Australia, where they live in a variety of habitats, such as deserts, woodlands, and grasslands.
They are called bearded dragons because of the spiny scales on their throat, which they can puff up to look like a beard. They use this feature to communicate with other bearded dragons and to intimidate predators.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They can grow up to 24 inches long, including their tail, and weigh up to 18 ounces, and they have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years in captivity, depending on the quality of care they receive.
Bearded dragons are very adaptable to captivity and can form strong bonds with their owners. They are gentle, curious, and intelligent, and can even learn to recognize their names and perform simple tricks.
They are also very social and enjoy being handled and interacted with. However, they also need their own space and time to rest, so you should respect their needs and preferences.
Understanding Bearded Dragon Needs: Care Essentials for a Thriving Bearded Buddy
Housing Requirements
One of the most important aspects of bearded dragon care is providing them with a suitable enclosure. The enclosure should be large enough to allow your bearded dragon to move around freely, bask, hide, and explore.
The minimum enclosure size for an adult bearded dragon is 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. For a juvenile bearded dragon, you can use a smaller enclosure, but you will need to upgrade it as your bearded dragon grows.
Right Temperature
The enclosure should also have the right temperature and lighting for your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.
You need to create a temperature gradient in the enclosure, with a warm basking spot and a cooler area. The basking spot should be around 95 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cooler area should be around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and adjust it as needed.
Vitamin D3
You also need to provide your bearded dragon with UVB lighting, which mimics natural sunlight and helps them synthesize vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. You can use a fluorescent or mercury vapor bulb that emits UVB rays and place it above the enclosure.
The bulb should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, as the UVB output decreases over time. You should also provide a 12-hour light and dark cycle for your bearded dragon, which you can achieve with a timer.
Substrate
Another important aspect of housing is the substrate, which is the material that covers the bottom of the enclosure.
The substrate should be safe, comfortable, and easy to clean for your bearded dragon. Some of the best substrates for bearded dragons are reptile carpets, paper towels, newspaper, or tile.
These substrates are non-toxic, non-abrasive, and non-impacting, meaning they won't cause any harm to your bearded dragon if ingested.
You should avoid substrates that are loose, dusty, or sharp, such as sand, gravel, wood chips, or walnut shells, as they can cause impaction, respiratory problems, or injuries to your bearded dragon.
Nutrition and Feeding
Another essential aspect of bearded dragon care is providing them with a balanced and varied diet. Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
You should offer your bearded dragon a combination of insects, vegetables, and fruits, in appropriate proportions and frequencies.
Insects
Insects are the main source of protein and fat for your bearded dragon. You should feed your bearded dragon insects that are gut-loaded, meaning they are fed nutritious food before being offered to your bearded dragon.
This way, your bearded dragon will get the benefits of the nutrients in the insects' gut. Some of the best insects for bearded dragons are crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and superworms.
You should avoid insects that are toxic, hard-shelled, or too large for your bearded dragon, such as fireflies, beetles, or wild-caught insects.
Vegetables
Vegetables are the main source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber for your bearded dragon. You should feed your bearded dragon a variety of leafy greens and other vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, bok choy, squash, carrots, and bell peppers.
You should avoid vegetables that are high in oxalates, goitrogens, or nitrates, such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, or lettuce, as they can interfere with calcium absorption, thyroid function, or blood oxygen levels.
Fruits
Fruits are the main source of natural sugars and water for your bearded dragon. You should feed your bearded dragon fruits as an occasional treat, not as a staple food.
Some of the best fruits for bearded dragons are berries, apples, bananas, grapes, and melons. You should avoid fruits that are high in acidity, seeds, or pits, such as citrus fruits, cherries, or peaches, as they can cause digestive problems, choking, or impaction.
Feeding Schedule
The feeding schedule and quantity of food for your bearded dragon depend on their age and size. As a general rule, you should feed your bearded dragon as much as they can eat in 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice a day.
Juvenile bearded dragons need more protein and fat than adult bearded dragons, so you should feed them more insects and fewer vegetables.
Adult bearded dragons need more vitamins and minerals than juvenile bearded dragons, so you should feed them more vegetables and fewer insects.
You should also dust your bearded dragon's food with calcium and vitamin supplements, especially for juveniles, to prevent metabolic bone disease and other nutritional deficiencies.
Humidity and Hydration
Another important aspect of bearded dragon care is maintaining the right humidity and hydration levels for your bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons are native to arid environments, so they do not need high humidity levels in their enclosure.
The ideal humidity level for bearded dragons is between 30 and 40 percent. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity and adjust it as needed.
You can lower the humidity by increasing the ventilation, using a dehumidifier, or changing the substrate. You can raise the humidity by misting the enclosure, using a humidifier, or adding a water dish.
Fresh Water
Bearded dragons need access to fresh water at all times, as they can become dehydrated easily. You can provide your bearded dragon with a shallow water dish that is large enough for them to soak in, but not too deep that they can drown in.
You should change the water daily and keep it clean and free of debris. You can also mist your bearded dragon or bathe them in lukewarm water once or twice a week, as they can absorb water through their skin and mouth.
However, you should not mist or bathe your bearded dragon too often or too long, as this can cause respiratory infections or skin problems.
Health and Wellness: Keeping Your Bearded Dragon Healthy and Happy
- Metabolic Bone Disease: This is a condition that results from a lack of calcium, vitamin D3, or proper UVB lighting. It causes the bones to become weak, brittle, and deformed, leading to fractures, paralysis, and death. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen limbs, tremors, and deformities. Prevention and treatment include providing adequate calcium and vitamin supplements, UVB lighting, and veterinary care.
- Impaction: This is a condition that results from the ingestion of indigestible or inappropriate items, such as substrate, insects, or plants. It causes a blockage in the digestive tract, leading to constipation, pain, and death. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, straining, and lethargy. Prevention and treatment include providing safe and suitable substrate, food, and water, and veterinary care.
- Respiratory Infection: This is a condition that results from exposure to low temperatures, high humidity, or poor hygiene. It causes inflammation and infection in the respiratory system, leading to difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and death. Symptoms include nasal discharge, mouth breathing, gasping, and lethargy. Prevention and treatment include providing optimal temperature, humidity, hygiene, and veterinary care.
- Parasites: These are organisms that live on or inside your bearded dragon and feed on their blood, tissue, or food. They can cause various problems, such as weight loss, diarrhea, anemia, and death. Some of the most common parasites that affect bearded dragons are mites, ticks, worms, and protozoa. Symptoms include scratching, biting, redness, swelling, and abnormal feces. Prevention and treatment include keeping your bearded dragon and their enclosure clean and free of pests, and veterinary care.
To keep your bearded dragon healthy and happy, you should monitor their health regularly and seek veterinary care when needed.
You should also understand their behavior and provide them with a calm and enriching environment. Let's see how you can do that.
Understanding Bearded Dragon Behavior: Interpreting Body Language, Recognizing Stress Signals, and Ensuring a Calm and Enriching Environment
Bearded dragons are very expressive and communicative animals. They use their body language, vocalizations, and coloration to convey their mood, intentions, and needs.
By learning how to interpret their behavior, you can better understand your bearded dragon and respond to them accordingly. Here are some of the most common behaviors that bearded dragons display and what they mean:
- Beard Flaring: This is when your bearded dragon puffs up their throat and makes their beard appear larger and darker. They do this to show dominance, aggression, or excitement. They may also do this to regulate their body temperature or to attract a mate.
- Head Bobbing: This is when your bearded dragon bobs their head up and down rapidly. They do this to show dominance, submission, or interest. They may also do this to court a mate or to acknowledge another bearded dragon.
- Arm Waving: This is when your bearded dragon lifts one or both of their front legs and waves them in a circular motion. They do this to show submission, greeting, or curiosity. They may also do this to avoid conflict or to signal their presence.
- Tail Curling: This is when your bearded dragon curls their tail over their back or to the side. They do this to show alertness, excitement, or aggression. They may also do this to balance themselves or to prepare for a fight or a flight.
- Gaping: This is when your bearded dragon opens their mouth wide and exposes their teeth. They do this to cool down, breathe, or yawn. They may also do this to show aggression, stress, or pain.
- Hissing: This is when your bearded dragon makes a loud hissing sound by exhaling air through their mouth. They do this to warn, threaten, or scare off potential predators or rivals. They may also do this to express discomfort, fear, or anger.
- Color Changing: This is when your bearded dragon changes the color or pattern of their skin. They do this to regulate their body temperature, camouflage, or communicate. They may also do this to show mood, health, or breeding readiness.
By observing and understanding your bearded dragon's behavior, you can provide them with a calm and enriching environment that suits their needs and preferences. You should also avoid doing anything that can stress or upset your bearded dragon, such as:
- Handling them too roughly or too frequently: Bearded dragons are social and enjoy being handled and interacted with, but they also need their own space and time to rest. You should handle your bearded dragon gently and frequently, but not too long or too often. You should also respect their signals and put them back in their enclosure when they show signs of stress or discomfort, such as gaping, hissing, or biting.
- Keeping them in a noisy or crowded area: Bearded dragons are sensitive to noise and vibrations, and can become stressed or scared by loud or sudden sounds. You should keep your bearded dragon in a quiet and peaceful area, away from sources of noise such as TVs, radios, or appliances. You should also avoid having too many people or animals around your bearded dragon, as they can feel threatened or overwhelmed by them.
- Changing their routine or environment too drastically: Bearded dragons are creatures of habit and like to have a consistent and familiar routine and environment. You should avoid changing their enclosure, substrate, lighting, temperature, or food too drastically or too frequently, as this can cause confusion, anxiety, or illness. You should also introduce any new items or changes gradually and carefully, and monitor your bearded dragon's reaction and behavior.
Enrichment and Training: Fostering a Stimulating and Interactive Life for Your Bearded Dragon
Enrichment and training can also strengthen your bond with your bearded dragon and improve their well-being and happiness. Here are some of the ways you can enrich and train your bearded dragon:
Enrichment Activities
Enrichment activities are activities that provide your bearded dragon with opportunities to explore, climb, and engage in natural behaviors. Some of the enrichment activities you can offer your bearded dragon are:
- Providing them with toys and objects: You can provide your bearded dragon with toys and objects that they can play with, manipulate, or chew on, such as balls, ropes, bells, or cardboard boxes. You can also hide treats or insects inside the toys or objects, to encourage your bearded dragon to forage and hunt for them.
- Giving them access to different substrates and surfaces: You can give your bearded dragon access to different substrates and surfaces that they can dig, burrow, or scratch on, such as sand, soil, or gravel. You can also provide them with different surfaces that they can climb, perch, or bask on, such as rocks, branches, or hammocks.
- Taking them outside or to new places: You can take your bearded dragon outside or to new places, such as your backyard, a park, or a pet store, to expose them to different sights, sounds, smells, and textures. You can also let them interact with other bearded dragons or animals, as long as they are friendly and supervised. However, you should always keep your bearded dragon in a harness, leash, or carrier, to prevent them from escaping or getting injured.
Training Techniques
Training techniques are techniques that use positive reinforcement to teach your bearded dragon tricks and behaviors.
Positive reinforcement is a method that rewards your bearded dragon for doing something you want them to do, such as giving them a treat, praise, or attention.
This way, your bearded dragon will associate the behavior with something positive and will be more likely to repeat it. Some of the training techniques you can use with your bearded dragon are:
- Target Training: This is a technique that teaches your bearded dragon to follow a target, such as a stick, a finger, or a colored dot, to perform a desired behavior, such as coming to you, moving to a specific location, or performing a trick. To do this, you need to show your bearded dragon the target, move it to where you want them to go, and reward them when they follow it. You can also add a cue, such as a word or a sound, to signal your bearded dragon to follow the target.
- Shaping: This is a technique that teaches your bearded dragon to perform a complex behavior by breaking it down into smaller steps and rewarding them for each step. For example, if you want to teach your bearded dragon to roll over, you can start by rewarding them for lying down, then for turning their head, then for rolling to one side, and so on, until they complete the behavior. You can also add a cue, such as a word or a sound, to signal your bearded dragon to perform the behavior.
- Clicker Training: This is a technique that uses a clicker, which is a device that makes a clicking sound, to mark and reinforce a desired behavior. The clicker acts as a bridge between the behavior and the reward, and tells your bearded dragon that they did something right and that a reward is coming. To do this, you need to first condition your bearded dragon to associate the clicker with a reward, by clicking and giving them a treat repeatedly. Then, you can use the clicker to mark and reward any behavior you want to teach your bearded dragon, such as coming to you, sitting, or waving.
Handling and Interaction
Handling and interaction are essential for building trust and socialization with your bearded dragon. By handling and interacting with your bearded dragon regularly, you can make them more comfortable and confident around you and other people or animals.
You can also provide them with affection and companionship, which can improve their mood and happiness. Here are some of the ways you can handle and interact with your bearded dragon:
- Holding them gently and securely: You can hold your bearded dragon gently and securely, by supporting their body and legs with your hands, and placing them close to your chest or shoulder. You should avoid holding them by their tail, head, or limbs, as this can cause them pain or injury. You should also avoid holding them too tightly or too loosely, as this can make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- Petting them softly and calmly: You can pet your bearded dragon softly and calmly, by stroking their head, back, or belly with your fingers, and avoiding their eyes, mouth, or ears. You should also avoid petting them too roughly or too quickly, as this can make them feel irritated or threatened.
- Talking to them softly and kindly: You can talk to your bearded dragon softly and kindly, by using a low and gentle voice, and saying positive and encouraging words, such as their name, praise, or affection. You should avoid talking to them loudly or harshly, as this can make them feel scared or stressed.
- Playing with them gently and funnily: You can play with your bearded dragon gently and funnily, by using toys, objects, or your hands, and engaging them in games, such as chase, tug, or fetch. You should avoid playing with them roughly or aggressively, as this can make them feel hurt or threatened.
By handling and interacting with your bearded dragon regularly, you can make them more comfortable and confident around you and other people or animals.
You can also provide them with affection and companionship, which can improve their mood and happiness.
Breeding Bearded Dragons: A Guide to Responsible Reptile Reproduction
Before you decide to breed your bearded dragon, you need to consider several factors, such as your suitability, motivation, and resources.
You also need to understand the breeding process, from selecting healthy breeding pairs to creating a suitable breeding environment, to caring for the baby bearded dragons. Here are some of the things you need to know about breeding bearded dragons:
Considerations Before Breeding
Breeding bearded dragons is not something you should do lightly or impulsively. You need to ask yourself some questions, such as:
Why do you want to breed your bearded dragon?
You should have a clear and ethical reason for breeding your bearded dragon, such as improving the genetic quality, preserving the species, or contributing to the reptile community. You should not breed your bearded dragon for profit, fun, or curiosity, as these are not valid or sustainable reasons.
Are you suitable for breeding your bearded dragon?
You should have the necessary knowledge, experience, and skills to breed your bearded dragon successfully and safely. You should also have the appropriate temperament, attitude, and dedication to breed your bearded dragon responsibly and ethically. You should not breed your bearded dragon if you are inexperienced, unprepared, or irresponsible, as these can lead to poor outcomes or complications.
Do you have the resources to breed your bearded dragon?
You should have the sufficient time, money, and space to breed your bearded dragon and care for the offspring. You should also have the adequate equipment, supplies, and facilities to breed your bearded dragon and provide them with optimal conditions. You should not breed your bearded dragon if you are busy, broke, or cramped, as these can compromise the quality of care or the welfare of the animals.
If you have answered these questions honestly and positively, then you may be ready to breed your bearded dragon. However, if you have any doubts or reservations, then you should reconsider or postpone your decision until you are sure and confident.
Breeding Process
Once you have decided to breed your bearded dragon, you need to follow some steps to ensure a successful and smooth breeding process. These steps include:
- Selecting healthy breeding pairs: You need to choose healthy and compatible breeding pairs, based on their age, size, color, and genetics. You should avoid breeding bearded dragons that are too young, too old, too small, too large, or have health problems, deformities, or inbreeding. You should also avoid breeding bearded dragons that are closely related, have the same color, or have undesirable traits.
- Creating a suitable breeding environment: You need to create a suitable breeding environment, that mimics the natural conditions and cycles of bearded dragons. You should provide your bearded dragon with a large and secure enclosure, with proper temperature, lighting, humidity, and substrate. You should also expose your bearded dragon to a period of brumation, which is a state of dormancy that triggers the reproductive hormones. You should also monitor your bearded dragon's behavior and signs of readiness, such as beard flaring, head bobbing, or tail curling.
- Monitoring the breeding process: You need to monitor the breeding process, and intervene when necessary. You should introduce the male and female bearded dragons carefully and gradually, and observe their interaction and reaction. You should separate them if they show signs of aggression, stress, or injury. You should also supervise the mating process, and ensure that it is consensual, safe, and successful. You should also remove the male bearded dragon after the mating process, and provide the female bearded dragon with extra care and nutrition.
- Caring for the pregnant female bearded dragon: You need to care for the pregnant female bearded dragon, and prepare for the delivery. You should provide your bearded dragon with a high-quality diet, rich in calcium and protein, and plenty of water. You should also provide your bearded dragon with a nesting box, filled with moist and soft substrate, where she can lay her eggs. You should also monitor your bearded dragon's health and behavior, and seek veterinary care if needed.
- Caring for the baby bearded dragons: You need to care for the baby bearded dragons, and ensure their survival and growth. You should incubate the eggs in a separate enclosure, with optimal temperature, humidity, and ventilation. You should also check the eggs regularly, and remove any infertile or rotten eggs. You should also assist the hatchlings if they have difficulty emerging from the eggs. You should also provide the hatchlings with a suitable enclosure, with proper temperature, lighting, humidity, and substrate. You should also provide the hatchlings with a balanced diet, consisting of small insects and chopped vegetables, and plenty of water. You should also monitor the hatchlings' health and behavior, and seek veterinary care if needed.
By following these steps, you can breed your bearded dragon successfully and safely, and enjoy the experience of raising your own bearded buddies.
Conclusion: Embarking on the Bearded Dragon Journey
Bearded dragons are amazing animals that can make wonderful pets. They are gentle, friendly, and intelligent, and can offer you a unique personality and companionship.
However, they also require a lot of care, commitment, and responsibility, and you need to provide them with the best possible conditions and attention.
By following the tips and advice in this article, you can embark on the bearded dragon journey and enjoy the rewards of owning these bearded buddies.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative, and we wish you and your bearded dragon a happy and healthy life together. Thank you for reading!
FAQs about Bearded Dragons
Is a bearded dragon a good pet?
Bearded dragons are good pets for people who are looking for a gentle, friendly, and intelligent reptile. They are easy to care for, adaptable to captivity, and bond well with their owners.
Do pet bearded dragons like to be held?
Pet bearded dragons generally like to be held and interacted with, as long as they are handled gently and frequently. They can also show signs of stress or discomfort, which you should respect and respond to.
What is the best substrate for bearded dragons?
The best substrate for bearded dragons is one that is safe, comfortable, and easy to clean, such as reptile carpet, paper towels, newspaper, or tile.
How often should I feed my bearded dragon?
The feeding frequency for your bearded dragon depends on their age and size. As a general rule, you should feed them as much as they can eat in 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice a day.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed or unhappy?
Some signs of stress or unhappiness in bearded dragons are gaping, hissing, biting, hiding, darkening, or losing appetite. You should try to identify and eliminate the source of stress and provide them with a calm and enriching environment.
How can I bond with my bearded dragon?
You can bond with your bearded dragon by handling and interacting with them regularly, petting and talking to them softly and kindly, and playing and training them gently and funnily. You should also respect their signals and preferences.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is male or female?
You can tell the sex of your bearded dragon by looking at their physical characteristics, such as the shape and size of their head, body, and tail, and the presence and location of their femoral pores. You can also consult a veterinarian or a breeder for confirmation.