How to care for a baby bearded dragon
Young animals are not small adults: they eat more often, need tighter environmental control, and have a short window in which handling and routine leave a permanent mark. Here is what changes at each stage for a bearded dragon.
Life stages at a glance
Juvenile (0–8 months)
High insect volume, daily salads introduced early, temperatures and UVB critically important for bone growth.
Sub-adult (8–18 months)
Insect volume drops, greens become the bulk of the diet, growth slows.
Adult (18 months+)
Insects twice a week, daily greens, stable enclosure; females may lay infertile eggs and need a suitable dig box.
What changes most between stages
- Feeding frequency. Juveniles eat insects 2–3 times a day; adults get insects 2–3 times a week plus daily greens.
- Environment. Basking 95–105°F (35–41°C), cool side 75–85°F (24–29°C); young animals usually need tighter control than adults.
- Space. Size for the adult, then add cover so the young animal does not feel exposed.
- Handling. The early window is when handling either becomes easy or becomes a long-term problem.
First-week priority: stable environment, correct food, minimal handling. Get those three right and most other problems never appear.
Setup checklist for a young bearded dragon
- 4×2×2 ft enclosure with front or top access
- Basking bulb plus ceramic heat emitter if nights are cool
- UVB tube (10.0) with reflector, mounted at correct distance
- Digital thermometers at basking and cool ends
- Basking platform and a hide
- Flat rock or tile substrate for juveniles
- Calcium powder and a gut-loading insect tub
Related questions
What temperature should a bearded dragon basking spot be?
Surface temperature of about 95–105°F (35–41°C) for adults, measured with an infrared thermometer on the basking surface. The cool end should sit around 75–85°F so the dragon can choose.
How far should the UVB light be?
Follow the tube manufacturer's chart — commonly 12–18 inches from the basking surface for a 10.0 tube mounted inside the enclosure, with no glass or fine mesh between bulb and animal.
How often do bearded dragons eat?
Adults get a daily salad plus insects two or three times a week. Juveniles under eight months need insects two or three times daily because they are growing fast.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry. If your bearded dragon is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.