Bearded Dragons: Easy as A, B, C
If you decide to travel down the career path of wildlife education, or just enjoy animals, I recommend that you purchase a bearded dragon. While bearded dragons are not native to this part of the world, they are easy animals to take care of, to handle, and they spark interest in wildlife education. They are a great gateway animal that breaks the barrier between adequate education and excellent education. Educating the general public about animals lessens the gap in mistaken animal identity and provides a basis of education that allows others to educate too.
Preparation and Information: It is vital that you understand the animal before you purchase it. This information applies to any animal purchase, smart shopping is vital to excellent animal health. Make sure that before you purchase an animal you do adequate research.
For instance, bearded dragons live for 10 to 15 years. If taken care of properly, 10 to 15 years is a long time to have an animal. I recommend you decide if you’re ready for that type of commitment before purchasing. These animals also get up too 2 feet long, so it’s important to understand how much effort the animal needs thrive and how much you’re willing to spend to succeed in its care.
It is important to always prepare the enclosure to be ready before you purchase your animal. This preparation lessens the anxiety of the animal during movement by minimizing the time spent in the transportation enclosure.
Needed Items:
- UVB/UVA Light (buy a couple, they need to be replaced every six months)
- Basking light (replaced only when out)
- Basking rock (warm side)
- Other tank decorations (rocks, branches, not fake plants / beardies will try to eat them)
- Screen lid (fits take perfectly; preferably one that snaps close with a latch)
- Tank (size depending on the bearded dragon size)
- Two Thermometers (warm and cool sides)
- Reptile carpet (Sand causes compaction)
- Water and food dishes (water dish must be big enough for the beardie to soak but not drown)
- Mister (aids with humidity)
- Calcium dust (for food)
Tank Set Up:
- Make sure that your tank is the correct size for your beardie.
- Keep the tank out of the sun, unless you plan on constantly checking the temperature in the tank.
- Put the reptile carpet down, do not put sand because sand can cause the beardie compaction, which can lead to death.
- Put in tank decorations, like climbing rocks and branches. Put in the food and water dish.
- Place the wire lid on.
- Establish a warm and cool side. The warm side should remain between 100–110 degrees. This is accomplished with the basking light. The cool side should remain between 75–85 degrees. Place the UVB/UVA light on this side. SECURE both lights onto the lid.
Dragon Care:
- Humidity in the tank needs to be between 20 and 30%. This can be accomplished by misting the tank daily.
- Keep the UVB/UVA light on 12 hours a day.
- Your beardie is an omnivore that eats both meat and vegetables/leafy greens. (Do careful research on healthy food for your animal. Know the deadly foods too.)
— Feed crickets or mealworms, dusted in calcium, two times a week.
— Feed vegetables every other day.
— Feed fruits once a week.
— Feed a pellet blend daily.
- Change the water daily and constantly have it in the cage.
- Wash hands before and after handling your beardie to reduce diseases that may be transferable between mammals.
Dragon Health:
- Bearded Dragons are like any other animal, they get sick. Be ready to commit to taking to the them to the vet if that is necessary.
- Don’t hold your bearded dragon after a couple days of purchasing them so that they are able to acclimate to their new home.
- Take your beardie to the vet if you notice:
— It is eating or drinking less
— It is hiding more
— It has swollen joints
— It has discharge from any opening
— It has runny or no poop (more than two days)
— It is not moving very much
— It has skin that is discolored
— If you notice anything else wrong not mentioned.
Dragon Handling:
Wash your hands before handling.
When trying to pick up your beardie, approach from the front and slowly go under the animal.
Lift up the animal with both hands, not like holding a sandwich, but rather one hand should be on top and one hand should be on the bottom of the animal.
There’s nothing in it place animal on shirt or hold it in your hands. Make sure animal is secure and safe.
Be careful of the claws on the animal because they can be sharp.
Place beardies back in tank when done holding and wash your hands thoroughly.
These are my tips and tricks for keeping and handling a bearded dragon from years of taking care of them. I’m not professionally trained, nor do I claim to know everything about bearded dragon care. This blog is meant more as a reference and I encourage you to do your own research. Happy Keeping!
