Bearded dragons are fascinating, intelligent, and often affectionate reptiles that can make incredible pets — but only if you're fully prepared to meet their needs. Without the right environment, diet, and care, they can suffer and even die. This isn’t an exaggeration. Owning a bearded dragon is a serious commitment, not a casual purchase.

If you're not ready to provide the proper setup, supplements, and diet — please do not get a bearded dragon. Their health depends entirely on the quality of care you provide.

🦎 Lighting & Heating Requirements

UVB Lighting:

Bearded dragons require high-quality UVB to synthesize calcium and maintain overall health. Without proper UVB, they can develop Metabolic Bone Disease, which is painful and often fatal.

Recommended Bulb: Arcadia T5 12% Desert (long tube style, not coiled bulbs)

Arcadia bulbs are more reliable and last significantly longer than most other brands.

UVB and basking lights must overlap over the basking area to provide the full spectrum they need. Your UVB should span at least half the length of the enclosure.

Basking Spot:

The basking area should reach around 100°F, but this can vary slightly depending on your dragon's individual needs.

Use a temp gun to monitor basking surface temps.

Use digital thermometers to monitor ambient temperatures around the tank.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" wattage bulb — you will need to test and adjust based on your enclosure setup.

🥬 Diet & Feeding Guidelines

Bearded dragons have different dietary needs at various stages of their lives.

For Juveniles (10–100g):

Feed 10–20 insects per day, dusted with calcium no more than 5 times a week and no less than twice.

Insects should include: Dubia roaches, mealworms, superworms, BSFL (black soldier fly larvae), or Repashy.

Always offer fresh greens first, before offering bugs.

For Adults:

Reduce insects to 10–20 bugs once or twice a week.

Their main diet should be leafy greens like turnip, collard, mustard, or arugula.

Do not feed light green lettuces (like iceberg or romaine).

Treats like fruits, hornworms, or sugary items should be given sparingly, like candy for kids.

🏠 Enclosure Guidelines

Minimum tank size: 40 gallons, but you’ll need to upgrade as your dragon grows.

Ideal enclosure size: 4'x2'x2' or 4'x2'x18" PVC or wood enclosures.

Wood is safe as long as it’s non-toxic.

Glass tanks can work but often require higher wattage bulbs and may cause stress due to reflections — consider lining the inside.

Substrate Options:

For adults: ceramic tile, play sand (for dig boxes), or cypress mulch.

For babies: paper towels or non-adhesive shelf liner are safest.

**Avoid anything loose for young dragons to prevent impaction.

⚠️ Important Reminders

Replace UVB bulbs at least every 18 months (for Arcadia). Other brands often need replacement every 4–6 months, even if they still produce light.

Never use heat rocks. These can cause serious burns.

No heat lamps at night. Bearded dragons are diurnal and need darkness to rest. If your home gets cold, a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) without light is the safest choice if you need a heat source at night for your dragon.

💬 Final Thoughts

Bearded dragons aren't low-maintenance pets — they’re exotic reptiles with very specific requirements. But if you're ready to provide the care they need, they can become one of the most rewarding animal companions you’ll ever have.

Your dragon is entirely dependent on you to get it right. Do the research, invest in quality equipment, and never cut corners on their health.

If you need help setting up or have questions, it’s always better to ask and learn than guess and risk your pet’s health. Responsible ownership starts before you bring them home.