What Bearded Dragon Supplies Will You Need?

ReptiFiles’ Bearded Dragon “Starter Kit”

For your convenience, we have put together a list of the bearded dragon supplies that ReptiFiles personally recommends for the health of your new pet, as well as your own peace of mind. In other words, we’ve basically done the shopping for you! Although bearded dragons are commonly recommended as an ideal “first pet,” please note that even the easiest reptiles can be expensive and high-maintenance to keep. If you are not prepared to purchase everything required for the health and wellbeing of a bearded dragon, this is not the pet for you.

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This page contains paid links (details here) as well as links to the official ReptiFiles store. Purchases made from these links help fund my reptile welfare research and educational efforts. Thank you for your support!

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Housing Supplies

• 6’L  x 2’W x 2’H enclosure with mesh top (or larger!)
  • Kages
  • Zen Habitats
  • Toad Ranch Luxury Reptile Cages

Heating Supplies

• 100w Arcadia Halogen Heat Lamp, x2
• Zoo Med Combo Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture
• 50w ceramic heat emitter, x2
• Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome Lamp Fixture, x2
• Vivarium Electronics Rheostat, x2
• Etekcity 774 Temperature Gun
• Zoo Med Digital Combo Thermometer & Hygrometer
• Large piece of light-colored flagstone or other flat stone (basking surface)*

Lighting Supplies

• 36″ Arcadia T5 HO Desert 12% UVB Kit
• 22″ Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar, x2
• Zilla 24/7 Digital Power Center, x2

Humidity Supplies

• Exo Terra Mister

Functional Décor

• 4-6 cubic ft clean sand*
• Hide/cave
• Environmental enrichment (choose at least 5):
  • ghostwood branches (large)
  • cork branches (large)
  • grape wood (large)
  • mopani wood (large)
  • cork flats (large)
  • live, drought-tolerant plants
  • rocks*
  • 3D background

Feeding Supplies

• Food and water dishes
• Miner-All Outdoor calcium powder
• Repashy Supervite multivitamin powder
• Soft-tipped feeding tweezers

Health Supplies

• Kitchen scale

*You can save a LOT of money on shipping costs by buying sand, decorative rocks, and stone at your local landscaping supply or general home improvement store with a garden center.

Keep in mind that all supplies should be purchased and set up BEFORE you get the bearded dragon. This will save you a lot of stress, and does your new pet a big favor, too.

Additional Tips

Do not purchase bearded dragons younger than 3 months old, as hatchlings are fragile, defensive, easily stressed, and more likely to die shortly after purchase. If it’s skinny and tiny, it’s most likely too small to be sold. Ask the pet store or the breeder the age of the dragon — if they don’t know, take your business elsewhere.

I also recommend finding an experienced reptile veterinarian in your area. It’s always better to do a little bit of research when nothing’s wrong than to find yourself in a panic when your pet gets sick. Check out the ReptiFiles Reptile Vet Directory to get started.