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Starter kits often miss the things that matter most. Work through this checklist before your dragon comes home — critical items are weighted higher, and the score shows how ready you are. Your ticks are saved in this browser, and you can print the list.
The four critical items
- Enclosure size — 4 × 2 × 2 ft (120 gallons) for an adult. Starter kits are often 40 gallons, which a dragon outgrows within months.
- Basking heat — a hot, flat basking spot measured with a temperature gun.
- UVB — a T5 HO 10–12% tube, not a coil bulb.
- Calcium — dusting insects prevents metabolic bone disease.
FAQ
How much does a bearded dragon setup cost?
A proper setup with a 120-gallon enclosure, T5 UVB, heat and furniture typically costs several hundred dollars before the dragon itself — well above most starter kits.
Are starter kits worth it?
Most include undersized tanks and coil UVB bulbs. Buying the enclosure, UVB and heat separately usually works out better.
More free tools
- Bearded Dragon Feeding Chart by Age — Insect/greens split, feedings per day and a weekly dusting plan for any age.
- Bearded Dragon Temperature & UVB Guide — Check basking, cool side, night temps and UVB distance for your dragon’s age.
- What Can Bearded Dragons Eat? Safe & Unsafe Foods List — Search 55+ greens, veggies, fruits and insects — staple, treat or never.
- Bearded Dragon Size & Weight Chart by Age — Typical length and weight by age — check how your dragon compares.
- Bearded Dragon Poop Guide — Normal or not? What runny, orange-urate or bloody poop means.
- Brumation vs Sick Checker for Bearded Dragons — Sleeping more? Check brumation pattern vs warning signs needing a vet.
- UVB Distance Calculator for Bearded Dragons (T5 HO / T8) — Safe distance for T5 HO 12%/10% or T8 — over or under mesh.
- Bearded Dragon Morph Guide (With Health Notes) — Normal, leatherback, translucent, hypo, zero and witblits — with health notes.
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