The first thing many people ask when thinking about getting a bearded dragon is, “Are bearded dragons good pets?”. This is a very understandable question, since no one wants to get a pet then regret having it later on.
Out of all the reptiles available for hobbyist today, the bearded dragon is arguably the most popular and sought after. One of the reason for this is because they do make excellent pets.
Here are just a few reasons why the bearded dragon is the lizard to have as a pet.
Appearance
One of the most attractive attributes of the bearded dragon is its appearance. Bearded dragons have a unique appearance that looks like something leftover from the age of the dinosaurs.
They also come in many different morphs, or colors. Many breeders have recently bred bearded dragons that come in beautiful colors, such as yellow, red, orange. One of the most popular morphs available is the Sandfire bearded dragon.
Sandfire’s come in different hues of red, that range from bright red and orange(that resembles fire) to light red (that looks almost pink).
Easy Maintenance
Bearded dragons are one of the easiest pet lizards to maintain. They are not too fussy about what they eat because of the wide variety of foods they enjoy. Although bearded dragons do have a minimum amount of housing needs, they are not nearly as complicated to house as turtles or chameleons.
With just a few minutes of upkeep a day your bearded dragon will stay happy and healthy.
Behavior
Bearded dragons have the best behavior as a pet of any lizard. Most enjoy daily or weekly interactions with their owners, and can be taken out of their housing and allowed to explore your home, or room (under supervision, of course). With the proper leash bearded dragons can even be taken for walks outdoors. They have a very docile and “happy-go-lucky” attitude that makes them the ideal pet lizard.
Many times bearded dragons will display other behaviors like arm waving, head bobbing, and the billowing beard that many keepers find amusing. Keeping a bearded dragon as a pet can be as entertaining and satisfying as a cat or dog.
Life Span
Overall, bearded dragons are very hardy. Many captive-raised bearded dragons can live ten to fifteen years, or more, with proper care. As long as you provide adequate housing, a nutritional and balanced diet, and regular check-ups with a reptile veterinarian, your bearded dragon will live a long, prosperous life.
If you choose to bring home a bearded dragon as a pet in your home I’m sure you will have years of enjoyment with your new pet. It’s difficult to beat a bearded dragon as a great pet!
Rob says
Do they travel well?
mariah says
Thx I’ve been telling my dad there nice
Jacob says
what are those
Taylor says
Thanks for this! Ive been tring to convince my perents to get me one… but i just cant convince them! Any tips?
mya says
try to tell them the things YOU will get better at (knowledge, responsibility, managing money etc.) Good luck, I hope you are able to get a beardie
Jerdin says
Just tell your parents that you’ll take care of it yourself eg. Feed it, clean it and even walk it from what he said
Gage says
Why won’t they get you one
Gage says
there really good pets and there not messy at all they don’t take a lot of care
axel says
just do it then ask for forgiveness later…. that’s what I don’t haha now I have one
ben says
The arm waving is to warn off other predators. The head bobbing is a sign of aggression.
Ned says
The head bobbing is also a sign of dominance to other dragons and the waving is a sign of acknowledgement between 2 dragons
liz says
My 10 and 12 year old boys have a bearded dragon, which I myself think is great, and really enjoy him. Mr. Bruce, as we call him, is an excellent pet. I would recommend one to anyone.
BlockAye says
Mr.Bruce is a Really Good Name So is Ms.Caitlyn Lol
Reagan says
I named my skittles 🙂
Akemi says
aww that’s a cute name
Nolan Law says
so true doing project for school thanks for the good website
Nolan Law says
Thanks for helping needed info for a school project
beverley says
how big dose the bearded dragon get at full size???
Kevin says
18to 20 inches depending on the type of beardie.
Yazmen says
I agree my beardie also looks forward to her bath time I had no idea that some of them like music but I’ll have to see what my beardies jam is.
Georgie says
I just went to an infectious disease conference last week. Bearded Dragons are not appropriate for young children unless you care for them correctly. Bearded Dragons have been linked for spreading Salmonella Cotham. As the popularity of this specie increases, as does the Salmonella Cotham. The median age of people sick with Salmonella Cotham is 3 years old, averaging to 5 years old. 37% of children with presented illness, end up hospitalized. Children at this age don’t wash their hands as often, and certainly not after handling their dragon. They are also the ones most likely to kiss or cuddle the lizard. Salmonella is also spread by the lizard as it walks around on surfaces, whether it leaves its droppings behind of not. So, to prevent Salmonella illness, wash hands after every handling and be conscientious of where you let it roam. Young children my be rolling or crawling in the same spaces. A conscientious pet store will tell you the risks and advise against the ownership of this reptile if you have young children. I’m not saying it’s not a good pet. I’m just saying, with each pet there are risks and you should do all your homework on the animal first and make sure you care for it correctly to protect it and your family.
mluv says
To be fair there are always risks with any animal. With dogs and cats they can carry or pick up worms, with hamsters or gerbils or other small animals they can pick up other infection diseases, and all fish, reptiles and amphibians can carry salmonella. With that being said if you are saying anything against beardies you have things against everyother animal on this planet.
beardeddragonlover says
They will only spread salmonella in=f you do not wash them, and if you don’t clean up their feces. You can also be hospitalized if you don’t wash your hands after touching a dog.
Paco suave says
Georgie just shut everyone up… Why do u have to be the voice of reality georgie
matthew says
my mom won’t “let me have one” she says it’s to hard
Bruce says
mine to
Stuart Lowe says
Hello
My son Charlie has 6 Rabbits 8 Guinea Tropical fish. He hates school and really loves his animals. All well looked after and spends every penny on them.
Now I know never buy animal for Christmas but Charlie is a very special case. Very proud of him as some of his Rabbits died from Mixi disease.
Yes he wants a Bearded Dragon, I know he will care for it 110%. However he wants it in the bedroom?
Will it smell ? We also have 2 stupid dogs which are good with all the rabbits.
Any advice would be great
Stuart ( Concerned Grump Dad )
Rosemary says
Hello Stuart.
A little intro on where I’m speaking from : It’s been a year and a half since we’ve adopted our little guy Spyro. Since day 1 we’ve used a repti-carpet (easy to wash) for his 20 gal tank up to his current tank which is 50 gal. We have 2 carpets for when he goes number 2 we can change it out and wash it. Their poop can smell bad, I think it has a lot to do with the heat lamps we have over his tank that dries it out – not terrible. Beardies generally don’t stink.
Let me go over repti-sand very briefly here. It’s been causing a lot of upper respiratory infections on bearded dragons, inhaling all that artificial sand just doesn’t make for a healthy environment. I say look into it.
Not sure how well it holds with poops, sure it’s easy clean up but I’d imagine it soaks in pretty well.
Akemi says
I was wondering if Bearded dragons are okay around dogs that bark sometimes (not often) i have been thinking about it but i have two dogs who bark when someone enters the house that still aren’t used to me yet. Is that an okay environment for a bearded dragon?
Carly says
Wondering if my baby is safe in the tank with my juvenile (I think male) bearded dragon? I know signs of aggression. Just acknowledgement from the juvi (waving) but baby is wanting to run away… Thinking about just getting another tank, etc. I thought I’d have more time since it’s a baby, idk.
Angelina says
I want one soooooooooooooooooooooo bad
Angelina says
Ooo cool
Randy says
Do they like hanging out on your body (shirt, jacket, etc?? Is it the kind of thing you can take out of the house, go to Starbucks with? Do they run fast/try to get away?
Randy says
Do they like to hang out with you on your lap, your shoulder, etc.? Take them out like to Starbucks? Do they run fast/try to getaway?
Eileen Benson says
Thanks for talking about the behavior of bearded dragons. My son wants to get a pet reptile soon. Your article made me excited to look for bearded dragons for sale online!
Taylor Anderson says
My little brother loves pets. I think a bearded dragon would make a great pet. It’s great that they can even be walked outdoors with a leash! Thanks for the great information on bearded dragons. Where can I learn more about them?
Ronan says
Yes totally they just can’t be held to often if they don’t like being held.
Amelia Carley says
I want one. Do you have any advice?
Amelia Carley says
I have a dog, 9 cats, a cow and a calf, 4 horses, a rabbit, 11 fish, and a snail. Do you think that a bearded dragon would be a good pet for me?