Reptile Vault

Care Sheet

Generated May 18, 2026

reptilevault.com

Bearded Dragon

Pogona vitticeps

The bearded dragon is the most popular pet lizard in the world, beloved for its docile temperament, distinctive spiny beard display, and engaging personality. Native to the arid scrublands of central Australia, bearded dragons make excellent beginner reptiles because they tolerate handling well and display fascinating behaviors like arm waving and head bobbing. They require proper UVB lighting, a hot basking spot around 105°F, and a diet that shifts from mostly insects as juveniles to mostly vegetables as adults. With proper care including a minimum 4x2x2 enclosure, bearded dragons live 10-15 years and form genuine bonds with their keepers.

Quick Facts

Care Level

beginner

Adult Size

18-24 inches

Lifespan

10-15 years

Diet Type

omnivore,insectivore

Activity

diurnal

Temperament

docile

Group

lizard

Origin

Central Australia

🌱

Beginner Suitability

First Reptile?yes

Beginner Score9/10

⚠ Beginner Warnings

Large enclosure needed, UVB critical, diet shifts with age

🤚

Temperament & Handling

Temperamentdocile

Handling Toleranceexcellent

Handling Notes

Allow 2 weeks to settle before handling. Support full body, handle close to ground. 15-minute sessions.

🌡️

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature

Basking105°F

Ambient82°F

Night70°F

Temperature gradient essential. Basking surface temp more important than air temp.

Humidity

Target Range30% – 40%

Low humidity species; too high causes respiratory issues. Humid hide not typically needed.

💡

Lighting & UVB

UVB RequiredYes — Required

Target UVI2.9-7.4

Lighting Notes

Ferguson Zone 3-4. T5 HO 10-12% or 14% UVB. Must provide UVB gradient to Zone 1 levels in cool area.

🏠

Enclosure

Minimum Size4x2x2 ft (120 gallon)

Recommended Size6x2x2 ft

Enclosure Typeterrestrial

🪨

Substrate & Environment

Substrate Type50% topsoil + 30% play sand + 20% excavator clay, or tile

Substrate Depth3-4 inches for loose substrate

Water Featureno

Water Notes

Shallow water dish; most hydration from food and misting vegetables

🦎

Activity & Behavior

Activity Patterndiurnal

Social Behaviorsolitary

Cohabitation

No cohabitation; causes stress, fighting, and dominance issues even among females

Bearded Dragon

Care Sheet — Diet & Nutrition

🍽️

Diet & Nutrition

Diet Typeomnivore,insectivore

Feeding FrequencyDaily for juveniles; every other day for adults

Diet Notes

70-80% vegetables as adults, 20-30% insects. Juveniles opposite ratio. Staples: collard greens, butternut squash, dubia roaches.

💊 Supplementation Schedule

Calcium without D3 most feedings; calcium with D3 and multivitamin 1-2x weekly when UVB provided

✅ Recommended Foods

Food	Category	Ca:P	Usage
Collard Greens	leafy	9.3	staple
Black Soldier Fly Larvae	insect	7	staple
Mulberry Leaf	leafy	5	staple
Turnip Greens	leafy	4.5	staple

🚫 Foods to Avoid

Food	Toxicity	Category
Avocado	☠️ fatal	fruit
Fireflies	☠️ fatal	insect
Foxglove	☠️ fatal	flower
Garlic	☠️ fatal	vegetable

Bearded Dragon

Care Sheet — Health & More

⚕️

Health & Critical Care

Metabolic bone disease, parasites, atadenovirus, yellow fungus, impaction, respiratory infections

Health Notes

Annual fecal exams recommended. Watch for lethargy, black beard, glass surfing as stress signs.

🥚

Breeding

Difficultymoderate

SeasonSpring after brumation

Clutch Size15-30 eggs

Incubation55-75 days

Sexual Dimorphism

moderate

Breeding Notes

Requires brumation to trigger breeding. Females can retain sperm.

✨

Available Morphs

Normal, Hypo, Trans, Leatherback, Dunner, Zero, Witblits, Paradox

💰

Cost & Availability

Price Rangemoderate

Availabilitycommon

🌍

Native Habitat

Native RegionCentral Australia

Habitat Typescrubland

Climate Notes

Hot semi-arid with seasonal variation

📋

Legal & Conservation

Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Legal Restrictions

None in most areas

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