Are Bearded Dragons Good With Kids?

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Bearded dragons quickly become one of the UK’s and USA’s most popular pets. They’re an excellent choice for anyone because they’re so passive, easy to look after and long-lived. At the Northampton reptile centre, bearded dragons are the most popular reptile by a large margin. Here are 5 short things that make bearded dragons great pets.

Generally, the central bearded dragon is a quiet, slow-moving lizard that tends to be more passive than aggressive. They’re great for kids because they’re easy to care for and have a good temperament. They’ll run up and down your glass to get some attention, line up for dinner, and stare you down if it’s late! They’re definitely a lizard with a personality!

A bearded dragon is a great pet for kids and adults who are always on the move. The key to keeping them happy and healthy is providing the right environment. With the proper vivarium setup, UVB and temperatures, bearded dragons are straightforward to care for. You must feed them the proper dragon diet, keep them hydrated, and clean their vivarium.

Beard dragons are small enough to fit comfortably in most homes, with a vivarium that is about 1200mm in length and 4ft in width. They are also large enough that younger children can handle them without fear of scaring or hurting them. They will spend most of the time in the vivarium but are happy to venture out and explore the floor of your living room. They reach a maximum size of 600mm in length, and 3/4 of that is the tail. They don’t get cumbersome and are very inquisitive.

Each bearded dragon is unique, from the patterns and colours they use to the subtle changes in their behaviour and character. You’ll see interactions with individual bearded dragons and soon see they are different, lazy, hyperactive, and calm, but all have unique personalities.

The average lifespan of a bearded dragon is over 8 years in captivity, and raising one from a young adult can be very rewarding. You can expect to have your pet with you for at least 10 years. Since many animals require a lot of care, having a pet that’s easy to care for and will stay with you for decades is excellent. We believe you will fall in love with these bearded dragons for their character and behaviour, so dive in and read our other bearded dragon blogs and see for yourself!

Recognising the Allure of Bearded Dragons as Pets

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A bearded dragon might be the perfect choice if you’re looking for a fun and interactive pet. Their friendly personality and spiky appearance make them relatively docile and easy to handle, making them an increasingly popular pet choice. However, before investing in a bearded dragon, knowing what care they need and whether they’re the right choice for your family is essential. Bearded dragons are protected species, so you’ll need to get a reptile keeper’s license to keep them as pets. It’s illegal to collect bearded dragons from the wild, and you’ll only be able to buy them at a licenses outlet like We Know Pets. These homegrown natives are all Australian lizards.

Bearded dragons are one of the easiest to care for lizards and make great pets. However, like any animal, it’s essential to learn about the husbandry requirements of a species before bringing one home. Let’s begin with the background of bearded dragons. Bearded dragons are found in the Australian desert and belong to the family of lizards known as the Agamidae. They have a broad triangular-shaped head, a relatively flat body, and thorn-like scales in their jaws and torsos. Adults grow from 18 to 24 inches (including the tail) in length. Males are usually much more significant than females.

The bearded dragon gets its name from a gular pouch on its neck. When threatened, the gular pouch will flare, making the dragon appear much larger than it actually is. The neck area will also turn a darkish-purple color that resembles a beard. Most bearded dragons in today’s pet trade are inland and central, though eight species exist.

Suppose you want to breed a bearded dragon. In that case, you will need to have at least a 30-gallon breeder tank, a wire mesh screen top, a fluorescent full spectrum light bulb with a shielded fixture, a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter with a dome-style fixture, a heating pad (if necessary), and at least two digital/mercury thermometers. You will also need a substrate, food and water bowls, a hide box, decorations, driftwood or rocks, and insect/vegetable food items. The popularity of bearded dragons has skyrocketed in recent years. In fact, they are now the most popular lizard pet, second only to the iguana.

There are several reasons why bearded dragons have become so popular, but here are a few that stand out:

First and foremost, bearded dragons are incredibly easy to care for. They are very docile, even submissive, and love to be petted and cuddled. It’s hard to find a bearded dragon that doesn’t love to be held and cuddled. This great disposition makes it easy to bond with your bearded dragon, and that’s another reason they’ve become so popular.

Unlike many other lizards sold in the pet trade, dragons are relatively easy to take care of. They don’t require as many special diets as other lizards. With some time spent cleaning and maintaining their habitat daily, you can have a bearded dragon in your home in no time.

Bearded dragons have an excellent dinosaur-like appearance and come in various colors. You can find them in reds, oranges, yellows, and pastels. Their billowing beards are also one of their best features.

Dragons are relatively small, growing to about 8–24 inches as adults. Their small size makes them easy to house and handle. This is one of the few advantages they have over more giant lizards, such as iguanas and monitors, which can reach up to six feet long and sometimes become aggressive.

It’s not uncommon for bearded dragons to live as long as 15 years in captivity. Another attractive feature is their hardy health, which makes them less fragile than other reptiles like chameleons and turtles.

How to spot a healthy dragon? They have bright eyes, they’re active, they don’t seem to be sleepy, they eat insects and veggies, they have a clean anal region, they don’t have any bumps or cuts on their skin, their jaw and mouth look normal, they don’t look like they’re drooping or disfigured, they have five fingers on each foot with claws, they have a full tail, they have good coloration, and they don’t look bruised or dark.

Bearded Dragons as Pets for Children

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Dwarves have been a popular topic of conversation among children since the release of the famous film, “How To Train Your Dragon“. When kids requested a lizard as a pet for Christmas one year, their parents knew that a bearded dragon was the perfect present, so the kid was delighted.

Bearded dragons, as they’re often called, have tan to yellow scales with different patterns. They have spikes around their head and down their body and claws on each foot. They’re called ‘bearded’ because they show their skin around their neck when scared or feeling territorial. They can eat a bunch of different fruits and veggies, as well as crickets, worms, and beetles. They’re easy to take care of, and if you take care of them from birth, they can be friendly. They may always look cranky, but they have really sweet personalities. They’re pretty quiet and usually sleep at night, even though they’re usually active during the day.

Sometimes bearded dragons go into what is known as brumation. Brumation is similar to hibernation in that they are still somewhat active and will come outside to eat if hungry. They will also nap a lot during this time. This can happen for a variety of reasons, usually due to changes in the seasons or changes in the temperature. Bearded Dragons grow to about 2 feet long, making them small enough to be pet lizards. In captivity, they can live for 10-15 years.

As babies, bearded dragons jump around a little but slowly become calm as they age. Although their excrement is quite unsightly, bearded dragons can easily clean up and do not smell if bathed regularly.

Making Plans for a Bearded Dragon as a Family Pet

Before you can bring your dragon into your home, you’ll need some supplies like an enclosure, a UVB light, a heating element, a thermometer, a hygrometer, a basking rock or log, flooring, some shallow bowls for water and food, live feeder insects, and tweezers. Plus, you’ll need to ensure you have enough space in your home. First, decide what enclosure you want to keep your bearded dragon in. It’s an important decision, as your dragon will likely spend a lot of time here. You’ll want to make sure he’s as comfortable as possible, so there are a few things to consider: size, materials, and where in your home you’ll keep the enclosure.

The size of the tank will depend on the length of the dragon. Generally, 40 gallons is the standard size for a bearded dragon, but many adults get too big for their tanks and get stressed out. Here’s a general rule of thumb to help you decide on the best tank size for your dragon:

If you have a baby less than 10 inches long, you can expect them to need 20 gallons. If they’re 10 to 16 inches long, they’ll need 40 gallons. But if they’re more than 16 inches long, you’ll need 50 to 75 gallons. And if they’re over 20 inches, you’ll need 75 to 125 gallons. Buying a 20-gallon tank might be tempting if you plan on having a baby. If you do, remember that bearded dragons proliferate, so you’ll need a 40-gallon tank soon. Some Dragon Keepers even buy a 40-gallon tank for a baby so they don’t have to buy another one so soon after.

You may want a 20-gallon tank because you’re moving soon and have a small space. Or maybe you’re keeping a baby and giving it to a friend. The choice is yours. Selecting the right size tank will help your bearded dragon feel more comfortable and less stressed. This is especially important during the first few weeks of bringing her home and when she’s getting used to a new environment. A good size tank will also help prevent glass surfing, which is a common issue with bearded dragons.

Let’s talk about what’s the best material for your tank now. There are so many options out there that you’ll be overwhelmed if you start searching online. If you’re not planning on building your own tank, you’ll likely buy it online or at your local pet store. Here’s a list of the primary tanks you can choose from.

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Glass terrariums are popular because they’re sturdy, affordable, and often come with a glass screen lid. The screen lid improves airflow and helps control the low humidity dragons require. You can also buy a glass front-opening terrarium to easily access and clean your pet’s tank. On the other hand, glass could be a better heat insulator. This means you’ll need to check the temperature regularly, especially if you’ve got a thermometer gun.

For many Dragon Keepers, wood and glass terrariums are preferred over glass terrariums with screen tops. This often means that one side of the glass terrarium is wood, and the other is glass. Wood is an excellent heat insulator. Wood terrariums may be better than full-glass ones if you live in colder areas or like to maintain a low home temperature. Wood terrariums may also offer you peace of mind as you don’t have to worry as much about your dragon’s heat.

Vinyl terrariums are another popular choice for Dragon Keepers. They are lightweight and come in a variety of colours. PVC cages are often designed to be stacked, which is excellent if you want to adopt multiple dragons. One of the main drawbacks of PVC terrarium cages is poor airflow. You’ll need to be more careful with your humidity levels than you would with other cages, but this should be pretty easy if you get used to checking the humidity levels regularly.

When looking for a terrarium, you may come across some with wire screens on the walls. These terrariums are very dangerous to bearded dragons. Besides the apparent heating problem, screen cages can cause injury to bearded dragons. Glass terrariums with a screen lid are another matter. The bearded dragon cannot climb on top of the screen lid. Therefore, we cannot recommend a screen wall terrarium.

Where Should I Put My Boardie at Home?

Some first-time Dragon Keepers may need to be made aware of the importance of planning where to place your bearded dragon before you bring them into your home. It saves you great hassle to plan and set up your new home before you bring them in. Here are some tips to help you decide where to put your new bearded dragon:

Do not expose your bearded dragon to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can kill your dragon. Sunlight benefits bearded dragons in the wild, but it quickly becomes lethal in a domestic environment. The sun’s heat can easily trap in the terrarium, especially if the terrarium is glass, and the temperature can become life-threatening for your dragon. The best way to provide your bearded dragon with heat and light is with a quality UVB lamp.

How much room do I need?

If you’re new to owning a reptile, you may not be aware of how big the tank actually is and how much space it takes up. A 40-gallon standard-size tank measures 36 inches in length by 18 inches in width by 18 inches in depth. You’ll need a solid surface to set the tank on, so measure in advance.

If you have pets or young children, keep the bearded dragon’s tank as far away from them as possible. Cats and dogs will kill your dragon if they can’t keep their eyes on it. If you can’t keep your dragon separate from your cats or dogs, ensure the enclosure will not fall over and the lid is firmly in place.

If you have young children, only leave them supervised near the tank. Make sure that the terrarium is as far away as possible from them. Children can easily topple the tank, and your dragon could be injured or killed.

Make sure you can easily access the tank. You will be responsible for cleaning the tank, taking your dragon outside for playtime and bathing, and providing your dragon with lots of love.

Keep the enclosure as far away from loud noises as possible. Bearded dragons are highly sensitive to loud noises. If you have a large-screen TV that you often watch, an electric guitar in your home, or live on the side of your home where constant traffic can be heard, try to keep the tank as far away as possible. Place the tank in a light-filled area during the day and in a dark place at night. Although you will provide your bearded dragon with 12 hours of UVB light daily, they have difficulty sleeping if the lights are on at night. Place the tank in a quiet and dark place at night, especially during brumation, if your bearded dragon goes through this process.