Costs

Before to learn the all the costs it’s important to keep in mind that Bearded Dragons are relatively long-lived lizards and with good conditions they will reach from 7 to 10 years of age.

Currently many Bearded Dragons in captivity are not surviving beyond 4 or 5 years of age. This is mainly due to incorrect handling, care and being fed the wrong diet in the first years of life. The proper light, temperature and food for juvenile Bearded Dragon is also crucial. But thankfully as the correct information on how to care for and feed Bearded Dragons becomes more widely disseminated, they are beginning to live healthier lives for longer in captivity.

The price of the Bearded Dragons depends on the pet store or the breeder but the standard price range for a baby Bearded Dragon would be between 70 to 150EUR.

Of all the costs the vivarium and its set up is the most expensive part. A basic starter kit can cost from 300EUR and includes all you need to start.

The Starter Kit should include:

• Vivarium – The home for your lizard, also called cage (which I particularly don’t like) or enclosure.
• The basking heat lamp.
• UVB light kit.
• 2 thermometers, one is to measure the temperature in the hot (basking) spot, the other should measure the temperature in the cold spot.
• Decoration, usually it is a water or food dish and hides.
• You may also have sand substrate in the starter kit. If you are getting a baby dragon we do not recommend to use sand as a substrate, you should use kitchen towel instead. As sand can cause eye infection or even serious respiratory issues.

• Electric Timer (10€). As the vivarium has lights to imitate the daylight, buy a timer to make sure you will never forget to switch on or off the lights for your dragon pet. It is useful especially on the weekends or when you need to leave home for longer. You should find timers in a hardware store.

• Cricket Keeper (15€). This little box helps to keep the crickets safe and in better condition than in the pet store boxes. It also has 2 special tubes to easier feed your lizard. You should find a cricket keeper in your pet store.
• Supplements for vitamins and calcium, especially calcium to help ensure long-term health and strong bones.
  
• Food on a weekly basis is less than 10€. In the section food and feeding you will find more detailed information on this subject.
• Electricity bills are often forgotten cost. is a slight increase in your electricity bills.
• Decoration (branches, plants and rocks) to make your beardie feel like home. All this shouldn’t cost more than 50€.

So to sum it up, Bearded Dragons makes great pets but only if they are you take care of them properly. They are surely not a low maintenance, cheap animal only for a short period of time. So we recommend to take time and consider all costs before you buy your Beardie.