Bearded Dragon Care Sheet
Bearded dragon care is relatively easy as they have few needs in captivity. These laid back and docile lizards make an awesome addition to any reptile collection whether you are an expert keeper, or just a beginner; however, they are not the most cost effective lizards on the market.
The bearded dragon, also known as Pogona vitticeps, can be found in various regions of Australia in the wild, and has become very popular in the pet trade. You can expect this not so small, yet not so large lizard to grow anywhere between 17 to 25 inches in length and live between 5-10 years.
Bearded Dragon Care Sheet : HousingHousing requirements differ slightly depending on if you have juvenile or adult bearded dragons. Make sure to keep only one male per an enclosure, or they will fight and possibly kill one another. I would recommend having no more than three adults per a tank.Juvenile dragons can be kept in a 20 gallon vivarium, and this should suffice for quite some time until they are sub adults. They should have a newspaper substrate so that they do not accidentally ingest anything and die of impaction because their insides are clogged! Adults can be kept in a 50+ gallon enclosure. Some find that a custom sliding glass cage is the most suitable and convenient solution. You can keep adults on a play sand substrate with little consequence. I would recommend baking the sand over an extended period of time to kill any bacteria and parasites that may be present. Proper bearded dragon care requires the following items: Expect to spot clean poop daily, and fully change the sand and clean the enclosure monthly. The playground sand really does help reduce the smell. A highly diluted 1 part bleach 25 parts water solution will work like a charm. 
Bearded Dragon Care Sheet : Heating, Lighting and HumidityAn ideal temperature range to be maintained during the day with a basking light is around the low to mid 90's Fahrenheit.The side opposite of the heating light known as the "cool" side should be in the mid 70 to low 80 degree Fahrenheit range. The temperature on the basking rock should be around 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Some opt to use an under the tank heating pad that covers one-third of the floor area to ensure that nighttime temperatures do not fall to low when the basking light if off. I personally think it is a good idea, but many have done just fine without one. Along with the basking light, a full spectrum lightning solution will be needed. Proper bearded dragon care is preventing illness or disease before it happens, and having a UVA/UVB light will significantly lessen the chances of metabolic bone disease. Metabolic bone disease makes a reptiles bones brittle. It is truly a horrible, horrible disease. The vitamin D3 synthesized from the UVB lightning will help to curb, and sometimes even reverse the effects of metabolic bone disease. Also, keep the bulbs out of reach of your beardies! We don't want them to sustain any burns. Speaking of burns, avoid heat rocks, also known as hot rocks, at all costs. They have a bad reputation for burning reptiles alive when they malfunction. This desert species will only require that you mist the enclosure with water twice weekly to help facilitate healthy shedding.
Bearded Dragon Care Sheet : Food! Yummy!Bearded dragons enjoy a variety of food items, with juvenile dragons preferring live prey over vegetables. This trend will reverse later on in life.All live food items should be lightly dusted in an appropriate reptile specific vitamin powder. Most people just throw a bit of powder into a plastic bag and shake it with the insects inside. Any respectable pet store will have this powder for sale. Acceptable live prey food items Food items should be be any larger than the width of your reptiles head. We want to feed them, not choke them to death. Keeping them alive is rule number 1 of bearded dragon care! Acceptable Vegetables Unacceptable Vegetables
Young bearded dragons should be offered vitamin dusted insects twice daily. It is advised that fresh veggies be available at all times so that they do not become dehydrated and can enjoy a balanced diet. Adults should be offered vitamin dusted insects every other day. Veggies should be readily available. They tend to eat a lot of vegetables as they grow older, so make sure your refrigerator is stocked! Bearded Dragon Care Sheet : Sexing!It isn't too difficult to tell who the males are once they are adults, but it is extra tricky for juveniles.Adult males will have a very prominent row of V shaped pre-anal pores visible just above the cloaca. The cloaca is essentially where they poop from, and mate from. Its the only hole on that end of the lizard so it shouldn't be too hard to find... You may also notice a slight bulge at the base of the tail where the hemipenis is located. Adult females will typically have a much less defined row of V shaped pre-anal pores, and no bulge at the base of the tail. I know that may seem a bit vague and confusing, but once you have identified a one male and female for certain it really is a breeze. I hope this bearded dragon care sheet has been helpful. You are now ready to bring your scaly addition to the family home!
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