Bearded dragons have long been a favorite pet for people from all over the world. They are unusual and exotic, yet have their very own personalities that you just can’t help but fall in love with.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a bearded dragon for a while, there are some things you need to know first. You might think you’ve got a pretty idea of how much a tank, food, and the bearded dragon itself will cost you.
But, there are some hidden expenses that you may not have factored into your budget.
Don’t panic – we’re here to help! Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the real cost of owning a bearded dragon. In the end, you’ll have a much clearer idea of both your initial and ongoing costs.
All Pets Cost Time & Money
Let’s start with one important fact – all pets cost both time and money. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve chosen a bearded dragon, a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or any other type of animal, they all come with care requirements.
This includes taking the time to feed them, maintain their living areas, and keep them mentally and physically engaged. All of these things take a little time out of your day, and each of them costs money.
So, before you really commit to the idea of owning a bearded dragon, think about whether you have the regular income and spare time that’s needed to keep them fed and healthy.
How Much Does a Bearded Dragon Cost?
The amount of money you can expect to pay for a bearded dragon will ultimately depend on where you get it from. Pet stores will sell them for cheaper than breeders, while rescue centers will usually ask for a donation fee.
However, on average, a bearded dragon comes with a price tag between $60 – $100.
Remember, however, that this is only the cost of your bearded dragon itself. You’ll also need to provide them with somewhere to live, food, and a yearly visit to the vet. We’ll get into the details of each of these later but, on average, these things combined can soon start adding up.
Let’s get back to the cost of the bearded dragon itself, though. As we’ve explained above, this will depend on where you get it from. Below, we’ll explore some of the options available to you.
Buying a Bearded Dragon from a Pet Store
A pet store is the most common place that people buy bearded dragons from, but this doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best option. Depending on the store, the bearded dragons they have on offer may not necessarily be very well cared for.
For instance, their tanks may not be cleaned as regularly as they should be. They might also be given poor-quality food in an attempt to keep costs down.
Of course, this isn’t true for every pet store, but it’s something that is worth keeping in mind. So, do your research first and if you get a bad feeling from a certain pet store, do not shop there.
You may be getting a bearded dragon that has developed health issues while it’s been waiting for a home and this could end up costing you more money in the long run.
If you do trust that the bearded dragons in your chosen pet store are well looked after, you can expect to pay anywhere between $25 – $60 for a baby or juvenile bearded dragon.
Some stores will also have adult or “fancy” bearded dragons for sale which come with an average price tag of around $100.
Buying a Bearded Dragon from a Breeder
It’s also a good idea to look into any bearded dragon breeders in your area. This is often a better option than pet stores as they will likely have been looked after by a bearded dragon expert who will have given them the care and attention they need.
If you’re unable to find any breeders in your area through Google, you might be able to find some information from a local herp vet. They will likely have dealt with the breeders before and, as such, will be able to recommend them based on their experience and quality of care.
Another great thing about buying a bearded dragon from a breeder is that they will likely have handled the bearded dragon while it was in its infancy. This makes it much more familiar with human contact and, in turn, you and your family will be able to handle it much more confidently.
The price of a bearded dragon from a breeder is generally cheaper as well as they have fewer overheads than a pet store. Of course, this may not be the case for all of them.
But, on average, you can expect to pay between 10% – 20% less for a bearded dragon from a breeder than you would in a pet store.
Buying a Bearded Dragon from a Reptile Show
If you’ve had no luck with pet stores or breeders, it’s worth doing a quick internet search for any upcoming reptile shows in your area. These happen quite regularly across the country, so there’s a chance that you won’t have to travel too far to get to one.
Oftentimes these reptile shows will have lots of different bearded dragons for sale. You may find different ages, sizes, breeds, and types. The price of these will usually be around the same as a breeder as well.
You’ll also be able to find all sorts of rare and wonderful bearded dragon breeds at reptile shows as well. So, if you’ve got a certain breed in mind or you’re adding to an existing reptile collection, they are the best place to go.
Be warned, though – the rarer the breed is the more you can expect to pay for it. Some super rare bearded dragons can cost upwards of $1000!
Another great thing about reptiles shows is that you’ll be surrounded by loads of people with the same interest. They’ll be able to offer you expert care advice and you may even be able to form new friendships with other bearded dragon enthusiasts!
Buying a Bearded Dragon from Craig’s List
This really isn’t the best place to buy a bearded dragon from, but it’s worth mentioning as there are often listings with bearded dragons for sale.
The main reason for this, however, is because the bearded dragons have been bought by first-time owners who were unaware of the expense and attention they require. Put simply, they’re looking to rehome them for money.
We understand that it’s admirable to try and find your bearded dragon a new home if you find that you’re unable to take care of it. But, there is a certain uneasiness to it all.
Is the seller really rehoming their bearded dragon because they can’t take care of it, or does it have any medical or behavioral issues? You’ll never really know until it’s too late.
If you do decide that buying a bearded dragon from Craig’s List is the best option for you, we’d highly recommend getting it checked out by a vet as soon as possible.
We’d also recommend asking to handle the bearded dragon before you part with your cash. If the seller seems cagey about doing this, it’s probably best to leave it.
It’s important not to be drawn in by low prices in this situation. The price of bearded dragons on Craig’s List is really up the seller, but some are priced as low as $25. Some are even being advertised for free which, again, should raise a few red flags.
Rescuing a Bearded Dragon
As with any pet, it’s always best to rescue a bearded dragon if you can. These bearded dragons may be in the rescue center for a variety of reasons. Some may have come from owners that have had to move home and they aren’t allowed any pets.
Others may have come from owners that simply don’t want them anymore. And some will have been rescued from neglect and abuse.
Whatever the reason they need rescuing, one thing is for sure – they will have been checked by a vet and they will be being cared for in the best way possible.
More often than not, bearded dragons that are up for adoption will likely be free. So, not only will you be doing the right thing but you’ll be rewarded by saving money in the process!
Some rescue centers do ask for a small donation or an adoption fee. If they do, it’s definitely worth paying as you know you’ll be helping future rescues.
Essential Set-Up Expenses
Whichever route you choose to take when it comes to buying your bearded dragon, you can expect to pay between $60 – $100. But, this is just the start of your journey. You also need to think about your initial set-up costs.
To give you a better idea of these, we’ll explore everything that you need to consider and factor into your budget. It’s worth noting, also, that none of these steps are avoidable.
If you want to give your bearded dragon the best life possible and make sure they are kept in great health, you’ll need to think about every single one of them.
Register with a Herp Vet
This is something that most people overlook when it comes to bearded dragons. Just like your dog or your cat, your bearded dragon needs to visit the vet to make sure they are in good shape.
So, as soon as you bring your bearded dragon home, you need to call your local herp vet and register with them. You’ll also need to book an appointment to visit them with your bearded dragon so they can examine them.
Even more importantly, this needs to be done within the first 48 hours of bringing your bearded dragon home.
Doing this gives you the opportunity to spot any potential medical problems and get on top of them before they get worse. If left unchecked, you don’t only risk damaging your bearded dragon’s health but you’ll find yourself paying for medication.
An initial check up with a herp vet will usually cost between $75 – $100, so this needs to be factored into your initial budget. However, you can ask how much it will be beforehand and go for the cheapest if you have the luxury of choosing between several herp vets.
Vivarium
Your bearded dragon is going to need somewhere to live and a vivarium is the best place. These are available in different sizes but, generally speaking, the more space you can give your bearded dragon to explore the better.
Whichever size you go for, one thing that your vivarium must have is a tight-fitting screen lid. Don’t be tempted to leave the lid open or cover it with anything other than its intended lid.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First of all, proper screen lids ensure there is enough ventilation getting into the vivarium. If not, they can soon become incredibly hot and, while your bearded dragon does need heat, too much could be extremely harmful.
Secondly, bearded dragons are inquisitive and if you leave the lid open or you’re using something other than a proper screen, there’s a chance they could escape!
So, how much can you expect to pay for a proper vivarium with a tight-fitting screen lid? Prices depend on size but you should prepare to spend between $75 – $300. The nicer (and safer) your bearded dragon’s home is, the more it will cost.
Again, don’t be tempted to go too low here. If you buy a cheap, poorly-made vivarium you’ll only find yourself having to replace it in a couple of years, creating a bit of a false economy along the way.
If you are looking to save money, head to the internet and look for local listings of used vivariums for sale. These are more common than you might think.
If you do find one that fits your budget perfectly and that you’re certain is excellent quality, make sure you do a really good job of cleaning and disinfecting it before you move your bearded dragon in.
Lighting
The lighting you put in your vivarium will serve many purposes. Firstly, and most importantly, it’s there to give your bearded dragon somewhere to bask. It’s also pretty crucial if you’d like to be able to see your bearded dragon at night time!
Below, we’ll take a look at the different things you need to take into consideration when setting up your vivarium’s lighting.
Basking
Your lighting will double up as a heat source for your bearded dragon to bask underneath and the type of bulb you choose will be crucial for this. There are lots available including standard incandescent bulbs, but these aren’t always powerful enough to keep your bearded dragon warm.
When it comes to basking, we’d recommend investing in a specialized basking bulb. These do come with a higher price tag of around $20 which, when you compare it to the $2 price of a standard incandescent bulb, can seem quite expensive.
However, this is an area where you should never attempt to pinch your pennies.
Getting the best bulb possible will ultimately result in a happier, healthier bearded dragon.
UVB Bulbs
As well as your basking bulb, you’ll also need a UVB bulb. Again, this is not an area to try and save money by opting for a cheap household fluorescent bulb. These simply don’t emit enough UVB or UVA light to meet your bearded dragon’s needs.
You can expect to pay somewhere in the region of $15 – $25 for a high-quality UVB bulb. Again, this might seem expensive, but it is essential for your bearded dragon’s health.
The reason you need a UVB bulb is to provide your bearded dragon with the Vitamin D3 that they need to convert calcium into a form that their body can use.
If you provide them with a low-quality UVB bulb they won’t be able to do this and, ultimately, they could suffer from bone issues such as metabolic bone disease.
One thing that you need to remember with both your basking bulb and your UVB bulb is that they will need replacing around every six months. After this time, they’ll start to lose a lot of their effectiveness. So, make sure you factor this into your ongoing costs as well as your set-up costs.
Lighting Fixtures
Some vivariums come with everything you need to get started including lighting and fixtures. However, if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to get some fixtures to hold your bulbs in place. This is one of the rare instances where you can save some money.
You don’t necessarily need to go to a pet store to get your lighting fixtures. Instead, you may be able to find what you need in your local hardware store. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you’ll need a ceramic fixture for your basking bulb.
If you’re unsure about what you need, you’ll often find that the company that made your bulb will make fixtures for it as well. If they do, you can expect to pay around $10 – $15 for your basking fixture and a further $10 – $20 for the UVB fixture.
When you go to a hardware store, things become significantly cheaper. A ceramic fixture for your basking bulb will only cost around $5, while your UVB fixture will be around $15.
Other Essential Set-Up Expenses
You might think that a secure vivarium and a good-quality lighting system are all you need to get your bearded dragon’s new home set up. But, there are also a few extra essentials that you need to provide them with.
Supplemental Heat
The first of these is heat. They’ll get some of this from their basking bulb but, if the ambient temperatures in your home drop below 65ºF, you’ll need to provide your bearded dragon with some supplemental heating. This is especially important during winter.
There are two options to choose from here; a ‘nighttime’ bulb and a ceramic heating element.
Let’s look at nighttime bulbs first. These are colored bulbs (usually red or blue) that provide additional heat during the night when your basking lamp is switched off.
Some people believe that the light being emitted may disturb your bearded dragon’s sleep, but there’s no evidence of this being true. What is true, however, is that they’ll give them that much-needed heat during the colder months.
Depending on where you buy it from, a nighttime bulb will set you back around $5 – $15. You’ll also need to purchase a separate fixture for it, which will add to the cost.
Your second option when it comes to supplemental heat is a ceramic heating element. These get a little warmer than a nighttime bulb and they don’t emit any light either, so they are definitely the best option if you are concerned about disturbing their sleep patterns.
Ceramic heating elements are only slightly more expensive than nighttime bulbs, costing around $10-$15 on average. They do also require an additional fixture.
Substrate
This is one of the most hotly debated topics in the world of bearded dragon ownership! There are loads of different substrates available to choose from and many people prefer different types.
You’ll eventually find what works best for you but, to begin with, we’d recommend going for something fairly inexpensive so that you can focus your budget on more important things.
A good-quality bag of substrate chips will usually cost around $10. Remember, however, that you’ll need to change this regularly so it’s important to factor your chosen substrate into your ongoing costs as well.
Interiors
This is one of the more fun elements of setting up your bearded dragon’s home. But, while you can get creative with it, there are some really important things that you need to remember to include. These include:
- A basking spot
- A hammock
- Climbing objects
- Hiding places
- A food bowl
- A water bowl
The amount of money you spend on these items will really depend on how creative you are. If you want to spend as little as possible, you can upcycle certain things such as the food and water bowl.
If you want everything to be brand new and realistic, you’ll spend more. On average, all of your interiors will cost anywhere from $20 – $80.
You can save a lot of money here by using certain things you’ve found out in nature, such as logs and rocks. However, if you do this you must make sure you’ve cleaned and sanitized them before you put them in your vivarium.
Even the tiniest parasite or bacteria getting into your bearded dragon’s home could create some real health problems.
Thermometer
The last thing on your essentials list is a thermometer. In fact, you need two; one for the basking area and one for the cooler side of the vivarium. These will allow you to properly maintain the temperature in your bearded dragon’s home, which is essential for their wellbeing.
Luckily, thermometers are fairly cheap so they won’t make too much of a dent in your budget. Digital thermometers are best as they are easier to read and some also have probes that you can use to check the temperature in an exact area. These usually cost around $10.
Non-Essentials
Everything listed above is an essential part of setting up a home for your bearded dragon and making sure that they have a safe, comfortable place to live. However, if you’d like to take things to the next level, there are some other things you can purchase.
We’ve classed these as non-essential but you may decide that some are essential to your individual setup. The choice is yours, however, one thing you need to remember is that none of these are as important as the items listed up until now.
Temperature Gun
Although you’ll have two thermometers in your vivarium to give you an accurate reading of the internal temperature, a temperature gun can be a useful backup.
Simply aim it at the area you want to check and it will give you an accurate reading. In this case, it’s quite useful for making sure your thermometers are working properly.
A temperature gun is also quite useful for checking the effectiveness of your basking bulb as it will lose power over time. If It gets too cool, you’ll know it’s time to change it without having to guess.
Temperature guns may seem like fancy, expensive tools but they can be picked up for a relatively low price. There’s no reason to expect to pay more than $30 for a good-quality temperature gun.
Timers
If you’re away from home quite a lot (or you’re simply a forgetful person) it might be a good idea to invest in a timer. These will cycle your basking and UVB lights for you by turning them on and off at set intervals without you having to remember to do so yourself.
They don’t cost a lot of money either, only around $10 on average. With this in mind, while it’s not an essential part of your vivarium setup, it’s definitely something that’s worth buying as it will take a lot of the work out of switching between lights manually.
MVB Bulb
An MVB (mercury vapor bulb) emits both heat and UVB. This might make it seem like a wonderful, money-saving purchase as you don’t need to buy both bulbs separately, but there is some debate around their effectiveness.
If you decide to go for an MVB bulb, make sure you get the correct size for your vivarium and make sure it’s placed at a good distance from your bearded dragon’s basking spot. If you don’t, you could end up damaging their eyes.
Another thing that puts many bearded dragon owners off the idea of buying an MVB bulb (aside from efficiency concerns) is that they are pretty expensive.
Without a fixture, you can expect to pay around $50 for a reptile-specific MVB bulb. And, just like your basking bulb and a regular UVB bulb, you’ll need to replace it once every six months.
WebCam
This may seem like a bit of a fad, but positioning a webcam in front of your vivarium can be a great way to check in on them throughout the day while you’re at work. Again, it’s not essential, but if you’d like to know what they are up to, it’s a fun way of doing it.
Webcams aren’t as expensive as they used to be either, and you can find a good-quality one for around $30. There are some fancier, “smart” webcams that will alert you if your bearded dragon starts moving around their enclosure, but these come with a higher price tag.
Miscellaneous Items
As soon as you start setting up your bearded dragon’s home there are a few things that you won’t realize you need until they’ve already moved in.
So, to help you get ahead of the game and to help you work out your budget more efficiently, here are some of the miscellaneous items you need to consider buying.
Food Storage Containers
The first thing you need to add to your list of miscellaneous items is some food storage containers. These will help you keep your bearded dragon’s food fresh and, in the cases of roaches and mealworms, contained!
These are really inexpensive and in some cases, you’ll be able to find food storage containers for around $5.
A Mister
Your bearded dragon will benefit from an occasional misting and a mister is the best tool for the job. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy and you can pick a mister for as little as $3-£5.
Printed Surrounds
A bearded dragon can get pretty stressed out by its own reflection. The best way to stop this from happening is to print out some surrounds that you can stick to the sides of your vivarium.
Doing this can also add some extra aesthetic to your bearded dragon’s home, especially if you go for a rocky, sandy, or tropical print. You may be able to do these at home if you have a decent printer, otherwise, a print shop will be able to create them for a few dollars.
Food & Supplements
Your bearded dragon needs a nice place to live and, if you include all of the essentials (and some of the non-essential items) we’ve listed above, you’ll be able to give them that. However, your bearded dragon also needs to eat!
Compared to other pets, bearded dragons are relatively inexpensive to feed. And, while you can give them fruits and vegetables that you’ve already got in your refrigerator, they do need their own food as well.
Insects
You certainly can’t be squeamish when it comes to feeding your bearded dragon and, depending on their age, they will need insect protein to help them grow healthily. Dubia roaches are a favorite of bearded dragons and they contain loads of protein.
Crickets are also good, but they are much more difficult to handle and they smell terrible. They can also bite both you and your bearded dragon, so it’s best to air on the side of caution.
Depending on where you get your bearded dragon’s insects from, you can expect to pay between $30 – $80 per month. However, this will go down as they grow into adult bearded dragons because they rely on more plant-based protein.
Insects from online stores are also generally much cheaper than pet stores.
There is a hidden cost when it comes to insects, though. They are living creatures and, as such, they also need to be fed. They are essentially your livestock. Luckily, most insects are happy eating salad greens which doesn’t increase the monthly cost too much,
A lot of bearded dragon owners also like to breed their feeder insects and this can help save a lot of money. In the case of Dubia roaches, it’s pretty easy to do as well. The only thing you’ll need to be okay with is the idea of hundreds of critters living in a secured bin inside your home!
Veggies
Your bearded dragon will also need a source of plant-based protein, as well as all of the vitamins and minerals that they’ll get from a portion of greens. These aren’t super expensive and will roughly cost around $8 per month but, depending on the size of your bearded dragon, this price can vary.
It’s also important to make sure that they are eating a varied diet so, as well as greens, you’ll need to give them some bell peppers or carrots. This can make the cost of their weekly food go up a little further.
All things considered, you’re probably going to spend around $40 a month of food for your bearded dragon. This equates to about $480 a year.
However, if you breed your own feeder insects and grow your own greens and vegetables at home, you may be able to bring this down quite significantly.
Supplements
Although your bearded dragon will get a lot of their protein, vitamins, and minerals from their food source, they also need some supplements to keep them as healthy as possible. These include Calcium, Vitamin D, Multivitamins.
This isn’t an area you should try and save money in but, luckily, there’s no real need to try. Top-quality supplements for bearded dragons aren’t that expensive and you’ll realistically end up spending around $20 – $30 every six months.
The Totals
So, just how much does it cost to own a bearded dragon? Let’s take a look at your total set-up and ongoing costs.
To get everything in place (including buying your bearded dragon) you should build a budget of around $300 – $500. This covers your vivarium, lighting, heating, and more. After that, it’s a case of working on a month by month basis:
- Monthly Total – $10 – $40. This includes food, supplements, and other essentials.
- Every six months – $20 – $60. This includes new lights and covers the possibility of replacing fixtures.
- Every 12 months – $60 – $100. This covers your annual vet trip and leaves a little room in the budget in case your bearded dragon needs medication.
It’s important to remember that these costs are not set in stone. You may end up going over or coming under at any time. With this in mind, it’s always best to leave a little extra money in your bearded dragon’s fund at all times.
How to Save Money When Buying a Bearded Dragon
First of all, it’s important to know that there are certain areas where you shouldn’t ever attempt to save money. Items such as your basking lamp, UVB bulb, and fixtures need to be of the best quality possible.
Going cheap will simply cost you more money in the long run and you could potentially be putting your bearded dragon’s health in jeopardy.
However, there are some ways that you can save a few dollars on your initial setup. Let’s take a look at these below.
Buy Second-Hand
You’ll be amazed at some of the things you can find on online auction sites and social media selling platforms. Dig down deep enough and you may find somebody selling a good-quality vivarium for half the price you expected to pay.
One thing you need to remember here, however, is that you need to deep clean it as soon as you get it home. Don’t cut any corners. Disinfect it a couple of times and make sure it’s gleamingly clean before you even think about setting it up and moving your bearded dragon in.
Rescue a Bearded Dragon
Many rescue centers will give you a bearded dragon for free as long as you can prove that you’re able to look after it properly.
Some might ask for a small donation or adoption fee but this is usually far less than the price you’d pay for a bearded dragon in a pet store or from a breeder. Even more importantly, you’re giving an unwanted bearded dragon a brand new home!
Breed Feeder Insects
You can save quite a lot of money if you breed your own feeder insects. Dubia roaches are the easiest to breed and your bearded dragon will love eating them. It’s easy to do as well, but you’ll have to be prepared to live in a home with a bin filled with insects.
Buy Lighting Fixtures from a Hardware Store
This is one of the easiest ways to save money when you’re setting up your vivarium. Many reptile-lighting companies take advantage of the fact that not everybody is technically minded and they may advise you that their fixtures are the only ones that will work with their lights.
This isn’t necessarily true, though. Take your lights to your local hardware store and they may have exactly what you need at a fraction of the price.
Conclusion
There you have it, everything you need to know about the real cost of owning a bearded dragon. We won’t lie, they can be an expensive pet to own. But, do a little research and you might find that you’re able to save money in certain places.
The one thing you should remember, however, is that saving money doesn’t always mean you’re doing the right thing for your bearded dragon. They need certain things to survive and trying to save a few dollars here and there could affect their health.