Bearded Dragon

Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps

Native Habitat: Australian deserts, shrublands, and woodlands

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Size: 18-24"

Temperament: Docile

Ease of handling: Manageable size, calm temperament, and quite hardy

Skill level: Beginner

Activity level: Diurnal, active during the day and asleep at night

Adults should be kept in a large enclosure, at least 48x24x24". Beardies love to chase their food and need adequate space to roam freely.

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Juveniles can be kept in smaller enclosures but will quickly outgrow them.

Temperature: Warm end should be between 32-38°C. Cool end should be between 27-32°C. 

Lighting: UVB is essential to the health of your bearded dragon

Humidity: 20-40%

Substrate: Ceramic or slate tiles work well in their basking area for retaining the high heat levels that beardies need as well as being easy to clean, and tiles also help keep nails filed down. A mixture of top soil, play sand, and cococoir also makes for a good substrate and provides digging opportunities.

Have at least one hide located on the cool side of the enclosure.

Bearded dragons LOVE basking, large rocks, driftwood, cork, and platforms can be used.

A rough surface such as a large stone or ceramic tile can help with shedding and keeping nails trim.

Bearded dragons require a diverse diet to provide them with the best health possible. They will happily eat daily but be careful not to allow them to gorge and become obese. Feeder insects such as dubia roaches make for a good source of protein. Beardies love vegetables such as collard greens, dandelion greens, squash, green beans, okra, snap peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. They will also indulge in the occasional fruity treat such as bananas, apples, berries, melon, etc.