Bearded Dragon Care Instructions

Bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are popular pet reptiles native to Australia. They are known for their distinctive appearance, including spiny scales under their throats that can puff up when they feel threatened or during displays of dominance. Here's a detailed care guide for keeping bearded dragons healthy and happy:

Habitat Setup:

  1. Enclosure: Provide a spacious enclosure with plenty of room for your bearded dragon to move around. A 40-gallon breeder tank is suitable for juveniles, while adults will need a larger enclosure, such as a 75-gallon tank or larger.

  2. Substrate: Use a substrate that is safe for bearded dragons and easy to clean. Options include reptile carpet, ceramic tile, paper towels, or a mixture of topsoil and sand. Avoid substrates that can be ingested and cause impaction, such as loose sand or small particles.

  3. Temperature and Lighting:

    • Basking Spot: Maintain a basking spot temperature of 95-105°F (35-40°C) for optimal digestion and metabolism.
    • Cool Side: Keep the cool side of the enclosure around 75-85°F (24-29°C) during the day.
    • Nighttime Temperature: Allow temperatures to drop to around 65-75°F (18-24°C) at night.
    • UVB Lighting: Provide a full-spectrum UVB light source for 10-12 hours a day to support calcium absorption and prevent metabolic bone disease.

  4. Humidity: Bearded dragons require low to moderate humidity levels, typically around 30-40%. Maintain humidity by providing a shallow water dish for drinking and occasional misting, but ensure the enclosure is well-ventilated to prevent respiratory issues.

Diet:

  1. Feeding: Bearded dragons are omnivores, and their diet should consist of a variety of live insects, leafy greens, and vegetables.

    • Juveniles: Offer a diet primarily composed of appropriately sized insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and small superworms. Feed insects dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements daily.
    • Adults: As bearded dragons mature, their diet should gradually include more leafy greens and vegetables. Offer a mix of collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, squash, bell peppers, and other nutritious vegetables. Insects should still be offered regularly, but less frequently than for juveniles.

  2. Supplements: Dust feeder insects with calcium powder (without vitamin D3) at every feeding, and with a multivitamin supplement containing D3 once or twice a week to ensure proper nutrition.

Environmental Enrichment:

  1. Basking and Hiding Spots: Provide multiple basking spots with rocks, logs, or branches for climbing and thermoregulation. Additionally, offer hiding spots and shelters for your bearded dragon to retreat to when they want privacy or security.

  2. Substrate and Decor: Create a naturalistic environment with a variety of substrates, rocks, branches, and artificial plants. Be sure to provide a large enough water dish for soaking and hydration.

Health and Maintenance:

  1. Monitoring: Regularly monitor temperature, humidity, and behavior to ensure optimal conditions and detect any signs of illness or stress.

  2. Handling: Handle your bearded dragon gently and regularly to help them become accustomed to human interaction. Support their body properly and avoid excessive pressure on their limbs and tail.

  3. Veterinary Care: Find a reptile veterinarian experienced with bearded dragons and schedule annual check-ups to monitor your pet's health and address any concerns promptly.

By providing proper care and a suitable habitat, you can ensure the health and well-being of your bearded dragon, allowing you to enjoy their unique personality and behaviors for many years to come.