Bearded Dragon

[user1482955107]

Good evening

We are considering getting a bearded dragon. We were Also considering a chameleon, or leopard gecko, however I have since been advised that chameleons can get quite grumpy as they get older and I most geckos are nocturnal so may take longer to bond with.

I have watched some videos about Bearded Dragons and they appear to tick many boxes.

I was hoping that I may get the attention of some Beardy owners who could give me some information regarding what theY eat, essentials for their habitat etc.

Thank you in advance 😊

They’re lovely friendly creatures who seek your attention and are happy to cling to your clothes and be stroked. You can get brightly coloured morphs. They need the longest viv you can find and specialist UV lighting plus a basking lamp. They get quite big and while growing they eat a LOT of live food (expensive for quite a long time). You also have to house and feed a special product to the live food.

If you’d prefer a smaller version there is the Rankins Dragon that is very similar but stays small. Or if you’d prefer a vegan lizard then a uromastyx is an alternative. Not quite as outgoing as a beardie but they look cool and no live food.

A girl on my social media has a pair and they are so cool, they seem so happy and chilled! Id like one eventually just havent got the space for another animal right now. Two YouTube channels that seem to have really good experience and sound advice are Snake Discovery and Go Herping.
Both channels cover all reptiles. Happy researching!

Just to add. I wouldn’t get two as they can bully and fight once mature.

As to your other options.

Panther Chameleons are friendly and will climb out onto your arm. They have a shorter lifespan (5 years or so). Personally I think they’re fascinating to watch with their googly eyes and boxing glove hands and tongue that stretches far out. Their set up needs to be perfect though and beardies are easier. Again they need live food. They do well in a tall and wide glass terrarium planted with tall plants, live ones preferably. If you have a warm house you can keep them in a mesh viv which is better for air flow.

Leopards are cute but all geckos are nocturnal so you don’t see a lot of them. They are prone to dropping their tails and they don’t grow back. They can be fed a repashy paste instead of live food but personally I think they should also have live feed.

Bearded dragons are such awesome companions, and it's fantastic that you're doing your research! They're known for being social, and bonding with them can be a really rewarding experience.

For their diet, they're omnivores, enjoying a mix of insects, leafy greens, and some fruits. You'd want to create a warm, cozy habitat with proper lighting and temperature gradients. UVB lighting is crucial for their health!

If you're curious about bearded dragon tail health or need more tips, here's a link https://dragonfreak.com/the-truth-about-bearded-dragon-tail-rot-causes-symptoms-and-treatment with some useful insights.