A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Bearded Dragons

Owning a bearded dragon can bring years of joy, curiosity, and unique companionship. These wonderful animals make fantastic pets with their naturally curious and amusing nature. They can be just as interesting and affectionate as a dog or cat, but are a much better fit for smaller living spaces like apartments. However, because bearded dragons aren’t as common as other pets, caring for them may seem overwhelming at first. That’s why taking the proper steps to understanding their habitat needs is the first step toward ensuring a happy, healthy life for your scaly friend.

Where to Buy a Bearded Dragon

Not all sources are created equal, and it's essential to choose a reputable breeder when buying your dragon. One of the biggest mistakes is buying from a big-box store, as these places have been linked to reports of poor treatment and puppy-mill-like breeders for reptiles.  Instead, find hobbyist bearded dragon breeders.  They will know the genetics, care, and history of the pet so that you can get a healthy bearded dragon from the start.

Online Breeders
Online breeders are a popular option, but you need to vet them carefully. Before making a purchase, ask important questions: 

• How is the dragon shipped? 
• Do they guarantee the animal’s health? 
• How was the dragon raised? 
• How long has the breeder been in the business? 
• Make sure to check customer reviews and testimonials to verify their reputation.

Reptile Shows
Reptile shows offer the advantage of seeing the dragons in person before making your decision. You can ask the breeder questions directly, such as the same ones you’d ask an online breeder, and assess the overall health of the animals on display. Watch out for warning signs like missing toes, foggy eyes, or lethargy, which could indicate neglect.

What’s the Cost?

Owning a bearded dragon comes with upfront and ongoing expenses.

• Upfront Costs: Expect to spend around $550 for the necessary tank, lighting, heat sources, and other essentials—not including the bearded dragon itself.
• Monthly Expenses: Feeding costs (primarily insects) can total around $50 per month. You’ll also need cleaning supplies, money for vet visits, and the electric bill for running your heat lamps. Monthly upkeep can easily run you $200.

Veterinary Costs

Unfortunately, bearded dragons are not immune to illness. Without proper nutrition or UVB lighting, they may visit the vet more than you'd like. Some common health-related expenses include:

• Fecal exams ($30)
• Worm treatments ($20)
• X-rays ($85)
• Blood work ($155)
• Antibiotic injections ($20)
• Sonograms ($300)

It’s important to understand the full scope of care required. These incredible reptiles can live up to 15 years when cared for correctly and can form strong bonds with their human caregivers.

Setting Up Your Bearded Dragon’s Habitat

Creating a safe and suitable habitat is vital for your bearded dragon’s well-being. Here's a quick rundown of the essentials:

• Tank: Adult bearded dragons need at least a 40-gallon tank, though larger is better. Consider searching for second-hand tanks to save money, as you don’t need a water-tight seal for a reptile enclosure.  Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are great places to look for used tanks.
• Substrate: Choose safe substrates like slate tiles, paper towels, or reptile carpets. Avoid loose materials like sand, which can cause impaction if ingested.
• Basking Spot: A large, heat-retaining rock or log will serve as a basking area.
• Lighting: A UV light or bright white light is necessary. Make sure the basking area stays between 105°F and 110°F for baby dragons, and between 100°F and 105°F for adults.
• Heat Mat: Controversial among keepers, heat mats aren’t recommended as dragons can’t sense heat on their bellies, leading to burns. If you use one, ensure it's only on half of the tank.
• UVB Lights: The ReptiSun 10.0 Tube is highly recommended for ensuring proper calcium absorption and preventing metabolic bone disease.
• Thermometer: Use a digital thermometer or infrared gun to monitor the temperature accurately.

Feeding and Nutrition

Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they need a balanced diet of insects and greens.

• Juvenile Dragons: They should be fed a diet of 70% insects and 30% greens. Feed them 2-3 times daily.
• Adults: They require a shift in diet to 80% vegetables and 20% insects, with feedings reduced to once a day.

When it comes to live food, popular options include live crickets, superworms, dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae. Many insects can be found at pet stores, but you’ll get more crickets and other insects for less money finding crickets for sale online.  

Nearly all insects (crickets, superworms, dubias, mealworms) need to be dusted and gut loaded with calcium powder.  Be sure to dust their food with calcium and multivitamins several times a week to support bone health and overall vitality.

Safe Feeder Insects:

• Crickets: Easy to find and inexpensive, but they can be noisy and aggressive.
• Dubia Roaches: Higher in fat, quieter, and less smelly than crickets. Dubia roaches are a favorite among many bearded dragon keepers.  But dubias have extremely fine frass, and may cause allergies.
• Black Soldier Fly Larvae: An excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratio makes them a top feeder choice. These don’t need to be dusted with supplements.

Leafy Greens:

• Collard, mustard, and turnip greens are excellent staples. Avoid lettuce, which has little nutritional value and can cause diarrhea.

Common Health Issues

Bearded dragons are generally hardy, but there are some common health problems that every owner should be aware of:

• Metabolic Bone Disease: Caused by insufficient UVB lighting or calcium.
• Respiratory Infections: Brought on by improper humidity or cold temperatures.
• Impaction: A digestive blockage caused by ingesting unsuitable substrate or large food items.

Regular vet checkups and proper care can prevent many of these issues. It’s also important to keep your dragon hydrated, even though they rarely drink still water. Bathing can help with hydration, as dragons absorb water through their vents.

Bath Time and Cleaning

Bathing your dragon not only keeps them clean but helps with hydration and can stimulate bowel movements. Use lukewarm water, no deeper than your dragon's shoulders, and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes every few days. If they defecate in the water, clean them off immediately.

While your dragon is soaking, it's a good time to clean out their tank. Spot clean daily and do a deep clean at least once a month. Use a solution of water, vinegar, and a small amount of bleach to disinfect, and replace any dirty substrate.