Beardies are a very common reptile pet but are bearded dragons good pets? Bearded dragons have been capturing the hearts of many for many years now. Picture this: a small, gentle creature perched on your shoulder, basking in the warmth of a sunny afternoon together. But, could that story also be your experience?
A bearded dragon can be quiet, inquisitive, and occasionally give you a look as though it’s enjoying its sunny afternoon with you. Or they can be full on and bossing you around. Some may even be a little scattered, not confident with their human companion just yet.
This guide explores the beardies temperament, needs, and suitability for various lifestyles, to help you decide if this relationship will work for you.
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What Makes Bearded Dragons Good Pets?
Bearded dragons are known for their friendly nature and compared to some more complex exotic reptiles; they are relatively easy to take care of.
Beardies generally have a calm temperament and gentle demeanor which makes it easy to handle and interact with them. They are also known to be able to form bonds with their owners.
1. Do Bearded Dragons Like to Cuddle?
Well technically bearded dragons don’t cuddle, but they can snuggle. Beardies are sentient beings with feelings. They are typically tolerant of handling and can give you signs that we may interpret as enjoyment.
Beardies can show signs of stress, especially if they are not accustomed to handling. In these instances time needs to be taken to tame the bearded dragon.
2. Are Bearded Dragons are Exotic Pets?
Bearded dragons are exotic pets. The definition of exotic pets includes:
- They are less common than traditional pets like dogs or cats.
- They have specific care requirements.
- They require specialized veterinary care.
- They are not native outside of Australia.
By that definition beardies are exotic pets even in Australia (except for the last point of course).
Bearded dragons live in most places of Australia with some exceptions. You can see Where do Wild Bearded Dragons Live in the linked post.
3. Are Bearded Dragons easy Pets for Beginners?
Bearded dragons can make good pets for beginners, and they’re often called the “starter reptile”. But don’t mistake that for requiring little knowledge, there is quite the learning curve when keeping reptiles.
4. Are Bearded Dragons Easy to Care For?
Bearded dragons are easy to care for compared to some more specialist reptiles. However, they are not as easy as a cat or a dog. Beardies are exotic animals that require a specialized environment and care. Poor care will lead to illness, suffering and perhaps even death.
Their daily care routine includes:
- Feeding: Older bearded dragons can be fed every couple of days, but young ones are much more demanding. A mix of live insects (like crickets or Dubia roaches) and fresh vegetables form their diet.
- Lighting and Heating: Maintaining proper temperatures and replacing UVB bulbs regularly is essential, and the bulbs can be costly.
- Social Interaction: Bearded dragons enjoy gentle handling and can even recognize their owners over time.
- Cleaning: Daily and weekly cleaning schedules are needed for hygiene and preventing disease.
When are Bearded Dragons not Good Pets?
1. Bearded Dragons are not Good Pets for the Immunocompromised
Bearded dragons, like all reptiles, can carry bacteria such as Salmonella. Proper hygiene, including washing hands after handling, minimizes these risks. For households with vulnerable immuno-compromised members such as young children, the elderly members and perhaps even pregnant women, additional precautions are recommended.
2. Not all Bearded Dragons Enjoy Interaction
Owning a bearded dragon is not just about meeting their physical needs; it’s about forming a bond. These reptiles may not cuddle in the traditional sense, and some may not even want to interact.
3. Bearded Dragons are not good Pets for Busy People
Bearded dragons are definitely not good pets for busy people. As adults they do require a little less care but there is still quite the overhead of cleaning, feeding and even tending to feeder insects.
Basic Start Up & Care For A Pet Bearded Dragon
1. What do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded Dragons are omnivores, meaning they enjoy a varied diet of both plants and protein sources. Their dietary needs change as they transition from juvenility to adulthood, with younger dragons requiring more protein.
The bearded dragons diet includes:
- Live insects: mostly crickets, roaches, and worms (like silkworms and waxworms). Insects need to be gut-loaded (fed nutritious foods) to improve their nutrients.
- Leafy greens: collard greens, dandelion greens, and mustard greens.
- Vegetables: squash, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes.
2. Costs of Owning a Bearded Dragon
Creating the right environment with a big enclosure is likely going to cost a lot more than the actual reptile going into the enclosure. There is a handy calculator here for you to work out the costs of buying a bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons need an enclosure, lighting and heating, substrate, hides, climbing accessories, water bowl and more.
Ongoing expenses include food (live insects and fresh vegetables), electricity costs, vet visits and other consumables.
3. The Daily Routine of Bearded Dragon Care
Daily care for a bearded dragon is a consistent time commitment. You need the time to prepare food and feed at the right time of day, provide clean water, keep the enclosure clean, monitor temperature, monitor humidity, and other activities that reptiles require.
4. Common Health Issues and Veterinary Care
Bearded dragons require annual veterinary checkups and vets for any issues in between. Veterinary visits for annual check-ups or unexpected health problems can be costly.
Research into common health issues such as metabolic bone disease, it’s such a common and preventable disease full of suffering that never has to happen if you understand it early on.
Do Bearded Dragons Make Good Pets for Families?
Bearded dragons can be wonderful additions to families, particularly those with children. Their docile nature and ease of handling make them suitable companions for both the young and older reptile enthusiasts.
1. Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets for Kids?
Pet bearded dragons can be good for children depending on their age. In fact, they offer a perfect opportunity to teach children about responsibility and empathy. From feeding live insects, maintaining a clean habitat to budgeting, kids can learn valuable lessons about caring for another living being.
2. Friendly and Docile Nature
One of the reasons bearded dragons are good pets is their relaxed temperament…mostly. Not all are quiet. Beardies are usually considered calm and tolerant of handling, often sitting contentedly on their owner’s shoulder or lap. Over time, many develop unique personalities, from curious explorers to laid-back sunbathers.
How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?
The average lifespan of a bearded dragon is 10–15 years, but with exceptional care, some live even longer. This longevity offers the chance to form a deep bond over time, but it also requires a long-term commitment.
What Type of Bearded Dragon is the Best Pet?
When selecting a bearded dragon as a pet, consider the species, morph and whether you prefer a male or female. Bearded dragons offer a variety of species and morphs, each with their own unique characteristics.
The term species refers to the different types of bearded dragons found in the wild, primarily differentiated by their natural habitats and physical traits. For example, the most common pet species is the Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), known for its adaptability and friendly nature.
On the other hand, bearded dragon ‘morphs’ are variations within a species, created through selective breeding to enhance certain physical traits like color, pattern, or scale texture.
These morphs, such as ‘leatherback’ or ‘silkback’, offer a diverse range of appearances. These bearded dragon morphs have some difference in keeping hydrated and other issues can occur.
What is the Best Bearded Dragon Species to Own?
The Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) stands out as the most recommended species for pet owners.
The manageable size of Central Bearded Dragons, typically reaching up to 24 inches (60cm) in length, contributes to their popularity among reptile enthusiasts.
However, the best bearded dragon species also depends on the country and specific region you live in. For instance, in Australia where these reptiles originate from, we can only keep species of bearded dragons that naturally occur in our state.
What Bearded Dragon Morphs Are There?
Bearded dragon morphs are the result of selective breeding, and they exhibit a range of colors, patterns, and scalation. Some recognizable morphs include:
- Standard: The natural appearance of bearded dragons, with earthy tones.
- Hypomelanistic: These have reduced dark pigmentation, displaying brighter colors.
- Translucent: Characterized by semi-transparent scales, giving a unique, almost ethereal look.
- Leatherback: This morph has smoother skin with smaller scales, reducing the spikiness on their back.
- Silkback: Silkbacks are scaleless with a completely smooth appearance.
Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets? Summing Up
The key to enjoying your relationship with a bearded dragon comes down to understanding and meeting their specific needs. This includes providing a large enclosure, suitable habitat that mimics their natural environment, a balanced diet, and regular veterinary care.
Educate yourself on common illnesses of bearded dragons, they are mostly preventable. This includes issues with their teeth, metabolic bone disease and gout.
Become aware of the potential health risks to both the beardies and humans, to protect yourself and your family from unnecessary illness like salmonella. While bearded dragons can be great companions, being called a beginner’s pet is a bit misleading. They require a specialized environment, can be quite costly, and can require a commitment (if everything goes well) of 15 years or more.
Katie: All of my beardies are rescues.. I fell in love with beardies when my old roommate got 2 from one of his friends, I loved caring for them and really missed them when I moved out. The I got one of my own 
my First baby is Dudley! She’s 7 now. Then my old roomie moved to go to college, so I got to have the first 2 that I fell in love with!!! Then last September, a male and female were brought to my attention and I took them as well because they couldn’t be cared for properly anymore even though the previous owner who knew lots about beardies. (For those of you counting I have 5 dragons total 2females 3 males, and I have a ball python as well!)
Leanna: My boyfriend said no dog no cat. Then one day he said a lizard. Needless to day there will never be dogs or cats in our house just adopted beardies from this point forward
Lisa Marie: Always had dogs growing up, then when I moved out on my own I wanted a pet, but not many apartments let you have a dog. Cats are out because I am allergic. A friend of mine used to frequent a nearby exotics store in Berkley Ca and I went in with him one day. I ended up bringing home a day gecko. Within 24 hrs I was head over heels in love.
Rachel: My nephew and niece owned a pair of beardies. I feel in love with them and decided to get my own from a breeder. Love my Sills who is now 5 and a half.
Do Bearded Dragons make Good Pets Checklist
Temperament & Personality:
- Generally calm, friendly, and easy to handle, with unique personalities ranging from curious explorers to laid-back sunbathers.
- They don’t cuddle in a traditional sense but may enjoy snuggling, resting on you or basking nearby.
Time Commitment:
- Daily care includes feeding live insects and vegetables, cleaning the enclosure, and monitoring temperature and humidity.
- Regular maintenance of UVB lighting and heating systems is essential.
- Long lifespan of 10–15 years requires consistent care and attention.
- Not ideal for busy people due to daily care routines and responsibilities.
- Time required to learn about common and preventable diseases cause by improper care.
Costs:
- Initial setup (enclosure, lighting, heating) can be expensive.
- Ongoing costs include food (live insects and vegetables), electricity, and veterinary care.
Family Suitability:
- Can be great for families with older children who can handle them gently.
- Not ideal for households with immuno-compromised individuals due to Salmonella risks.
Space Requirements:
- Requires a spacious enclosure and a habitat that mimics their natural environment.
- Must be kept escape-proof.
Health Considerations:
- Susceptible to preventable conditions like metabolic bone disease; regular vet check-ups are necessary.
- Proper hygiene reduces the risk of transmitting bacteria like Salmonella.
Interaction Needs:
- Thrive with gentle handling but require patience to build trust.
- Not all bearded dragons enjoy frequent interaction, so be prepared for varying temperaments.
Are You Ready?:
- Be prepared for a long-term commitment, both emotionally and financially.
- You need to be able to provide specialized care and attention.
FAQs
What are the pro’s and con’s of owning a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons are known for their docile nature and the relative ease of care compared to other exotic pets. They can form strong bonds with their owners. On the downside, they require a specific habitat that mimics their natural environment, including regulated heat and UV light. The initial set up can be expensive and there are on going costs. They also have a long lifespan, which requires a long-term commitment. Health issues are common in captivity and may be expensive to treat.
References
Stockley, V. R., Wilkinson, A., & Burman, O. H. P. (2020). How to Handle Your Dragon: Does Handling Duration Affect the Behaviour of Bearded Dragons (Pogona Vitticeps)? Animals, 10(11), 2116.
