CARE OF BEARDED DRAGONS

beardie

Feeding Young Beardies (<6 months)

  • Feed salad as described for adults daily
    • salad should make up 20% of total diet
    • Dust salad with a small pinch of Calcium/Vitamin D3 4-5 times per week
  • Feed insects 2 times per day (all they can eat in 10-15 minutes) (80% of total diet)
    • A young beardie may eat dozens of small insects per day (remember the size rule!)
  • Give multivitamin once per week
  • Pre-soaked bearded dragon pellets can be offered (no more than 50% of diet)
    • Use Calcium/D3 and multivitamins half as often if your beardie eats pellets

Feeding Adult Beardies (>6 months)

  • Offer a salad of greens and veggies daily (cut into bite-sized pieces)- 80% of total diet
  • Large helpings:        
    • Mustard Greens    
    • Bok Choy
    • Collard Greens
    • Turnip Greens
    • Endive
    • Parsley
    • Dandelion Greens        
  •         Small helpings:
    • Squash
    • Peas
    • Beans
    • Carrots
    • Sweet potato
    • Broccoli
    • Bell Peppers
    • Bee pollen            
  • Pre-soaked Bearded Dragon pellets can be offered (no more than 50% of diet)
  • Dust salad with small pinch of Calcium/Vitamin D3 3-4 times per week (2-3 times per week if on pellets)
  • Dust salad with a multivitamin every other week (Rep-Cal Herptivite Multivitamin) (not required if on pellets)
  • Treats can be offered in very small amounts: Melons, Strawberry, Grape, Mango, Blueberry
  • Insects can be offered 2-3 times per week (all they can eat in 10-15 minutes)- 20% of total diet
    • Crickets, phoenix worms, dubia roaches, earthworms, locusts, black soldier fly larva
    • Gut-load your insects: Insects need water and bearded dragon pellets
    • Maximum size of insect is the length between your beardie's eyes
  • Foods to AVOID: Wild-caught insects (fireflies are toxic), avocado, iceberg lettuce, citrus fruit
 

Water

  • Offer a large shallow water dish that your beardie can fit most of their body into
  • Clean the bowl and change the water daily
  • Soak your beardie in chest-deep lukewarm water 10-15 minutes 1-2 times per week
 

Housing

  • Ideal enclosure size is 24 x 24 x 48 inches for an adult
  • Floors should be lined with reptile carpet, slate tiles newspaper/paper towel
    • Avoid sand, mulch, moss
  • Offer a hiding spot and multiple branches to climb on
  • Avoid heated rocks (can cause burns)
  • We recommend solo housing for pet bearded dragons
 

Lighting and Temperatures

  • Use a probe thermometer or infrared laser to determine temperature at beardie level
  • Ambient daytime temperature should be 75-80 degrees
  • Focal basking spot should reach 95-110 degrees
  • Night time temperature can be 65-75 degrees (red lights or ceremic heat sources needed)
  • A UVB light should be used in a frequently used area (tube lights are the most efficient)
    • Change UVB light bulb every 6 months (even if it is still on)
    • UVB light should be about 12 inches above the beardie and no have no glass barriers
    • Direct sunlight is best, but stay safe (no glass enclosure outside and monitor carefully)
    • Sunlight filtered through window glass is NOT a source of UV light.
  • All day-time lights should be on a timer and should be on for 12 hours per day
 
 

Medical

  • We recommend yearly physical examination and fecals and bloodwork
  • "Brumation" is a natural slow-down that some beardies experience
    • Consult with a vet for advice if your beardie stops eating or becomes less active
  • Common signs of illness include weight loss, not eating, color change, twitching, swollen limbs, nasal or eye discharge, and excessive egg laying.  Call for help immediately if concerned
  • Weigh your beardie regularly on a gram scale at home (food or postage scales work well)
  • Pet insurance is available through "Veterinary Pet Insurance"

Human Health Risks

  • Some bearded dragons carry salmonella on their skin- always wash hands after handling
    • This is especially important for children
  • Minimize fire risks
    • Make sure all lamps and heating elements are strongly secured in place
    • Keep flammable material far from heating elements and lamps
    • Do not over-burden power outlets with multiple lamps
 

Resources

All Creatures Animal Clinic (Us, of course!) 734-973-1884

The Bearded Dragon

Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection: www.anapsid.org

Nationwide Pet Insurance