By Maria Zayas, DVM
6/ 22/ 2023
Bearded Dragon Overview
Native to central Australia, bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizard species.
Bearded dragons are named for one of their natural defense mechanisms. When feeling threatened, bearded dragons can flare out the skin underneath their chin which then darkens in color to resemble a beard. Bearded dragons are affectionately nicknamed “beardies” by reptile enthusiasts.
Bearded dragons are omnivores that consume a varied diet of insects, vegetables, & fruits. Younger bearded dragons need a protein-rich diet that primarily consists of live insects, while older, full-grown bearded dragons need less protein & should be fed more vegetation.
All reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, including Salmonella bacteria, which is zoonotic (transmittable to humans). Always wash your hands before & after handling a bearded dragon or its contents.
Bearded Dragon Characteristics
Difficulty of Care -----Beginner
Average Lifespan----- 8–10 years with proper care
Average Adult Size-----Up to 24 inches long, with half of this length being their tail
Diet -----Omnivorous
Minimum Habitat Size -----20 gallons for juveniles; 40+ gallons for adults
Bearded Dragon Supply Checklist
To keep a bearded dragon happy & healthy, pet parents should have these basic supplies on hand:
-Appropriately sized habitat (20 gallons for juveniles; 40+ gallons for adults)
-Bearded dragon food
-Live reptile food
-Treats
-Substrate
-Moss
-Food & water dish
-Mealworm dish
-Hideaway place
-Climbing décor
-Plants
-Heat light
-Heat fixture
-Under-tank heater
-UVB lighting & fixture
-Multivitamin supplement
-Calcium supplements with & without vitamin D
-Cricket keeper
-Cricket food
-Cricket quencher
-Thermometers
-Humidity gauge
-Mister
Bearded Dragon Habitat
Choosing the Right Enclosure
Juvenile bearded dragons need a tank that’s 20 gallons or larger. You can increase the size of the tank as they mature & grow. All enclosures should have a screened lid to allow for proper ventilation & prevent escape.
With proper care & nutrition, bearded dragons enter adulthood within one year. A single adult bearded dragon should be housed in a breeder tank that’s at least 40 gallons so the lizard can run & exercise comfortably. Always provide the largest habitat possible.
Setting Up Your Habitat
Only one male bearded dragon should be housed in an enclosure; never add more than one male. Doing so can promote aggression & competition between the 2 reptiles. While more than one female may be housed together, females kept in the same enclosure should be monitored initially to be sure that they are compatible. Be sure they are given adequate space to live together, keeping in mind the 40-gallon tank/adult bearded dragon rule of thumb for space.
Pet parents should keep in mind that opposite-sex bearded dragons will likely reproduce if kept in the same habitat. Females should not be housed with males until they are at least 2 years old because younger bearded dragons may have difficulty laying eggs. Never keep different species of animals in the same habitat.
Temperature
Bearded dragons need a thermal gradient in their enclosure so they can warm up & cool down as needed. The recommended temperature for the warm end of a bearded dragon’s habitat is 100 F, while the cooler end should be kept at 75 F.
Check the temperatures of their habitat daily. 2 thermometers—one in the warm area & one in the cool area—should be placed in the enclosure so that both zones can be checked at once. A digital point-&-shoot thermometer can also be used to read habitat temperatures instantly.
Lighting & Heat Support
Like all reptiles, bearded dragons are ectotherms that rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. An incandescent light or ceramic heater should be added to one end of a bearded dragon’s tank to create a basking area for the lizard to use during the day. The wattage needed for the bulb depends on the size of the enclosure, the distance of the bulb from the reptile, & the ambient temperature of the room in which the enclosure is kept. Adjust the wattage of the bulb to maintain the recommended temperature gradient within the tank.
Aside from heat, bearded dragons need UVB light to help them absorb vitamin D & calcium. Supply a bearded dragon’s habitat with a full-spectrum UV light. Bearded dragons need about 10–12 hours of UV light daily.
Since UV lights differ in intensity, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on bulb placement relative to your beardie.
Replace lights every 6 months as their potency wanes over time.
Humidity
Although bearded dragons are native to Australia, they still need humidity in their environment to keep their lungs & skin healthy. The ideal humidity range for a bearded dragon’s habitat is 30% to 50%. A bearded dragon will have difficulty shedding its skin if their environment’s humidity falls below this ideal range.
You can increase humidity in a bearded dragon’s environment by misting the lizard & its habitat décor regularly or by adding non-toxic live plants to the enclosure. If you need to reduce the habitat’s humidity, ensure that the tank is well-ventilated so that humid air can escape. Use a hygrometer to measure the enclosure’s humidity every day.
Substrate
Add substrate or reptile carpet to the bottom of their bearded dragon’s habitat. Gravel, wood chips, & walnut shells are not recommended because these types of bedding are indigestible if consumed & can lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.
If the pet parent chooses to use a loose substrate, such as sand, in their bearded dragon’s enclosure, be sure to feed the lizard in a dish or feeding tank. Loose substrate is not digestible & can obstruct the bearded dragon’s gastrointestinal tract if ingested.
Décor & Accessories
Food dishes: Rather than placing it directly on the habitat’s floor, offer food in a shallow dish or feeding tank to lessen the chance of the bearded dragon accidentally ingesting their substrate.
Worm dishes & cricket feeders are designed to keep live prey in one area.
Hiding area: Bearded dragons should have access to at least 2 hiding areas—one on the cool end of their enclosure, & one on the warm end of their enclosure. Aside from offering privacy & security, hideouts allow bearded dragons to have a space away from their enclosure’s direct basking area.
Monitor your bearded dragon’s behavior to be sure they are not spending all their time in hiding areas, as they won’t have a chance to benefit from UV exposure.
Climbing branches & basking rocks: Add at least one basking rock or sturdy branch to your bearded dragon’s habitat so they can climb & bask during the day.
Basking branches must be large & sturdy enough to support the bearded dragon’s body. Otherwise, the branch could topple over & potentially cause injury.
Moss: Moist sphagnum moss can be added to the inside of a hideout box kept on the warm side of a bearded dragon’s enclosure to create a humidity hide. Moss holds moisture well & can aid in healthy shedding. Moss should be replaced often to prevent mold from forming.
Plants: Adding non-toxic live plants to a bearded dragon’s enclosure can help increase the habitat’s humidity level & enrich their environment.
Cleaning & Maintenance for Bearded Dragons
Pet parents should spot-clean their bearded dragon’s habitat daily, removing any soiled material & discarded food. Water & food bowls need to be washed daily to prevent bacteria from forming.
A bearded dragon’s habitat must be disinfected & cleaned thoroughly at least once a week (or more often if more than one bearded dragon lives in the same habitat). Always wash your hands before & after handling a bearded dragon or its habitat’s contents; all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases.
To clean a bearded dragon’s habitat, take these steps:
Move the bearded dragon to a secure environment. Remove any old substrate, décor, & accessories from the habitat.
Scrub the empty tank & any furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution. The bleach solution should stay on the habitat for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the surfaces are disinfected properly. If using a commercial habitat cleaner, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Rinse the habitat & accessories thoroughly with water, making sure to remove any trace amounts or residual smells left by the cleaning agent or bleach solution.
Allow the habitat & its contents to dry completely before placing new substrate & clean accessories into the habitat.
Return the bearded dragon to the clean habitat.
Bearded Dragon Diet & Nutrition
Bearded dragons enjoy a range of foods, including insects, vegetables, fruits, & the occasional treat. Juvenile bearded dragons need more insects in their diet, while adults eat more plant matter. Bearded dragons need to be fed daily & should always have access to fresh, clean water.
A nutritious & well-balanced diet for a juvenile bearded dragon consists of:
Gut-loaded (recently fed) insects & worms, such as crickets, mealworms, hornworms, waxworms, calciworms, roaches, & superworms. Insects should make up about 70% of a young bearded dragon’s diet.
Never offer more insects than the lizard can consume in one feeding session. Any uneaten insects should be removed from the lizard’s habitat. Otherwise, they may chew & damage the lizard’s skin.
Any insects fed should be no bigger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes.
Vegetables, fruits, & treats can be offered in limited quantities, & should make up the remaining 30% of a young bearded dragon’s diet. Offer a variety of fruits & vegetables to ensure they recieve a good balance of nutrients. These may include:
Kiwis, mangoes, bananas, papayas, cantaloupes, watermelons, & apples are all beardie-safe fruits.
Deep leafy greens, parsley, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, squash, carrots, green beans, Bok choy, escarole, cilantro, endive, & prickly pear make nutritious vegetable staples in a bearded dragon’s diet.
Fruits & vegetables should be sliced into bite-sized pieces.
Discard any uneaten fruits & vegetables after 10 hours, as they may spoil & cause infection if eaten.
Because fruits are naturally high in carbohydrates, excess fruit in a bearded dragon’s diet can cause unhealthy weight gain.
Vitamin supplements: before feeding, dust your bearded dragon’s insects with a powdered supplement. Bearded dragons need 3 vitamin supplements in their diet: a calcium supplement with vitamin D, a calcium supplement without vitamin D, & a multivitamin powder designed for reptiles.
Calcium supplements should be alternated daily. Pet parents should use a powdered calcium supplement with vitamin D on one day & then use a calcium supplement without vitamin D the next.
A multivitamin powder should be used once a week.
To dust insects quickly & efficiently, place insects in a bag or disposable plastic container along with a powdered supplement. Then, shake the bag lightly until the insects are coated evenly in powder.
Fresh, clean water: water should always be available & replaced daily. Since reptiles absorb water through their skin to stay hydrated, water dishes should be large & shallow enough for the lizard to soak in if needed.
Once they enter adulthood, bearded dragons need less fat & protein. An adult bearded dragon’s diet should consist of 70-80% fruits/vegetables & 20-30% live insects. Pelleted food like Mazuri Bearded Dragon Food can be used to supplement a bearded dragon’s diet.
Do not allow bearded dragons to consume fireflies, onions, or mushrooms, as they are all toxic & can cause death or serious illness. High-oxalate foods like avocados, beet greens, spinach, & rhubarb should also be avoided as these foods bind up calcium, & don’t absorb into the lizard’s body.
Bearded Dragon Feeding Guidelines
Before being fed to a bearded dragon, live insects must be ‘gut-loaded’ with a nutrient-dense insect supplement to improve their nutritional value. Gut-loading diets are fortified with vitamins & minerals to help provide optimal nutrition to the reptiles that feed on them.
Bearded Dragon Grooming & Care
Shedding: Bearded dragons shed their skin regularly, so it’s important to keep their habitats’ humidity levels between 30% to 50% to encourage healthy shed cycles.
As reptiles stay hydrated by absorbing water through their skin, you can soak your bearded dragon in a large, shallow container of warm water to help them shed their skin more easily. The water container should be wide enough to allow the lizard to submerge its entire body while keeping its head above water.
Nail care: Most bearded dragons will not need to have their nails trimmed. However, if a bearded dragon is handled often, they may not have a chance to wear their nails down on their habitat & need an occasional trim. Consult a veterinarian if a bearded dragon’s nails seem too long or if you find a broken/damaged nail.
Bearded Dragon Veterinary Care
Annual Care
Bearded dragons should be seen by a veterinarian once annually. They can be transported using a cat carrier or a travel cage. It is helpful to take pictures of your beardie’s enclosure, diet, heaters, & lights in case you or the veterinarian have any questions. Always be sure to bring a fecal sample to your dragon’s annual exam unless your vet prefers to collect a fresh sample themselves.
Signs of a Healthy Bearded Dragon
Clean, clear eyes
Intact skin with no ulcerations or stuck shed
Good appetite
Bright, alert personality
Clean vent
No swellings or bumps
Ability to achieve an upright posture easily
Appropriate basking behavior
Good body condition score/weight
When to Call a Vet
Eyes are swollen, sunken, stuck shut, or have discharge
Pink ulcerations or other lesions are seen on the skin
Refusing food (do keep in mind seasonal variances in appetite)
Failing to bask
Lethargy
Discharge around vent
Lumps or bumps
Cannot ambulate or posture appropriately
Belly appears sunken
Shed is stuck, especially around the toes, & extra especially if any are swollen
Common Illnesses in Bearded Dragons
Intestinal parasites
GI impactions
Metabolic bone disease
Dystocia (stuck eggs)
Eye infections & ulcerations
Respiratory illnesses
Skin Infections
Trauma
Bearded Dragon FAQs
Do bearded dragons cuddle with humans?
They sure do! Bearded dragons make great pets, especially for kids, because they often love being held & handled. Petting them looks a little different from a dog but they typically love the cuddles all the same.
Is a bearded dragon a good pet?
Bearded dragons make fantastic pets. They have goofy, inquisitive personalities, require minimal daily upkeep or space, love interacting with their humans & are great with kids. They rarely bite, scratch, or become stressed while being handled.
Are bearded dragons easy to keep alive?
Bearded dragons do great in captivity & usually live long, healthy lives. Once their enclosure has been designed correctly & an appropriate diet plan has been created, their care becomes very simple.
How many bearded dragons should be kept together?
Only one male bearded dragon should be kept per enclosure but several females can be kept together if you have the space. It is also not recommended to mix males & females unless you are specifically breeding them.
Does a bearded dragon bite hurt?
Bearded dragons rarely bite & if they do it’s unlikely to hurt much—it’s more startling than anything. Only adult bearded dragons have the bite force to hurt at all but it’s still unlikely to break skin or be painful once they release or you pull free.
Do bearded dragons like to be held?
With regular practice, most bearded dragons like to be held & have been known to happily let children carry them.
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