Bearded dragon care
Pogona vitticeps
A day-active Australian lizard that basks hard and needs strong UVB.
- Adult length
- 18–22 in
- Lifespan
- 7–15+ years
- Enclosure
- 4 × 2 × 2 ft+
- Basking spot
- 100–113°F
- Cool end
- 72–80°F
- Humidity
- 30–40%
Figures and their sources are in the full care guide.
Enclosure and setup
Bearded Dragon Tank Size: Is 40, 75 or 120 Gallons Enough?
How big a bearded dragon enclosure should be for a baby and an adult, why the standard keeps rising, and why a 40-gallon tank is too small for an adult.
Bearded Dragon Lighting: UVB, Basking Heat and a Daily Schedule
What UVB lamp a bearded dragon needs, how far to mount it, basking and cool-end temperatures, the mesh problem, night heat and when to replace bulbs.
Bearded Dragon Substrate: Sand, Soil Mix or Tile?
Is sand safe for bearded dragons? What vets and specialist keepers say about loose and solid substrates, what to avoid, and how to lower the impaction risk.
Food and feeding
Health
Bearded Dragon Brumation: Normal Rest or a Reason to See a Vet?
How to tell bearded dragon brumation from illness, what to track each week, the warning signs that mean a vet visit, and how to help your dragon wake up.
Is My Bearded Dragon Dead, Brumating or Very Sick?
Your bearded dragon is not moving. How to tell deep brumation or cold from an emergency, how to warm it safely, and why a vet should confirm before you give up.
Bearded Dragon Laying Eggs Without a Male: Signs and Egg-Binding
Why female bearded dragons lay infertile eggs, the signs she is ready, how to set up a lay box, and the warning signs of egg-binding that need a vet.
Bearded Dragon Impaction: Signs, Causes and What to Do
How to recognize impaction in a bearded dragon, from no poop to weak back legs, what causes it, when to see a vet, and how to prevent it.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragons: Signs, Causes, Prevention
How to recognize metabolic bone disease (MBD) in a bearded dragon, why too little UVB and calcium cause it, how vets treat it, and how to prevent it.
Mouth Rot in Bearded Dragons: Signs, Causes and Treatment
How to recognize mouth rot (infectious stomatitis) in a bearded dragon, why its teeth and gums are vulnerable, how vets treat it, and how to prevent it.
Bearded Dragon Parasites: Pinworms, Coccidia and Fecal Tests
Which parasites bearded dragons carry, when pinworms and coccidia become a problem, the signs to watch, and why a fecal test comes before any dewormer.
Bearded Dragon Poop: What Is Normal and When to Call a Vet
What healthy bearded dragon poop and urates look like, how often babies and adults should go, and which colors, smells and gaps mean a vet visit.
Respiratory Infection in Bearded Dragons: Signs, Causes and Care
How to tell if a bearded dragon has a respiratory infection, from open-mouth breathing to mucus, what causes it, how vets treat it, and how to prevent it.
Bearded Dragon Tail Rot: Signs, Causes and When to See a Vet
How to tell tail rot from normal dark coloring on a bearded dragon tail, why stuck shed and injuries cause it, what a vet may do, and how to prevent it.
Yellow Fungus in Bearded Dragons: Signs, Diagnosis and Prognosis
What yellow fungus disease (Nannizziopsis) looks like in bearded dragons, how vets confirm it, why treatment is long and hard, and how to stop it spreading.
Behavior and handling
Is My Bearded Dragon Male or Female? How to Tell
How to tell a male bearded dragon from a female: femoral pores, hemipenal bulges, head size and beard color, why babies are hard to sex, and when to ask a vet.
How to Trim Bearded Dragon Nails Safely
When a bearded dragon's nails need trimming, what clippers to use, how to avoid the quick, what to do if a nail bleeds, and when to let a vet do it instead.