Bearded Dragons have a great deal of personality (for a reptile) and are one of the favorite lizard pets. Bearded dragons are easy to keep and adjust well to their environments because they are relatively hardy. Bearded dragons like us humans go through different stage’s, changes in their growth and behavior. As pets they are attractive, active and moderately sized. They are very easy to handle because they are naturally tame.

SIZE: A baby-bearded dragon is just less than 4 inches in length, normally. At about six months, a bearded dragon can be about 12 inches in length already. The length of an adult is typically 19 to 23 inches long, and they weigh at least ¾ of a pound.

As a general rule a bearded dragon will grow 2 to 2 ½ inches a month, for the first six months of their life. Their growth rate will begin to taper after the first six months. The bearded dragons can grow very fast, requiring more food and a larger cage as they grow. This is something you should keep in mind when you are buying a cage for your bearded dragon.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Generally Bearded Dragons Live 8 – 10 years, but there have been many cases of bearded dragons living over 10 year if they are cared for properly.

CAGE: Bearded dragons love space to run. As an adult a bearded dragon should not be kept in anything smaller than a 40-gallon (38 x 18), this is perfect size for 1 or 2 bearded dragons. They would prefer a 70-gallon (48 x 18) for more room to run if there are more than 2.

SUBSTRATE: For baby bearded dragons should be kept on paper towel or cage carpet until ~4 months old or 1 foot long, after that calcium sand should be used, this is very important because baby bearded’s can become impacted if any other substrate is used. Desert Blend can be used on larger bearded dragons, but make sure they don’t become impacted. Calcium sand is the best substrate to use. You should have 1 inches of sand on the bottom of the cage. You will need to clean the cage and replace the desert blend sand every 4 to 6 months. Feces should scoop out as needed.

HEATING AND LIGHTING: Providing the proper heating for your bearded dragons is critical to your bearded dragons well being. Remember that the bearded dragon is a desert reptile. The temperature in the cage should be 80 degrees but higher in the basking area. In the basking area the temperature should be between 90 & 120 degrees.

Providing enough UV-B light is very important for your bearded dragon, they do not do well being kept under low light. They will become less active and spirited if not given enough light. You will need to provide your sun-loving lizard with full spectrum or high UV-B radiation to supplement for the sunlight. The UV-B lamp will allow your breaded dragon to manufacture vitamins and absorb calcium. You will also need to buy a basking bulb. Both will need to be on top of the screen cage. The lights will need to be on 12 out of a 24-hour period.

CLIMBING AREAS: Bearded dragons enjoy climbing on rocks and dried wood. They like to be high up and climbing to the top of things. This is very important for you to remember when you are setting up you bearded dragons cage. Make sure you allow enough room to put driftwood in the cage for your bearded dragon to climb on. If you only have enough room for one raised area then you should make that raised area lead up to the basking area. You should always have at least one raised area in the cage, however if your cage is large enough we encourage more.

SHELTER FOR SLEEPING: Your lizard will enjoy a half log for a place to hide and they enjoy sleeping underneath.

WHAT AND WHEN TO FEED YOUR BEARDED DRAGON: Your breaded dragon will need to eat at least 1 dozen crickets every day, vegetation should be offered daily. They can NOT have head lettuce, ice burg lettuce, spinach, broccoli, or fireflies.

NAILS: In over to keep your breaded dragons nails from over growing, and to help prevent their digits from bending to the side, you will need to cut their nails about every 5 to 6 months. You may do this yourself or bring him into the pet store and we would be happy to do it for you.