Bearded Dragon Care with Liz

Bearded dragons are exceptionally popular as pets, with a calm, curious temperament and array of social behaviors that makes them a safe, entertaining first reptile. As with all pets, proper husbandry is key to a healthy pet and preventing expensive vet bills in the future. 

Before buying a beardie, you should know this: 

• Can live between 10-15 years old

• Can grow to 24" long

• must have UV light AND heat (these bulbs can get very expensive) to prevent metabolic bone disease and other illnesses 

• will need a 4ft enclosure

• are carnivores and can be stinky

• can be territorial and cause harm to cagemates if house together 

In the wild, a sick or weakened reptile is a target for predators, so they have become experts at pretending to be well. As pets, this means that any reptile owner must be extra diligent in order to notice changes that may indicate illness.

• Weigh your beardie weekly – sudden weight loss often indicates illness.

• Keep a weekly record of weight, feeding habits, behavior, shedding, etc.

Just like our furry pets, a number of health conditions can happen due to poor husbandry, accidental ingestion, fighting, improper diet, etc.  If you think your beardie is sick, CALL A VET!

Here are some symptoms (not complete list) to look for: 

• fatigue

• loss of appetite

• not wanting to bask

• mucus in nose and mouth

• apparent bumps on bones

• paralysis of hind legs

• soft jawbones

• diarrhea

• constipation

• seizures

• tremors

These symptoms can range from eating too big of a meal and being dehydrated to life-endangering diseases. Again, if you are concerned with the health of your beardie. . .CALL A VET.

If you are in need of an appropriate bearded dragon habitat (or need to upgrade your current enclosure), I highly recommend Custom Reptile Habitats.  It's what I use.  

For more information on reptile care, I HIGHLY recommend REPTIFILES- a reputable, science-focused website.