Bearded dragon care sheet

The basics

Bearded dragons are lizard that originate from Australia and are agamid lizards. They have a long life of about 15 years average with many living to be 20. Bearded dragons are popular pets among beginners as they are relatively easy to maintain and have a very calm and gentle nature. Bearded dragons have their own little personalities they are curious and very outgoing lizards their personality also comes down to their body language such as arm waving (submitting) and head bobbing (showing dominance)

cricket (black or brown)
locust/hoppers
mealworm
wax worm (treat)
earthworm
cockroach
superworms

here is a list of veg they can eat:

carrot
lettuce (not iceberg as it has no nutritional value)
collard greens
spinach in small quantities as to much can cause m.b.d
beet greens in small quantities as to much can cause m.b.d
dandelion greens
kale
escarole
bok choy
swiss chard
parsley
clover
turnip greens
mustard greens
okra
peas
green beans
zucchini
squash
sweet potato
bell pepper

here is the fruit they can eat:

figs
kiwi
apples
strawberries without seeds
grapes
dates
papaya
apricots
peaches
melon
plums
tomatoes
banana with skin

you can also feed beardies mice (pinkies and fuzzies)

beardies can start eating mice after about 7 - 8 months depending on beardies size.

it is a good idea to use calci dust (vitamin D3) with insects so that the bearded dragon gets plenty of calcium in their diet. it is important they get this as not to get m.b.d

metabolic bone disease.

if you are considering getting your beardie a friend you must first know the sex of your current bearded dragon as males do not tend to get on with each other and could fight resulting in an injury or worse death of one or both beardies. if you are going to have a male and female then it is wise to start planning and researching into what to do if the female becomes pregnant. also if you are getting more beardies then the vivarium required is going to be bigger also you will have to consider the increased cost in food for the beardies. as with any pet planning is needed before purchasing a new beardie.

bearded dragons need a water dish with fresh clean water available all day. so the water will need to be changed daily as they ill deficate in the water. the water must therefor also be cleaned if you see that they have defficated in the water dish. beardies also require baths once every week or so to aid with shedding of their skin. bathing your beardie will also help him digest and pass his food. baths must be shoulder high maximum and the general rule is if it feels warm to you it is too hot for them. bearded dragons might defficate whilst in the bath so you must clean the bath down with a bleach after use.

it is a good idea to handle your beardie daily as this will strengthen it's confidence and trust in you. and only then will you get to see it's true personality. i recommend you handle your bearded dragon once a day for short amount of time about 10 - 20 mins then allow them to wander around the room and do this often and the beardie will become familiar with you and will not be skitish and will feel safe as you pick it up out of the vivarium. it is very important to create a bond with your beardie and this is the best way to do it.

many bearded dragon keepers get scared when their beardie goes into brumation and think that there is something wrong with their lizard. brumation is a period which can last up to about 3 months and it is when they will as mammals do "hibernate" except they do not sleep they just do not eat for this period of time, or if they do eat it will be very little and not often. the beardie appears to be very slow and uninterested in anything that they would normally do.