Bearded Dragon FAQ

   Difficulty level   : Beginner     

   Start up cost: $ $

 

 

Q1: What size tank/ enclosure should I get?

 

A:   Babies: 20 -40 gallon breeder tanks.
Adults: Minimum 40 gallon breeder tanks

 

 

Q2: What should I have set up in this enclosure for my bearded dragon?

 

A:   Dry substrate such as paper towels, newspaper, pea pebbles, sand and reptile carpets can be used with caution. Provide a basking area with thick branches/logs/rocks that can support the weight of the dragon.

 

Q3: What type of lighting set up does my bearded dragon require?

 

A:   Heat lamps are necessary with a hotspot of 100-115 degrees and a cooling side in the enclosure set at around 80 degrees. Desert 10.0 UVB bulb with 12 hour cycles as well.

 

 

Q4: What humidity levels does my bearded dragon require?

 

A: Low levels of around 20-40% humidity. Babies should be soaked weekly   with light misting occasionally. Adults should be soaked about once a month. No water bowl is necessary but if included, make sure it doesn’t increase the overall ambient humidity in the enclosure.

 

Q5: What were we feeding this bearded dragon at Tikis Geckos?

 

A:   Babies: Diets will consist of 80% insects / 20% veggies. Adults: Diets consist of 60% veggies / 40% insects. Veggies would include leafy greens such as collard greens, lettuce, spring mix, etc. Little to no spinach or kale in their diet. Other veggies you can introduce would be carrots, cucumbers, squash. Insects to introduce would be crickets, roaches, phoenix worms, mealworms and superworms.

 

Q6: What are some treats I can introduce to my bearded dragon?

 

A:  Hornworms and different fruits such as berries, apples and bananas. Do not overfeed treats.

 

 

Q7: How often should I be feeding my bearded dragon?

 

A:    Babies: Feed twice a day, portions will vary based on size of the dragon. Adults: Can be fed 2-3 times a week.

 

 

Q8: What type of supplements should I include in my animals diet?

 

A:   Calcium with D3 is very important with every feeding.

 

  

Q9: How long can my bearded dragon live for?

 

A:   With proper care, bearded dragons can live 10-12 years.

 

 

Q10: How big can my bearded dragon get?

 

A:    Adults on average can reach up to 24 inches long.

 

 

Q11: At what age will my bearded dragon reach sexual maturity?

 

A:  Bearded Dragons can take up to 8-10 months to reach sexual maturity.

 

 

Q12: At what age should I be able to know the sex of my bearded dragon?

 

A:   At 6-8 months you can start to notice hemipenal bulges on males by lifting the tail. Call for assistance.

                    

 

Q13: Is my animal a solitary animal? Can I put my bearded dragon in the same enclosure with another animal?

 

A:     Bearded Dragons are solitary animals.

 

 

Q14: What are some signs I should look for if there is something wrong with my bearded dragon?

 

A:   If the animal is looking lethargic, if limbs become swollen, sunken eyes, thinning out, hip showing, diarrhea etc. Please contact us with photos and videos if you start to notice any of these symptoms.

 

 

Q15: I just received my bearded dragon, what should I do now?

 

A:       Once you take your bearded dragon out of its shipping box, place your bearded dragon in its enclosure and leave it alone for the first 24 hours to lessen stress levels for your animal. If the dragon is cold DO NOT place it directly under the heat. Let it acclimate at room temperature and the dragon will gradually move to the heat when its ready. Offer food after 24 hours, you can start handling your bearded dragon when the animal starts eating and pooping regularly.