If you’re a big beardie fan, you might have seen the citrus bearded dragon, otherwise known as the tangerine or yellow bearded dragon. This gorgeous, boldly colored lizard is a real eye-catcher (though some can be neutral tones).

These lizards are friendly, interactive, and perfect for beginners and novice owners alike. If you appreciate this species and want to know more, we’re going to cover all the basics. Who knows—maybe the citrus beardie is your next pet?

Species Name: Pogona
Common Name: Citrus Bearded Dragon
Care Level: Beginner
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Adult Size: 16 to 24 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
Temperature: 75-100 degrees Fahrenheit
Humidity: 20%-40%

Appearance
Citrus bearded dragons range from bright yellow to light tan. They have flat bodies with nodules and spikes along their sides, neck, and legs. Males have more pronounced femoral pores on their hindquarters—which is a distinct sex indicator.

Males typically grow larger than females with more pronounced heads, growing nearly 24 inches mature. Females only grow to be 16 to 19 inches once they reach adulthood.

How to Take Care of Citrus-Bearded Dragons
Since bearded dragons are tropical creatures, they require specific living conditions to stay healthy. For example, beardies don’t produce calcium independently, so they derive these nutrients from UVB light and calcium supplementation.
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank

Citrus bearded dragons can grow up to 24 inches in total, so their enclosure has to accommodate their size. Adult bearded dragons require at least a 40-gallon, all-glass tank.

Beardies don’t climb as much as some other reptiles, but they do love hanging on to larger branches with firm bark. But the width of the enclosure should be more than the height.

Enclosure Decor

Even though bearded dragons are curious creatures that are highly alert, they love being lazy, too. So they spend most of their day basking in their favorite spot, flatly soaking up the rays.

But when they’re not having a tanning session, you can find them hiding in a hollow log or hide. They love piling into a dark place with a snug fit for a good nap.

You can also have beardie-safe plants and other décor just to spice things up.

Lighting

Bearded dragons need UVB light to absorb calcium and vitamin D. These lights should stay on for 12 hours per day. These lizards require no lighting at night—but you should always make sure temperatures stay above 65 degrees F.

Substrate

The substrate you pick is very important, as it lines your lizard’s environment.

Here are a few great options for citrus beardies:
– Reptile carpet
– Newspaper
– Bare bottom

Feeding Your Citrus Bearded Dragon
Your beardie is an omnivore, meaning they eat plant and animal matter to survive. Most of their diet consists of gut-filled insects, but they love their greens, too!

During their growing months, juveniles will eat mostly insects—as many as they can handle—every day.

After they reach adulthood, you can slow feedings from every 2-3 days. This is because fully-grown bearded dragons need more vegetables than anything else. As a result, they receive moisture, vitamins, and minerals in their diet.

Most commonly, you can feed your beardie the following insects:
Crickets
Mealworms
Superworms
Dubia cockroaches
You can also feed them this list of beardie-safe plant material:
Leafy green veggies
Apples
Squash
Bell peppers
Watermelon
Never feed your beardie wild insects, even if you’re trying to save money. These insects might contaminate your lizard—so it isn’t worth the risk. Glowing insects, like fireflies, are incredibly toxic.

Are Citrus Bearded Dragons Friendly? Our Handling Advice
Citrus bearded dragons are just like all their beardie cousins—curious, docile, and easy to handle. But like any creature, you should always handle it with care to the best of your ability.

You can get your bearded dragon out in a safe space to let them explore. They are very inquisitive—and they love to perch on your limbs because they can’t get enough of your body heat.

These interactive lizards have the hearts of reptile lovers everywhere. However, they can carry some harmful bacteria on their skin—so always wash your hands after handling them.