The Costs of Owning a Beardie
Dec 9, 2020 15:18:58 GMT -5
BeardedDragonDude and dextersmom like this
Post by hoomanslave on Dec 9, 2020 15:18:58 GMT -5
Bearded dragons (and reptiles in general) are not cheap animals. Although beardies are definitely more affordable than many of the larger lizards, there are still plenty of expenses when it comes to owning one. This thread provides the general costs to get started, the yearly and monthly expenses, and some tips for saving money. When buying a beardie, remember that many of their essentials are things you should NEVER try to cheap out on. Buy the correct supplies and cage size the first time and you can save yourself hundreds. Instead of buying everything at once, slowly collect the items and buy them when they're on sale. You can also look for a discount or family owned pet store-they often have much better prices than Amazon or chain stores. All the prices in this article are in USD.
Part one: Start-up costs
The start-up prices may seem alarmingly high, but remember that you'll only need to buy most of these items once. This is just the general setup-the expenses may be increased or decreased based on dragon age.
1. Enclosure-easily the most expensive thing on the list. A fancy glass tank can be over $600, or you can get a customizable vivarium for $300-500. Avoid aquariums if you can help it, because they can easily cost you $1,000+. An ideal tank size is 4x2x4 feet, but bigger is better. Expect to spend more on larger tanks, custom ordered ones, or ones with fancy features such as substrate trays and sliding doors. You can also build your own or purchase a used tank online.
2. UVB lights-The UVB should cover around 70% of the enclosure and needs to be a tube light. The best brands for this are Reptisun and Arcadia. A UVB bulb of appropriate size will cost $27-50, depending on the length, UVB output, and where you purchase it.
3. Basking light-It should not give off colored light and should be 100-150 watts. Finding the correct wattage takes trial and error.
4. Light fixtures-A basking light fixture will cost you around $15-40, depending on how fancy you want to get. Whatever fixture you choose should be durable and reflective. A dimmer is also a nice feature. A UVB fixture is usually 2" longer than the bulb you plan to use-for example, a 36-inch bulb will need a 38-inch fixture. Make sure to purchase a fixture that can handle the wattage, diameter, and brand of UVB light you use. The fixture should also have a reflector in it to maximize UVB output. Sunblaster is a quality and affordable light fixture brand. A fixture will cost around $30-100, depending on the size and brand.
5. Substrate. Expect to spend $10-30, depending on which type of substrate you choose. Depending on your substrate choice, you might also need a dig box.
6. Poop Scoop-$3-8. You can also just use paper towels or even plastic spoons.
7. Feeding tongs-$3-8
8. Hides (x2)-Needs to be big enough for the beardie to fit into without it being too spacious or cramped. A baby will need smaller hides then an adult to feel secure. You can get basic hides for $10-20, fancy custom made ones for $50+, or you can use cardboard boxes, repurposed dollar store bowls, and anything else you can think of.
8. Climbing branches and rocks-$20-30 at the pet store, or free if you get them from your yard and sanitize them. If you live near a beach you can find some very cool rocks there.
9. Feeders-This varies by beardie age and the type you choose. Typically costs $10-50. You'll also need a place to keep them and food for them to eat. I prefer to use heavy duty plastic bins. You'll want to get a couple different feeders. Staples can be silkworms, dubia/discoid roaches, black soldier fly larvae (phoenix worms), or crickets. You can also offer superworms to juveniles and older, and mealworms to adults-neither should be a staple in the diet. Waxworms, butterworms, hornworms, flightless fruit flies, grasshoppers, and other roach species can also be provided. You'll probably need some kind of bedding or egg flats for your feeders, which will cost an additional $10-20.
10. Digital thermometers-$8-20 each, or you can get a temp gun for around $30.
11. Digital hydrometer-$10-15
12. Fake plants-you can just buy the plants from the dollar store or craft stores. Make sure they are sturdy enough to handle being toppled over, climbed on, and pooped on. Check that they aren't painted or coated with anything toxic.
13. Supplements-you will need calcium with D3, normal calcium, and a multivitamin with beta carotene. $3-7 per supplement.
14. Digital thermostat-essential for temperature control. Look for one that stores temperature data, can handle the wattage of your heating devices, and preferably has an alarm. $40-100
15. Ceramic heat emitter and fixture-$20-30
16. Food and water dish-You can use the "naturalistic" rock ones, a dog food bowl, a human plate, and some people even use bottle caps for babies! A "medium" size dish will work perfectly for adults. Each dish generally costs $3-10 each.
17. Power strip and timer-very useful for keeping track of all your cords and lights! You can get a couple of timers for $10, and a power strip for another $10.
18. Water conditioner-Keeps the drinking water clean and chlorine-free. $6-10.
19. Veggies-$5-10
Optional:
-Hammock-$8
-Harness-$11
-Toys-$6
-Canned insects or commercial treats-$5
-Bioactive tank supplies-$200+, and a cleanup crew will cost you $30-50.
You can expect to spend $300-600 on supplies, depending on what brands and stores you choose.
Feeding
Bearded dragons need a variety of foods in their diet. Offer one or two staple greens and a few staple veggies, plus some other greens and veggies as treats. Fruit and sugary veggies can be offered once or twice a week. Depending on what you choose, expect to spend $5-15 a week on food. You can save yourself a lot of money by growing your own veggies and greens-collard and mustard greens grow well indoors, and the seeds are only $3 a package on Amazon. Insects can easily top $60 a week for baby beardies, and an adult can go through $15-60 worth a month depending on what insects you feed and how often. If you buy crickets, you'll probably end up purchasing new ones weekly. If you choose roaches, you can buy enough for a month or even a year at a time and not have to worry about them all dying. You can also breed feeders to save yourself a lot of money, and even make some if you sell them to other keepers! Once you have figured out what foods you want to offer, you can start budgeting per month. You should also be prepared for disasters-bug colonies can be wiped out by cold or germs, your beardie may suddenly decide he hates his greens, or the produce may go bad before you can use it.
Tip: Buying online is much better than buying from pet stores-most pet stores will charge $0.12 per cricket, $0.40+ per dubia roach and a single hornworm for $5, which adds up fast! Online vendors often sell crickets for less than a cent each, but shipping may be costly.
Electricity
Beardies won't take a huge toll on your electricity bill, and the amount varies. It's generally under $6 a month per heat bulb, depending on their wattage.
Vet Bills
Like any animal, your beardie will need a yearly checkup. The price will vary by your region-some people pay $40 for a fecal test while others are charged $200. If you are not willing to provide veterinary care, you shouldn't own a pet. If everything goes smoothly, you can expect $80-100 a year in vet bills. Surgery and other serious procedures can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, so it is important to save money for this. Set aside a little bit of money every month to help pay for emergency vet trips. You can also ask your vet about payment plans and what pet insurance companies they work with. You can find a trustworthy reptile vet here: arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661
When you first bring your beardie home, you should try and get them a checkup. It'll give you peace of mind and can help you spot issues before they become serious. You should take your beardie to the vet when you spot any symptoms of illness. Get to know your vet before you have an emergency-the first checkup is great for this, and you can also ask them any questions you have about your beardie.
Recurring Expenses
Food will need to be purchased regularly and can be anywhere from $30-200 a month.
Reptisafe and supplements will need to be replaced every couple of months. If you replace them 3 times a year, you can expect to spend $30-60 a year on them.
Substrate, if replaced twice a year, will be $20-40. Some only need to be replaced once a year, and tile does not need to be replaced at all.
Light bulbs will need to be replaced twice a year. Double the cost of whatever your UVB and basking bulbs cost.
Feeder insect maintenance varies, and will be pricier if you breed them or own a large collection of them. $15-30 a year for the average keeper
Unexpected replacements (blown out bulbs, shredded plants, etc.)-price varies.
Vet visit: $80
Summary
Start-up costs: $300-600, sometimes more
Monthly food costs: $30-200
Vet bills: Starting at around $80 a year
Supplies: $300 a year minimum
In total, yearly maintenance is around $600-1,000. If you are going to get extremely frugal you can easily get these costs under $300-for example, buying a few month's worth of roaches at a time or buying 2-packs of bulbs. If you save a little bit of money on each item you buy, the amount you save adds up quickly. If you have a backyard you can grow food in and the space to breed insects, take advantage of that! If you're artistic, use your skills to build your own decor, harnesses, and enclosures. Good luck with your bearded dragon!
Part one: Start-up costs
The start-up prices may seem alarmingly high, but remember that you'll only need to buy most of these items once. This is just the general setup-the expenses may be increased or decreased based on dragon age.
1. Enclosure-easily the most expensive thing on the list. A fancy glass tank can be over $600, or you can get a customizable vivarium for $300-500. Avoid aquariums if you can help it, because they can easily cost you $1,000+. An ideal tank size is 4x2x4 feet, but bigger is better. Expect to spend more on larger tanks, custom ordered ones, or ones with fancy features such as substrate trays and sliding doors. You can also build your own or purchase a used tank online.
2. UVB lights-The UVB should cover around 70% of the enclosure and needs to be a tube light. The best brands for this are Reptisun and Arcadia. A UVB bulb of appropriate size will cost $27-50, depending on the length, UVB output, and where you purchase it.
3. Basking light-It should not give off colored light and should be 100-150 watts. Finding the correct wattage takes trial and error.
4. Light fixtures-A basking light fixture will cost you around $15-40, depending on how fancy you want to get. Whatever fixture you choose should be durable and reflective. A dimmer is also a nice feature. A UVB fixture is usually 2" longer than the bulb you plan to use-for example, a 36-inch bulb will need a 38-inch fixture. Make sure to purchase a fixture that can handle the wattage, diameter, and brand of UVB light you use. The fixture should also have a reflector in it to maximize UVB output. Sunblaster is a quality and affordable light fixture brand. A fixture will cost around $30-100, depending on the size and brand.
5. Substrate. Expect to spend $10-30, depending on which type of substrate you choose. Depending on your substrate choice, you might also need a dig box.
6. Poop Scoop-$3-8. You can also just use paper towels or even plastic spoons.
7. Feeding tongs-$3-8
8. Hides (x2)-Needs to be big enough for the beardie to fit into without it being too spacious or cramped. A baby will need smaller hides then an adult to feel secure. You can get basic hides for $10-20, fancy custom made ones for $50+, or you can use cardboard boxes, repurposed dollar store bowls, and anything else you can think of.
8. Climbing branches and rocks-$20-30 at the pet store, or free if you get them from your yard and sanitize them. If you live near a beach you can find some very cool rocks there.
9. Feeders-This varies by beardie age and the type you choose. Typically costs $10-50. You'll also need a place to keep them and food for them to eat. I prefer to use heavy duty plastic bins. You'll want to get a couple different feeders. Staples can be silkworms, dubia/discoid roaches, black soldier fly larvae (phoenix worms), or crickets. You can also offer superworms to juveniles and older, and mealworms to adults-neither should be a staple in the diet. Waxworms, butterworms, hornworms, flightless fruit flies, grasshoppers, and other roach species can also be provided. You'll probably need some kind of bedding or egg flats for your feeders, which will cost an additional $10-20.
10. Digital thermometers-$8-20 each, or you can get a temp gun for around $30.
11. Digital hydrometer-$10-15
12. Fake plants-you can just buy the plants from the dollar store or craft stores. Make sure they are sturdy enough to handle being toppled over, climbed on, and pooped on. Check that they aren't painted or coated with anything toxic.
13. Supplements-you will need calcium with D3, normal calcium, and a multivitamin with beta carotene. $3-7 per supplement.
14. Digital thermostat-essential for temperature control. Look for one that stores temperature data, can handle the wattage of your heating devices, and preferably has an alarm. $40-100
15. Ceramic heat emitter and fixture-$20-30
16. Food and water dish-You can use the "naturalistic" rock ones, a dog food bowl, a human plate, and some people even use bottle caps for babies! A "medium" size dish will work perfectly for adults. Each dish generally costs $3-10 each.
17. Power strip and timer-very useful for keeping track of all your cords and lights! You can get a couple of timers for $10, and a power strip for another $10.
18. Water conditioner-Keeps the drinking water clean and chlorine-free. $6-10.
19. Veggies-$5-10
Optional:
-Hammock-$8
-Harness-$11
-Toys-$6
-Canned insects or commercial treats-$5
-Bioactive tank supplies-$200+, and a cleanup crew will cost you $30-50.
You can expect to spend $300-600 on supplies, depending on what brands and stores you choose.
Feeding
Bearded dragons need a variety of foods in their diet. Offer one or two staple greens and a few staple veggies, plus some other greens and veggies as treats. Fruit and sugary veggies can be offered once or twice a week. Depending on what you choose, expect to spend $5-15 a week on food. You can save yourself a lot of money by growing your own veggies and greens-collard and mustard greens grow well indoors, and the seeds are only $3 a package on Amazon. Insects can easily top $60 a week for baby beardies, and an adult can go through $15-60 worth a month depending on what insects you feed and how often. If you buy crickets, you'll probably end up purchasing new ones weekly. If you choose roaches, you can buy enough for a month or even a year at a time and not have to worry about them all dying. You can also breed feeders to save yourself a lot of money, and even make some if you sell them to other keepers! Once you have figured out what foods you want to offer, you can start budgeting per month. You should also be prepared for disasters-bug colonies can be wiped out by cold or germs, your beardie may suddenly decide he hates his greens, or the produce may go bad before you can use it.
Tip: Buying online is much better than buying from pet stores-most pet stores will charge $0.12 per cricket, $0.40+ per dubia roach and a single hornworm for $5, which adds up fast! Online vendors often sell crickets for less than a cent each, but shipping may be costly.
Electricity
Beardies won't take a huge toll on your electricity bill, and the amount varies. It's generally under $6 a month per heat bulb, depending on their wattage.
Vet Bills
Like any animal, your beardie will need a yearly checkup. The price will vary by your region-some people pay $40 for a fecal test while others are charged $200. If you are not willing to provide veterinary care, you shouldn't own a pet. If everything goes smoothly, you can expect $80-100 a year in vet bills. Surgery and other serious procedures can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, so it is important to save money for this. Set aside a little bit of money every month to help pay for emergency vet trips. You can also ask your vet about payment plans and what pet insurance companies they work with. You can find a trustworthy reptile vet here: arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661
When you first bring your beardie home, you should try and get them a checkup. It'll give you peace of mind and can help you spot issues before they become serious. You should take your beardie to the vet when you spot any symptoms of illness. Get to know your vet before you have an emergency-the first checkup is great for this, and you can also ask them any questions you have about your beardie.
Recurring Expenses
Food will need to be purchased regularly and can be anywhere from $30-200 a month.
Reptisafe and supplements will need to be replaced every couple of months. If you replace them 3 times a year, you can expect to spend $30-60 a year on them.
Substrate, if replaced twice a year, will be $20-40. Some only need to be replaced once a year, and tile does not need to be replaced at all.
Light bulbs will need to be replaced twice a year. Double the cost of whatever your UVB and basking bulbs cost.
Feeder insect maintenance varies, and will be pricier if you breed them or own a large collection of them. $15-30 a year for the average keeper
Unexpected replacements (blown out bulbs, shredded plants, etc.)-price varies.
Vet visit: $80
Summary
Start-up costs: $300-600, sometimes more
Monthly food costs: $30-200
Vet bills: Starting at around $80 a year
Supplies: $300 a year minimum
In total, yearly maintenance is around $600-1,000. If you are going to get extremely frugal you can easily get these costs under $300-for example, buying a few month's worth of roaches at a time or buying 2-packs of bulbs. If you save a little bit of money on each item you buy, the amount you save adds up quickly. If you have a backyard you can grow food in and the space to breed insects, take advantage of that! If you're artistic, use your skills to build your own decor, harnesses, and enclosures. Good luck with your bearded dragon!