Bearded Dragon 101

Quick Facts
LIFESPAN: Approximately 8-10 years
SIZE: Up to 24” (61 cm) long
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: BEGINNER

Socialization & General Care

Bearded dragons are generally docile and inquisitive and can be easily handled with minimal socialization.

Be certain to scoop them up from under the belly and support their belly in the palm of your hand.

Allow your bearded dragon 3-4 days to adjust to his new habitat before handling.

Bearded dragons will shed their skin every 6-8 weeks, more often for juveniles. The first sign of shedding is usually dulling of the skin (milky coloured).

Reptiles may transmit disease to humans; make certain to wash your hands after cleaning your pet’s habitat or after handling.

DID YOU KNOW? Bearded dragons originate in Australia.

Nutrition

Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning that their diet consists of vegetables and insects.

Insects and/or a commercial diet should be fed daily in addition vegetables and fruit.

Insects (crickets, mealworms and waxworms) and vegetables should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin D supplement.

To dust crickets, simply add 1/4 of a teaspoon of the calcium powder to a small plastic bag and shake crickets gently to coat them.

Crickets should be fed a commercial nutrient-dense diet (gut-loaded) prior to being fed to your bearded dragon. Putting pieces of vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes or apples) into your cricket enclosure will help provide the necessary nutrients.

Insects should be offered daily to juveniles, and daily to every other day for adults.