Bearded Dragon Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

 Approximately 10 years

AVERAGE SIZE

 14-22 inches

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Bearded Dragons are very social & engaging. Males become territorial and females may also have trouble getting along. For this reason, it is easiest for the pet owner to keep only one per enclosure. 

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Warm Side: 78-90°F

Basking: 95-100°F

Cool Side: 68°F

HUMIDITY

35-40% humidity levels 

ENCLOSURE 

The enclosure should be a solid glass sided tank long enough to create the two separate temperature gradients with a solid escape-proof cover.   

FEEDING

Bearded Dragons are omnivorous so both plant and protein sources need to be offered. About 50%-60% of an adult’s diet should be made up of plant matter, the remaining percentage being protein. Juveniles should be offered plant matter daily, but most of their diet needs to be varying insects. Commercial pelleted foods may also be offered with plant matter.

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust food with calcium and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile’s food should be dusted more often than an adult’s. 

WATER

All water given to lizards for bathing, swimming or drinking, as well as water used for misting, must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. Fresh water for soaking and drinking should be offered daily.  

UVB LIGHT

Bearded Dragons MUST be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is CRITICAL in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium. 

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All lizards must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Bearded Dragons need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime.  

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month. 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 40-100 Gal reptile tank with secure mesh top (20 Gal tank is acceptable for babies)
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• UVB bulb & housing
• Under tank heating pad
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Shredded aspen bedding or reptile carpet
• Live or artificial branches for basking (reptile-safe)
• Large water bowl - big enough to soak in
• Food bowl
• Live food
• At least 1 dry hide house
• Bearded Dragon food pellets
• Calcium & vitamin supplements
• Water dechlorinate drops 

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.