Your New Dragon:

Welcome to your new Bearded Dragon! In order to give your bearded dragon, the best and healthiest life you can the following information has been prepared for you. Please look it over BEFORE you decide to purchase your dragon. Bearded Dragons can live between 10 and 15 years in captivity. You are making a commitment to your new friend. A very long one at that.

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Normal Behavior:

• Headbobbing

• Waving

• Glass surfing

• Gaping mouth while basking

 

Abnormal Behavior:

• Lethargic

• Drooping eyes

• Hiding in the cool spot of the tank for extended periods of time

• Wet or diarrhea like stools

• Pink tinged stools

 

Diet:

Under 1 year feed 80% protein (bugs) 20% vegetables Over 1year feed 80% vegetables 20% protein (bugs) A list of acceptable foods will accompany this sheet.

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Supplements:

• Calcium with and without D3

• Multi-Vitamins

• Probiotics

• Bee Pollen

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Lighting:

Heat light with dome. Depending on the size of your enclosure you will want between a 100w to 150w heat light for basking. Consider having a backup as they can blow at any time. Do not use red lights! We know the pet shops sell them to keep reptiles warm at night but they are not appropriate for bearded dragons. As long as a bearded dragon’s enclosure does not fall below 65 degrees at night they are not too cold. If you need to keep the heat up in your enclosure at night, please use a ceramic heat emitter. UVB This light is of utmost importance! Your bearded dragon should never ever go without this light! If you cannot afford this light or do not plan on using it please do not have a bearded dragon, please. T8 or T5HO linear tube bulbs with fixtures are what should be used. Reptisun 10.0 and Arcadia 12% are amongst the best bulbs to use. Please use a bulb and fixture that covers at least 3/4ths of your enclosure. Replace bulbs every six months. Regular bulbs do not give off the right amount of UVB nor do they cover the majority of the cage. Without proper UVB your dragon will probably develop a disease called MBD or Metabolic Bone Disease. There is no cure for this disease. Other problems include low to no energy, low to no appetite, and failure to thrive as in slow growth.

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Housing and Husbandry:

First and foremost, bearded dragons are solitary lizards. They do not do well cohabiting with another lizard. The outcome in most cases leads to loss of limbs, tails, and life. Please do not ever think that it is ok to cohabit any bearded dragons together for any amount of time. If you do not have the room for 2 wait until you do to purchase another. Bearded dragons need a cool side of the tank as well as a warm side. The tank you house your dragon should provide adequate room for both. A 40-gallon breeder tank would be the smallest recommended size for an adult bearded dragon. Breeder tanks are also not built to deep for your dragon to feel the heat and get their daily UVB.

 

You will want a hide for your bearded dragon.

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Do not use Sand substrate EVER! Sand can cause impaction resulting in the death of your dragon. Please consider using the following:

• Tile

• News paper

• Paper towels

• Reptile carpet

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Just because the pet store sells a bag of sand with a bearded dragon on it does not mean it is for you. Please use coconut husk, as sand will cause impaction and that will become a pretty costly.

A 14-day period will be given for refunds. If you decide you cannot take proper care of your dragon, they are more work than what you thought, or you suspect your pet is sick please bring it back for a full refund.

 

After 14 days in the event, you can no longer take care of your dragon please bring it back to me as I will rehome it. I will not give refunds. Animals that were poorly treated during their time with owners will need vet checks and fecals done. It is for this reason if you must relinquish your animal I cannot give a refund.

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