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Bearded Dragon Diet
Bearded Dragon FAQ's
"... I
read over everything on your site the other night because it got me so excited
about dragons again. I have to say, your information is invaluable and the best
I've ever seen. It's easy to read, has pictures, and is right on target when it
comes to everything anyone needs to know about beardies." Jen P., Chicago,
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BEARDED DRAGON (Pogona Vitticeps) CARE INFORMATION **Bearded Dragon Caresheet (download - click here)**
**Fruits, vegetables and insect list for Bearded Dragons (download - click here)**
If the natural behaviors and requirements of each species is researched by caregivers, and appropriate care and husbandry practices are followed, reptiles will experience less health issues in captive care. There is a lot of conflicting information available online, given at petstores, and from "breeders" but you've arrived at the right place! Below you will find information, suggestions, and recommendations from Kricket's Kritters based on years of experience and a reputation for outstanding care practices and expert husbandry regarding: What to expect as a beardie parent How to properly care for your new bearded dragon friend Hints to help you recognize and take care of problems when they occur
 A day in the life of a Bearded Dragon:
You should expect your dragon to wake in the morning and feel cool to the touch, they will make their way to their basking area and warm up a bit. They tend to lighten in color a little and spend some time puffing themselves and their beards up. Bearded Dragons prefer to eat their veggies in the early morning and eat their crickets mid-day. 
Bearded Dragons should be active during the day. They should run around bobbing and waving (their normal breeding and communication behaviors), glass-surfing, digging, etc. Then they will return to the basking site, warm up, and repeat the cycle again and again throughout the day. They should spend nearly equal amounts of time in the basking area as in the cooler areas. If your dragon is lethargic or inactive, there IS something wrong! Please read through this website carefully and thoroughly. Figure out what is wrong immediately. We are our dragon's keepers; we are responsible for their health and survival in captivity. Be sure to check out the Frequently Asked Questions section too! NOTE: If you live in Oregon or Washington, there is a downloadable list of Reptile Veterinarians on Kricket's Kritters Links Page to assist you in finding someone qualified to care for your pet(s). It is NOT recommended to house Bearded Dragons together once they begin to reach puberty beginning at 4 months of age, no matter the size of the enclosure and no matter the gender mix, no matter how well they seem to be getting along. (Please visit the Dragon FAQ's Section for more information regarding this topic.) | Required Supplies: |
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| Enclosure - New Home (55gal or 2'x2'x3') | Food (appropriate veggies & insects) | | *Timer-Controlled Power Strip (example: ESU Power Center, digital also availble)
| Insect Gutload | | Hood/Dome Lamp Fixtures | Dish for veggie salad | | *Electronic Thermostat (example: Alife 1000w Temperature Controller, or Helix Thermostats)
| Water Spray Bottle
| UVA/UVB light source (ReptiSun 10.0 or Mercury Vapor Bulbs depending on enclosure size) | Calcium Supplement w/ D3 (no phosphorus) | | Substrate - Bedding (Organic Millet or contact paper/shelf liner is recommended to reduce impaction risks)
| ReptiSafe Water Conditioner | Heat lamp/basking bulb (wattage depends on size of enclosure)
| Thermometer - Digital (Stick-on and analog are not reliable) | | Vitamin/Mineral Supplements (T-Rex makes some good ones)
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 Size: Bearded Dragons are 3.5" - 4" when they hatch, and will grow to 18-24" in length (nose to tail tip, 18"-20" is average) by the time they reach adulthood. NOTE: Kricket's Kritters does not recommend selling or purchasing a Bearded Dragon until they are 6 weeks old or at least 6" long (snout to tail). Young dragons are very fragile and too sensitive to stress and change, additionally hatchlings have special care requirements **Anyone (including breeders) who sell dragons less than 6 weeks of age should be avoided** Lifespan: 7-10 years generally (sometimes more, I've heard up to 13 years of age) This is assuming that the Bearded Dragon comes from healthy genetic stock, and they are given proper care, including but not limited to: appropriate and varied diet, adequate housing, and appropriate environmental conditions to live a healthy life in captivity.
Bearded Dragons can be a good starting reptile for children (with adult supervision) but educating oneself about their needs and requirements is extremely important otherwise they will not thrive in captivity. Bearded Dragons are often kept in schools as classroom pets.
Bearded Dragon General Information Bearded Dragon Diet
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