If you are a bearded dragon lover, you probably know how important it is to provide your pet with a proper diet, a comfortable habitat, and a lot of love. But do you know how much water your bearded dragon needs, and how to make sure they drink enough?
Water is essential for all living beings, including bearded dragons. It helps them regulate their body temperature, digestion, urination, circulation, and metabolism. Without enough water, bearded dragons can become dehydrated, which can lead to serious health problems and even death.
But how do bearded dragons drink water, and how often do they need it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, and give you some tips on how to keep your beardie hydrated and healthy.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Bearded dragons drink water from different sources, such as food, misting, bathing, licking, and drinking from a bowl.
- Bearded dragons need about 10 ml of water per day for every 300 g of body weight, but this may vary depending on their age, activity level, diet, and environment.
- Bearded dragons can go without water for 3 days to 2 weeks, but this is not recommended, as it can cause dehydration and health issues.
- You can tell if your bearded dragon is dehydrated by checking their skin, saliva, eyes, and behavior. If you notice any signs of dehydration, you should take your beardie to a vet as soon as possible.
- You can help your bearded dragon drink more water by offering them fresh and clean water daily, misting them regularly, giving them a bath once a week, feeding them foods high in moisture, and avoiding substrates that can absorb water.
Table of Contents
How Do Bearded Dragons Drink Water?
Bearded dragons are native to the dry and arid regions of Australia, where water is scarce and precious. In the wild, bearded dragons get most of their water from the food they eat, such as insects, fruits, and vegetables. They also drink water from dew drops, rain, and puddles, and absorb water through their skin.
In captivity, bearded dragons have different ways of drinking water, depending on their preference and availability. Here are some of the most common ways that bearded dragons drink water:
- From a bowl: You should always provide your bearded dragon with a shallow and wide water bowl that they can easily access and drink from. Also, you can encourage your beardie to drink from a bowl by placing it near their basking spot, adding some rocks or plants to make it more attractive, or dripping some water on the edge of the bowl to catch their attention.
- From misting: Misting is a technique that involves spraying water on your bearded dragon's body, head, and mouth, using a spray bottle or a mister. Misting can help your beardie stay hydrated, as they can lick the water droplets from their skin, eyes, and nose. You should mist your bearded dragon at least once a day, preferably in the morning, when they are more active and thirsty.
- From bathing: Bathing is another way to provide your bearded dragon with water, as well as to clean them, help them shed, and relieve constipation. You should give your beardie a bath once a week, using a shallow and warm water container, such as a sink, a tub, or a plastic bin. The water level should be no higher than your bearded dragon's shoulders, and the temperature should be around 95°F (35°C).Â
- From licking: Bearded dragons have a natural instinct to lick anything that is wet, shiny, or colorful, as they may think it is water or food. This can be a way for them to get some water, but it can also be a sign of curiosity, boredom, or hunger.
- From food: As we mentioned before, bearded dragons get most of their water from the food they eat, especially from fruits and vegetables. So, you should feed your beardie a balanced and varied diet, that consists of 80% insects and 20% plants for adults, and 50% insects and 50% plants for juveniles.
| Food | Water Content | Nutrients |
|---|---|---|
| Cucumber | 96% | Vitamin K, Potassium, Magnesium |
| Tomato | 94% | Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Lycopene |
| Watermelon | 92% | Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Lycopene |
| Lettuce | 96% | Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Folate |
| Celery | 95% | Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Potassium |
| Zucchini | 94% | Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium |
| Bell Pepper | 92% | Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 |
| Strawberry | 91% | Vitamin C, Vitamin B9, Manganese |
| Orange | 87% | Vitamin C, Vitamin B9, Potassium |
| Apple | 86% | Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Fiber |
How Often Do Bearded Dragons Drink Water?
The amount of water that your bearded dragon needs depends on several factors, such as their age, size, activity level, diet, and environment. However, a general rule of thumb is that an adult bearded dragon weighing 300 g needs about 10 ml of water per day, both from food and direct drinking. This means that for every 100 g of body weight, your beardie needs about 3 ml of water per day.
However, this is just an estimate, and your bearded dragon may need more or less water, depending on their individual needs and preferences. You should always monitor your beardie's water intake, and adjust it accordingly, based on their behavior, appearance, and health.
How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Water?
Bearded dragons are adapted to survive in harsh and dry conditions, where water is scarce and precious. In the wild, bearded dragons can go for days without drinking water, as they can rely on their food and their body reserves to stay hydrated. However, this is not a healthy or comfortable situation for them, and it can cause dehydration and health issues.
In captivity, bearded dragons should not go without water for more than 3 days, as this can lead to serious dehydration and health problems. If you are going away for a few days, and you cannot find someone to take care of your beardie, you should make sure that they have enough water and food before you leave, and that their enclosure is clean and safe. You should also mist them and give them a bath before you go, and check on them as soon as you come back.
If your bearded dragon is brumating, which is a period of dormancy that some bearded dragons go through during the winter, they may not drink or eat for weeks or even months. However, this does not mean that they do not need water, as they can still lose water through their skin and their breath. You should still provide them with a water bowl, and mist them, and give them a bath once a week, to prevent dehydration and keep them clean. You should also monitor their weight and health, and wake them up if you notice any signs of illness or distress.
How to Tell If Your Bearded Dragon Is Dehydrated?
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when your bearded dragon loses more water than they takes in, and their body fluids become too concentrated. Dehydration can affect your beardie's health and well-being and can lead to serious complications and even death.
Some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration in bearded dragons are:
- Wrinkled or loose skin
- Sticky or stringy saliva
- Sunken or dry eyes
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite or weight
- Constipation or impaction
- Kidney failure or gout
If you notice any of these signs in your bearded dragon, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible, as they may need fluid therapy and medication to restore their hydration and health.
Conclusion
Water is essential for your bearded dragon's health and well-being, and you should make sure that they drink enough water every day. Bearded dragons drink water from different sources, such as food, misting, bathing, licking, and drinking from a bowl.
You should provide your beardie with fresh and clean water daily, mist them regularly, give them a bath once a week, feed them foods high in moisture, and avoid substrates that can absorb water. By following these tips, you can help your bearded dragon stay hydrated and healthy, and enjoy a long and happy life with them.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you want to learn more about bearded dragons and how to care for them, you can visit our blog Dragon Lovers Hub, where we share our passion and knowledge about these amazing creatures. We also welcome your comments, questions, and feedback, so feel free to contact us anytime.
Do you have any tips or tricks on how to help your bearded dragon drink more water? Let us know in the comments below!