How much does a bearded dragon cost per month? Electricity, insects, the real budget
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
An adult bearded dragon costs 40 to 70 € per month on average: roughly 20 to 35 € of insects and greens, 10 to 20 € of electricity and 10 to 15 € of consumables spread over the year (UVB, substrate, calcium). A juvenile, which eats insects every day, can push the bill to 80 € in the first months.
Contents · 5 sections
How much do the insects and greens cost?
A juvenile devours 20 to 50 insects a day: roaches, crickets and worms then add up to 40 to 60 € per month in-store, half that online in bulk. In adulthood, the diet shifts to 70 to 80 % vegetables: endive, watercress, edible flowers — around 10 to 15 € per month, plus 10 to 20 € of insects. Our tips for cutting the insect bill can halve this line item.
What share does electricity take?
Count on a 39 to 54 W UVB fixture and a 50 to 75 W basking spot running 10 to 12 hours a day: about 30 to 45 kWh monthly, i.e. 8 to 12 € at the regulated 2026 rate (around 0.25 €/kWh). In winter in a cold room, the bill can double; our advice on cutting the terrarium's power draw details the levers.
Which consumables should you spread over the year?
- UVB tube or bulb: 25 to 40 €, replaced every 6 to 12 months;
- Heat bulbs: 10 to 20 €, once or twice a year;
- Calcium and vitamins: 15 to 25 € per year;
- Substrate: 20 to 40 € per year depending on the technique;
- Vet contingency: set aside 10 € per month — an exotics consultation runs 50 to 90 €.
Is the bearded dragon the most expensive reptile to keep?
Among beginner species, yes: its appetite and heavy lighting requirements make it one of the costliest lizards day to day, far ahead of a leopard gecko (15 to 25 € per month) or a corn snake (10 to 20 €). Compare the diets of common species in the reptile food section before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut the insect budget by breeding your own feeders?
Yes: a dubia roach colony started with a 20 to 30 € culture covers a good share of an adult's needs after a few months, for a few euros of feed.
Does the budget really drop once the bearded dragon is adult?
Yes, markedly: around 12 to 18 months, the insect share plummets in favour of greens, which cost far less. The first year is the expensive one.
Should you insure a bearded dragon?
A few exotics insurers offer plans at 8 to 15 € per month. An equivalent dedicated savings pot is often more flexible for covering a vet emergency.
In our shop, for this use: Ventilated clear box for feeder insects, transport and quarantine, 19 cm (€17.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
