In this article, you’ll learn how to feed and care fot your baby bearded dragon. We’ll cover how to setup a tank for a baby dragon, review a recommended feeding schedule, and how fast a baby bearded dragon will grow.

A baby bearded dragon is all you’ve ever wanted (or at least, it has been for the last couple weeks).

But before you snag the first lizard infant in sight, spend some time and care finding a pet who will be a great fit for your home:

Note: Most breeders or pet stores hold on to babies until they are about 4–6 weeks old. It’s not recommended to re-home a bearded dragon younger than this. They’re too fragile and easily stressed.

You should only purchase a baby bearded dragon from a reputable breeder or pet shop. Wild-caught bearded dragons are often mistreated and obtained unethically or even illegally, so stick with a domesticated dragon from a trusted provider.

When choosing your new friend, look for an active baby with clear eyes, smooth skin, and strong bones. Make sure your beardie can support his weight on all four legs, and that it is active and moving around the enclosure (lethargy, closed eyes, and unhealthy looking skin can be signs of illness).

The “baby” stage for a bearded dragons is short, from birth to the time they are about five months old. Once they hit this mark, they are now considered juvenile—with a whole new set of space and dietary needs.

The most reliable method of sexing a bearded dragon is examining the hemipenal bulges (located near the underside of the base of the tail). These bulges are not fully pronounced until a bearded dragon is about 9–12 weeks old. It is almost impossible for an untrained eye to tell the gender before this stage.

If you buy from an experienced breeder, they might be able to tell you if your baby is a boy or a girl—but even these experts aren’t right every time!

So don’t commit to the whole pink motif for the enclosure until your dragon is old enough to be sexed reliable!

Nothing will make your baby beardie feel at home like a safe, secure enclosure. Taking the extra time to set up a proper habitat will pay off in the long run for both baby and owner.

Baby bearded dragons require much smaller enclosures than their adult counterparts—a 20-gallon tank is usually the max size for baby dragon housing.

Of course, your pet will need to graduate to a larger home as he or she grows. Once your baby reaches the juvenile stage (around 4 months old), you should upgrade them to an enclosure no smaller than 40-50 gallons with lots of climbing space and room for growth.

Some owners up to purchase an adult-sized tank (120 gallons) and let their beardie grow into it. In most cases, this is fine (and financially prudent), but some babies might feel insecure and intimidated with too much space.

All beardies need plenty of light, including UVA and UVB rays, which they require to properly metabolize their food.

In their enclosure, you’ll need:

• UVB lamp
• UVA bulb (50–70 watts)

Leave these bulbs running for 12 hours a day during the day.

Your baby beardie will need a range of temperatures in their tank to stay comfortable. One end of the tank should be cooler (about 75–80 degrees Fahrenheit), while the other side should be a bit hotter (95–105 degrees).

To achieve this effect (known as a temperature gradient), place the heating source (either your heat-producing UVA bulb or a separate basking light) at one end of the enclosure. The other end, far away from the heat-produced light, will stay cooler.

The temperature of the cooler end of the enclosure should not drop below 70°F at night. You’ll need a thermometer to measure these temperatures accurately, and a ceramic heater to run at night if you find the tank is getting too chilly.

Hailing from a semi-arid climate, baby bearded dragons require humidity levels in their tanks of 30–40%.

You’ll need a hygrometer (humidity gauge) to measure this accurately, as well as a spray bottle and/or humidifier if the readings come up on the dry side.

Substrate is the material used to line your baby beardie’s tank. While some owners choose to go with sand, this isn’t recommended for baby dragons. Any small particles can be accidentally ingested, causing serious digestive issues.

Rather than sand, consider using newspaper or tile as a substrate—easy to clean and much safer for baby dragons. If you do decide to use something else, make sure it’s non-toxic and large enough for baby dragons not to accidentally ingest.

Baby bearded dragons require the same decorations as their adult counterparts—a hiding spot for security, some branches for climbing and perching, and plenty of rocks to lounge on.

A rock or log should be set up underneath their basking lamp as well, something comfortable for baby dragons to rest on while they get their daily dose of heat and UV rays

It’s important that baby dragons can explore their habitats safely—make sure there are no sharp edges or anything else baby dragon tykes could injure themselves on!

Baby bearded dragons should eat a protein-heavy diet with portions of green vegetables mixed-in for healthy growth and development. The ratio of protein to plant material should be 75% to 25%. As they grow, the recommended diet becomes much more veggie-centric.

If you are using live crickets the protein source, your baby bearded dragon should eat between 20–40 crickets a day, spread out throughout the day.

Dubia roaches and superworms are acceptable foods as well. Always opt for gut-loaded varieties, as they are more nutritious.

Whichever insect you feed your baby bearded dragon, make sure they are not too big. A good rule of thumb is to choose insects that are about the same size as the distance between your dragons eyes.

Your baby will likely be a voracious eater and rapid grower. Feeding every three hours throughout the day for a total of four meals is the best feeding routine for a baby bearded dragon.

This is a sample schedule you can follow to figure out when to feed your baby:

8 AM: 10 crickets or dubia roaches, small portion of finely chopped collard greens

11 AM: 10 crickets or dubia roaches, small portion of finely chopped collard greens and green bell peppers

2 PM: 10 crickets or dubia roaches, small portion of finely choped broccoli and strawberries

5 PM: 10 crickets or dubia roaches, small portion of finely chopped collard greens and carrots

Tip: Place live insect food in the enclosure first and give your beardie 10 minutes to eat as many as they can. After the 10 minutes, take out the remaining insects and place the veggies (in a small dish or ramekin) in the tank for your pet to snack on until the next feeding).

Bonus Tip: Mix powdered calcium supplement in with your beardie’s food 2–3 times a work to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients they need to avoid metabolic bone disease.

Your baby bearded dragon will grow fast! While you might wish you could freeze time and keep them small forever, by the time she’s five months old, your baby is now a juvenile.

Babies start out around 3–4 inches long, then grow about 1–3 inches per month through their juvenile stage. Their weight increases from 4–6 grams up to about 102 grams by the time they are a juvenile.

Bearded dragons grow until they become full-sized adults at about 12 months old. Some will keep growing until they are about 18–24 months old.

Adult female bearded dragons will reach 16–20 inches in length, males grow to a slightly larger size of 18–24 inches long.

(Cherish your little buddy’s diminutive size while it lasts!)

Bearded dragons are gentle creatures and can be handled, but baby dragons require extra care. Handle your baby very carefully and only for short periods at first until they are comfortable with it.

Avoid handling baby beardies too frequently as this can cause stress – so handle them just enough to allow them to become accustomed to their human companions.

If your baby is skittish, try putting your hand in the tank with some pieces of their favorite fruit and allowing them to crawl on it until they become comfortable.

(Who could say no to sliced grapes?)

With baby beardies, patience is key! She’ll come around if you give her enough time and love.

Caring for baby bearded dragons requires patience and dedication. They’re not quite as demanding as their human counterparts, but they still require a healthy diet, proper habitat and careful monitoring to ensure their wellbeing.

Remember, you should feed baby bearded dragons 20–40 crickets or dubia roaches a day spread out in four meals throughout the day, along with their plant-based foods and calcium supplements. Provide a comfortable habitat with an adequate temperature gradient and stable climate.

Your baby will grow rapidly and soon enough become an adult bearded dragon. The care you provide at this early stage will ensure your baby dragon grows into a happy, healthy reptile.

Have fun with the process and enjoy watching your baby grow!

The post How To Care For A Baby Bearded Dragon [Feeding Tips & More] appeared first on beardie buddy .

Baby and juvenile Beardies should be offered appropriately sized crickets two-three times a day. Offer as many as your Beardie will eat in a 5-10 minute time frame. When your Beardie stops eating, stop offering. Young Bearded Dragons can eat anywhere from 20-60 small crickets a day. Your Beardie should also be given fresh greens daily. Spraying the greens with water will help them last longer and will also help keep your Beardie hydrated.

Sub-adult to adult Beardies only need to eat prey items once a day along with fresh greens. Once they are this age you can also offer them Locusts, Cockroaches, Mealworms, Waxworms, Zophobas worms, Silkworms, Butterworms, Red worms, Earthworms and just about any other worm available. All these should be used as treats though with crickets and greens being the stable part of your Dragons diet. DO NOT feed your Beardie insects that you have caught in your backyard. These bugs could have parasites that could be passed on to your Beardie or they could have been exposed to poisons that could kill your Beardie. Lightning bugs can also kill your Beardie so it is much safer to stay away from wild caught insects.

Prey items should be dusted once a day with a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement such as Rep-cal makes. All prey items should be dusted once a week with a multivitamin supplement such as Herptivite, also made by Rep-cal.

Any uneaten prey itmes should be removed from your Dragons enclosure.

There is a wide variety of greens that are available that are good for your Beardie. Dandelion greens, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Bok choy, Kale, Turnip greens, Escarole and Chicory are among the easiest to find and the best to use. If the greens you are wondering about say Lettuce anywhere in the name avoid them. Most types of lettuce are composed mostly of water and hold little or no nutritional value. With the wide variety of other greens out there it is better and easier to just avoid any type of lettuce. Spinach should also be avoided as calcium binds to it and will not be digested by your animal.

A wide variety of vegetables can also be offered to your Beardie. Butternut squash, Yellow squash, Spaghetti squash, Acorn squash, all other varieties of squash, Green beans, Parsnips, Sweet potato, Snow peas and Carrots. Carrots should only be used as a treat though due to the high amounts of vitamin A. Any food with high amounts of vitamin A should be avoided as reptiles do not absorb alot of vitamin A. Feeding your Beardie alot foods such as Carrots will end up in a condition called Vitamin A toxicity wich is deadly. Squashes will either have to be cooked or microwaved before feeding them to your Beardie. This will soften them up and they can then be minced and eaten easier.

Fruits can also be used, just avoid any citrus fruit such as oranges and grape fruit.

The post Bearded Dragon Diet appeared first on beardie buddy .

Read on to learn which fruits can be part of your beardie’s balanced diet and why!

Absolutely! Bearded dragons can eat fruit (and really enjoy it), but it should only make up a small part of their diet. Too much can lead to obesity and nutritional deficiencies

When feeding fruit to your bearded dragon, remember that smaller pieces are better than large ones, as they can fill up quickly on the sugary foods. Fruits should always be given in moderation, as they are not as nutritionally dense as vegetables and proteins.

A small portion of fruit can be given once every day or two. Fruit is actually not recommended as a part of every meal.

The best way to think about it feeding fruit to your bearded dragon is as a treat — like sweets for a kid. It can be mixed in with their vegetables and proteins, but it should not replace those essential parts of their diet. The nutrients provided by dark, leafy greens and protein-rich insects are critical to a beardie’s health. Missing out on these and relying too heavily on sugary fruits can quickly lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Tip: If you discover that your pet is skipping their leafy greens, you can encourage your beardie to eat their leafy greens by mixing in finely chopped pieces of a healthy fruit.

Just like humans, beardies reap health benefits from a balanced diet. Fruits can provide important antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and other essential nutrients for your pet’s health. A diet void of fruit could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

A vital but tricky nutrient for bearded dragons to get in their diet, calcium supports the development and maintenance of a healthy skeletal system. A lack of readily available calcium can lead to severe problems, including metabolic bone disease, a disease characterized by thin and weak bones.

Many fruits can provide calcium for bearded dragons in a tasty bite. Beardies will eagerly gobble up their portion of fruits (unaware of the nutritional benefits). Fruits high in calcium can be an excellent supplement to your pet’s diet.

Fruits can also provide essential vitamins, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Many fruits can have a beneficial effect on vision and can help boost immunity. Regular, healthy doses of essential vitamins pay off in the long run, protecting your pet’s overall health and wellness and guarding them from disease later in life.

Fruits can be great dietary supplements and can provide necessary vitamins and minerals to your bearded dragon. But it can also do more harm than good if given too frequently or in large portions. There are several reasons fruit should take a supporting role in a beardie’s diet, but never become the main star.

Sugar content

Fruits can be high in sugar, which can cause imbalances in your pet’s blood sugar levels. Too much sugar can result in weight gain, bloating, and can even impact your beardie’s mood and energy levels.

Fruits that are higher on the glycemic index are best avoided or given in very small amounts to prevent a spike in blood sugar. Fruits such as dates, figs, and cherries can have higher glycemic index ratings than other fruits.

Fruits can also be high in water content. While this can be beneficial for beardies who aren’t getting enough hydration, high water content comes at the expense of nutritional density.

If you allow your beardie to fill up on a watery fruit, like watermelon, they won’t have room or appetite for the more nutritious vegetables and proteins they need to thrive.

If you’re concerned about dehydration, the best way to ensure that your bearded dragon is getting the right amount of water is by providing a bowl of fresh, clean drinking water available all day long.

A diet that focuses on fruits can quickly lead to nutritional deficiencies. Fruits can be an important supplement to a beardie’s overall diet, but if they make up more than a small minority of the total daily food intake, your pet is at risk for malnutrition.

Never underestimate the importance of a diet rich in leafy greens and protein-rich insects. Bearded dragons that fall short can experience stunted growth, ill health, and can even develop serious diseases.

It’s important to make sure your adult bearded dragon is fed a diet comprised of 90% leafy greens and 10% insects, along with calcium supplementation and the occasional fruit treat.

Fruits can be a delicious and nutritious treat for your pet, just make sure to practice moderation and never let them become the main focus of their diet!

When it comes to your beardie’s diet, not all fruits are created equal! Some can provide an excellent source of necessary vitamins and minerals, while others can be too high in sugar or water content.

In general, it’s best to stick to fruits that can safely provide nutrients without excessive amounts of sugar or water content.

As we’ve discussed, calcium is key for bearded dragon health and fruits can be a great source of it. However, not all fruits offer a significant amount of calcium. It’s best to avoid calcium-poor options, as they can contribute to a calcium-phosphorus imbalance.

Look out for fruits that have greater amount of phosphorus than calcium and limit how often you feed them to your bearded dragon. Too much phosphorus inhabits the absorption of calcium and can lead to metabolic bone disease and other maladies. If a fruit has a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus, it should be given only in extreme moderation.

• Apples
• Pears
• Prickly pears
• Green bananas (in moderation, overripe bananas can be too high in sugar)

Fruits can be a tasty and nutritious treat for your bearded dragon, as long as you practice moderation and know what to feed them! Some fruits should only be given in small quantities, others should NEVER be given to a bearded dragon. With the right knowledge, you can confidently feed your beardie the best fruits for their diet.

Fruits that are low in calcium and/or too high in phosphorous aren’t inherently dangerous to your pet, but given too much of these fruits too often can lead to a calcium deficiency and related health issues.

Examples of fruits that are low in calcium and/or high in phosphorus:

• Peaches
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Guava
• Mangoes
• Honeydew
• Bell peppers

Again, are these fruits you should avoid entirely? No, they’re still nutritious and can be great treats if given in moderation. Just make sure they don’t become a staple of your pet’s diet!

Some fruits can be too acidic for a bearded dragon’s delicate digestive system. Eating too much of these can lead to digestive issues and can cause dental problems over time.

Examples of fruits that are too acidic for bearded dragons:

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Kiwi
• Grapefruits
• Pineapples

Acidic fruits are high in citric acid, which can be dangerous for your pet if taken in large quantities and upsetting even in small qualities. It’s best to avoid acidic fruits all together.

Too much sugar can cause serious health problems in a bearded dragon, particularly obesity. Sugar can also lead to poor nutrient absorption, can suppress the immune system of your pet, and weaken their teeth.

Examples of sugary fruits to avoid:

• Dates
• Raisins
• Cherries
• Dried apricots

These sugary fruits offer little to know benefit =to your pet’s diet and can be dangerous if given too often. It’s best to find other fruits to feed your pet.

• Avocados (toxic)
• Rhubarb (toxic)
• Oranges (too acidic)
• Lemons (too acidic)
• Raisins (too sugary)

So, what have we learned? Can bearded dragons eat fruit? Yes, bearded dragons eat fruit and can benefit from the nutrition of their favorite fruit snacks. Finely chopped fruits are easy for your pet to eat and pack a nutritional punch that promotes a happy and healthy beardie.

However, some fruits can be too sugary, acidic, or contain an unhealthy calcium/phosphorus ratio. The best fruits for a bearded dragon diet are apples, pears, prickly pears, and green bananas – eaten in moderation!

Avoid fruits that are toxic, acidic, or too sugary for your pet. Find creative ways to mix and combine the fruits with dark, leafy green vegetables, so your beardie can enjoy a variety of nutrients from their diet!

The next time you’re in the produce section of your favorite grocer, you can confidently pick up some fruits for your pet knowing exactly what to look for! They will surely appreciate the extra treat!

The post Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fruit? [Best & Worst Fruits] appeared first on beardie buddy .