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How much are bearded dragons worth?

Buying a bearded dragon is likely to cost you between $ 40 and $ 500 odd, or between £ 20 and £ 350, depending on where you are. Especially bred color morphs will cost the most. But that’s not the most significant cost of owning a bearded dragon.

To have a bearded dragon, you will need a proper enclosure, lighting, heater, humidifier (depending on your environment), and consumables such as food, supplements, and substrates at a minimum. If you live in Australia, you will also need to consider the cost of a license to own a bearded dragon. If you decide to have more than one then you will increase other costs as well, it is not a two-for-one deal. If they come from different places, then quarantine should also be considered, and therefore more than one compound and all its equipment.

Like all pets, a budget should also be allowed for vet visits, not only for emergency care, but for semi-annual checkups as well.

In general, the costs attributed to housing your bearded dragon are associated with keeping it in an enclosure that is under shelter, either in the house or in another structure. However, some people will keep them outside as well. Keeping your beard outside will require a different setup than indoors and is only appropriate if the climate you live in can safely support the practice. But the exterior does not necessarily equate to less associated costs, just a different configuration.

Many enthusiastic new owners will go to the local store and purchase their bearded dragon starter kit only to find out later that it is inappropriate. Before buying anything, make sure you have done your homework on its requirements. Some of the best places to talk are zoos, your local animal protection association (they can refer you to the right resource), herpetological societies, local veterinarians, and similar authorities on specific reptile needs.

Small enclosures are, of course, more attractive to pet owners simply because of the low initial purchase cost and the space they will occupy. Generally, in starter kits, all you will get is a small tank or other enclosure, perhaps along with some lighting and other bits and pieces. But not all enclosures you may be tempted to buy are suitable.

Make sure you know how big your bearded dragon will be (each species in the genus Pogona is different). The shortest dimension of the floor of your enclosure should be equal to the length of your beard. So if it is going to grow to 24 “(60 cm), then the width of the cabinets should be at least 24” (60 cm). Obviously, the extension must be greater and there is certainly a great variety of opinions. So instead of getting into the size argument (of which I favor the big side), maybe look at some of the policies of Australian state government departments on enclosure sizes. After all, bearded dragons are Australian, right? The NSW government department, Environment and Heritage, is one of the departments that maintains a Code of Practice for Private Reptile Keeping that specifies the basic conditions that must be met.

Correct warm-up is absolutely vital and is a very commonly misunderstood requirement, just ask any reptile vet or even search the internet how bad warm-up can be when wrong. Your bearded dragon must be kept at specific temperatures in captivity that must encompass the correct temperature gradient. Although it can withstand a greater fluctuation of heat or cold in its natural environment, it is not in its natural environment. The heating is carried out through lamps and ceramic heat emitters.

No need to buy heating mats, caves or rocks. In fact, don’t buy hot stones. Thermostats in such equipment are generally not of great quality, and apart from the fact that they could (and have been known to) even start a house fire, they can burn your beard. Invest in a good upward heating lamp and make sure it’s set correctly, including the correct height. Reptiles are not like humans or other mammals that will naturally recoil quickly from excessive heat that could burn.

You will also need UVB lighting. This is not only an upfront cost, but also a consumable as the bulbs need to be changed. How often UVB lights need to be changed depends on the manufacturer’s instructions to be followed, probably every 6 months. This cannot be ignored, it is vital that you receive UVB light.

Timers should be purchased for lighting to make sure it goes on and off to withstand day / night and even summer / winter cycles.

Other necessary equipment includes thermometers, hygrometer, a means of transport to the veterinarian where the temperature is kept at the correct transport levels, a container of water that is difficult to tip over, etc.

The substrates are what you will lay on the cabinet floor and are a consumable. You can use anything from newspapers to specific types of sand, lots of variables, and lots of loose opinions on the internet as to which one to use. But this article is about non-recommended substrate costs, so ask your vet what he recommends. It could save you big vet expenses by treating your bearded dragon for using the wrong substrate.

Food for your bearded dragon can be a whole new world for you. Can you handle a cockroach? Will you raise crickets (noisy things) or buy live food? Again, do your research and ask your vet when you are unsure. Not that cockroaches and crickets are all they eat, they eat a wide range of insects and as they grow to maturity their need for such foods diminishes and vegetation takes over a large part of the diet, for so if you have only one bearded dragon, it may be easier to buy live food as needed.

There is also a need for supplements that are readily available, although it is wise to keep in mind that supplements for pets are not generally regulated and therefore what you think you have purchased and what you have purchased may vary. So be careful to buy reliable products. If you are ever unsure, remember that your vet is your new best friend.

To summarize, you can see that how much your bearded dragon will cost is not a simple question. Consider the big picture. Although this article does not cover the full spectrum of what you need, it is a long way. For avid beard lovers, they are worth it!