Size and Age

Unlike leopard geckos, bearded dragons grow a lot larger, but they still grow pretty fast. They also have spikes along the side of their tail, body, head and under the throat (which forms the beard). They can live to be 8-10+ years old but will become fully grown in 1-2 years. It’s important to know how long these animals live so you can plan how to care for them in the future. 

• 2 months old, 4-5 inches in length - grows very quickly 

• 18+ months old, 18-24 inches in length (including the tail) 

Enclosure 

Since bearded dragons grow to be around 24 inches in length they need larger tanks. It should be at least 40 gal tanks at minimum to accommodate the large reptile. Avoid sand as a substrate because, just like the leopard gecko, it could cause digestive problems. A soil mix that can help humidity and keep your animal safe is a better option. A top local store option is custom made Bearded Dragon Substrate from US invertebrate LLC. Hiding places are also essential to the care of your bearded dragon. They like to climb and be off the ground so provide branches, rocks, and foliage for a natural environment. The last important thing to keep in mind is DO NOT house bearded dragons together. They are very territorial and could fight one another causing stress and injury.

Heating/Lighting  

Like almost every reptile, bearded dragons need heat to survive. In their enclosure they should have a basking spot that should be 92-100 degrees F. This may seem like a lot but your bearded dragon will appreciate it. A UVB bulb with 12%-14% UVB output should be used as another light source (The Arcadia Reptile 14% UV-B ‘DragonLamp’ is a good option). This UVB light is essential for the absorption of calcium. The humidity of the tank should be 30%-40% much like the leopard gecko. 

Diet 

Like all living beings, food and water are essential for bearded dragons to live. Bearded dragons are omnivorous meaning they will eat veggies and insects. *Variety is Key!

 Though there are guidelines on what you should feed your bearded dragon during their development. At less than 6 months old they should be fed daily with greens in the morning and protein in the evening. At 8 months old they should be fed greens daily and protein 1-2 times per week. Then at 1 year old (around fully grown) they should be fed greens daily and protein 2-3 per week. Feeding items should include: silkworms, roaches, super worms, and mealworms. 

Supplementation

Before feeding your bearded dragon make sure to gut load your insects. According to Dr. Boyer (his link is down below) gut loading cubes are nutritionally worthless and should not be used. A good way to gut load your insects is with a diet that consists of > 8% calcium.   

Hydration

Provide your bearded dragon with fresh filtered water everyday. You need a shallow water bowl for it to sip from and clean it daily.

In conclusion, bearded dragons are great starter pets. They are a bit more challenging than a leopard gecko but they are still very low maintenance. One final tip for getting any new pet is to do your research before adopting. Everyone will give different advice so it’s good to hear from many sources. Always try to work with pet shops and reptile vets.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bearded Dragons Bite? 

It is very rare for a bearded dragon to bite, but they can still bite you. This usually happens when you are finger feeding your lizard. Bearded dragons like to eat worms so they might think your finger is a giant worm and try to catch it. To avoid this you can use reptile tongs to feed your animal. 

Do Bearded Dragons Need Baths? 

You probably don’t need to give it a bath, but If your bearded dragon looks very dirty you should give it a bath. On how to give it a bath, all you have to do is put your lizard in a shallow tub of water and wash it with soap.

How Do I Determine a Bearded Dragons Gender?

Males usually have wider tails and heads than the females. Other than that an adult male bearded dragon will have 2 bumps under and between their hind legs. The females will have 1 bump and a slit. 

Why is my Bearded Dragon not Eating?

There are many different reasons for your dragon not eating. This includes loss of appetite, stress, temperature, issues or health problems. Make sure you have variety in your dragon's diet. But if they continue to not eat, seek out a reptile vet.  

References ‌

• “Bearded Dragon Care.” Www.pethospitalpq.com, www.pethospitalpq.com/bearded-dragon-care.pml.

• Marie. “The Domestication of the Bearded Dragon.” Zoology, 13 July 2024, www.zoologyzoos.com/post/the-domestication-of-the-bearded-dragon.

• ‌Periat, Jennifer. “Pogona Vitticeps (Central Bearded Dragon).” Animal Diversity Web, 2000, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pogona_vitticeps/.

• Valverde, Mike. “19 Frequently Asked Questions about Bearded Dragons.” Reptilinks, 5 Feb. 2020, reptilinks.com/blogs/news/19-frequently-asked-questions-about-bearded-dragons?srsltid=AfmBOorpD6bokeY8Qv_oMKpa_antYWC2o-a_V-XfXdW-e1s8nV1MDglz. Accessed 29 May 2025.

Local Resources: 

Dr. Thomas Boyer - https://www.pethospitalpq.com/bearded-dragon-care.pml