Bearded Dragon - Red - Pogona vitticeps

Common Name Bearded Dragon

Scientific Name Pogona Vitticeps

Lifespan (in captivity) 8 to 12 years

Lifespan (in nature) 5 to 8 years

Size 16” to 20“

Diet Omnivore

The inland bearded dragon is indigenous to Australia. These reptiles get their name because of a behavior where they puff out and darken the spiky skin around their throats, which looks like a beard. Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, as they eat both greens and insects. They are one of the most popular reptile pets due to their relative hardiness, and interactive and docile nature.

What to Know About Bearded Dragons

Medically Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on August 13, 2024Written by Logan Smith

5 min read

Though not as cuddly as a puppy, bearded dragons are still one of the most popular pets worldwide. Learn all about them here.

What Are Bearded Dragons?

The bearded dragon is a species of lizard that gets its name from its flared throat. Many bearded dragon owners and enthusiasts call the lizards "beardies."

Beardie morphs. Bearded dragons have different "morphs," variations in color and texture. They're typically patterned, brown, and tan. 

They can be red, orange, silvery blue, white, solid, or patterned. Bearded dragons can also have stiff scales, smooth skin, and spikes. 

Beardie sizes. Baby bearded dragons are less than 4 inches (10 centimeters) long and weigh 0.1 ounces (2.5 grams). Adults are 17 to 23 inches long and weigh around 12 ounces (340 grams).

A Bearded Dragon's Temperament

Captive-bred bearded dragons are docile. They rarely bite, scratch, or harm their handlers.

Each bearded dragon is unique but generally sociable and tolerant of humans. Some may be fine with other beardies in captivity, but many prefer to be alone.

Beardies love their owners. They'll recognize you, look in your eyes, beg for food, and sometimes want to be held.

Unlike furry friends, beardies don't need constant attention or handling. They need alone time but will miss you if you're gone for too long.

Setting up for Your Bearded Dragon

There's a lot to get before you bring a bearded dragon home. Many products advertise as perfect for reptiles, but they may be unsuitable or dangerous for your bearded dragon.

Thoroughly research brands and products to guarantee your bearded dragon's safety and comfort.

Bearded Dragon Tanks

You'll need to get at least two tanks throughout your bearded dragon's life. An adult bearded dragon needs a 75-gallon tank (or larger) with a 48-inch by 18-inch base.

Juvenile beardies need a smaller tank, around 20 gallons with a 30-inch by 18-inch base. A tank that's too big can overwhelm them and make it harder to find food.

Suitable Substrate for a Beardie

The substrate is the stuff at the bottom of a tank. The best substrate is easy to clean, can't be swallowed, and won't harbor bacteria. 

Paper. Paper towels or unprinted newspapers make excellent substrate. They're cheap and easy to clean and add a layer between the landscaping and the tank floor.

Tile. An alternative, reusable option instead of a paper substrate is to use tiles to create a bare floor for the tank. Tile is easy to clean and makes monitoring the tank's health easier.

Avoid these substrates. Many substrates break one of those rules and should generally be avoided. Avoid the following substrates.

Loose substrates (your bearded dragon can swallow sand, soil, or aquarium rocks)

Reptile carpet (unless you wash and dry it every day)

Natural particulates (your beardie can swallow cocoa fibers, corn cobs, or alfalfa)

Lighting and Heat

Your beardie needs two distinct areas in its tank. 

One area should be for warmth and basking. This side of the tank is warmer, brighter, and the perfect place for them to lie.

The other area should be cooler. This side should be a reprieve from the warmth of basking — but not cold. 

Lighting. Bearded dragons need around 12 hours of UVB (ultraviolet B) light daily. The UVB can come from a mercury vapor bulb (for adults) or UVB fluorescent bulbs.

Your beardie needs visible light either from being in a bright room of your house or from a supplementary light source. Light is good for their health, appearance, and sleep-wake cycle.

Heat. The light source, ambient room temperatures, ceramic heaters, and under-tank heaters all contribute to the heat of their tank. Temperatures should be the following throughout the day:

Day (ambient), 76°F to 86°F

Day (basking area), 95°F to 100°F

Night (ambient), 70°F to 75°F

Night (basking area), around 80°F