Black-bearded flying dragon (Draco melanopogon)

Short answers

Black-bearded flying dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×80×150 cm for a pair.

Black-bearded flying dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Black-bearded flying dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Black-bearded flying dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Black-bearded flying dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 32–35 °C

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×80×150 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with several vertical cork trunks

Feeding

Food

Crickets, locusts, roaches and house crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–22 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

The Malay Peninsula and Borneo

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs (1.2); never house males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed separately once they differ in size.

Notes

A rainforest species, very shy.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Black-bearded flying dragon (Draco melanopogon) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Blanford's flying lizard (Draco blanfordii) – Expert
• Five-banded flying lizard (Draco quinquefasciatus) – Intermediate
• Spotted flying dragon (Draco maculatus) – Intermediate
• Common flying dragon (Draco volans) – Expert
• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate
• Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black-bearded flying dragon (Draco melanopogon) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×80×150 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with several vertical cork trunks), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.