Are you thinking about bringing a reptile into your home? If so, you may be interested in learning whether or not bearded dragons make good pets. Bearded dragons are popular and relatively easy to care for, but is it really worth getting one as a pet?
It’s important to learn about the needs of bearded dragons before you buy one. In this article, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of keeping a bearded dragon and look at the pros and cons of having one as a pet.
We’ll also discuss what essential supplies need to be purchased to give your beardie the best care possible. So if you’re wondering whether or not a bearded dragon would be a good addition to your family, read on!
Do Bearded Dragons Make Good Pets?
When it comes down to it, whether or not a bearded dragon makes a good pet all depends on the dedication and care you are willing to commit. They may be one of the most popular reptiles in the world, but they require proper handling, a healthy environment, and plenty of time for exploration and exercise.
Fortunately, with their relatively low cost, easy-to-care-for nature, intriguing appearance, and friendly demeanor, bearded dragons make great pets for both beginners and experienced keepers alike. Taking all these factors into account will help ensure that you have the best experience possible with your new four-legged friend!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Social, active, and easy to tame | Very specific diet requirements |
| Friendly, curious, and docile temperament | Need special UV lighting and heating |
| Relatively cheap and easy to care for | Require frequent cleaning |
| Long lifespan | Health risks |
| Exotic dragon-like appearance | Larger males can be difficult to handle |
Why Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets?
Keeping a bearded dragon as a pet has many benefits. For starters, they are relatively low-maintenance and easy to care for. They require a few basic supplies such as a tank, substrate, heating lamp, and food dish. Additionally, they are quite hardy and can live up to 10 years with proper care.
Here are some more things that make Bearded Dragon makes good pet:
They Have A Peaceful And Calm Temperament
Bearded dragons are often praised for their peaceful and calm temperament. This makes them an ideal pet for people of all ages and backgrounds, as they typically stay passive and get calmer with age.
As a bonus, these reptiles actually enjoy interacting with people. That means that you don’t have to keep them in the terrarium all day – you can take them out of the tank and let them explore your home while supervised. You can even take your bearded dragon on walks if you equip it with the proper leash setup!
These animals may bite when feeling scared or threatened, but this is usually nothing to worry about if you handle them properly. Generally speaking, their bites don’t hurt much or draw any blood at all – so it’s mainly just surprising!
Appearance
Bearded dragons are one of the most visually appealing reptiles, having a unique appearance that is reminiscent of creatures from the age of dinosaurs.
What’s more, they come in many different colors and morphs. Breeders have created variants with yellow, red, and orange hues. The most sought-after variant is arguably the Sandfire bearded dragon, which has spectacular colors that range from vibrant red-orange (resembling fire) to light pinkish red.
There is simply no other reptile quite like the amazing bearded dragon when it comes to its captivating appearance!
They Have A Good Life Expectancy
One of the best things about owning a bearded dragon as a pet is its impressive life expectancy. With the right care and attention, these amazing little creatures can live for 8 to 15 years! That means you get plenty of time to form a bond, have fun, and enjoy your days together.
For your dragon to reach their full potential in terms of life expectancy, it’s important that you commit yourself to provide them with the proper housing setup. You should also ensure they have a balanced diet and regular veterinarian checkups. Maintaining these standards will help your dragon live a long, healthy life.
Caring For Them Is Simple
When it comes to caring for a bearded dragon, it doesn’t get much simpler. All you need is the right habitat conditions (heat, light, and a UVB bulb) and you’re good to go! A 55-75 gallon tank with a secure screen top is ideal for an adult beardie while smaller tanks can suffice for juveniles who will eventually outgrow them.
Provide your pet with a proper diet of insects, fruits, and vegetables, which are all fairly inexpensive choices. To keep your dragon happy and healthy, spend a few minutes every day cleaning up unwanted food, giving them clean water, and cleaning away their droppings. Once a week you should also give their tank a thorough cleaning to make sure everything stays in pristine condition at all times.
This simple yet effective approach ensures that caring for your bearded dragon doesn’t take up too much of your time – making them the perfect pet for both kids and busy adults!
They’re Intelligent
Bearded dragons are more than just cute lizards – they’re also incredibly intelligent. They have the capacity to form close and lasting bonds with their owners and can become so familiar with their environment that they can distinguish between individuals.
Additionally, bearded dragons are capable of learning by observing other beardies in the enclosure. With a bit of patience and consistency, you can even train them yourself! You’ll be amazed at how quickly these lizards can learn to respond to your commands, such as coming when called, being ready for water/food, or even walking on a leash!
Bearded Dragons Can Show Affection
It can be easy to forget that even reptiles can show signs of affection, but bearded dragons are actually quite good at it. When taken out of their terrariums and held, they often settle into crooks of their owners’ necks or chests and sometimes even drift off to sleep. It’s a sweet gesture from these creatures and proves that their capacity for emotion is more than meets the eye.
In order to build up a bond with your little scaly friend, it’s important to talk or sing to them when you enter the room so that day by day they become more familiar with not only your voice but also your presence. This will make them more comfortable in your company and eventually associate you with positive activities like playtime or mealtime.
To further strengthen the bond between you two, gently increase the amount of time you are handling them over time and get creative! Taking your bearded dragon on walks with a special leash and harness is one way to spend quality time together.
Feeding Them Is Straightforward
Feeding your bearded dragon is simple and straightforward. As they are omnivores, they eat both plant and animal-based foods. For young dragons, it’s a good idea to feed them once to twice a day, for adult beardies once a day is enough.
Your dragon will love many veggies such as greens, beans, broccoli, parsley, dandelions, kale, cilantro, cabbage, watercress, bell peppers, and bok choy. You can also offer them fruits like mangoes, apples, pears, kiwis, and melons.
Animal-based proteins like crickets (read this guide to learn how many they can eat), spiders, or worms should be included in their diet too. Mealworms, wax worms earthworms grasshoppers moths silkworms, and slugs are all great options!
Their Size Is Very House-Friendly
Bearded dragons are the perfect pet for any size house or apartment. Despite their moderate size of 12 to 24 inches long from head to tail, they won’t take up much room in your home.
Unlike other reptiles that can grow to be quite large, bearded dragons stay compact even reaching adulthood, meaning they won’t outgrow your living space. And the males growing bigger than females means you won’t need a very big terrarium either.
What’s amazing is that more than a third of their body is taken up by the tail and yet they weigh less than a pound! This low weight also makes it easier to snuggle and handle them too – something which will be great if you’re looking to bond with your exotic pet. Plus, as an added bonus, they tend to reach full growth within just a year of hatching. So no matter what size house you have, bearded dragons make excellent companions!
They’re Affordable
Bearded dragons make great pets for those with a limited budget. Setting up an appropriate habitat should cost between $200 and $600, including supplies like the terrarium, thermometer, and light source.
After that, depending on what food your bearded dragon prefers, costs tend to be quite low. You also need some kind of substrate but this can be free or very cheap.
Veterinary care is still important but won’t cost as much as cats and dogs since these lizards need to see a vet who specializes in reptiles. To further protect yourself against unexpected surprises it’s always good to have pet insurance so the financial burden isn’t too great in case something comes up.
Ultimately, when it comes to budgetary concerns, bearded dragons make an excellent choice!
Bearded Dragons Are Fun To Observe
If you haven’t witnessed the entertainment your Bearded Dragon can provide, then you’re missing out. When it wants to get your attention, your Bearded Dragon will run back and forth trying to get a reaction from you. And when mealtime comes around – trust us – it’ll certainly let you know!
Taking them out of their terrariums is also joyous for them (and for you!). Their curious and cute personalities unleash themselves as they take a look around the room their in and explore. If the weather permits, you can even strap a leash onto your little buddy and take him outdoors for some extra fun!
Bearded Dragons also enjoy having a swim in kiddie pools or large plastic storage containers. Just make sure that the water is warm, shallow, and nothing over its elbow- or knee-deep! You can even arrange play time by putting some toys inside its terrarium, or buy some specific play items such as ping pong balls or mylar cat toy balls – these always bring lots of entertainment!
They’re Good Pets For Kids
Bearded dragons are one of the best pets for kids. They are generally very docile and gentle, making them a great choice for kids who may not have had prior experience with handling animals. Over time, children can learn how to interact with a bearded dragon and build up a strong bond of trust between them.
Caring for these creatures is also relatively simple. Kids will need to feed their bearded dragon regularly, provide it with plenty of attention, and make sure that the enclosure is kept clean. A pet like this gives children an opportunity to learn how to care responsibly for an animal while keeping the risk low due to its docile nature. Furthermore, developing a plan for caring for a bearded dragon can help instill good time management skills in children.
They Look Neat!
Bearded dragons stand out from other common house pets with their unique and attractive appearance – perfect for those looking for something a little unconventional.
Additionally, bearded dragons come in a variety of species and have beautiful colorful scales ranging from red to orange to yellow.
These lizards can grow to be up to two feet long and have a wedge-shaped heads covered in rows of scales. When they puff up the scales on their throat, it resembles a beard which is how they got their nickname – and if they feel threatened the beard turns black! They also have four short legs, a flat body lined with more rows of scales on either side of the stomach, and a tail that is half the size of its body (it’s worth saying again that, unlike other lizards, this tail won’t drop off!). All in all, these lizards look neat!
They Are Quiet & Easygoing
Bearded dragons are the ideal pet for anyone looking for a calm and peaceful companion. Unlike most reptiles which tend to vocalize, these lizards communicate using gestures and body language, like arm waving, head bobbing, and color changes. They don’t need a lot of special attention either – once their enclosure is set up properly, you can relax knowing that your bearded dragon is content with just lounging or exploring its surroundings.
What makes them even more desirable pets is that they are diurnal – meaning they are generally active during the day instead of at night. Because of this, you won’t have to worry about your pet making too much noise while you’re trying to get some rest. This combination of being quiet and easygoing makes bearded dragons perfect pets!
Their Temperament Is Friendly, Curious & Docile
Bearded dragons are well known for their friendly and docile temperaments. They have been socialized to human contact, meaning that they will form a connection with their owner and even enjoy being petted or cuddled with.
What’s more, their curiosity makes them happy to explore new environments and play with the toys you give them! Their friendly personality extends beyond just pet owners too; it is not uncommon for humans to be able to handle wild beards without too much difficulty.
In summary, Bearded Dragons demonstrate friendly, curious, and docile temperaments. This makes them ideal pets for those looking for a loyal companion who also loves exploring.
They Look Like A Real-Life Dragon
Bearded dragons truly look like real-life dragons! With over 20 diverse morphs – from sandy brown and tan to various shades of red, yellow, brown, and white – you can’t get much closer. Plus, with their unique ability to change color, they become even more eye-catching lizards.
On top of that, these remarkable reptiles are perfect for anyone looking for an impressive pet to care for. Thanks to decades of selective breeding, these beardies come in all sorts of amazing patterns and colors. Some of them even have smooth skin or scaleless traits which certainly make them stand out from the crowd!
So if your interests lie in reptiles but were influenced by your childhood fascination with dragons or dinosaurs, you really can’t go wrong by getting a bearded dragon as your next pet.
Easy Maintenance
Bearded dragons are one of the most convenient pet lizards to own when it comes to maintenance. You won’t have to stress about what they eat since there is such a wide variety of food options for them. Plus, keeping a bearded dragon’s habitat doesn’t require much work either; their housing needs are minimal compared to turtles and chameleons.
Maintaining a happy and healthy bearded dragon only takes a few minutes each day – that’s all you need! So from stocking up on food to regularly checking the temperature in their cage, with heedful attention you can provide your lizard companion with the best possible care.
FAQs
Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets?
Bearded dragons are great pets because they have friendly and curious personalities, and they also bond closely with their owners. Plus, they look like real-life dragons and require minimal maintenance.
What Kind Of Food Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons are both carnivorous and herbivorous, consuming both animal and plant matter. Their diet should consist of insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches; vegetables such as kale, collard greens, and squash; and fruits such as apples or pears.
How Much Space Does A Bearded Dragon Need?
A bearded dragon needs at least a 20-gallon tank to live comfortably. The tank should also have plenty of hiding spots for the lizard to feel secure in its environment.
How Often Should I Clean My Bearded Dragon’s Habitat?
You should clean your bearded dragon’s habitat at least once a week to ensure it remains healthy and hygienic. This includes removing any uneaten food or waste from the enclosure and replacing the substrate if necessary.
Conclusion:
Bearded dragons make for a wonderful pet, regardless of whether you’re seasoned or a beginner at reptile care. They are relatively low maintenance but require a proper enclosure and an appropriate diet to thrive.
Bearded dragons provide their owners with entertainment, relaxation, and companionship on a daily basis, making them one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world. If you’re looking for the perfect furry friend, the bearded dragon is an excellent option!
