Worldwide Beardie Care Network
Beginner friendly bearded dragon care guides and trusted resource info

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Basic Care & Setup

Bearded dragons need more than just a tank and a heat bulb. A proper setup should give them enough room to move, climb, bask, cool down, hide, eat, and rest safely. Good care starts with the enclosure itself, because the setup affects temperature control, lighting, digestion, stress levels, activity, and long-term health. The goal is to build an environment that supports natural behavior and makes daily care easier to manage.  ￼

What this section covers

This section is for the basic foundation of beardie care. It covers enclosure size, ventilation, hides, climbing and basking decor, substrate basics, safe housing, water, and beginner setup mistakes. It is meant to help new keepers build a solid setup from the start and help current keepers compare their enclosure to commonly recommended veterinary care standards.  

Basic Care & Setup

Lighting & Temperature

Lighting and heat are some of the most important parts of bearded dragon care because they affect digestion, appetite, activity, calcium use, behavior, and overall health. A beardie does not just need “a warm tank” — it needs a proper daytime light cycle, usable UVB, a safe basking area, and a real temperature gradient from warm to cool. Poor lighting and poor temperature control are two of the biggest causes of preventable husbandry problems.  ￼

What this section covers

This section explains basking heat, the cool side, UVB lighting, daytime and nighttime cycles, how to measure correctly, safe heat sources, and common mistakes. It is meant to help keepers understand how to build an enclosure that supports normal thermoregulation instead of forcing the dragon to sit in one constant temperature.  

Lighting & Temperature


Bearded dragons are omnivores, but their diet should change as they grow. Younger dragons need a more insect-heavy, protein-rich diet to support growth, while older dragons should shift toward more greens and vegetables with fewer insect feedings. VCA notes that most young bearded dragons eat once or twice daily, while adults may eat every 24 to 72 hours, and PetMD similarly says younger dragons need more live insects while full-grown dragons need more vegetation.  ￼

What this section covers

This section breaks feeding down by life stage so it is easier to understand what changes from hatchling to adult. It covers feeding frequency, basic prey sizing, staple feeder examples, greens and vegetables, treats, hydration, supplements, and common red flags to watch for.

Feeding By Age

Staple Feeders & Greens

A good bearded dragon diet is not just about getting them to eat. It is about building a routine around safe staple feeders, nutritious greens, variety, and age-appropriate balance. VCA notes that bearded dragons are omnivores and should be offered both plant material and animal protein, while PetMD explains that adults should lean much more heavily toward vegetables and greens than younger dragons.  ￼

What this section covers

This section breaks down staple feeders, staple greens, vegetables to rotate, fruits and treats, foods to avoid, and simple ways to make feeding safer and more consistent. The goal is to make everyday food choices easier for both beginners and experienced keepers. 

Staple Feeders & Greens

Supplements & Hydration

Supplements and hydration are a major part of bearded dragon care because food alone is not always enough to support proper bone health, growth, muscle function, and overall body condition. Good supplementation also only works properly when the dragon has correct UVB and husbandry, since Merck notes that poor calcium balance, vitamin D3 deficiency, lack of UVB, and inadequate heat all play roles in metabolic bone disease in reptiles.  ￼

What this section covers

This section explains the basics of calcium, vitamin D3, multivitamins, hydration, water access, and common mistakes. The goal is to help keepers understand that supplements are meant to support a good diet and correct lighting, not replace them.  

Supplements & Hydration

Health & Behaviour

A healthy bearded dragon should generally be bright, alert, able to hold itself upright, willing to bask, and should have clear eyes, intact skin, a clean vent, and a steady body condition. PetMD’s care sheet lists these as signs of a healthy dragon and contrasts them with red flags such as failing to bask, refusing food, lethargy, stuck shed, lumps, discharge, or trouble moving normally.  ￼

What this section covers

This section is meant to help keepers separate normal beardie behavior from possible stress, poor husbandry, or illness. It covers common normal behaviors, warning signs, brumation, mouth rot, tail rot, parasites, respiratory concerns, metabolic bone disease, and when a reptile vet is needed. VCA’s bearded dragon disease guide lists common health conditions in pet bearded dragons as CANV, atadenovirus, metabolic bone disease, parasites, infectious stomatitis or mouth rot, and respiratory infections.  

  Health & Behaviour

Medical Concerns

This section covers common health issues beardie owners hear about most often and warning signs that should never be ignored. It is for general education only and does not replace an exotic or reptile vet, especially if your dragon has trouble breathing, severe lethargy, major appetite loss, blackened tissue, swelling, or sudden behavior changes. Common concerns include yellow fungus disease, atadenovirus, metabolic bone disease, parasites, mouth rot, and respiratory infections.

How to Use This Section

Do not judge a problem by one symptom alone. Look at the full picture, including appetite, basking, weight, stool, breathing, posture, UVB, temperatures, and hydration. Husbandry issues and medical problems often overlap, so setup details matter when something seems wrong.

Medical Concerns

Cleaning & Enclosure Care

A clean enclosure is not just about looks. It helps with disease prevention, parasite control, hydration, food safety, and overall husbandry. Good sanitation, fresh water, and removing uneaten food can help lower the risk of infection and parasite problems.

What This Section Covers

This section includes daily spot cleaning, bowl cleaning, substrate care, full enclosure cleaning, safe disinfecting, decor checks, easy-clean setup choices, and simple quarantine-style care when a dragon is sick or needs closer monitoring. The goal is to make enclosure care easier to manage and easier to adjust when problems come up.

Cleaning & Enclosure Care

Myths & Misinformation

Bearded dragon care is full of outdated advice, oversimplified tips, and social media “facts” that get repeated until they sound true. This section is here to help owners slow down, compare claims against reputable reptile care guidance, and understand why some common advice can lead to poor husbandry or missed medical problems. Good care usually comes from looking at the whole setup, not copying one viral tip.  ￼

What this section covers

This section breaks down common myths about enclosure size, UVB, feeding, supplementation, shedding, cohabitation, and health. The goal is not to shame beginners for old advice they were given. The goal is to explain what current reptile care guidance supports and why certain shortcuts can cause problems over time.  ￼

Myths & Misinformation

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Worldwide Beardie Care Network Beginner friendly bearded dragon care guides and trusted resource info

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