So you’ve decided to add a bearded dragon to your family! We know it can feel a bit daunting to care for a new type of creature, but our experts at Hikari have made a quick and easy guide to get you started.

Bearded Dragons are beginner friendly and live an average of 10 years, making them the perfect pet for those looking to bond with a reptile. Before you rush out and bring your new bearded dragon home, first consider setting up the proper habitat to welcome them properly. 

Find a Suitable Sized Terrarium

The enclosure that your bearded dragon will live in is called a terrarium, a glass temperature-controlled container with plants and lighting. As land-based creatures, these pets don’t need too much overhead space but you’ll want to select a terrarium that has room for rocks and other perching areas. A full-sized adult bearded dragon can grow up to two feet long. This means as they grow and mature a larger hangout will likely be required. For this reason, we suggest starting off with something larger than you need to start. We recommend a size of at least 40 gallons with a sealed lid to make sure they have enough room when fully grown.

Setting up Lighting and Heating

Since bearded dragons are desert dwelling creatures, you’ll want to set up your environment to mimic their natural habitat. To replicate the sun and temperatures of the desert, you’ll want to invest in a basking UVA/UVB bulb to provide radiant heat and full-spectrum lighting that mimics sunlight. These can deliver both warmth and support strong bones and overall health. The ideal temperature for the cool side of a bearded dragon habitat is roughly 75-85º Fahrenheit, and 95-100º F on the basking side. You will also need to monitor the humidity levels, so is recommend you get a hygrometer.

Substrate, Decor & More

Proper substrate is necessary to mimic the natural rocky scrubland these lizards call home. Depending on the substrate you chose, a reptile carpet may be used to line the bottom of your terrarium to create a solid, safe base. Once you have the substate and carpet, it’s up to you to decide on a theme for your terrarium and the appropriate decorations. You will want to avoid using live plants so that your dragon doesn’t attempt to eat them and adding a good basking perch is key. Branches, driftwood, or secured large rocks are good starting places for hiding and climbing.

Creating a Balanced Diet

One of the best parts about owning a bearded dragon is in getting to watch it enjoy it’s meals. Be sure to add a shallow food and water bowl as your finishing touch. Young bearded dragons are omnivorous, enjoying both insects and plants to ensure all their nutritional needs are met. As they grow older, they tend to eat more plant matter, enjoying bearded dragon pellet food on a daily basis. Hikari^®offers a scientifically formulated, ready-use paste called DragonGel™ that contains numerous tasty nutrients including amino acids and trace minerals that omnivorous lizards require.

We also have crafted Dragon Delite™ and Crest Gel™, two additional offerings that delight vegetable and insect-eating reptiles. These are great options if your live food supply is running short or not available. They also work well for situations when you may be having friends or relatives care for your pet while you are away. Best of all, they will help reduce odor and cleaning time while providing great nutrition.

Now you’re all set to head out to get your bearded dragon. Be sure to monitor terrarium conditions several times each day checking temperature and humidity levels in addition to fresh water supply.