Bearded dragons or leopard geckos are great starter reptiles if you’ve ever thought about getting one, but been overwhelmed by how much care they require. These reptiles can be kept as pets by children or adults because they are curious and docile. While they are easy to care for, you should consider the following factors when considering whether or not you want to have a reptile in your house.
A reptile should be considered carefully before you decide to bring it home. Both leopard geckos and bearded dragons have long life expectancies. Both can be wonderful pets if they are kept in a happy environment and cared for by educated owners. Let’s talk about how they differ, and what considerations we should give each.
Visual Differences
A Glance
Bearded Dragon
- Average length (adult): 16-24 inches
- Adult average weight: 8-24 ounces
- Life expectancy: 8-15 Years
- Tank considerations: Minimum 50-75 gallons for an adult; acrylic, PVC, or wood; Full-spectrum lighting and safe heat sources with basking areas are required; reptile carpet and paper are the best substrate options; toys, and other enrichment items
- Skincare requirements: Multiple mistings per day; greater frequency during shedding; may need additional shedding aids such as bath soaks
- Yes, it is family-friendly
- Other pets-friendly: They should be protected from any other pets that could hurt them
- Temperament: Docile, enjoy being handled
- Diet: Packaged diet, leafy vegetables, live food (mealworms and crickets, superworms), freeze-dried food, fruits, and vegetables; calcium supplementation may also be required
Leopard Gecko
- Average length (adult): 7-10 inches
- Adult average weight: 52.5 ounces
- Life expectancy: 10-20 Years
- Considerations for tanks: Minimum 20 gallons per adult; glass, acrylic, and PVC; normal indoor lighting; safe heat source with warm hide space, cool hiding space with moisture; reptile flooring, tile, linoleum, or slate (adults only); 2-3 hides per gecko; novel items, climbing stones, and other enrichment options
- Skincare requirements: The enclosure may need to be humidified. This could mean that a container with moisture is required for short periods of time or soaking to loosen stuck hair.
- Family-friendly
- Other pets-friendly: They should be protected from any other pets that could hurt them
- Temperament: Although it can be managed, excessive handling can lead to stress.
- Food: Live mealworms and superworms, as well as flies, roaches, and other insects, that have been gut-loaded prior to being served. Calcium supplementation may be necessary.
Bearded Dragon Overview
Tank considerations
Bearded dragons, reptiles, are cold-blooded and require heat to regulate their body temperatures. Bearded dragons are desert-dwelling and require dry, arid conditions. However, sheds may be necessary to provide additional moisture. Bearded dragons have many options for enclosures. Some people prefer to build their own.
- If you want to see the bearded Dragon in its enclosure, acrylic and glass tanks are better.
- Wooden enclosures are great for insulation and keeping the heat inside the tank. However, they can be difficult to construct so that the pet can see it.
- PVC offers similar benefits to wood but is lighter and easier to handle.
Substrate and Flooring
Bearded dragons are not meant to be kept in the sand, even though they come from the desert. Intentionally consuming sand can lead to intestinal impacts. This is particularly common among juveniles. The safest substrates are newspaper, butcher paper, or reptile carpeting. To maintain cleanliness, paper products can be easily replaced each day.
Lighting
Full spectrum lighting is required for bearded dragons. They also require a heat lamp to keep them warm. Avoid heating pads, rocks, or pads as they can cause burns to the dragon’s stomach. Make sure your pet has water in a shallow bowl. To reduce the chances of food-related accidents and insect escapes into the enclosure, it is a good idea to provide a food bowl.
Health & Care
Bearded dragons are playful and curious reptiles that love enriching environments. You can do this by rotating different textures and toys. You must ensure that they don’t eat anything in their enclosure. Bearded dragons love to explore outside of their enclosure. Some stores even sell leashes and harnesses made for them.
Diet
Bearded dragons are omnivorous. Juveniles require more insects while adults need more plants. You can provide a balanced diet by providing a variety of pre-made packaged foods, freeze-dried and live insects, as well as leafy greens and other fruits and veggies in small amounts for occasional treats. Bearded dragons, like many other reptiles kept in captivity, are susceptible to calcium deficiencies and may need supplementation. Many pet shops sell calcium supplements for reptiles with the correct dosing instructions.
Environment
Bath soaks are an option for bearded dragons who have difficulty getting into sheds. Commercial products are available to help. You can place your bearded dragons in a small enclosed tub with enough breathing holes. This creates a sauna environment, and the humidity and soak can help to loosen stuck skin.
Health Concerns
Bearded dragon patients will be seen by many veterinarians who are trained in exotic pet care. You can find these vets by doing local searches on the internet and through referral sites. If you are looking for a reptile veterinarian in your local area, the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians can be a great resource.
Temperament/Personality
Bearded dragons can be docile and love being handled by humans, especially people they are familiar with. Bearded dragons can be friendly with other animals. However, they should be supervised when interacting with other animals. Bearded dragons can be playful and have a preference for enrichment activities, as well as food.
For:
Children who are able to look after their pets properly can keep bearded dragons as pets. These dragons are also suitable for adults, regardless of whether they are a novice or experienced professionals. They can be outdoors under supervision, but they should not be allowed to live outside. If you are looking for a reptile that can enjoy going outside and taking walks, bearded dragons might be the right choice.
- Docile, enjoy being handled
- A great reptile for new keepers
- Pet owners and their pets can have fun exploring their preferences.
- Require minimal skin maintenance except during difficult sheds
- Unique, individual personalities
- A wide range of substrate and tank options
- Require specific care
- These items require a lot of space
- A complex diet may get expensive
- To avoid boredom, you will need to keep your environment updated regularly
- It can be messy when you eat or drink.
- It may not be easy to find an exotics veterinarian in your area.
Leopard Gecko Overview
Tank considerations
Even at full adult size, leopard geckos are very small so they don’t need a lot of space. You can keep them in small enclosures, up to 20 gallons. However, a larger tank will allow for easier care and enrichment. Their tank setup should include a warm side with warming mats and a cool side with damp material. This will ensure that there is humidity in the cool part of the tank.
Lighting
They are nocturnal and will seek out places to hide like caves or rock walls. They do not need specific tank lighting, so it is best to keep them on a day-night cycle. You can achieve this cycle by using indoor lighting or natural light in rooms.
Substrate and Flooring
Leopard geckos, like bearded dragons, may accidentally eat substrate made of sand. It is not recommended for adult use and is not recommended for juveniles. Although reptile carpet is possible, linoleum, slate, and tile are the best flooring for tanks. They can be easily wiped down and will insulate heat. To keep the insects in place, leopard geckos require water in a shallow bowl and a food bowl. However, hard tank flooring will reduce the mess from eating and drinking.
Health & Care
Leopard geckos require a stimulating, enriching environment. This can be achieved by using different textures and climbing sticks. Bearded dragons are not toys that they like to play with. They will usually be content in their enclosures or with some handling. However, they may be stressed if taken outside.
Diet
The leopard geckos are exclusively insectivores and their diet is entirely based on insects. The insects are given supplements to “gut load”, which makes them more nutritious. Reptile calcium supplements may be required for some leopard geckos.
Environment
Leopard geckos are prone to shedding because of their need for humidity. They will need to shed more humidity and mist. On occasion, bath soaks may be necessary to loosen skin.
Leopard geckos, like bearded dragons, can be taken care of by exotics-trained veterinarians. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians website can be used to help you find a veterinarian for your leopard gecko.
Temperament/Personality
Although they are friendly and docile, leopard geckos do not like being handled as much. Although they can tolerate a small amount of handling, too much can cause stress that can lead to serious health problems. It is possible for them to display their individual personalities over time, and it can be a pleasure to see these emerge.
For:
Leopard geckos can be cared for easily and are suitable for both children and adults. Children should be taught how to handle the geckos safely and that adults must supervise the maintenance of the tank. People who are looking for pet leopard geckos will love them.
- Friendly and docile
- A great reptile for new keepers
- It’s a great experience to watch them hunt for insects.
- You will need a little space
- Unique, individual personalities
- The options for tank and floor options are quite simple
- Require specific care
- Tanks must be monitored closely for heat and humidity.
- A specific diet of live insects may get expensive
- The owner must be willing and able to keep a stock of live insects as food
- It may not be easy to find an exotics veterinarian in your area.
Which breed is right for you?
Both leopard geckos and bearded dragons can be great pets for those who are new to reptile ownership. However, the care and personalities of the two species can make it difficult to make the right choice. A bearded dragon is a great pet for people who want to take small trips with their pets. A leopard gecko is a great pet for people who are looking for something that’s interesting and entertaining to watch. While both pets require a commitment over time and can be difficult to care for, they can be fun and educational pets.
Are bearded dragons more difficult to care for than leopard geckos?
Leopard geckos probably need less room than bearded dragons for owners of compact apartments. Instead of vertical tanks, both will require vast horizontal ones. The unique heating and lighting needs of a beardie do not apply to leopard geckos.
Are bearded dragons suitable for beginners?
Because they make excellent first pets, bearded dragons are quite well-liked and widespread among reptile keepers.
Can I kiss my bearded dragon?
Avoid giving your bearded dragon a kiss or cuddle, and avoid eating or drinking near it. You could become ill if this exposes your mouth to Salmonella bacteria. Away from the kitchen and other locations where you make, store, or consume food, keep your bearded dragon.
Are bearded dragons aquarium-required pets?
Adult bearded dragons should be housed in at least a 75-gallon aquarium, however, young ones can temporarily reside in a 25-gallon tank. In general, two bearded dragons may coexist, especially if they are a breeding pair.
Do bearded dragons require direct sun exposure?
Bearded dragons require access to natural sunshine in addition to heat and white light to be healthy. This is due to the fact that they require UVB light, a specific spectrum of ultraviolet (UV) light. Vitamin D synthesis in the bearded dragon depends on UVB exposure.
Which reptile makes the best pet?
The best pets for handling reptiles (and Interaction Tips) are Dragons with a beard. Beardies, or bearded dragons
What reptile makes the smartest pet?
Watch lizards As a result, the Emerald Anole displayed better cognitive capability than is often found in mammals and birds. The Monitor Lizard comes in as the most intellectual reptile on the planet. Monitor lizards may reach lengths of over a meter and weights of over 10 kg.
Must I purchase a bearded dragon?
If properly taken care of, bearded dragons may make wonderful pets. They are quite sociable.
Which exotic animal is the best?
You can’t go wrong with a fennec fox or an axolotl if you’re searching for an odd and exotic pet that is also wonderfully adorable. The popularity of this salamander has increased, along with that of the degu, cockroach, sugar gliders, millipedes, hedgehogs, and tarantulas.
Which reptile makes the best pet?
The bearded dragon, often known as a beardie, is our top choice for the finest reptile to keep as a pet. These widely loved, hospitable, and simple-to-care-for lizards are a fantastic choice for everyone.