Bearded Dragon Care Sheet
Pogona vitticeps
Bearded dragons are a beginner-friendly lizard [1] that can reach about 24 inches including the tail [1] and live 8 to 10 years with proper care [1][6]. Here is the setup, temperatures, UVB and feeding routine by age, with every number sourced.
Download the printable care sheet (PDF)Bearded Dragon Quick Facts
- Scientific name
- Pogona vitticeps [3]
- Experience level
- Beginner [1]
- Adult size
- Up to 24 in. with tail [1]; 18 to 22 in. [5]
- Lifespan
- 8 to 10 years [1][6]; 7 to 12 years [5]
- Adulthood
- Sexually mature at 8 to 18 months [6]
- Enclosure
- Juvenile 20 gal+ [1][4]; adult 40 gal+ [1], bigger is better
- Basking / warm
- Basking about 99 to 100°F [10][1]; warm end 90°F [10][4]
- Cool side
- 77 to 80°F [10][4]
- Night
- Lights off; no extra heat if cool end stays 65 to 80°F [4]
- UVB
- Essential [10]; 12 hours a day [10]; replace every 9 to 12 months [10]
- Humidity
- 30 to 40%
- Vet check
- Once a year [1]
Bearded Dragon Enclosure and Setup
Start with at least 20 gallons for a juvenile [1][4]. For one adult, PetMD says 40 gallons or larger [1], VCA suggests 60 to 100 gallons or more as it grows [4] and LafeberVet gives 75 gallons as a minimum [6], so bigger is safer. VCA also suggests an enclosure at least 3 times the dragon's length and 16 inches wide [4].
- A secure screen top for ventilation, a basking platform, a hide on each side and a shallow water dish.
- Substrate: tile, paper or reptile carpet are easiest for beginners. Avoid loose substrate for babies because of impaction risk.
Bearded Dragon Temperature
Merck gives bearded dragons an air temperature gradient of 77 to 90°F, with the basking spot about 9°F (5°C) warmer, so about 99°F [10]. PetMD also says about 100°F [1]. Keep the cool end at 77 to 80°F [10][4].
| Zone | Target |
|---|---|
| Basking spot | About 99 to 100°F [10][1] |
| Warm end | 90°F [10][4] |
| Cool end | 77 to 80°F [10][4] |
| Night (lights off) | No extra heat needed if the cool end stays 65 to 80°F [4] |
Put a thermometer at each end and check the basking surface with a temperature gun. Use a thermostat or dimmer, keep heat sources out of reach and skip hot rocks [4].
UVB and Lighting
UVB lighting is essential for bearded dragons [10]. Give a 12-hour light day [10]. Fluorescent UVB bulbs must sit within 12 inches of your dragon and be replaced every 9 to 12 months, even if they still light; mercury vapor bulbs reach farther and last about 12 months [10]. Glass and most clear plastic block UVB, so nothing should sit between the bulb and your dragon [10][4]. A UVB meter is the best way to check output [10]. Without UVB, dragons can develop metabolic bone disease [4].
Humidity and Hydration
Keep humidity at 30 to 40%, with more humidity during shedding [10]. Offer fresh water daily in a shallow dish [1][3]. Misting greens and short warm soaks a few times a week can help hydration [3].
Feeding Your Bearded Dragon by Age
Young dragons eat mostly insects, about 70% [1][2], and adults shift to 20 to 30% insects and 70 to 80% plants [1][2]. Leafy greens should be 80 to 90% of the plant part [3], fruit no more than 5% of the diet [2][6], and never feed fireflies [3]. Banded crickets and Dubia roaches are good staple insects. Banded crickets are naturally resistant to the cricket virus that wiped out many house-cricket farms, and ours are virus-free and parasite-free. We use a special high-quality cricket feed and have a state-of-the-art watering system. Mealworms from CCF are coming soon.
The size rule: feed insects no wider than the space between your dragon's eyes [1][7]. For hatchlings, keep insects to no more than 1/2 to 2/3 of head width [2]. Measure the gap and use the table below.
| Gap between your pet's eyes | Largest CCF cricket that fits the rule [1][9] |
|---|---|
| at least 1/8 inch | Pinheads 1/8" (7 to 14+ days) |
| at least 3/8 inch | Small 1/4 to 3/8" |
| at least 1/2 inch | Medium 1/2" |
| at least 3/4 inch | Large 3/4" |
| at least 1 inch | Jumbo 3/4 to 1"+ |
| Not sure | Size down one size |
Feeder Size by Age (CCF Guide)
| Life stage | Banded crickets | Dubia roaches |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | Pinheads 1/8", Small | Small |
| Juvenile | Small, Medium | Small, Medium |
| Adult (sexually mature at 8 to 18 months [6]) | Medium, Large | Medium, Large |
CCF's own size guide, based on the eye-gap rule above. No vet source gives cricket sizes by age, so always check against your own animal and size down when in doubt. No vet source gives a month cutoff between hatchling and juvenile, so we use stage names.
Feeding Frequency
| Task | Hatchling | Juvenile | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insects | 2 to 3 small meals a day [2]; twice daily [6] | Every day, with salad [2] | 3 to 4 times a week [2]; every 24 to 72 hours [3]; every 1 to 2 days [6] |
| Greens | Offer early so they learn to eat them | Daily [2] | Daily [2] |
| Insects vs plants | About 70% insects [1][2] | About 70% insects [1][2] | 20 to 30% insects, 70 to 80% plants [1][2] |
| Remove leftovers | Insects after the session; produce after about 10 hours [1] | Same [1] | Same [1] |
| Fresh water | Daily [1][3] | Daily [1][3] | Daily [1][3] |
Vet sources give different schedules. We show each range with its source. Your vet can tell you which fits your dragon's age, weight and lighting.
Choosing feeders? See our guide to the best feeder insects for bearded dragons or try the reptile feeding calculator.
Gut-Loading and Supplements
- Gut-load insects within 12 hours before feeding [3]; PetMD says 6 to 12 hours [2]. See what do crickets eat.
- VCA: a light dusting of phosphorus-free calcium daily and calcium with D3 two to three times a week [3].
- LafeberVet: calcium at every meal for hatchlings and 1 to 2 times a week for non-breeding adults [6]. A multivitamin once a week [1][6].
- Schedules differ by source and lighting, and too much D3 is also a problem [3]. Follow your vet.
Handling, Behavior and Brumation
Bearded dragons are usually docile. Handle gently, support the whole body and wash your hands afterward, because reptiles can carry bacteria such as Salmonella [5]. In cooler months some dragons slow down (brumation). If your dragon is unusually inactive or stops eating, contact your vet rather than assuming it is brumation [4].
Common Health Problems
- Metabolic bone disease: UVB or calcium problems.
- Impaction: oversized prey or loose substrate.
- Dehydration and parasites.
- Mouth rot and burns from unguarded heat.
- Yellow or crusty skin patches: needs a vet.
When to See a Vet
- Not eating with weight loss.
- Lethargy outside brumation.
- Swollen limbs or jaw, or tremors.
- No droppings, or straining.
- Discolored skin patches, or discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth.
A first vet check for a new dragon is a good idea, then once a year [1]. Find a reptile vet through the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians [10].
Bearded Dragon Care FAQ
How do you take care of a bearded dragon?
A big enclosure with a hot basking spot and a cooler side, 12 hours of UVB a day [10], gut-loaded insects and leafy greens that shift toward greens as it grows, fresh water daily and a yearly vet visit [1].
What temperature does a bearded dragon need?
An air gradient of 77 to 90°F with a basking spot about 99 to 100°F [10][1], and a cool end of 77 to 80°F [10][4]. At night it's fine if the cool end stays 65 to 80°F [4].
How long should a bearded dragon's UVB be on?
About 12 hours a day [10]. Keep fluorescent UVB within 12 inches with no glass or plastic in the way, and replace it every 9 to 12 months even if it still lights [10].
What size tank does a bearded dragon need?
At least 20 gallons for a juvenile [1][4]. For an adult, PetMD says 40 gallons or larger [1], VCA 60 to 100 gallons or more [4] and LafeberVet 75 gallons minimum [6], so bigger is safer.
How often should I feed my bearded dragon?
Hatchlings get 2 to 3 small insect meals a day [2] (LafeberVet says twice daily [6]). Juveniles get salad and insects every day. Adults get greens daily and insects 3 to 4 times a week [2].
How many crickets should a bearded dragon eat?
Offer as many as it eats in one feeding session, then remove the leftovers so they don't bite your dragon [1]. Vets don't publish one count for every dragon, so ask yours.
What size crickets for a bearded dragon?
Never larger than the space between its eyes [1]. For hatchlings, no more than 1/2 to 2/3 of head width [2].
What humidity does a bearded dragon need?
30 to 40%, with a little more during shedding [10].
How long do bearded dragons live?
8 to 10 years with proper care [1][6]. VCA says about 7 to 12 years [5].
How often should I dust insects with calcium?
VCA suggests light phosphorus-free calcium daily and calcium with D3 two to three times a week [3]. Schedules differ by source and lighting, so follow your vet.
Feeding a bearded dragon?
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Sources
- PetMD, Bearded Dragon Care Sheet (Maria Zayas, DVM; reviewed by Melissa Witherell, DVM)
- PetMD, What Do Bearded Dragons Eat? (Sean Perry, DVM)
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Bearded Dragons: Feeding
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Bearded Dragons: Housing
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Bearded Dragons: Owning
- LafeberVet, Basic Information Sheet: Inland Bearded Dragon (Christal Pollock, DVM)
- Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center, Feeder Insects for Reptiles: A Complete Guide
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (find a reptile vet)
- Carolina Cricket Farm, Live Crickets product page (cricket sizes)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Management and Husbandry of Reptiles (Important Husbandry Requirements table, lighting, humidity and feeding)
This care sheet is general information, not veterinary advice. Ask a veterinarian who treats reptiles about your animal. Last updated: November 2026.