No, it is not recommended to spray water directly on a bearded dragon. In the wild, bearded dragons live in desert climates with very little precipitation. Therefore, too much water can be damaging to their health and wellbeing.
Most owners provide a shallow bathing dish filled with a few inches of warm water for the bearded dragon to soak in. This allows the dragon to fully submerge and get wet as necessary. Additionally, providing a water dish also helps to increase the humidity in the habitat, which is beneficial for the health of the dragon’s skin and respiratory system.
Do bearded dragons like to get wet?
No, bearded dragons do not generally enjoy getting wet. They come from a hot and arid climate, so water should be used sparingly when caring for a bearded dragon. It is important to provide them with a safe, warm and dry environment.
Bathing a bearded dragon too often can lead to skin irritation and fungal or bacterial infections. Instead of bathing your bearded dragon, it is recommended to provide them with a shallow good-sized bowl of water for them to drink.
They may also occasionally like to soak their feet or bellies in the water, but this should be done sparingly as they do not need to be fully submerged in water.
How often should you soak your bearded dragon?
You should soak your bearded dragon for about 15 minutes a few times a week. Ideally, you should soak your bearded dragon in warm water that is at least as deep as the length of the dragon from its chin to the base of its tail.
You should also ensure that the water is not too hot or cold, and that the temperature is between 80-86°F. During the soak, it is important to check to make sure the beardie is not becoming stressed or overly exhausted; if so, you should remove the dragon from the water immediately.
After the soak, you should pat the beardie dry with a clean towel and then place them back in a warm, dry, environment. Doing this should be done in conjunction with other forms of hydration such as misting with a spray bottle and having a shallow dish of fresh, clean water in the vivarium.
Should I dry my bearded dragon after a bath?
Yes, you should dry your bearded dragon after a bath. After their bath, you should towel dry your dragon as much as possible then allow them to air dry. Make sure the ambient temperature is between 75-85°F so that your dragon can dry off quickly and comfortably.
If you own an infrared (IR) bulb, you can also use it to provide gentle heat to help your dragon dry off faster. Additionally, make sure to check that your dragon’s skin is completely dry before putting them back in their enclosures, as the moist environment can cause them to become ill.
Will tap water hurt my bearded dragon?
No, tap water typically should not hurt your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons can drink from water dishes or water bottles placed inside the habitat. However, it is important to make sure that the water is safe for your bearded dragon to drink.
Tap water can contain chlorine and other chemicals that are toxic for reptiles, so it is important to use a water conditioner or water filter to remove impurities before offering to your bearded dragon.
Additionally, the water should be changed and refreshed often in order to provide your bearded dragon with high quality water. If your tap water is not safe for your bearded dragon, you can rely on bottled water or distilled water to ensure their health and wellbeing.
What is a bearded dragon lifespan?
The average lifespan of a bearded dragon is 8-10 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can even live up to 15 years. An important factor influencing the life expectancy of bearded dragons is the quality and frequency of vet care, particularly for any health concerns that arise.
In addition, optimal environmental conditions are key for bearded dragons to live a long and healthy life. This includes providing a habitat warm enough for them to bask in, as well as providing plenty of mental enrichment, such as providing places to roam, hide, climb, and bask.
Having your bearded dragon in a stress-free environment and providing balanced diet are also major factors in helping your pet live a long, healthy life.
What temp is too cold for a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons (also known as Pogona vitticeps) should ideally be kept at temperatures that range between 78 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and no lower than 70 degrees during the night. It’s important to provide a well-regulated temperature range with a basking area that reaches 100 degrees.
Bearded dragons should not be kept at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold temperatures can affect their growth, metabolism, behavior, and health. Additionally, they can go into a state of brumation, during which they become less active and eat less.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to maintain temperatures in an appropriate range.
How do I keep my bearded dragon warm without a heat lamp?
Keeping your bearded dragon warm without a heat lamp is possible and can be achieved using other methods.
The most important thing you can do is to make sure the environment in its tank is warm. This means monitoring and adjusting the temperature inside its tank. In order to do this, purchase a thermometer so you can get an accurate reading of the air temperature.
Aim to keep the air temperature between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a basking spot that is a bit warmer, between 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can increase the ambient temperature using an under tank heater, a ceramic heat emitter, or a portable heating pad.
Make sure to place the heater underneath the tank and not inside with your dragon as that could be dangerous.
Another tool to help keep your bearded dragon warm is creating a basking spot. Set up a piece of cork bark on one side of the tank that the dragon can climb up to and stay in the sun. Make sure the basking spot is directly underneath the heat source.
On the other side of the tank, you can set up a cool zone by placing an object with a cooler surface like slate rocks cooling monitor tiles.
Your bearded dragon also needs access to UVB light to ensure proper health, and you can use the same tools as a heat source in order to achieve this. Set up a UVB bulb a few inches from the basking spot so the dragon can get the optimal exposure.
Finally, it’s important to remember that bearded dragons are a desert species, so misting the tank is helpful but should be done sparingly. If the tank is quite humid, it won’t heat up to the desired temperatures as easily, so misting should be avoided or kept to a minimum.
Should you hold bearded dragon everyday?
No, you should not hold your bearded dragon every day. Bearded dragons naturally enjoy human interaction, but too much handling can cause health and behavior issues, so it is important to give your pet regular “time off” to rest and digest its food properly.
Instead, try to interact with your bearded dragon a few times a week, and give it regular handling. When you do handle your dragon, start slowly, and let it get used to your presence before you pick it up.
When you do pick your beardie up, be sure to support its body and help it feel secure. Most dragons enjoy being held for a few minutes at a time, so after you take your dragon out to interact with you, be sure to put it back in its enclosure.
Keeping regular handling to a minimum will help your beardie stay healthy and happy!.