Bearded Dragons make excellent reptile pets. With one of the best temperaments of all lizards, they are generally docile, and many seem to actually enjoy being handled. They are diurnal (up during the day and sleeping at night), which means you can watch them during the day. They will watch your every move sometimes pacing their tank as if begging for attention and to be fed (they love to eat!).

When first born baby bearded dragons are just under 4 inches in length and weigh about 1/10 of an ounce (2 1/2-3 grams). Adults typically are 19-23 inches and weight at least 3/4 of a pound (250 grams).

Bearded dragons are often kept in a glass aquarium tank with a screen top. Other housing that is sometimes used are custom wood cages (which can be hard to clean). You can start a baby for the first 4 to 6 months in a 30 inch long enclosure. Keeping a baby in a larger area can sometimes cause problems as the baby may have a hard time finding his food, water, basking sites and shelters. As the baby grows a larger area will need to be provided. The smallest enclosure for one or two adult bearded dragons is either a 4-foot x 2 foot tank or a 6-foot x 18-inch tank. A single adult should not be kept in a tank smaller than a standard 55 gallon (48 inch x13 -inch) tank. Sand or fine gravel is a good alternative. Bearded dragons need a source of heat. Some choose to use a heat mat, however Beardies like to bask in the sun and a heat lamp provides a good replica of the sun. During the day the temperature should range from 76 F (24 C) on the cool side to 86 F (30 C) on the warm side, with a basking area ranging from 90-100 F (32-37.7 C). Night time temperatures can drop no lower than the low to mid 70s (21 C) on the cool side. It is also recommended that you provide a UV light to help them absorb calcium. Keep all lighting and fixtures out of the tank to prevent your dragon coming into contact with the hot fixture and possibly causing severe burns. Bearded Dragons will enjoy a shower now and then: a light misting with water will also help keep the skin humidified to make it easier to shed. The tank, however, should never be damp.

Bearded dragons should be fed a combination of live bugs and vegetables along with some fruits. Vegetables need to make up a significant part of your Dragon's diet: 10-25% for hatchlings and juveniles, 30-50% for an adult. A wide variety is the key, however crickets and dark leafy greens being two of the main choices especially for babies. The live food consists of commercially-bred crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and juvenile Madagascar hissing cockroaches, which can usually be found in your local pets store.

Bearded Dragons live  about 5-8 years, some have been known to live up to 12 years.

Bearded Dragons tend to be very healthy reptiles. Given the proper food and care a bearded dragon can live out its life without facing any problems. Listed below are some of the problems that can occur with a bearded dragon. One of the main health problems for bearded dragons is a calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency. Before the age a two years a female dragon's bones are not developed enough to lose the calcium and pass the eggs easily. Many times they reabsorb the eggs and you never know they produced them. Only a female who is 2 years old or older should be allowed to breed. Bearded Dragons usually mate around February. Their Gestation period is 5 weeks.

The bearded dragon will lay about 20-30 eggs. About 24 hours before the eggs are due to hatch they will start to collapse. Newly hatched dragons should be left in the incubator for a period of 24 hours to allow the yolk sac to be absorbed.