Bearded Dragon Care sheet

Bearded Dragon Care Sheet

Bearded dragons, scientifically known as Pogona vitticeps, are popular reptile pets due to their charming personalities and relatively easy care requirements. To ensure the well-being of your bearded dragon, it’s essential to provide the right diet, housing conditions, and proper care. Here is a comprehensive care sheet for bearded dragons:

1. Before Getting a Bearded Dragon:
   • Research: Educate yourself about bearded dragon care, their natural habitat, and specific needs.
   • Budget: Ensure you have the financial resources to support your pet’s needs, including habitat, lighting, food, and veterinary care.
   • Find a reputable breeder or rescue organization to obtain your dragon. Avoid purchasing wild-caught animals.
2. Habitat:
   • Enclosure: A 40-gallon tank is suitable for juveniles, while adults need a 75-gallon or larger enclosure.
   • Substrate: Use reptile carpet, paper towels, or tile for the substrate to prevent impaction.
   • Lighting: Provide a UVB light to support calcium metabolism. Use a heat lamp to create a basking spot.
   • Temperature: Maintain a basking spot temperature of 95-110°F (35-43°C) and a cooler side at around 75-85°F (24-29°C). Use a thermometer to monitor temperatures.
   • Humidity: Keep humidity levels low, around 20-30%.
   • Hideouts: Include hides or caves for your dragon to retreat to when needed.
3. Diet:
   • Main Diet: Bearded dragons are omnivores. Their diet should consist of 70-80% vegetables and 20-30% insects.
   • Vegetables: Offer dark, leafy greens like collard greens, mustard greens, and kale. Additionally, include bell peppers, squash, and carrots.
   • Insects: Crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms are suitable. Dust them with a calcium supplement.
   • Occasional Treats: Provide fruit such as berries or apples sparingly.
   • Dust food with a calcium supplement (without D3) 2-3 times a week and a multivitamin supplement once a week.
4. Feeding Schedule:
   • Juveniles (0-5 months): Feed them 2-3 times a day.
   • Subadults (5-12 months): Feed daily.
   • Adults (12+ months): Feed every 2-3 days.
   • Juveniles (0-5 months): Feed them 2-3 times a day.
   • Subadults (5-12 months): Feed daily.
   • Adults (12+ months): Feed every 2-3 days.
5. Hydration:
   • Bearded dragons may not drink from a water bowl. Provide a shallow dish for bathing, which can also serve as their source of hydration.
   • Mist the enclosure to increase humidity and provide drinking opportunities.
6. Handling:
   • Be gentle when handling your bearded dragon. Allow them time to acclimate to their new environment.
   • Handle them regularly to build trust and reduce stress.
7. Healthcare:
   • Regular vet check-ups are essential.
   • Watch for signs of illness, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and abnormal feces.
   • Maintain proper hygiene to prevent infections.
8. Enrichment:
   • Provide items for climbing, basking, and hiding.
   • Rotate toys and rearrange the enclosure for mental stimulation.
9. Legal Considerations:
   • Ensure it’s legal to own a bearded dragon as a pet in your area.
   • Be aware of any local regulations regarding exotic pets.
10. Social Interaction:
    • Bearded dragons are generally solitary animals and do not require a companion.

Remember that bearded dragons can live up to 10-15 years with proper care, so commitment to their well-being is essential. Following this care sheet will help ensure your pet has a long, healthy, and happy life.