Bearded Dragon Basics

Jay Tacey

Alright, welcome everyone to the very first episode of Reptile Care 101. I’m James Walker, and sitting virtually beside me are Michael Arnold and Lisa Parker. I gotta say, I’ve been looking forward to this one—because who doesn’t love bearded dragons? And, uh, who better to talk about ‘em than the three of us?

Michael Arnold

Absolutely, James! Hey folks, I’m Michael. For me, bearded dragons were actually one of my first reptile obsessions before Carpet Pythons took over. There’s just something about their personality, you know? They’ve got these gentle, quirky little faces and they just kinda hang out—almost like scaly puppies. Super easygoing. They make such good starter pets for folks just getting into reptiles.

Lisa Parker

Yep! And hey everyone, Lisa here. If you’ve seen me running around at a Repticon, you know I never pass up a chance to hold someone’s beardie at a show. They’re just the friendliest lizards, always ready to wave at you—or, well, sometimes it looks more like a little arm swirl. But that’s part of their charm. And they’re from the Australian outback originally, so they’re used to those dry, wide open spaces.

Jay Tacey

That’s right, Lisa. I love how you called it an 'arm swirl.' It’s classic. And, y’know, they really are fascinating. Natural habitat’s all about those hot, rocky spaces in Australia—so, if you’re picturing a lizard that wants to go for a swim, that’s not your guy. But they’re super social. I mean, here’s a story—I’ll keep it quick. My very first bearded dragon was part of a classroom demo. And the guy, I swear, found a gap in the terrarium lid and crawled right out—in the middle of my talk. Kids loved it. I don’t think I ever caught the class’s attention like that again! After I found him chillin’ in a pile of books, I knew…these little guys are pretty special.

Michael Arnold

That’s hilarious. I mean, they’re escape artists for sure! But yeah—they’re easy for new keepers, and that’s what makes ‘em perfect for families, classrooms, honestly anyone willing to meet their needs. They can really bond with you like few lizards can.

Lisa Parker

And not just good for beginners—they’ve got enough personality for the seasoned reptile nerds too. Trust me, I’ve seen some at shows with full wardrobes and…okay, one with what looked like a tiny hat. People love ‘em for a reason!

Jay Tacey

Alright, let’s get into what these beardies need at home. Habitat’s a big deal, right? I always tell people to start big on space. A 40-gallon breeder tank is kinda the minimum for an adult, but honestly—bigger is better if you’ve got it.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, totally agree. They need room to roam and bask, since they spend a lot of their day soaking up UVB. And you gotta have that proper substrate—like, I know sand looks 'natural,' but for new folks, I say go with reptile carpet, paper towels, or tiles. Way easier to clean and safer for the dragon. Skip the loose sand especially for babies—it’s just not worth the risk.

Lisa Parker

And, oh, lighting! Don’t skimp there. Full spectrum UVB bulb and a solid heat lamp. I once helped out at a Repticon event setting up a huge beardie demo enclosure, and we almost forgot to double check the UVB expiration dates. Rookie mistake, but those bulbs don’t last forever. Replace ‘em every six months or so. Trust me—write it on your calendar. Also, spot clean daily! I learned fast that even one missed day and…whew. Not pleasant for anyone.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, humidity’s another piece—keep it low, around 30-40%. These guys aren’t rainforest critters. If the tank’s getting damp, you’re probably overdoing the misting. And you know, handling’s a big part of their daily routine, too. Most beardies are kind of chill with interaction, and it helps them stay friendly. Just remember, wash up after—it’s the classic classroom warning, but it’s there for a reason.

Michael Arnold

And recognize the warning signs of health problems. Sunken eyes, lethargy, loss of appetite—catch these early and it’s ten times easier to fix. And, cleaning routines—it sounds boring, but being consistent is what keeps ‘em healthy. I do quick spot checks daily, then a bigger clean every week. You can always tell a well-cared-for beardie just by the shine of their scales, honestly.

Jay Tacey

Alright, let’s talk food—I mean, it’s probably their favorite subject. And, um, mine too, honestly. So, bearded dragons need a solid mix, right? Insects like crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, but then you gotta balance it with greens—collard, mustard, even squash or bell peppers. It’s not just bugs, folks!

Michael Arnold

And quality totally matters. So, shameless plug here—if you want the best bugs, go for stuff from premiumcrickets.com. Seriously. I’ve run the business, and we’re obsessed with quality. You want insects raised on healthy feed, free from pesticides. It makes a big difference in your animal’s health.

Lisa Parker

Also, supplements! Calcium with D3 a couple times a week and a multivitamin once in a while. I see people skip this and then wonder why their beardie’s acting off. And don’t overfeed—especially for adults. Juveniles can eat insects every day with some veg, but adults should be mostly greens with a treat of bugs two or three times a week.

Jay Tacey

Right—think of it like this: babies need lots of protein because they’re growing so fast. Adults, it’s more about maintenance, so greens all the way. You’ll see they’ve got favorites, too—I had one dragon that went wild for blueberries. Blue tongue, all day. Just remember, treats in moderation. Everything in moderation, even crickets, right?

Michael Arnold

Exactly. And watch portions. Too much at once can lead to obesity, which is weird to say about a reptile, but you’d be surprised. Small portions—about the size of the space between their eyes, for bugs—and offer greens daily. You’ll keep them happy, healthy, and active.

Lisa Parker

Alright, that about wraps up our basics for bearded dragons. We’ll go deeper on a lot of this in future episodes, but if you get the habitat, diet, and daily care right, you’re on the path to having a super happy beardie. Thanks for hanging out with us!