Bearded Dragon Care Guide

Environment

• Enclosure: Use a secure vivarium to prevent escape and injuries. It should be well-ventilated, made from solid, easy-to-clean materials that hold heat well. Minimum size is 120 cm long, 60 cm high, and 60 cm deep for one adult.
• Temperature: Reptiles are ectothermic. Create a thermogradient with a heat source at one end and a cool end. Light is needed for detecting heat.
  • Basking Zone: Position a 60-100 watt bulb at one end over a natural stone. Maintain 38-42°C in basking zone and 22-26°C in cool end.
  • Thermostat: Use with all heat sources, placing the probe at the level of the animal. Check temperatures daily with a digital thermometer.

Biology

• Named for spiky neck folds that inflate when excited/threatened.
• Diurnal and live mainly on the ground; can climb short distances.
• Diet in the wild includes vegetation, fruits, insects, and occasionally other small animals.
• They grow to about 45 cm and live 10-15 years or more in captivity.

Lighting and Humidity

• Light: Essential for setting day/night patterns and producing vitamin D3. Use UVB lamps and create a photogradient.
  • UVB: Use a high output 10-12% UVB tube and a reflector. Ensure regular checks and replacements.
• Humidity: Maintain low humidity (30-40%) to prevent health issues.

Diet

• Water: Provide a large, shallow dish of water at the cool end, changed daily.
• Feeding: Omnivorous diet—live invertebrates and safe greens.
  • Avoid spinach and excess cabbage or kale.
  • Young dragons need more live food initially, shifting towards more greens as they mature.
  • Supplements: Dust live food with vitamin/mineral powders.

Behaviour and Enrichment

• Provide opportunities for natural behaviours like climbing and digging.
• Use substrates that allow digging and are safe from causing impaction.

Company and Handling

• Males lead solitary lives; keep bearded dragons separately to avoid fighting.
• Handle gently; support all legs and limit time out of vivarium to 10-15 minutes.
• Introduce to vivarium carefully and allow a week to adjust.

Health & Welfare

• Look for bright eyes, full tail base, and proper shedding for health indicators.
• Monitor for signs of metabolic bone disease and other health issues such as egg binding.
• Brumation: Similar to hibernation, occurs over cooler months.

Transport

• Use appropriate containers for size; ensure good ventilation and warmth.
• Minimize transit time to reduce stress.

This care sheet is a basic guide, further research is recommended before obtaining a bearded dragon. Additional resources can be found on the RSPCA website.