why beardies arent easy pets
Do you want to know one of the biggest misconceptions about bearded dragons? Many people label them as “basic, easy reptiles.” As much as they are incredible reptiles to own, they’re not easy.
Bearded dragons are often labeled as basic beginner reptile species. A few months back, I did a *1video all about the best reptile species for beginners and while beardies did make that list, I was hesitant to include them. They are included because they are super chill reptiles and very easy-going but definitely not easy.
Easy going ≠ easy
A lot of work goes into the care of bearded dragons in order to make sure that it is happy and healthy. Trust me, for the best experience possible—and for the reptile’s sake—you want to make sure your dragon is cared for properly.
Today, let’s go over why, despite being amazing creatures, bearded dragons are not easy pets. And before you click off instantly and decide that bearded dragons just aren’t right for you, hear me out: they are truly one of the best reptiles out there. There’s a reason why they’re so popular in the reptile community. In the beginning, I myself had no desire to have a bearded dragon; they simply weren’t interesting to me. Now I have *cough* multiple *cough*.
They Don’t Stay Small
If you’ve met my dragon, Bumble, you may believe she is not full grown. In reality, she is! She’s a bit smaller than the average dragon, but don’t be fooled: bearded dragons don’t stay small. When you get your first dragon, you’ll most likely get it as a baby and it’s going to be wee tiny and adorable.
They grow quickly, though.
And people aren’t always prepared for that. They see this tiny little baby that quickly outgrows its enclosure, leaving it’s caretaker wondering what they’re going to do, especially if they live in a smaller apartment or house. Remember, you’re not getting a small reptile. It’s not going to be the size of a leopard gecko; you’re getting a fairly sizable animal which means you’re going to need a big enclosure, my friend.
The enclosure itself is the most expensive part of owning a bearded dragon because while the bearded dragon itself might be pricey (depending on the type of dragon and where you get it), the enclosure is going to be the element that drains your wallet.
They cannot live in a standard aquarium.
As a baby? Sure. You can easily get away with a 40-gallon breeder. I know some people even start their babies in a small 20-gallon long enclosure, which are about 30 inches long and 12 inches deep. But as your reptile matures, you’re going to be upgrading, fast.
I believe the US minimum keep size for an adult bearded dragon is still a 40-gallon breeder. I’m seeing more people say 75 gallons which is a bit more appropriate, but oftentime, 40-gallons are what most caretakers put their adult dragons in.
They Require a Lot of Space
Going off our previous point, dragons require a lot of space. We’re talking about an enclosure that is 4 feet long, 2 feet deep, and 2 feet tall—or the equivalent of 120 gallons. And they aren’t cheap. You’re looking at $300+ on the enclosure alone, unless you’re handy and can build one which is what my husband and I did when we built a condo for our bearded dragons that are sanctuaried here.
Building is a cost-effective way to make sure your reptile has the right amount of space, but this requires you to be handy and have access to power tools. And even if you meet those requirements, that may be an investment and a size commitment you’re not willing to make yet—and that’s okay! This is often one of the main reasons beardies are not ideal for beginners.
Specialized Lighting
In addition to the enclosure, bearded dragons require specialized lighting, such as basking bulbs and UVB lighting. Your enclosure will require an area that gets to a certain temperature for them to bask as basking is vital to a dragon’s health. Additionally, you will need UVB lighting as they require UVB in order to keep their bones and bodies healthy. These expenses add up quickly as you cannot get the little coil ones but require linear UVB bulbs.
After acquiring the appropriate lighting, there then comes the task of setting up the lights appropriately so that there is the right amount of light in the right spots. Once you’re set up, you’re good to go as you’ve already done the hard part and can replace the lights as needed. But the initial setup can be challenging, especially if your house is on the cooler side because then you have to add things like ceramic heater emitters that will help raise the temperatures to fit your reptile’s needs.
And these are steps that you cannot skip. Ignoring a bearded dragon’s need for lighting can lead to all sorts of health issues like metabolic bone disease and a generally unhealthy, unhappy pet.
Special Care Requirements
Some people are taken aback by the special care a bearded dragon needs, like taking baths. I’m not talking about taking your little guy to a groomer and shampooing them up. We’re talking about soaks your dragon needs once a week in warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes.*3
Diet is also something you need to pay attention to because bearded dragons are omnivores. This means that they’re going to require not only insects but also plants every single day. Feeding schedules vary depending on their age which is another level of complexity to this animal. When they’re young, they require more protein and less salad; as adults, they need less protein and more salad. That means you’re going to be offering a certain amount of insects every single day and also a variety of vegetables, including some staple greens as well as some mix-ins that have to be chopped up for them to eat.
Every. Single. Day.
Like I said, bearded dragons are very involved animals.
Enrichment
Now that I’ve scared you with their basic care, let’s talk about taking your care to the next level because here’s the deal: bearded dragons are rather intelligent reptiles. Some people will argue with me about this, but I think that they are pretty smart. That means that these are not going to be the kind of animals that will be content to simply sit around in their enclosure. If you see a lazy bearded dragon, chances are they could use some enrichment.
Providing your dragon with safe, new experiences that help them explore and remain active—like taking them outside when the weather is warm enough, giving them different hides to explore, or providing different things to climb—are all great ways to provide enrichment for your reptile. Without this kind of activity, they can suffer, and I’m not just referring to physical health. You can see a decline in their mental health if they’re not being stimulated appropriately.
Will you have time to provide them with entertainment? Will you have time to provide them with enrichment? Sometimes, enrichment can be time-consuming. It’s important to know your schedule and if you have time to interact with them or let them run around in a safe environment.
This may sound like a lot of work. And it is.
But they’re so worth it!
I want you to hear me out. I know I’ve shared a lot of information about why bearded dragons aren’t quite beginner animals. But this doesn’t mean that they’re not worth investing the time, money, and energy into them.
If you’re looking for a reptile that’s going to enjoy hanging out with you or one that will be fun to interact with and watch, then a dragon is incredible for that. If you’re looking to add a reptile to your family as a family pet, a bearded dragon is 100% amazing for that. They’re enjoyable to interact with—both for the adults and kids! Plus, if you’re looking for something that isn’t going to perish as soon as you make one mistake, this is definitely the way to go; if you make a mistake and correct it quickly, they’ll be okay. (The keyword here is quickly.)
They’re worth every bit of effort, and more. You will seriously be so rewarded if you invest the proper care into their care. But don’t ever go into it thinking that it won’t involve work. Like every other animal, you have to do the work, you have to do the research, and in the end, it’s going to pay off and make for a very happy, healthy reptile and a very happy, healthy you.
Today’s post is the first in a series we’re going to be doing all about bearded dragons and I would love to have you stick around for the journey! If you’re still trying to decide if a reptile is right for you, be sure to check out whether reptiles make good pets here.
Were you surprised by any of the things we covered today? Let me know if you have any questions below! I’m always looking for a reason to talk all things reptile ;)
