How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live? This is the question we are going to discuss in this article. Read on to learn more.
If you’re considering getting a bearded dragon as a pet, you might wonder how long they live. These reptiles can make great pets for families with children, as they are relatively docile and low-maintenance. But how long will your new friend be around? Here’s what you need to know about the lifespan of bearded dragons.
How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live? Factors to look at
The lifespan of a bearded dragon largely depends on how well they are cared for. In the wild, these lizards typically live between 8 and 10 years. However, captive bearded dragons can live up to 15 years or more with proper care and maintenance! The oldest recorded bearded dragon lived to be 28 years old.
There are several things you can do to help your bearded dragon live a long and healthy life. First and foremost, it is important to provide them with a proper diet. Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they need animal protein and vegetables in their diet. A good rule of thumb is to offer them food that is no bigger than the space between their eyes. You should also dust their food with a calcium supplement to ensure that they are getting enough of this important nutrient.
In addition to a good diet, proper habitat maintenance is crucial for keeping your bearded dragon healthy and happy. Their enclosure should be large enough for them to move around comfortably, with hiding spots and vertical surfaces for climbing. The temperature inside their enclosure should be kept between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, with a basking spot that is around 95 degrees. At night, the temperature can be allowed to drop down to 70 degrees.
Finally, it is important to take your bearded dragon to the vet regularly for checkups. These lizards are prone to certain health problems, such as metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and parasites. By catching these issues early on and getting proper treatment, you can help your beardie enjoy a long and healthy life.
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How to Keep Your Bearded Dragon Healthy and Happy
#1 Feed them a varied diet.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, so their diet should consist of both plants and animals. You can purchase live food like crickets or mealworms at your local pet store, or you can opt for frozen/thawed options like pinky mice or dubia roaches. As for plants, dark leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and turnip greens are good choices. Be sure to avoid any plants that are poisonous to bearded dragons like daffodils, lilies, and azaleas.
#2 Provide them with a warm basking spot.
Bearded dragons come from warm climates so they need an area in their enclosure that has a basking temperature of around 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking spot should be located under a full-spectrum UVB light so that your bearded dragon can absorb vitamin D3 and calcium. This will help prevent metabolic bone disease.
You can create a basking spot by using a ceramic heat emitter, heat lamp, or basking bulb. Just be sure to use a thermostat to regulate the temperature and avoid overheating your beardie.
#3 Give them enough space to roam.
Bearded dragons should have at least 10 gallons of space per adult dragon. If you plan on housing more than one bearded dragon together, you will need even more space since they can be territorial with each other. Baby dragons also need plenty of space to grow and explore since they are constantly changing in size.
A good rule of thumb is to get the biggest enclosure you can afford since you can always move them into a smaller one when they mature. Along with providing enough space, you also need to make sure the enclosure has sufficient ventilation.
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We suggest using a screened enclosure or terrarium since it allows for airflow while still keeping your pet safe and contained. Bearded dragons love to climb so adding branches or rocks to their enclosure is a great way to keep them entertained as well as provide additional hiding spots for them to feel secure in their environment.
The bottom of the enclosure should be lined with newspaper or reptile carpet for easy cleanup purposes but avoid using sand or gravel as substrates since these materials can cause impaction if ingested by your pet.
Bearded dragons are tropical animals so they also require humidity levels between 30-40%. You can achieve this by lightly misting the enclosure once or twice daily with distilled water or by using a humidifier placed outside of the enclosure but not close enough that your pet could get burned by the equipment inside the tank.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can make great pets for families with children who are looking for a low-maintenance reptile companion. These creatures have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years in the wild but can live up to 15 years or more with proper care from their owner. There are several things you can do to help your bearded dragon live a long life, including providing them with a nutritious diet, maintaining their habitat, and taking them for regular vet checkups.