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Free Resource
Bearded Dragon Care Sheets
Quick-reference guides for every life stage. Select your beardie’s age and get everything — temperatures, lighting, diet, supplements, and vet schedule — on one page.
🐣 Hatchling Care Sheet
Ages 0–3 months · Typical length 3–11 inches · Rapid growth phase
TEMPERATURES
Basking surface (IR gun)100–110°F
Warm side ambient90–95°F
Cool side ambient75–85°F
Nighttime low70–75°F
Basking heightSet by the UVB distance
LIGHTING
UVB bulb typeT5 HO 10.0 or 12% Desert
UVB brandsArcadia 12% or Reptisun T5
UVB distance, tube insideArcadia or ReptiSun 16–18″
UVB distance, on meshArcadia or ReptiSun 12–15″
Photoperiod12–14 hrs/day
Replace UVB bulbEvery 12 months
DIET RATIO
Insects80%
Greens/veg20%
Feeding freq.2–3× daily
Insects/meal20–40 small
Insect sizeMax = eye-width
BEST FEEDERS
- Dubia roaches — top choice
- BSFL — high calcium
- Crickets — widely available
- Discoid roaches — FL/HI alt.
- Gut-load 24–48 hrs before
DAILY GREENS
- Collard greens — #1 staple
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Endive / Watercress
SUPPLEMENT SCHEDULE
| Supplement | Frequency | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Plain calcium (no D3) | Most feedings | Dust lightly on insects |
| Calcium + D3 | 2–3× per week | Use instead of plain calcium on those feedings |
| Multivitamin | 1× per week | Dust on insects |
ENCLOSURE
Minimum size20 gal long (up to 10 in)
Recommended40 gal breeder
SubstrateTile, paper towel, or reptile carpet
Loose substrateNever for hatchlings
Humidity target30–40%
HEALTH & VET SCHEDULE
- First vet visit soon after you bring it home
- Fecal exam at first visit — parasites very common
- Monthly weight check (gram scale)
- Daily visual check — eyes, skin, activity
- Watch for MBD signs: twitching toes, soft jaw
- Never use calci-sand, heat rocks, or coil UVB
Never feed hatchlings: Mealworms (impaction risk), superworms, wax worms, wild-caught insects, fireflies, avocado, onions, rhubarb, or any loose sand substrate.
🦎 Juvenile Care Sheet
Ages 3–12 months · Typical length 8–22 inches · Transition phase
TEMPERATURES
Basking surface (IR gun)100–110°F
Warm side ambient90–95°F
Cool side ambient75–85°F
Nighttime low70–75°F
LIGHTING
UVB bulbT5 HO Arcadia 12% or Reptisun 10.0
UVB distance, tube insideArcadia or ReptiSun 16–18″
UVB distance, on meshArcadia or ReptiSun 12–15″
Photoperiod12–14 hrs/day
Replace UVBEvery 12 months
DIET RATIO (3–6 mo)
Insects70%
Greens/veg30%
Feeding2–3× daily
Insects/meal15–30
DIET RATIO (6–12 mo)
Insects50%
Greens/veg50%
Feeding1–2× daily
Insects/meal10–20
ENCLOSURE
3–4 months40 gal breeder
5–7 months75–120 gal, longer past 16 in
8–12 months4’×2’×2′, longer past 16 in
SubstrateTile or reptile carpet only
Humidity30–40%
SUPPLEMENT SCHEDULE
| Supplement | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plain calcium (no D3) | Most feedings | Dust lightly on insects |
| Calcium + D3 | 2–3× per week | Use instead of plain calcium on those feedings |
| Multivitamin | 1× per week | Dust on insects |
BEST FEEDERS
- Dubia roaches — best staple
- BSFL — high calcium
- Crickets — good variety
- Hornworms — hydration treat
- Gut-load 24–48 hrs before
HEALTH & VET
- Fecal exam at 6 months
- Monthly weight check — rapid growth phase
- Upgrade tank as beardie grows
- Begin daily greens habit now
- Annual wellness visit when adult
Juvenile hazards: Loose substrate is still an impaction risk throughout juvenility. Mealworms are risky — hard chitin shells cause blockages. Always size insects to eye-width.
🐉 Adult Care Sheet
Ages 1–7 years · Typical length 16–24 inches · Maintenance phase
TEMPERATURES
Basking surface (IR gun)100–110°F
Warm side ambient85–90°F
Cool side ambient75–85°F
Nighttime low65–75°F
LIGHTING
UVB bulbT5 HO Arcadia 12% or Reptisun 10.0
Bulb length22–34″ (covers half tank)
UVB distance, tube insideArcadia or ReptiSun 16–18″
UVB distance, on meshArcadia or ReptiSun 12–15″
Photoperiod10–14 hrs (seasonal)
Replace UVBEvery 12 months
DIET RATIO
Insects20%
Greens/veg80%
GreensDaily
Insects2–3× per week only
FEEDERS
- Dubia roaches
- Crickets
- BSFL / Silkworms — treats
- Hornworms — hydration
- 10–15 per feeding max
ENCLOSURE
Minimum120 gal (4’×2’×2′)
Over 16 in5–6 ft long
SubstrateTile or reptile carpet (bioactive after about 18 months)
Humidity30–40%
SUPPLEMENT SCHEDULE
| Supplement | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium + D3 | 2–3× per week | Dust on insects |
| Calcium (no D3) | 1–2× per week | On the other feedings |
| Multivitamin | 1× per week | Dust on insects |
HEALTH & VET SCHEDULE
- Annual wellness exam + fecal test every year
- Monthly weight check — log it
- Weekly 15-min warm bath
- Watch for brumation onset in fall/winter
- Never cohabitate — chronic stress
BRUMATION CHECKLIST
- Fecal exam before brumation
- Reduce photoperiod to 10 hrs in October
- Offer water and greens even if not eating
- Weigh weekly — don’t let weight drop >10%
- Brumation >4 months → vet check
Adult obesity is common: Stick to 80% greens / 20% insects. Fasting days (greens only) are healthy and natural.
⭐ Senior Care Sheet
Ages 7+ years · Slower metabolism · Increased vet monitoring
TEMPERATURES
Basking surface100–110°F
Warm side85–90°F
Cool side75–85°F
Night minimum65–75°F
LIGHTING
UVBSame as adults — T5 HO at the adult distances
Replace bulbEvery 12 months — critical for seniors
Photoperiod10–14 hrs seasonal
Basking accessAdd a ramp — arthritic seniors need easy access
DIET
Ratio80–90% greens
Insects1–2× per week max
Best feedersHornworms, silkworms (soft)
Chop greensFiner — easier to eat
SUPPLEMENTS
Plain calcium (no D3)1–2× per week
Calcium + D32–3× per week
Multivitamin1× per week
ConsiderRepashy Grub Pie — soft, high nutrition
ENCLOSURE ADAPTATIONS
- Lower basking platform — easier to reach
- Remove tall climbs — fall injury risk
- Add ramp to basking spot
- Extra humid hide — sheds get harder
- Softer substrate if arthritis present
SENIOR VET SCHEDULE — INCREASED MONITORING
- Twice-yearly vet exams (every 6 months from age 7+)
- Annual bloodwork — kidney/liver function, CBC
- Fecal exam at every vet visit
- Monthly weight logging
- Watch for: reduced basking, appetite loss, swollen joints
- Kidney disease and gout more common in seniors
- Tumor/mass growths — palpate abdomen monthly
- Metabolic bone disease can recur if supplementation lapses
Senior red flags — vet within 48 hours: Unexplained weight loss (>10% in a month), sudden lethargy, swollen limbs, changes in stool lasting >3 days, or any neurological symptoms. A swollen belly needs a vet within a few days, or the same day if it comes with weakness, much more sleep than usual, no poop for a week or weak back legs.