Bearded dragons thrive when their environment closely mimics their natural habitat. In the wild, they bask under the sun and retreat to shade to regulate their body temperature. In captivity, you’ll need to replicate this environment with the right enclosure, lighting, and heating. Proper UVB lighting is essential for vitamin D3 synthesis, and temperature gradients within the enclosure are vital for digestion and overall health.
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Key Enclosure Needs
Enclosure Setup: A 40-gallon tank is the minimum recommended size for an adult bearded dragon, but it is inadequate for an enriched life. A more suitable size is 183 cm (72 inches) in length, 41 cm (16 inches) in width, and 43 cm (17 inches) in height (Stahl, 1999).
Accessories & Substrate: The right accessories, such as branches and rocks, and appropriate substrates will prevent injuries and encourage natural behaviors. Ensure multiple basking spots at different heights, especially in enclosures with multiple dragons, to reduce competition.
Native Habitats vs. Domestic Environments: Bearded dragons, native to Australia, thrive in a cycle of sunbathing and shade-seeking to balance their body temperature. In captivity, they rely entirely on their owners for proper environmental conditions, including temperature, lighting, and diet.
Outdoor Enclosures: Outdoor pens allow bearded dragons to access natural sunlight, the best UVB source for calcium processing. Expose your bearded dragon to direct sunlight (not through glass) for 30-60 minutes several times a week, especially younger bearded dragons prone to metabolic bone disease. Ensure the enclosure is secure from predators, has ample shade, and provides fresh water.
Multiple Bearded Dragons may be kept together in the right conditions.
Regardless of the type of primary enclosure, animals should be provided with adequate space to engage in natural behaviors and normal postural adjustments.
O’Rourke, 2015
Bearded Dragons In The Wild
The most popular bearded dragons kept as pets live naturally in the wild in all Australian states and territories except Tasmania. Contrary to what is often read on the internet, bearded dragons don’t just live in desert areas. Bearded dragons in the wild live on a wide range of habitats such as scrublands, woodlands and […]
Best Substrate for Bearded Dragons
Substrate is the material put on the floor surface. Substrate may also be referred to as bedding. Substrate for a bearded dragon can be either solid or loose. Choosing the right substrate directly impacts the health and enrichment of your bearded dragon. Impaction, disease and other things that can go wrong are avoidable if you […]
Bearded Dragon Indoors and Outdoor Housing
Simple steps to setup your bearded dragons home and create an enriched environment that encourages natural behaviours and reduces stress responses.
How to Make Background Fake Rock Walls for Reptiles
Making fake artificial and realistic rock wall backgrounds for your reptiles enclosure can be a lot of fun. It provide enrichment for your reptile (especially bearded dragons on this site 🙂 ) and for me, I find the aesthetic appeal irresistible. The great news is that there is plenty of room to make mistakes and […]
Build your own Bearded Dragon House | DIY Enclosures
There are many types of housing available for your bearded dragon including vivariums, aquariums and melamine cages although not all are suitable even if being touted for them. Specifically any enclosures that inhibit airflow, like glass tanks. For inspiration on enclosures and perhaps modifying those ideas to create suitable enclosures, check out the following videos. […]
Basking Spots & Heat Gradients
Proper heating and lighting are crucial for a healthy bearded dragon. These reptiles need a temperature gradient within their enclosure to regulate their body temperature effectively.
- UVB Lighting: For indoor bearded dragons, use full-spectrum UVB lights to enable vitamin D3 synthesis for calcium absorption. Ensure the UVB bulbs are designed for reptile use and position them within 12 inches of the bearded dragon, with no glass or plastic barriers. These lights should mimic natural daylight hours—12-14 hours in summer and 10-12 hours in winter—and be replaced every 6-8 months as their UVB output diminishes over time.
- Heat Gradient: In the daytime a heat gradient is needed which is essential for your bearded dragon’s health. Long enclosures allow you to create a proper gradient, with a basking lamp at one end providing light and warmth. The cool end should not have heating or lighting.
Multiple basking spots at different heights are beneficial, especially in enclosures housing multiple dragons to reduce competition for UVB.- Basking Temperature: Maintain the basking area at 35-40°C (95-104°F) (Strimple and Strimple, 1998). Use a basking lamp at one end of the enclosure to provide both light and warmth.
- Cool Area: Ensure the opposite end of the enclosure is cooler, around 21°C (70°F) (Boyer, 2015).
- Nighttime Cooling: At night, allow temperatures to drop to around 21°C (70°F) (Stahl, 1999). Use a heat source under the enclosure or a ceramic heat bulb if necessary.
- Brumation Adjustments: During brumation, reduce light exposure to 8 hours per day and maintain temperatures between 15-23°C (60-75°F) (Boyer, 2015; Doneley, 2006).
Proper heating and lighting are non-negotiable for a healthy bearded dragon. Use a basking lamp for warmth and ensure full-spectrum lights that emit UVB are used when natural sunlight isn’t available.
Complete Guide to Humidity for Bearded Dragons
The best humidity for bearded dragons 30-40% (relative humidity). Providing the best humidity levels for a bearded dragon in their enclosure will support their health and well-being. Best Humidity Level for Bearded Dragons What humidity do bearded dragons need? Bearded dragons don’t need a lot of humidity. The recommend the ideal humidity bearded dragons need […]
Simplifying Bearded Dragon Heating & Lighting Setup
The equipment needed for the heating and lighting setup for bearded dragon’s is: Outside of the housing itself, this is the most expensive part of the bearded dragon housing setup. Without proper temperatures, lighting and humidity, reptiles are susceptible to disease (Rossi 2006). Understanding heating, lighting and related equipment will reduce the margin of error. […]
Cleaning Housing and Accessories
To maintain a healthy environment, the cage and substrate need consistent cleaning. Spot cleaning and removing stools or the basisc. Ensure all items inside the cage are cleaned with a reliable and safe cleaning agent, such as F10.
Accessories picked up from outdoors such as branches can also be cleaned to prevent unwanted parasites and pathogens before introducing into your bearded dragons house.
Strategies to Clean for Coccidia and Achieve Real Results
Clean for coccidia in bearded dragons for best results. To reduce coccidial infection in bearded dragons, a strict cleaning regimen is essential. During the treatment period, it’s crucial to maintain a thorough cleaning for coccidia routine for at least 6 weeks. Achieving the quickest results requires a daily, rigorous, and meticulous approach to cleaning for […]
Best Ways to Get a Super Clean Bearded Dragons House
Who doesn’t want a super clean bearded dragons house with sparkling glass and no smelly odours? Regular and effective cleaning is the greatest gift and best protection you can give your bearded dragon against disease and support of good health. Key Cleaning & Disinfecting Points: There is a lot of confusion over the terms cleaning, […]
Best Methods to Clean & Sterilize Wood for Reptiles
Whether you need to sterilize wood for reptiles depends on the circumstances. Here are 3 instances to either clean or sterilize wood: There are a few methods to clean and sterilize wood for reptiles. For example, to sterlize wood for reptiles bake it in an oven at 200-250ºC (392-482°F) for 30 minutes. 1. Baking Wood […]
References
Boyer H. T., DVM, DABVP. 2015 Diseases of Bearded Dragons. AV017 Conference Note. (Reptile & Amphibian Practice) Pet Hospital of Penasquitos, San Diego, CA, USA.
Doneley, B (BVSc, FACVSc). 2006. Caring for the Bearded Dragon. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference. Small Animal Edition. Vol 20 Orlando, Florida. p 1607-1611.
Stahl, S. J. (1999). General Husbandry and Captive Propagation of Bearded Dragons, Pogona vitticeps. Bulletin of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, 9(4), 12–17.
