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Knowing the costs of owning a bearded dragon is an essential process that any potential owner should go through. Although these pets are not expensive, it’s better to understand what awaits you financially, including decorations, lamps, heating, substrate, and food! It would typically cost around $300 to $1,200 to buy a bearded dragon and everything it needs for housing and care.
This guide will help you determine all the typical bearded dragon costs, with pricing information for all the supplies you’ll need.
How much does a bearded dragon cost?
The bearded dragon costs vary depending on the color/genetics (phase), age, and origin of the lizard. For this, bearded dragons’ fees contrast depending on what type you choose and the location where you shop.
The average cost of a bearded dragon is between $30 and $100, depending on its age. However, this only reflects the price of the beardie itself.
Where you buy a bearded dragon will impact the price.
Even in a pet store, you might see some price fluctuations depending on the age of the reptile. For example, young juvenile bearded dragons are cheaper and cost you between $30 and $60. However, a mature bearded dragon can cost closer to $100.
Those with little experience usually go to dedicated breeders. Not only do breeders offer a better quality of life for bearded dragons, but they also offer lower prices. Generally, breeders will be 10 to 20% cheaper than a pet store. In addition, they may have unique color morphs available.
Thirdly, you can also find bearded dragons to adopt if you’re on a budget. Adoption and rescue groups take in bearded dragons that the previous owners abandoned for one reason or another.
Expert tip: If you want a beardie with a distinct appearance, be prepared to spend a lot of money. Rare bearded dragons can cost well over 900$!
Which bearded dragon species is the most expensive?
Some of the most popular pet bearded dragons come from the Vitticeps sub-species. This bearded dragon can cost as little as $30, while the rare Snow-white morphs can cost upwards of $900.
Initial Cost of owning a bearded dragon:
Embed from Getty ImagesTo ensure your bearded dragon’s health and happiness, you must purchase a few essential items before bringing him home. This includes an enclosure, food and water bowls, a basking lamp, and a Hide. By providing your bearded dragon with everything he needs from the start, you can help him adjust to his new home.
Below are the main items you will need to buy.
The Cost of Housing a Bearded Dragon:
Enclosure
The Tank is the most expensive one-time purchase you will get. Bearded dragons need a large enough enclosure with plenty of space to be comfortable.
Expert Tip: It will cost you more to upgrade afterward, so it’s best to get an appropriate tank size right from the get-go.
There are many options.
For a simple reptile tank, you can expect to spend about $75 to $150. However, a high-quality vivarium-style enclosure will cost $300 or more!
Plus, you need to invest in a fitted screen cover. It will cost you about $30 extra. As long as the pen is the right size, there are no right or wrong choices here. Choose a habitat that fits your budget and needs.
You can save extra money by getting a second-hand tank costing around 40$to50$. But be sure to take the necessary steps to thoroughly sanitize the pen before installing it.
The Repti Zoo glass terrarium is perfect for those not concerned with their products’ price. This terrarium features tempered glass front and sides, making it durable and sturdy.
The Cost of bearded dragon Accessories
You will have to buy furniture for your bearded dragon! However, a suitable habitat layout will give your lizard a more satisfactory quality of life and help it live longer.
For essentials, plan to get a bowl of food, a bowl of water, a couple of hiding boxes, a few toys, and a few places to relax. Relaxing accessories should include a hammock, a climbing branch, and an area to lounge.
As long as you’ve covered all the bases of your lizard, the rest depends on personal preference. On average, you can expect to spend between $30 and $80 on furniture.
Substrate
Choosing the suitable substrate for your bearded dragon is essential! This is the material that will serve as the basis for the enclosure. This is what your bearded man will come into contact with, so you need to take the time to select the proper material. You can line your pet’s enclosure with newspaper for just a few dollars, while more expensive options like reptile bark may last longer. Sand is also a cheaper option that you can replace several times over.
Generally, one of the best choices is a reptile mat. This substrate is available at most pet stores for about $10.
Lighting & Luminaires
You must buy lighting and light fixtures to create a suitable environment for your lizard. Bearded dragons need lizard lamps and UV lamps. The lizard lamp is what will create warmth for your beardie. Don’t save money or rely on standard incandescent bulbs. Buy a dedicated lizard lamp instead. The fixture will cost around $10. It may cost more depending on the quality of the clip or the safety mechanism. The bulb itself will usually cost between $15 and $30.
Expert tip: Keep in mind that these reptiles need UVA and UVB bulbs.
UV fixtures cost, on average, about $20 to $30. The bulb itself will set you back around $20. If you have a larger tank, bulbs can cost upwards of $50.
Additional heat source
Your room temperature may be adequate for a bearded dragon if you live in a relatively warm climate. But if nighttime temperatures drop below 18,3 °C, you’ll need additional heat sources.
Bearded dragons need a traditional day/night cycle, so you have to rely on ceramic heating elements or nocturnal bulbs. Both options cost around $5 to $15. Ceramic emitters are slightly more expensive, but they are the best choice. You also need to consider the Cost of an additional light fixture, which is about $10 more.
Thermometer
You need an accurate thermometer to keep your bearded dragon safe. We recommend getting two; one for the cold side of the enclosure and a second for the lizard area. Depending on the model and features, prices will run from $5 to $20. Choose a unit with digital readings and a probe for the best precision and accuracy.
Hygrometer
Another thing you must remember is a hygrometer. Hygrometers measure the humidity level of the bearded dragon Tank.
Prices are comparable to thermometers, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $20. Some models combine a hygrometer and thermometer into one for convenience.
Recurring Costs of owning a bearded dragon:
Food
Food costs are permanent (obviously). Bearded dragons can eat an expansive variety of foods. However, their main diet should consist of live insects and fresh greens.
Crickets are readily available online and at most pet stores. Expect to pay around $20 for 500 crickets.
Cockroaches are more expensive and can vary greatly depending on the source. However, it is a worthwhile investment to mix them because cockroaches have a higher protein content.
Whichever insect you choose for your bearded dragon, the average bearded dragon cost for insects will be between $30 and $80 per month.
Regarding your greens, the ongoing costs are usually much lower. With a good mix of leafy greens, you can expect to spend $40 per month in the high range. But there are plenty of ways to stock up on more cheap vegetables if you want to keep fees low.
In all, expect $40 to $120 monthly for food.
Supplements
The supplements will keep your bearded dragon healthy and help you avoid any food problems related to life in captivity. In addition, these reptiles need calcium, vitamin D3, and multivitamins. All these elements are in powder form, making it easy to sprinkle insects before feeding. All-inclusive, bearded dragon supplements usually cost between $30 and $60. But you’re going to only pay for this every few months! A standard-sized tray of supplement powder can last well over six months with a weekly supplement schedule.
Veterinary costs
When you bring your bearded dragon home for the first time, you must go to the vet within the first two days. After that, your veterinarian will perform a series of tests to ensure they are healthy and do not have any potentially dangerous parasites. This initial vet visit will typically cost between $75 and $150.
Veterinary fees can sometimes be unpredictable. If your lizard is healthy and has no significant problems, the annual costs are usually $60 to $100.However, an unexpected illness could increase this annual Cost significantly. On top of that, treatments could be expensive.
Tips to save money as a Bearded Dragon Owner
The down payment costs of 1200$ are calculated if you get all your new equipment from a pet store.
You can reduce the cost of a bearded dragon significantly if you are resourceful enough to find second-hand floats and branches/rocks. You can easily purchase used tanks for 50$ and disinfect them before using them. Some Bearded dragon owners save the monthly food price by breeding their particular insects or buying in bulk.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, getting a bearded dragon can alone cost up to 100$. The initial cost of preparing a bearded dragon habitat could vary from $350 to $630. This range depends on the size and type of Tank you buy and the standard of equipment you get. In addition to the one-time setup fee, you’ll have monthly expenses of $100 $ for food and heating and annual expenses of $100 to 200 $ for replacement bulbs and vet visits.
Please note that this is only a simple approximation of the different costs. They can, of course, vary according to several factors.
