🦎Bearded dragon: gear and buying guides

The bearded dragon is a curious, people-friendly diurnal lizard, often described as the ultimate pet reptile. Its easy temperament should not hide demanding equipment: a terrarium of at least 120 cm, powerful UVB replaced yearly and a basking spot around 40 °C.

Profile : 40 to 55 cm as an adult, 8 to 12 years of lifespan, suited to committed beginners.

Species profile

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Adult size

40 to 55 cm

Basking spot

40 to 42 °C

Humidity

30 to 40 %

Minimum enclosure

120 × 60 × 60 cm

Temperament

Diurnal, curious and people-friendly, it is often called the ideal pet reptile.

Health watch

metabolic bone disease from poor-quality UVB (tremors, soft jaw) · gut impaction from swallowing loose substrate

🩺 The health watchpoints on this page are for information only: only a veterinarian can examine your animal and make a diagnosis.

Bearded dragon gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  An omnivore whose diet shifts with age: juveniles eat mostly insects, adults mostly greens (endive, rocket, edible flowers) with insects 2 to 3 times a week. Calcium supplementation is essential.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  An occasional lukewarm bath helps hydration and shedding. Watch for calcium deficiency signs (tremors, soft jaw), directly linked to UVB quality, and remove droppings daily.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Bearded dragons enjoy supervised time outside the enclosure, climbing branches and hunting live insects. Occasionally rearranging the decor keeps exploration stimulating.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A terrarium of at least 120 x 60 x 60 cm for an adult, a high-output T5 UVB tube covering much of the length, a 40-42 °C basking spot and a cool zone around 26 °C. Low humidity, desert-style setup.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport in a ventilated rigid box with a towel, no loose substrate, keeping the car temperate. For long winter trips, a wrapped lukewarm heat pack keeps the temperature safe.

• 🧰 Accessories

  Equipment budget is significant: basking lamp and T5 UVB (replaced every 12 months, around 30 to 60 € per tube), thermostat, dishes, hammock or basking branch. A full setup often runs 400 to 700 €.

Guides to read

• Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: height, ventilation and humidityBedding & habitat

  Vertical terrarium for a crested gecko: why height matters more than floor space, what size fits each age, and how to manage the humidity cycle.

• Feeding a crested gecko: CGD powder, fruit and occasional insectsFood

  Feeding a crested gecko: why complete CGD powder remains the base diet, when to add insects, and how often to feed by age.

• Tail loss in crested geckos: why you should never grab one by the tailCare & grooming

  Tail loss (autotomy) in crested geckos: why the tail never grows back in this species, what handling mistakes to avoid, and what to do if it drops.

• Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: branches, hides and climbing supportsToys & enrichment

  Terrarium enrichment for a crested gecko: why climbing supports matter as much as décor, what hides to provide, and whether to rotate the layout.

• Transporting a Green Iguana to the Vet: Carrier, Heat and StressTravel & safety

  Rigid carrier, keeping the animal warm on the road, and grips to avoid with the tail: how to transport a green iguana to the vet without adding to its stress.

• Humidity and Shedding in the Chinese Water Dragon: Avoiding Skin ProblemsCare & grooming

  Why the Chinese water dragon needs high humidity, how to maintain it without stagnation, and the early signs of an incomplete shed.

• Feeding a Green Anole: Which Insects, and How Often?Food

  Small live insects, prey size and feeding frequency: the complete guide to feeding a green anole, a strict insectivore and a tiny lizard.

• Handling and Transporting a Pacman Frog: Limiting Stress and ContactTravel & safety

  Why the Pacman frog's permeable skin means handling should stay minimal, and how to transport it safely for a vet visit.