5 Common Misconceptions About Bearded Dragon Care: Debunking Myths and Setting the Record Straight

Bearded dragons are a popular pet for many households, but there are some common misconceptions about bearded dragon care that should not be overlooked.

Here are five of the most commonly held misunderstandings about bearded dragon care:

Myth #1: Bearded dragons only eat insects.

Fact: While insects are a major part of the bearded dragon’s diet, it’s important to provide them with a variety of other food sources. Bearded dragons need a balanced diet that includes plenty of leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits. Offer your beardie a variety of foods daily to ensure they get all the necessary vitamins and minerals. You should also feed them high-quality, calcium-enriched insects such as mealworms, Dubia roaches, and crickets for added nutrition.

It’s important to remember that when feeding your bearded dragon, you should never give it too much food at once. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues, so offer only the amount of food that your beardie can eat in a few minutes. Additionally, you should be careful not to feed it too many insects alone as this could lead to an unbalanced diet.

Overall, providing a variety of healthy and nutritious foods is necessary for keeping your bearded dragon happy and healthy. By following these feeding guidelines, you’ll ensure that your bearded dragon is getting all the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Myth #2: Bearded dragons don’t need UVB lighting.

Fact: Bearded dragons absolutely need UVB lighting for good reasons. First, it helps them create vitamin D3 which is essential for calcium absorption and metabolism. Without the proper levels of vitamin D3, bearded dragons can develop metabolic bone disease. Second, UVB lighting gives bearded dragons a natural light cycle that mimics their environment in nature. It’s important to provide your beardie with adequate UVB lighting, either through natural sunlight or a UVB bulb designed specifically for reptiles. Some experts recommend 12-14 hours of UVB light per day in order to keep your bearded dragon healthy.

Myth #3: Bearded dragons can live in a small tank.

Fact: Bearded dragons can live in a small tank as a juvenile, but as they grow in length they’ll require a large tank with plenty of room for them to get around comfortably. The recommended size for a single adult bearded dragon enclosure is at least 75 gallons. However, bigger is always better, and many experienced keepers recommend going even larger, such as 120 gallons or more. It’s essential to provide ample space for your bearded dragon to move around, climb, bask, and explore, as they are active and curious animals.

Providing a larger enclosure will not only ensure your pet’s physical and mental well-being, but it will also make it easier to maintain proper temperatures, humidity, and cleanliness within the enclosure.

5 Common Misconceptions About Bearded Dragon Care: Debunking Myths and Setting the Record Straight — Izzy loving her water. Here she’s fully grown and you can clearly see why a smaller tank isn’t good enough for her. This was her in-between set up while I worked on newer enclosures.

I personally started with a 40 gallon, then upped the size a couple of times. I would use her smaller tank temporarily between building a new enclosure or buying one. My beardie now loves her 120 gallon enclosure.

Myth #4: Bearded dragons don’t need regular vet check-ups.

Fact: Bearded dragons should receive regular vet checks to ensure good health. Veterinary check-ups should occur once or twice a year, and any signs of illness should be taken seriously and treated immediately. Your veterinarian can help you diagnose and treat any health issues quickly and effectively.

Myth #5: Bearded dragons are low-maintenance pets.

Fact: Despite their small size and seemingly gentle demeanor, bearded dragons require significant care and attention. They need daily feeding, regular cleaning of their habitat, and appropriate amounts of heat, humidity and lighting to remain healthy.

Conclusion:

Bearded dragons make great pets, however, if you’re serious about bringing one home, you should consider the commitment required for providing daily attention, proper nutrition, habitat set up and maintenance. With proper care, beardies can live 10-15 years or more…so be sure you’re up for the challenge before bringing one home!

Our bearded dragon is going on 11 years and we’ll do our best to keep her healthy, happy and thriving so she can be with us for another 10. 🙌

Disclaimer: Please note, this website is not intended to replace professional veterinarian advice or care. If you have any specific questions about your pet’s health, please contact a licensed veterinarian.