I am considering getting my son a bearded dragon for his birthday(March). How much maintenance do they require, and what kind of supplies are needed.
Aquarium-what size?
Heat lamp?
Food?
etc
To get the animal and set up, how much money am I looking at?
Thanks man
Allen
I had an opportunity to buy one a while back, but it was an older animal and it was in a 50 gallon set up which was way too big for us
I would recommend, should you get one, to look for a juvenile or older, rather than a baby. Babies, while incredibly cute (with their big 'ole heads) are very high maintenance and are just all around a PITA. Beardies that haven't been handled can be a bit skittish at first, but with gentle handling, they calm down quickly and will hang out with you for hours.
Alot of pet stores will try to get you to buy a product called "Calci-Sand" for a beardie, but don't waste your money. Most beardie owners have their animals on regular ceramic tile. Easy to clean and conducts warmth well. Paper towel and newspaper can be used also, its just not as pretty.
As for tank size, an adult beardie needs some running room. A 40-50 gallon tank is a good size for them. All-Glass puts out "Critter Cages" that range in size from 10 gallon to 40 gallon breeder tanks. A 30-40 gallon tank would be fine for him/her. (They are wider than most standard size aquariums)
They can be costly, though. A 30-40 gallon critter cage will run you between $80-$90.
Try to stay away from using any fake plants in the tank, unless they are plastic. Dragons, while cute, can be a bit dense at times and can do a number on those silk plants, testing them out to see how they taste. (And yes, they do have teeth)
Beardies are avid climbers and will enjoy rocks, moopani wood and drift wood pieces to climb all over. A little higher area for their basking spot is ideal and a hide on the cooler side will give them a safe spot to sleep at night.
Beardies are desert anials, so they like it HOT! They need a basking area that gets 95* to 105*. You can blow alot on the "Zoo Med Dome Light" for $25 and specially made reptile heat bulbs that cost an arm and a leg, but a $6 work shop light from WalMart and a 40-75 watt bulb will do the same thing.
The biggest expense, lighting wise, for beardies is they absolutely have to have UV light. They're a diurnal lizard and without it, they develop Metabolic Bone Disease and can die. You can find some hood lights that have a place for a UV tube light and a light bulb, but again, put the word "reptile" on anything and it gets expensive. The best lighting system for UV I have ever had is put out by Exo Terra. Its a Compact fluorescent terrarium canopy. The lights to go with them are the spiral shaped energy efficient lights. One light will last forever. For a beardie, I recommend Repti-Glo 10.0 UVB light. (Also put out by Exo Terra)
www.exo-terra.com
Diet wise, the younger the dragon, the more protein they need. Expect to dump alot of money on bugs! They love crickets, mealie worms, superworms (if the dragon is big enough) and as a treat, wax worms. They are omnivorous, though, so don't forget the veggies. Kale, Endive, Romaine, carrot shavings, they LOVE squash, cactus pads, grapes and berries.
You'll also need to get a calcium suppliment to occassionally dust their food down with, which cost about $10. (Or send us your address and we'll send you a bottle. We have enough Reptivite to suppliment every lizard's diet in the lower 48 for a decade)
I also recommend when you go to find your dragon to look for a breeder. Most pet stores don't really care about the stock they get in and you pay $80 for a dragon that has parasites and will have to be taken to the vet within the first week.
Dragons can be a bit high maintenance, but all in all, they are the best, easiest and most social lizards I have ever worked with.
So; (and these are just guestimations)
Cost of a normal dragon - $80
Tank - $90
Ceramic tiles - $5
Accessories - $60
Heat Light - $8
UV Light and bulb - $40
Shallow water dish - $5
Total cost - $288
I know this is a lot of info to take in but don't let it scary you away. They are great pets.
Thank you for the info. That was more than expected. I might get another beta instead 😆
we were a t a friends house who had one and he said he wanted one
I'll see if he shows some more interest in them between now and his B-day. Actually I would like him to have a ball python as I was really into snakes when I was a kid
I can hook you up with a ball python I have two girls that I got in as rescue's that are ready to be rehomed.
