Bearded dragons, native to central Australia, have become popular pet lizards. Named for their unique defense mechanism, these reptiles require specific care and nutrition to thrive. Like all reptiles, bearded dragons can carry infectious diseases, including the zoonotic Salmonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans. This article provides a comprehensive guide to ensuring a healthy diet and proper supplementation for your bearded dragon, covering everything from habitat setup to specific dietary needs at different life stages.
Setting Up the Ideal Habitat
A proper habitat is crucial for a bearded dragon's health and well-being, impacting their ability to metabolize nutrients effectively.
Tank Size and Setup
For juvenile bearded dragons, start with a tank that is 20 gallons or larger. As they mature and grow, increase the tank size. A single adult bearded dragon should be housed in a large tank that’s at least 40 gallons to allow comfortable movement and exercise. It is important to house only one male bearded dragon in an enclosure to prevent aggression and competition. While multiple females may coexist, they should be monitored for compatibility. Avoid housing opposite-sex dragons together unless you intend to breed them, and ensure females are at least two years old before breeding to avoid complications during egg-laying.
Thermal Gradient and Lighting
Bearded dragons need a thermal gradient in their enclosure to regulate their body temperature. Monitor temperatures daily using two thermometers, one in the warm area and one in the cool area. Use an incandescent light or ceramic heater to create a basking area at one end of the tank. Aside from heat, bearded dragons require UVB light to absorb vitamin D and calcium. Provide a full-spectrum UV light in their habitat, replacing the UVB bulbs every 6 months to maintain optimal UVB levels, even if the light is still working. Recommended temperatures include 76°F (24°C) on the cool side and 86°F (30°C) on the warm side, with a basking area ranging from 90°-100°F (32°-37.7°C).
Humidity and Substrate
The ideal humidity range for a bearded dragon’s habitat is 30% to 50%. Ensure the tank is well-ventilated to reduce humidity if needed. Add substrate or reptile carpet to the bottom of the habitat. If using a loose substrate like sand, feed the lizard in a dish or separate feeding tank to prevent ingestion.
Read also: Essential Diet for Young Beardies
Furnishings and Hygiene
Provide basking branches sturdy enough to support the bearded dragon's body. A hideout box with moist sphagnum moss on the warm side of the tank can create a humidity hide. Spot-clean the habitat daily, removing soiled material and discarded food. Perform a thorough cleaning regularly by moving the bearded dragon to a secure environment and scrubbing the empty tank and furnishings with a reptile habitat cleaner or a 3% bleach solution, leaving the bleach solution on for at least 10 minutes for proper disinfection.
Nutritional Needs of Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons are omnivores with a diet consisting of insects, vegetables, and fruits. Their nutritional needs change as they grow from juveniles to adults.
Juvenile Diet
Young bearded dragons require more protein to support their rapid growth. Their diet should consist of approximately 70% insects and 30% vegetables, fruits, and treats. Offer insects in quantities that can be consumed in one feeding session and remove any uneaten insects.
Adult Diet
Once they reach adulthood, bearded dragons need less fat and protein. An adult bearded dragon’s diet should consist of 70-80% fruits and vegetables and 20-30% live insects. Adult dragons can be fed every day or every other day. Their diet should consist of 50% dark leafy greens, 20% grated or chopped vegetables, 25% animal matter and a maximum of 5% fruits.
Suitable Food Choices
- Insects/Protein Sources: Crickets, roaches, superworms, wax worms, black soldier fly larvae, and pinky mice (especially for reproducing females as a calcium source). Always gut-load insects with a nutrient-dense supplement 24-72 hours before feeding to improve their nutritional value.
- Vegetables: Dark leafy greens (such as collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens) and other vegetables should form the bulk of the diet.
- Fruits: Limit fruit intake due to their high sugar content.
- Water: Provide a shallow dish of fresh water for drinking.
Foods to Avoid
Never feed bearded dragons fireflies, onions, or mushrooms, as they are toxic and can cause serious illness or death.
Read also: What to Feed a Chinese Water Dragon
Supplementation
Calcium
Calcium supplementation is essential for bearded dragons due to the high phosphorus to calcium ratio in insects. The best way to ensure your dragon is getting enough calcium is to “gut-load” all insects before feeding. Gut-loading is where insects are fed a diet high in calcium 24-72 hours prior to being fed to your dragon. “Dusting” insects with powdered calcium supplements can provide additional calcium, but is not a substitute for appropriate “gut loading”.
Vitamins
Ensure your bearded dragon receives adequate Vitamin D3, essential for bone health, through proper UVB lighting.
Hydration and Shedding
Reptiles stay hydrated by absorbing water through their skin. Soak your bearded dragon in a large, shallow container of warm water to help them shed their skin more easily. The water container should be wide enough to allow the lizard to submerge its entire body while keeping its head above water.
General Care and Health
Nail Trimming
Most bearded dragons do not require nail trimming.
Veterinary Care
Bearded dragons should be examined by a veterinarian annually. Transport them in a cat carrier or travel cage. Bring pictures of the enclosure, diet, heaters, and lights for reference.
Read also: Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bearded dragons good pets?
Bearded dragons make fantastic pets. They have goofy, inquisitive personalities, require minimal daily upkeep or space, love interacting with their humans and are great with kids. They rarely bite, scratch, or become stressed while being handled.
How long do bearded dragons live?
With proper care, bearded dragons can live up to 8-10 years.
How big do bearded dragons get?
Adult bearded dragons can reach up to 2 feet long (including the length of their tail).
tags: #bearded #dragon #diet #and #supplements