Things to consider
First and foremost, there are many things you need to consider before
getting a Bearded Dragon. If cared for properly, Bearded Dragons can live 8-12 in captivity.
This is a long term and serious commitment. Ultimately, they will only be able
to rely on you to meet their needs.
Do not buy on impulse. Do your research first.
Are you set up for your new bearded dragon?
Have you located a qualified exotic veterinarian?
Do you have the time to commit to a bearded dragon?
Can you afford the upkeep of a bearded dragon?
How do you feel about having live feeder insects in your home?
Housing Your Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons require a fairly large enclosure in order to maintain a good temperature gradient. There must be a hot side for basking and a cooler side for them to escape from the heat when they need to.
Never keep more than one bearded dragon in an enclosure. They are solitary lizards and no matter if they appear to be getting along, they are not!
Substrate
Bearded dragons may be desert animals, but they do not live in sand, or any other type of particle substrate. Their natural habitat is rocky, hard packed clay/dirt.
The best substrate you can give a bearded dragon is Reptile Carpet. You can also use paper towels, butcher paper, tile or newspaper.
Heating
Baby and juveniles require the surface temperature at the
basking spot to be 105 degrees and cool ambient temperature of 85 degrees.
Adults require the surface temperature at the basking
spot to be 100 – 105 degrees and cool ambient temperature of 80 – 85 degrees.
Lighting
Bearded Dragons require 12 -14 hours of full spectrum and UVB lighting.
Furniture
Items to include in your bearded dragon enclosure are:
Hides
Branches for climbing and basking
Hammocks
Large rocks for climbing and basking
Humidity gauge
Keeping your Bearded Dragon Hydrated
Bearded dragons will get some water from their food but that's not going to be enough. You will have to use other methods of keeping them hydrated such as, misting their salad, dripping water on it's nose with a dropper or needleless syringe and bathing once or twice a week.
Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat fruits, vegetables, greens and insects.
Insects that can be fed include, crickets, meal worms, supper worms, wax worms and dubia roaches.
Greens include, among others, turnip greens, collard greens, mustard greens. Never lettuce!
Vegetables include, among others, butternut squash, acorn squash, green beans, tomatoes and such.
Fruits include, among others, mango, melon, figs and apples.
There are also certain types of flowers and herbs that can be fed as well.
Supplements
Multivitamin
It is very important that you chose a Multivitamin that
has Beta Carotene instead of synthetic vitamin A. Your Dragon should receive
enough vitamin A from diet alone and too much could cause Vitamin A Toxicity.
Calcium
Calcium
With Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient that allows the
Bearded Dragon to absorb calcium. In the wild, Dragons get all the D3 they need
from the sun. In captivity, we need to supply this very important nutrient.
This
is very important: if your Bearded Dragon spends at least 1
hour outside in direct sunlight, every
single day, then do not use calcium with vitamin D3 added to it.
Calcium
Without Vitamin D3
If your Bearded Dragon has time outside in the sun on a
daily basis or you are using full
spectrum lighting, only use a calcium supplement that does not contain D3.
Check out my article on Setting up a Bearded Dragon Tank on a Budget to see how I save a lot of money on set-up.
For more information and a complete Bearded Dragon care guide follow this link Bearded Dragon Care Guide
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