Bearded Dragons are part of the reptile family and are the most popular reptile pet in the US. These unusual exotics are cold-blooded and used to a very warm (in fact, desert) climate, so they need plenty of warmth and a dry environment to thrive.
But how much does it cost to get one of these fascinating lizards? What do you need to buy so they can thrive in your care? Can you purchase Bearded Dragons at PetSmart? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more.
The Importance of Price and Availability research
There are many exciting things to consider when collecting your new pet. The excitement of seeing them for the first time, handling them and bonding with them, and getting them ready for their new home is an incredible experience.
Checking the prices and the availability of your Bearded Dragon at your local PetSmart is crucial. The disappointment of traveling to collect your pet and being unable to bring them home due to lack of funds or even if they’re not in stock is crushing.
On the PetSmart website, there’s a feature that allows you to check the availability of all the Bearded Dragons they have available for sale at your local store.
The availability of Bearded Dragons can change with location. We searched the stock of Bearded Dragons in the Florida area, and the Jacksonville PetSmart only had a few of the Very Red Bearded Dragons left. At the same time, the same type was utterly unavailable in stores in the Murrieta, California area.
How Much Does a Bearded Dragon Cost at PetSmart?
There is more than one type of Bearded Dragon available to buy at PetSmart, as well as lots of accessories, substrates, and food your new reptile will need.
Breaking it down into categories, the prices for a Bearded Dragon at PetSmart are as follows:
Bearded Dragon
There are three different types of Bearded Dragons currently sold at PetSmart. They sell regular Bearded Dragons, Fancy Bearded Dragons, and Very Red Bearded Dragons.
The main difference between these animals is their coloring, as they’re all the same species. The Fancy Bearded Dragon has brighter colors than the regular kind, all brown, with accents of more brilliant oranges.
The Fancy Bearded Dragons are much brighter, with more orange and red coloration than their plain counterparts. The Very Red Bearded Dragons take this concept to the extreme, with their primary color being a vivid red. This coloration results from selective breeding (as stated by the PetSmart website).
| Type of Bearded Dragon | Price at PetSmart |
| Bearded Dragon | $54.99 |
| Fancy Bearded Dragon | $59.99 |
| Very Red Bearded Dragon | $79.99 |
Despite having different prices, all these Bearded Dragons are the same species, with the only differentiation being color.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
The Terrarium Your Bearded Dragon Will Live In
Depending on the size you wish to acquire, the terrarium you purchase for your Bearded Dragon will range from $150–$400+ at PetSmart. This is true for mid-range, typical terrariums that provide enough space and are well made without being “premium” or overly large.
An example would be the Thrive Lightweight EcoFlex Composite Terrarium, which is 46″ (the minimum required space) and is retailed on PetSmart online for $359.99.
The Substrate and Bedding Needed
Bearded Dragons need certain materials to bed in and live on top of, to keep them comfortable and allow them to exhibit natural behaviors, like digging. In addition, this provides enrichment opportunities, as Bearded Dragons will instinctively burrow under the earth in the wild when they get too hot or want to hide from predators.
Several types of substrate are available, all of which are priced differently.
Substrates such as Calcium Sand, Coconut Soil, or Fur Tree Bark are all appropriate substrates.
The Lights and Heat Your Bearded Dragon Needs
Bearded Dragons, like all reptiles, are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t regulate their body temperature and rely on external heat sources to keep them warm.
Bearded Dragons also can’t produce vitamin D and use UVB lighting in their habitats to create it when in captivity.
Basking spot lamps provide your Bearded Dragon a place to get warm and are between $10–$20 per bulb. However, UV light kits are sometimes more appropriate as they can provide UV-B rays, such as the Arcadia Reptile Pro T5 UV-B Kit, which costs $74.99.
A heat and humidity gauge can ensure the correct temperature and humidity are maintained for your Bearded Dragon. There are self-install models available from PetSmart, like the Zoo Med Reptile Terrarium Thermometer Humidity Gauge, which is $9.89.
Make sure your Bearded Dragon can get away from the heat sources if needed, providing shaded spots for your Dragon to cool down. Also, keep any bulbs well away from climbing branches to prevent burns.
Food For Your Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons are omnivores and should be fed (once mature) once a day. They have varied diets, consisting of various food types such as vegetables, flowers, and insects.
There are dry food mixes available, but Bearded Dragons need specific amounts of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.
Providing insects such as mealworms, crickets, wax, silkworms (as a treat, they’re very fatty), and grasshoppers will help to provide these vitamins.
Live food also provides enrichment opportunities, allowing your Bearded Dragon to exhibit natural hunting behavior. Ideally, your Bearded Dragon will have a diet rich in plant matter, with only around 20% of its diet being insect protein.
As a guide, the mealworms available to purchase for Your Bearded Dragon at PetSmart are in the $2–$3 range, such as Fluker’s Gourmet Style Mealworms, $2.99. For added nutrition, you can buy commercial flower mixes, such as Fluker’s Flower Food Topper, for $6.99.
Vitamins such as calcium supplements are vital for bearded dragons and most reptiles, as they can get very sick when deficient. Supplements can be given to live food and, in turn, fed to the dragons or can be supplied directly, such as via Fluker’s Phosphate Free Calcium With Vitamin D3 for $3.49.
How Many Bearded Dragons Should I Buy?
Bearded Dragons are solitary animals and, as such, should be ideally kept alone. While they can be housed together, they’ll need a large enclosure to give them personal space since they are very territorial and may fight.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Bearded Dragons?
Some pet insurance companies cover Bearded Dragons; however, it can be difficult to find quotes. The company we found was Nationwide, and they don’t offer online quotes for exotic pets, but they mention on their website that the average cost for coverage for a reptile is $8.
Conclusion
The price for Bearded Dragons at PetSmart is fixed for all areas, but just buying a new reptile friend isn’t without additional costs. The total price of your bearded Dragon can run into the hundreds due to the need for a terrarium, substrate, and food, as well as potentially being more if you want a fancy variant of the Dragon.
Featured Image Courtesy: Pixabay
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