Mitchell's bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli)

Short answers

Mitchell's bearded dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm.

Mitchell's bearded dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 38–45 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Mitchell's bearded dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Mitchell's bearded dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years.

Mitchell's bearded dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

38–45 °C

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

A loam and sand mix (diggable and stable), rock structures, roots

Feeding

Food

Mostly insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets) plus flowers and wild herbs; increasingly plant-based as adults

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to approx. 40–45 cm total length

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years

Origin

North-western Australia (the Kimberley, WA), dry rocky and scrub areas

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; an Australian export ban – only EU captive-bred stock is legal, proof of origin recommended

Brumation

A short winter rest is possible (about 4–6 weeks at 15–20 °C), given the arid subtropical origin; not essential

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (territorial); at most one male with several females in a very large enclosure. NEVER keep males together.

Notes

Rare in the hobby (an export ban), and usually with no species-specific care sheets – the figures are largely derived from the genus Pogona. Avoid pure sand substrates (a risk of impaction). Strong lighting and warmth as with all bearded dragons.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate
• Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) – Beginner to intermediate
• Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota) – 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
• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mitchell's bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (A loam and sand mix (diggable and stable), rock structures, roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.