ThePetEnthusiast Complete Bearded Dragon Care Sheet For Beginners

Bearded Dragon / By Robin Lee.

Choosing to welcome a bearded dragon into your home is not a decision to be taken lightly.

These friendly lizards require strict habitat conditions to be met, along with set feeding requirements, heating, and more, all of which will be discussed in detail later on in this article.

This bearded dragon care sheet is designed for beginner enthusiast who wants to ensure they provide their new pet with the best possible long-term care.

## **General Information:**

### **Natural Habitat:**

The bearded dragon natural habitat is the deserts of Australia where these reptiles bask in hot locations including arid and subtropical woodlands and deserts.

The dragons are dominant and territorial animals, often taking possession of their favored basking area to soak up the sun for hours each day.

When it gets too hot they burrow underground.

In order to create the optimum habitat for your new bearded dragon you need a good understanding of dragon behaviours in their natural habitat, ensuring your new pet is comfortable.

#### **Temperature Regulation:**

Temperature helps the bearded dragon to regulate their body temperature.

Adding heat to their habitat is essential to their health.

The bearded dragon will obtain heat from their surroundings.

This is called ectotherms.

Surprisingly your bearded dragon can keep a relatively stable body temperature, this is due to the fact that they are metabolically inactive when food is scarce and in general, they are low energy animals.

#### **Optimum Day And Night Temperatures:**

Unlike many other lizards, the bearded dragon is very active during the day time, this includes the hottest times.

They obtain their body heat from the sun and while they can withstand high temperatures, too much can be deadly.

85ºF (29.

4ºC) is the ideal maximum temperature and something to aim towards.

#### **Hibernation:**

Yes bearded dragons do go through a form of semi-hibernation called brumation.

This hibernation can last a couple of weeks to a few months.

Your bearded dragon is more likely to hibernate when temperatures drop below 60 – 70ºF (15 – 21ºC).

Not all ***“beardies”*** will hibernate.

#### **Predators And Prey:**

Bearded dragons are not picky eaters, due to food being so scarce in their natural habitats.

These lizards are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals.

Your bearded dragon has a very large stomach and after a healthy meal, it’s not uncommon for these lizards to be unable to run and escape from predators effectively.

#### **Fighting:**

While you may think you have the calmest and most docile bearded dragon, they do fight.

The good news is that most beardies are lazy and don’t enjoy moving, this includes when they feel threatened.

They rely on their effective camouflage.

If confronted by a predator, the bearded dragon will flatten their body to the ground, blow out their beards and open their mouth slightly.

They will fight back if attacked.

### **Bearded Dragons Size And Age:**

The average length of a bearded dragon can range from 12 to 24 inches (30 – 60 cm).

German Giants are the largest bearded dragons which tend to reach 22 – 24 inches in length.

Every bearded dragon has different development speeds so there is no way to determine the exact age of a bearded dragon without a recorded document.

However, you can use the bearded dragon growth chart below for a rough estimation of a bearded dragon’s age based on its size.

There are numerous factors that impact the growth of your bearded dragon, these include breed, gender, and health.

The first year of growth is rapid and very noticeable.

Bearded dragons grow ninety percent of their full size in the first year and are fully grown by the second year.

A bearded dragon can grow to 16 or 22 inches in their first year and then grow to 24 inches in their second year.
A baby beardie of between zero and six months of age goes through its fastest growth period and can weigh around 40g.
A juvenile dragon of six months to one year will still grow fast, but not as fast as the first six months.

Their weight should range from 183g to 378g.

An adult beardie of twelve months can weigh up to 500g.

This is all determined by the breed and health of the dragon.

### **Lifespan:**

These are very hardy reptiles, which is what makes them such great pets.

In the wild, the average lifespan of a bearded dragon is three to five years.

This lifespan is also given to the bearded dragons that have been in captivity and neglected.
Most bearded dragons cared for in captivity will last between five and twelve years with twelve to fourteen years being possible but not that common.
Over fourteen years is extremely rate, but bearded dragons have been recorded up the age of nineteen in captivity.

## **Before Having A Bearded Dragon:**

Before you rush off to your local pet shop and buy the first ***“beardie”*** you see, there are some important things to consider.

The same as you wouldn’t bring a cat home without having a litter box, food bowls, and toys in place, you shouldn’t bring your bearded dragon home until you have everything set up and ready.

### **Costs:**

The initial setup costs of having a bearded dragon can be on the expensive side.

Once your initial costs are covered, then there are basic monthly costs you need to consider, including an urgent visit to the vet if needed.
A regular vet check-up for your bearded dragon can set you back between $60 and $70.

#### **Initial Costs:**

* Bearded dragon – $200 to $400.
* Tank/vivarium – $60 – $200.
* Decorations – $20 to $60.
* Initial costs average between $400 and $600.

#### **Monthly / Ongoing Costs:**

* Food – $10 to $50.
* Substrate and cleaning – $2 to $10.
* Lighting – $50 to $100 annually.
* Total monthly costs per bearded dragon is between $10 and $50.

### **Responsibilities:**

It’s important to note before you run out and purchase a bearded dragon that this is at least a ten year responsibility.

This will require an investment of your time and money to ensure you keep your pet healthy and well looked after.

Daily responsibilities including turning on and off the light and heat lamp at set times.

Some bearded dragon owners choose to use a timer switch to ensure that they provide the ultimate habitat.

Feeding will include a mix of fresh fruit, vegetables and greens along with insects, which includes crickets, cockroaches and mealworms, to name a few.

(More details to follow in the feeding section).
Bathing is an important part of your bearded dragon health and you will be responsible for cleaning their cage once a month at least and giving them a welcome bath, which your beardie is guaranteed to enjoy.

### **Where Can You Get A Bearded Dragon:**

Most people will head off to the pet shop, this is always the first and most convenient choice to find a new pet.

But there are numerous resources you can make use of to find a healthy beardie.

Consider buying from a responsible breeder.

They will have more experience and will provide a healthy beardie.

Some owners visit a reptile rescue center.

These beardies were once neglected and you are offering them a second chance at life.

The same applies when making use of the classified adverts in your local paper, you are giving the bearded dragon a second chance at a happy life.

### **What Age Should You Get:**

There are significant differences in buying a young or adult bearded dragon.

Some of the important factors you need to understand are listed below.

#### **Young Bearded Dragons:**

It is more common for owners to choose a younger bearded dragon, this is because it helps with bonding and is less of a risk than buying an older bearded dragon that has problems and bad habits.

It is important to note that when handling younger bearded dragons, they are more fragile than the adults and therefore should always be handled with care.

To avoid disappointment, it’s important to note that bearded dragons which are younger than four months have a high mortality rate.

Their diet consists of mostly insects and they will need to be fed multiple times each day, which can quickly get expensive.

Young bearded dragons generally don’t develop gender characteristics until they have reached sexual maturity (usually 5 – 6 month old).

So there is no easy way to tell if a young bearded dragon is male or female.

* Birth to 8 inches – the dragon grows rapidly at this age with a big appetite for most insects.

Young dragons are more likely to attack their tank mates if they are hungry.

* 8 inches to adult – During this growth period, the dragon`s diet will change to include more vegetables, fruit and greens.

They are less aggressive towards other bearded dragons at this size, even though the growth rate remains relatively rapid.

It’s at this size where sexual maturity begins.

#### **Adult Bearded Dragons:**

The benefit to adult bearded dragons is that they are less fragile and more stable when it comes to their diet.

While you will pay more for an adult and their previous history will be unknown, they can be an ideal choice if you’re worried about handling a smaller and more fragile beardie.

### **Bearded Dragon Male Or Female:**

#### **Males:**

Male bearded dragons are bigger than the females and often much brighter in colour.

Most owners will tell you that the males have more personality and character, but at the same time they can be more aggressive.

You cannot keep two males in the same habitat.

#### **Females:**

The females tend to be less aggressive, but their colour isn’t as vivid as the males.

They are also smaller in size.

Female bearded dragons will lay eggs with or without a mate once they reach sexual maturity.

## **Housing:**

Housing your bearded dragon is a very important exercise, providing your reptile with a home that is as close to their natural habitat as possible, ensuring that they remain healthy and happy for years to come.

A bearded dragon is a long term commitment and to ensure the best for your pet, you will want to take some of the following factors listed below into consideration.