Housing

Bearded dragons can be kept singly, but do seem to like living in groups. Keeping two males together in a small group or space is not recommended. A large vivarium is needed, preferably 4 feet in length, and the more space you can give them the better. They enjoy sitting on rocks and logs to bask. Sand is often used for bearded dragons as a substrate, but small ones are best kept on paper, to avoid ingestion. Tiles slate or lino are suitable alternatives.

Temperature

Beardies love warmth and light, and like nothing better than to bask for most of the day. The cool end of the vivarium needs to be around 22C, and the basking spot needs to be around 30C. An incandescent bulb is best to provide a basking spot. This should be run through a dimming thermostat, and temperatures checked using a reliable thermometer.

Lighting

As a diurnal species, bearded dragons need UVb light. Without it they will fail to thrive, and will not feed properly. They may also develop metabolic bone disease, as they won’t be able to adequately absorb calcium. In a vivarium, the best way to provide this is a strip light which emits UVb. A 10 or 12% bulb should be used and changed at least once a year.

Humidity

Beardies like it dry. No additional spraying is ever needed. A bowl of clean water should be provided and changed as necessary.

Feeding

Bearded dragon babies have a voracious appetite, and they grow fast. Feeding them as many insects as they will eat in five minutes two to three times a day is sufficient. Adults eat less insects, and these need only be offered every other day. Baby bearded dragons will also eat salad and greens such as dandelion leaves. These need to be chopped. As dragons get olde, they eat more vegetation, and less insects. All beardies should have constant access to leafy salad. Both salad and insects need to be dusted daily with calcium, and twice weekly with a multivitamin powder.

Breeding

It is best to wait until beardies are about 18 months old before thinking about breeding them. Bearded dragons have been known to breed from as young as eight months, size seeming to be a more important factor than age. They are easy to breed, and if kept together will get on with it with no need for any help. They can lay up to 40 eggs/clutch, and often double clutch. Incubation temperatures of 28.5c are recommended with damp vermiculite as substrate. After around six weeks, the eggs should hatch out.

Buying Tips

Ask to handle the gecko to gauge it's health and temperament. Baby beardies may thrash a little with their tails, but normally tolerate handling well. Look for taught skin, clear bright eyes, and no faecal staining around the vent. A healthy bearded dragon should move easily, and have no deformity of the legs.

Varieties

There are a number of morphs and varieties of Bearded Dragon. Common morphs include bloodred, citrus and leatherback.