Some of you reading this may be interested in having a pet other than the usual dog or cat. If you are interested in keeping a bearded dragon (or beardie for short!), I will show you how to set up a habitat for them, what to feed them, how long they live, their price, and much more!
Bearded dragons, or Pogonas, are a reptile native to the Australian outback. They grow from 16-24 inches and can weigh up to a pound. Beardies start off as an egg laid by a female dragon, and once they hatch they take 1 month to mature and live 10-15 years.
Bearded dragons are very needy animals, costing up to $800 dollars depending on how particular you get about their care. For a habitat, you will be fine with a 120cm x 60cm x 60cm vivarium with plenty of logs and debris to make it feel like a home. You will also need a UVB light. These can be found at most pet stores and are needed for a nice and warm basking spot for your beardie, but be sure to replace the light every three to six months.
Bearded dragons are insectivores, meaning they eat insects, but they can also eat plants. The insects I recommend feeding them the most are dubia roaches. These little guys are high in protein and easy to digest for beardies, but don’t forget they can also eat many fruits and vegetables. It is important to always make sure what you are feeding them is safe!
Now that you have a basic understanding of beardies, I don’t recommend getting a newborn baby; only the very experienced owner should. You could either get a rescued one, take one from someone giving them away, or get them from a pet store or breeder. The most expensive option would be the breeder, and the cheapest would be taking one from someone.
As you can see, bearded dragons are an awesome pet I would recommend to anyone. Even though they are needy they are worth it, but make sure to do lots more research. I hope you can get your own cold-blooded friend!