Bearded dragon care guide

Bright personalities.
Thoughtful care.

Help your bearded dragon thrive with balanced meals, appropriate heat and UVB, and veterinary care at every stage of life.

Request an AppointmentExplore Reptile Guides
Length & weight18–22 inches
About 283–510 g
MaturityAbout 1–2 years
Life spanOften 10–15 years
CategoryReptiles · Lizards
Meet the bearded dragon

Daytime explorers with specialized needs.

The inland bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, is an Australian lizard known for its alert behavior and distinctive spiny beard. Many become comfortable with gentle human interaction.

Arm waving, head bobbing, beard displays, and changes in posture can communicate social or defensive signals. Consider the situation rather than relying on one behavior to judge health.

House individually: Tolerance of people does not mean a dragon needs a reptile companion. Separate housing helps prevent competition, stress, and injuries.
Daily care

Nutrition and environment

Meals change with age

  • Bearded dragons eat both plant foods and insects. Growing dragons generally need more insects; adults generally need a greater proportion of leafy greens and vegetables.
  • Ask your veterinarian to tailor portions, insect frequency, and supplements to age and body condition rather than following a fixed percentage for every dragon.
  • Offer appropriately sized, captive-raised feeder insects and suitably chopped plant foods. Remove uneaten live insects.
  • Discuss calcium and vitamin supplementation with the team. Avoid combining supplements without guidance.
  • Provide fresh water in an accessible shallow dish and remove spoiled food daily.

A secure home

  • For an adult, plan at least a 4 × 2 × 2 ft enclosure, with more room where possible. Young dragons also need enough space for distinct warm and cool areas.
  • Provide secure basking structures and hides, with good ventilation and no escape gaps.
  • Choose substrate with your veterinarian based on age, health, and husbandry. Simple cleanable surfaces can make monitoring easier.
  • Spot-clean waste, inspect furnishings, and keep food away from contaminated surfaces.
  • Wash hands after handling your dragon or cleaning equipment; keep reptile supplies away from kitchen areas.

Build a gradient of warmth and light

Provide a basking zone around 100–108°F (38–42°C) and a cooler area around 72–79°F (22–26°C). Confirm measurement locations and individual targets with your veterinarian.

Use controlled overhead heating, protect against burns, and avoid hot rocks. Check temperatures with reliable instruments rather than judging warmth by touch.

Provide reptile-appropriate UVB and access to shade. Glass and plastic block useful UVB; mesh, lamp type, and distance affect exposure. Maintain a consistent day/night cycle.

Preventive care

Know your dragon’s normal

The existing EBH portfolio recommends examinations every 6–12 months, annual fecal checks, and blood testing as advised. Record appetite, weight, droppings, and activity so you can report changes.

Common medical concerns

  • EBH’s original guide highlights appetite loss, egg binding, intestinal parasites, metabolic bone disease, wounds, and skin or jaw infections.
  • Call for persistent reduced eating, weight loss, abnormal droppings, swelling, weakness, or difficulty moving.
  • Do not assume a quiet or poorly eating dragon is simply brumating; discuss changes with your veterinarian.

Reproduction and shedding

  • Females can produce eggs without mating. Ask about nesting needs and seek care for straining, swelling, or weakness.
  • Do not pull attached shed. Have persistent retained skin, especially around toes or the tail, assessed.
  • Handle calmly with the body supported, and supervise interactions with children or other pets.
Urgent concern? For breathing difficulty, collapse, severe weakness, burns, major injury, or tissue protruding from the vent, call (904) 256-0043 immediately. Do not wait for an online response. If unavailable, contact an emergency veterinarian that treats reptiles.

General education only; this guide does not replace individualized veterinary advice. Length includes the tail. Size and maturity ranges are retained from EBH’s existing profile and vary by individual; weight is not a universal target. Maturity refers to sexual maturity, not recommended breeding age.

Additional reference: RSPCA: Bearded dragon care. Explore EBH reptile resources for additional information.

Thoughtful care for your bearded dragon.

Request preventive care or call about a change in your reptile’s health.

Request an AppointmentCall (904) 256-0043

Related Portfolio

11744 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Fl 32246 PH: (904)256-0043