Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pets in the pet community. They are easy to take care of and they are not expensive to feed, which is just one reason why so many people keep them as their first pet.
However, there are things that you should know about feeding baby bearded dragons that may seem obvious but are not always known by those who have never owned a bearded dragon before.
In this article, we will go over 11 top tips for caring for your baby bearded dragon!
What should you Know Before Buying a Baby Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragon is one of the most popular lizards and this comes with its own pros and cons. It is also one of the easiest lizards to maintain.
However, it can be difficult to choose from so many options and you should know about the care requirements of bearded dragons before buying a baby bearded dragon.
Lizards require less maintenance than birds or rodents, but more than an aquarium fish will need.
They eat once in two days at most so they do not require frequent feeding like some other pets. They can be placed on any flat surface as they do not move around much unlike cats that require cat tree furniture.
Also handling them from time to time does not hurt them as long as it is done gently without pinching their skin or dropping them onto hard surfaces which could injure your pet lizard badly leading into fractures or even death due to internal damage.
Is Importing baby bearded dragons illegal?
Importing wild baby bearded dragons from the wild native land is illegal in most countries. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are buying the pet that has been captured legally and was not smuggled.
How to check your baby bearded dragon?
Always buy your bearded dragon from a well-reputed breeder.
There are some signs to look for to confirm whether they are healthy or not.
Healthy bearded dragon signs:
– They should be bright and active with clear eyes and a moist nose.
– The skin should be smooth and free from lesions, scabs or parasites.
– There should be no discharge from the nose or mouth.
– The beard (if adult) should be clean and free from dirt.
Unhealthy and sick baby bearded dragon symptoms:
– The body should be firm and not limp.
– They do not move much, so you can check the eyes which are usually closed when they sleep or are sick.
If their pupils appear constricted, then there is too little daylight for them to regulate their own steroid levels properly. It causes stress in baby bearded dragons. This might lead to sickness and death.
– Runny nose, lethargic or not eating well, diarrhea are other signs that your pet baby bearded dragon is sick.
Baby Bearded Dragon Price
The price of a baby bearded dragon is $45 to $100, depending on the color and age.
Some species are more expensive like ones without tan body can cost between $150 to $800.
Other than that, one must have to spend some extra initial cost for things like their bearded dragon Juvenile tank 20-gallon one, substrate, rocks, lights, hides and a food dish. So, the first time setup cost can lie between $300 to $1200.
There are also some baby bearded dragon starter kits available in the market which can cost you $300.
Best Baby Bearded Dragon Habitat
A baby bearded dragon habitat is one of the most important things for its growth, nourishment, and health. A baby bearded dragon habitat should be big enough to accommodate your pet and its activities.
A minimum of 20-Gallon Tank is required for the enclosure, and it must have a screen or vents that can provide proper ventilation as well as security from predators such as cats, dogs, snakes, etc.
The flooring material must also be non-toxic since baby bearded dragons often swallow sand when eating their foods.
Their Tank must change and adapt to their growth like a fully-grown bearded dragon requires a large tank of 100 – 120 gallon.
Tank must be furnished with a number of items for the baby bearded dragon’s comfort and health. These furnishings may include, but are not limited to:
- A basking area that is heated to between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and should have a UVA/UVB light
- A hiding place such as a cave or log
- At least one water dish that is big enough for the lizard to soak in
- An assortment of food dishes including a calcium dish
Heat and Basking Temperature for Baby Bearded Dragon
a baby bearded dragon tank must have a heat gradient so they can thermoregulate.
This is also necessary as by doing this a baby bearded dragon can maintain optimal body temperature at all times, as well as being able to bask in an area with higher temperatures allowing for more opportunity of activity.
In order to achieve this, you will need something like a ceramic heating element or even just a reptile light bulb which creates both UVA and UVB rays.
You’ll want the basking spot to range from about 95-110F while the cooler side needs to stay between 70-80F. This allows them space inside their enclosure to cool down or heat up if need be.
Depending on the size of your terrarium, you will want to position the basking spot at one end and create a gradient with substrate heating pads in order for them to pick an area that suits their needs best.
Always ensure there is no light reaching either sides of the tank when it comes time for sleeping as this can cause thermal burns which are very dangerous so make sure they have dark areas too without any lights shining nearby.
Substrate for Baby Bearded Dragon tank
Choosing a suitable substrate for your pet dragon can be tricky.
The main material to avoid is sand because it’s not good for the baby dragon if ingested.
Sand can also make your pet sick by causing impaction in their digestive system, which may lead to death.
It might be a better idea to use a substrate that is easier on their bellies and made from safer materials such as paper towels or newspaper with some non-toxic bedding added in there too i.e shredded coconut fiber, moss peat mixes etc.
Baby Bearded Dragon Tank Humidity level
Humidity levels for your baby beardie’s enclosure should be around 50%. This can be achieved by using a humidity meter or keeping a water dish in the tank.
The best way to achieve desired humidity level in a tank is to use an in-tank substrate like baby bearded dragon sand (Best Choice Products) which will allow the baby beardie to burrow and stay warm.
Know Baby Bearded Dragon Lighting Requirements
As baby bearded dragons are nocturnal, they need bright UVB lights in order to produce Vitamin D that is necessary for baby beardies
The lighting should be on 12 hours a day when baby bearded dragons shed their skin. The best way is to set a timer or get automatic timers that can switch it on/off automatically even when you’re not home! That saves energy too.
know Best Baby Bearded Dragon Diet
Baby bearded dragon diet mostly consists of insects, crickets and mealworms. There are a number of insects that can be fed to your baby bearded dragon:
– Locusts (full grown) – these make for good treats as they contain high levels of calcium which aid in bone growth
– Wax Moths – larvae
– Blue Bottle Fly Maggots – adults if you want them to pupate into flies
– Mealworms – These should be included in the main diet along with pinhead crickets, fruit flies or any other small insects.
Another thing is that every week they offer them fresh vegetables such as collard greens, dandelion leaves and mustard green just like what adult beardies eat.
You may also give your pet sliced tomatoes on a regular basis, but this must be removed after 12 hours to avoid spoilage.
In order to keep your baby bearded dragon healthy, it is important that you feed them the right kind of food and in the correct proportions.
You should also offer water every day in a shallow dish. It is also important to dust insects with a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement at least twice a week.
When choosing an insect for your baby dragon, make sure that it is lively and moving as this shows that it is fresh.
Avoid those which are dull, have mucous or have been dead for some time as these may have harmful toxins.
Cricket size should be around half the width of your baby’s head while mealworm size should be no bigger than the space between your baby ‘s eyes.
To keep your baby bearded dragon healthy, it is important that you feed them the right kind of food and in the correct proportions. You should also offer water every day in a shallow dish. It is also important to dust insects with a superior quality vitamin and mineral supplement at least twice a week.
What Do Baby Bearded Dragons Eat??
They can eat small dubias roaches 3-4 times a day.
Bush crickets are also a healthy food choice but should only be offered once or twice per week.
If you can get them to eat mealworms that would be great! Mealworms are high in protein and low in fat which makes them an amazing choice for your baby bearded dragon.
Offer insects with caution as they have sharp spines on their bodies along with powerful legs that break easily if pinched between fingers while feeding time, so it is best to use forceps when offering prey items of any type.
It is important not to offer too many dubias at one time because there may not be enough room within the gut of the lizard to handle more than two or three crickets at once without causing problems digestively speaking.
Bearded dragons should be fed twice a day, and no more than they can finish in one sitting.
It is also recommended to dust the feeder insects with calcium powder at least once per week as this will ensure your reptile has enough supplies of vital nutrients such as Vitamin D (which aids absorption of Calcium), protein and minerals such as phosphorus which help maintain strong bones. Repetition
Be sure not to overfeed them the “gut-loaded” crickets – it means feeding the live insects mealworms before you give them to your lizard so that their guts are full when offered, particularly if there is not much else being eaten by the baby bearded dragon during the period between feeds, it can be harmful for them. Crickets and insects should not be more than 50% of the bearded dragon’s diet.
You can feed baby bearded dragons some vegetables like collard greens and turnip greens.
list of vegetables you can feed them is:
-Collard Greens
-Turnip Greens
-Mustard Greens
-Arugula
-Dandelion Greens
-Parsley
-Bok Choy
-Romaine Lettuce
Lastly, you will need to mist the tank daily with water along with keeping a shallow water dish so that your baby bearded dragon can drink from droplets of water on leaves or just by sitting underneath a nozzle. Lizards will not do well without ample hydration!
How Many Crickets to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon?
The babies can eat 5-10 small crickets per day. However, you can offer more if they are not eaten or turn out to be too small for the baby dragon’s mouth (in which case it would also depend on how many teeth your pet has).
Track the growth of your pet bearded dragon
Baby Bearded dragons are 3-4 inches in length when they are born, healthy babies can grow between 1-3 inches in length per month. To track your baby bearded dragon’s growth, it is best to keep a baby beardie weight chart. You can create one yourself or find one online.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards, so you need to be careful when feeding them to ensure they receive the correct balance of nutrients for their age.
Males are usually bigger than females and range between 18-24 inches. while females are between 14-20 inches.
Check baby bearded dragon care sheet
When we talk about the care guide for baby bearded dragons, we should know about its lifespan too. Baby bearded dragons usually have a lifespan of around 12-15 years in captivity.
Bearded dragons need plenty of calcium for healthy bones and growth, so ensure your pet always has access to an excellent quality calcium supplement.
The care sheet list is as follows – a baby bearded dragon needs a temperature and humidity of around 80 degrees and 50% respectively.
– baby beardies require more heat than adults, they should be able to bask in 100-degree temperatures for some part of the day while during night time this figure can drop down to 70 degrees
– UV light is also essential for baby bearded dragons so provide them with lighting which emits both visible light and UV rays.
Know How to tame a baby bearded dragon?
to tame a baby bearded dragon you should be very patient. Baby bearded dragons are naturally curious, but this curiosity can often lead them into trouble.
– baby bearded dragons need time and patience when taming
– it is important that they learn who their owners are before getting too close as baby beardies will nip if they feel frightened or threatened by hands reaching for them
Step involved in taming of baby bearded dragon are as follows
– baby bearded dragon should be held for 15-20 minutes a day
– Baby bearded dragons can often lash out if they are frightened so handle them gently and cautiously. use your hands to support their belly rather than holding them by the tail or back of the neck as this could injure baby beardies.
– give baby beardie time to adjust to being handled, introducing handling slowly will help ensure you have tamed it before increasing the length of time spent with each session
How long does it take a baby bearded dragon to tame?
Well, that depends really on how quickly he adjusts but generally around two weeks is usually enough time for the taming process.it may go faster in some cases though, again depending on the individual animal’s personality.
How often do baby bearded dragons shed?
Baby bearded dragons shed around one time a week, but it depends on the temperature and humidity of their habitat.
You should also keep an eye out for parasites as they can cause skin irritations that lead to shedding issues!
In most cases baby bearded dragons will shed their skin around once per month. Baby bearded dragons usually shed near their head first and progressively towards the tail.
If your baby bearded dragon isn’t shedding like they’re supposed to, it might be a sign that something is wrong. Check their habitat’s temperature and humidity levels and consult with a veterinarian if the problem persists.
Why won’t my baby bearded dragon eat?
Baby bearded dragons will not eat for a variety of reasons. It could be that they’re not hungry, or there might be something wrong with their diet.
If your baby bearded dragon isn’t eating, you should first try to determine the cause. Is the food fresh? Is it the right size and shape for your baby bearded dragon? Are they getting enough vitamins and minerals?
Can baby bearded dragons eat carrots?
Baby bearded dragons can eat carrots, but they should not be given them as their only source of food. Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A, which is important for baby bearded dragons’ health. Be sure to also give your baby bearded dragon other types of fruits and vegetables to ensure that they get all the nutrients they need.
Do baby bearded dragons sleep a lot?
They sleep a lot when they are new-borns, but once they become more active you will see them sleeping less.
How many crickets to feed a baby bearded dragon?
You can feed crickets anywhere from ten to fifteen per day, depending on the dragon’s size. A general rule of thumb is to feed them as many crickets as they can eat in 15 minutes. If there are leftovers after 15 minutes, you’re feeding them too many crickets! Try feeding them a little less the next time.
Can baby bearded dragons eat mealworms?
Baby bearded dragons can eat mealworms, but you should only do so as a treat. Mealworms are high in fat and can cause obesity if fed regularly. Stick to a healthy diet of insects that your baby bearded dragon can catch himself, like crickets, locusts, and roaches.
Can baby bearded dragons eat fruits?
Yes, baby bearded dragons can eat fruits. Fruits are a good source of vitamins and minerals and can help keep your baby bearded dragon healthy. Be sure to only feed your baby bearded dragon fruits that are safe for reptiles, like apples, pears, and watermelon.
Conclusion:
Caring for a Baby bearded dragon comes with multiple challenges, you should have a lot of patience while petting them. if you take proper care of the baby beardie, they can live a healthy life and live longer
