{"product_id":"red-bearded-dragon","title":"Red Bearded Dragon","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eRed Bearded Dragon Care Guide\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePogona vitticeps\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45–60 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12+ years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner–Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Diurnal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSize\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdults can reach \u003cstrong\u003e45–60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e including the tail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMales are often larger and heavier than females.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHousing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum adult enclosure: \u003cstrong\u003e120 × 60 × 60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e; larger is better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a hot basking area and cooler area at the opposite end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd sturdy branches, rocks, hides and platforms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure all heavy décor is secure and cannot collapse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA naturalistic or bioactive setup can work well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTemperature\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBasking surface:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40–45°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCool end:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22–26°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNight:\u003c\/strong\u003e can fall to around 18–22°C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways control heating with a \u003cstrong\u003ethermostat\u003c\/strong\u003e and check temperatures with reliable digital thermometers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLighting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a strong \u003cstrong\u003e10–12% UVB\u003c\/strong\u003e tube spanning a large proportion of the enclosure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUVB should overlap the basking area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a proper day\/night cycle of around \u003cstrong\u003e12 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplace UVB lamps according to the manufacturer's recommended lifespan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHumidity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAim for approximately \u003cstrong\u003e30–40% ambient humidity\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood ventilation is essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid constantly damp substrate or excessive misting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFood\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJuveniles:\u003c\/strong\u003e more insect-based food with daily greens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdults:\u003c\/strong\u003e mainly leafy greens and vegetables, with insects around \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 times per week\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuitable insects include crickets, locusts, dubia roaches and calciworms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffer greens such as spring greens, rocket, watercress and suitable mixed leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDust insects with \u003cstrong\u003ecalcium\u003c\/strong\u003e and provide a suitable multivitamin regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove uneaten fresh food daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWater\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide fresh water in a \u003cstrong\u003eshallow dish\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange daily and clean regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMost hydration should come from fresh vegetables and greens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShedding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYoung dragons shed more frequently as they grow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdults shed less often and may shed in sections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDull or pale skin is normal before shedding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever pull or peel retained skin.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHandling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenerally docile and can become very accustomed to handling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport the entire body and all four feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid grabbing the tail or picking the dragon up suddenly from above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways supervise children when handling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHealth\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoss of appetite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLethargy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwollen jaw or limbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrembling or weakness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifficulty walking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbnormal faeces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetained shed around toes or tail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight loss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBreathing problems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular weight monitoring and routine checks with an \u003cstrong\u003eexotic\/reptile veterinarian\u003c\/strong\u003e are recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove faeces and uneaten food \u003cstrong\u003edaily\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean the water bowl daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpot-clean substrate regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerform deeper cleaning as required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBioactive enclosures still require regular spot-cleaning and maintenance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBefore You Bring Your Animal Home\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully set up the enclosure \u003cstrong\u003ebefore the dragon arrives\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun the heating and lighting and check temperatures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstall the correct UVB tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide hides, basking platforms and enrichment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave suitable insects, greens, calcium and multivitamins ready.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake sure the enclosure is secure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Bits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🦎 \u003cstrong\u003eStrong UVB is essential\u003c\/strong\u003e for healthy bones and calcium metabolism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e☀️ Provide a proper \u003cstrong\u003e40–45°C basking surface\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🌡️ Always create a clear \u003cstrong\u003etemperature gradient\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🥬 Adults should eat \u003cstrong\u003emainly greens and vegetables\u003c\/strong\u003e, not insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e💧 Avoid excessive humidity and poor ventilation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🦴 Calcium supplementation is important.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e🚫 Never house two males together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e❤️ Red is a \u003cstrong\u003ecolour morph\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a separate species; care requirements are the same as other \u003cem\u003ePogona vitticeps\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Peregrine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58638438728061,"sku":null,"price":169.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/4983\/3648\/files\/Untitled-2026-01-07T112823.329.png?v=1788703995","url":"https:\/\/www.snuffleandswim.com\/products\/red-bearded-dragon","provider":"Snuffle and Swim","version":"1.0","type":"link"}