Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Short answers

Central bearded dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 150×100×80 cm for one animal.

Central bearded dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–30 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C at the basking spot (up to 50 °C directly under the lamp), at night 18–22 °C.

Central bearded dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (strong desert-grade UVB, T5 10–12 %).

Central bearded dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–18 years.

Central bearded dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C at the basking spot (up to 50 °C directly under the lamp)

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

Essential (strong desert-grade UVB, T5 10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×100×80 cm for one animal

Substrate

A sand-loam mix

Feeding

Food

Plenty of insects when young, more vegetables and herbs as adults

Feeding interval

Adults insects 2–3×/week, plants daily

Key facts

Adult size

40–55 cm

Life expectancy

12–18 years

Origin

Australia

Protection status

—

Brumation

Recommended: 2–3 months at 12–15 °C, in January/February. Ramp down temperature and lighting slowly over about a month, and withhold food for two weeks beforehand. Without a rest period breeding won't happen, and many keepers observe a shorter lifespan.

Cohabitation

Single housing (especially males). The reason is territory: two animals will not voluntarily share a basking spot or a hiding place. They fight until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner — and that second animal then eats worse, without showing any visible wound.

Notes

Very hungry for light: strong UVB plus a hot basking spot are essential. A common beginner's mistake is too little light and warmth.

Do you keep this species?

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

Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) currently offered

• 0.1 Hypo Translucent Dark Red LB Bartagame – Hypo Translucent Dark Red Leatherback · Penig · 240 €
• 0.1 Hypo Red Bartagame – Hypo Red Leatherback · Penig · 180 €
• 1.0 Coral Bartagame Nachzuchten 2026 – Coral Translucent Red Orange · Penig · 220 €
• 0.1 Coral Bartagame – Hypo Translucent Dark Red Orange · Penig · 200 €
• 0.1 Red Orange LB Bartagame Pogona Vitticeps – Red Orange Leatherback · Penig · 170 €
• 0.1 Dark Red LB Bartagame Pogona Vitticeps – Dark Red Leatherback · Penig · 190 €

See all listings in the marketplace →

Related species

• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate
• Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota) – Intermediate
• Mitchell's bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli) – Intermediate
• Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor) – Intermediate
• Rankin's bearded dragon (Pogona rankini) – Beginner
• Western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) – Intermediate
• Rankin's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) – Beginner to intermediate
• Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) – Intermediate to expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×100×80 cm for one animal), substrate (A sand-loam mix), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.