Bearded Dragons are friendly and loved pet lizards which originate from Australia.
The reason for their popularity (20 best pet lizards) is due to being easy to take care of. However the process of setting up a wonderful bearded dragon’s habitat isn’t easy for those who are new to the hobby.
Pet owners who are new to keeping can make mistakes when setting up their enclosures, like making use of the wrong lighting or substrate that could affect the health and well-being for their pets.
If they are provided with a suitable habitat and a suitable dimension tank, dragons with bears could be kept for 14 years.
If you’re looking to learn how to construct the perfect enclosure for your bearded dragon to ensure your Beardie will live to the maximum, then read on!
Bearded Dragon Habitat
All kinds of Bearded Dragon species is native to Australia.
The Beardies have 8 subspecies in the family of Beardies that all reside on different parts of Australia’s island. The location they reside in Australia is what determines their habitat. This could be anything from subtropical forests to deserts.
The guide below will concentrate upon the Pagona viticeps species since it’s the one most commonly kept Lizard that is kept by those who are new to the hobby:
| Species | Location |
|---|---|
| Pogona barbata | Eastern Australia |
| Pogona Henrylawsoni | Western as well as Central Australia |
| Pogona microlepidota | Northern Australia |
| Pogona minor minor | Western as well as Central Australia |
| Pogona minor minima | Houtman Abrolhos Islands |
| Pogona minor mitchelli | Northwestern Australia |
| Pogona nullarbor | Southern Australia |
| Pogona vitticeps | Central Australia |
The bearded dragon is found within Central Australia so its habitat is a desert.
In the wild, they enjoy more than twelve hours of intense sun every day, with only a many lakes or ponds in the vicinity. This makes for a landscape which is dry and hot (i.e. very low levels of humidity).
There are a few little trees and scrubs and rocky regions in Central Australia. This implies that the species is semi-arboreal. It is not a ferocious climber.
Due to the environment they reside in, Bearded Dragons are unique in their adaptations:
- They also have a third eye that detects shadows over them.
- The head of the person is turned upside down to let water droplets slide down from the top of their heads to their mouths.
- The spike-shaped scales on these animals are an effective defense against numerous desert predators.
Their environment is that they require UVA and UVB Rays to perform their daily metabolic functions. The dry climate is the reason they remain well-hydrated by eating insects and plants and drinking.
Because the desert is hot, Bearded Dragons squeeze into small crevices of rock to cool themselves down. They also climb up plants to find more elevated basking spots to avoid predators.
In captivity, you need to offer an enrichment for climbing and hiding and duplicate the extreme sun and low humidity.
First-time keepers typically purchase enclosures that aren’t big enough or are Coiled UVB lights, have dangerous substrates made of sand, or fail to offer climbing and hiding enrichment.
Below is the ideal bearded dragon’s habitat.
Most Bearded Dragons Setup
Bears in captivity must be kept in an environment that is similar to their natural desert habitat. The enclosure must be big enough and equipped with the right temperatures, lighting, and temperature. The enclosure should also be equipped with the following features:
| Attribute | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Tank | 75-gallons of plastic or wood |
| Temperature | 95-100 (high) and 75 (low) |
| Humidity | Between 30 and Between 30% and |
| Lighting | UVB tube light as well as 75w UVA light for basking. |
| Substrate | Carpet made of reptiles |
| Decoration & Supplies | Branching, Hammocks, Half-Logs, Hides, plants and Bath Dish |
Bearded dragons are typically extremely territorial and solitary in their natural habitat.
They shouldn’t be kept with bears from other bears – not even to mat. Females keep Sperm therefore they don’t have to come close to males more often than they do during breeding season.
The species could eventually fight for food, hides or territories. They are also reported to cannibalize baby bearded dragons.
Different types of Bearded Dragon Enclosures
There are three distinct materials you can select from for the construction of a Bearded Dragon tank:
- Glass (cheapest)
- PVC plastic
- Wooden (best)
Wooden and plastic vivariums are generally enclosed and have the front panels made of glass. They are both excellent enclosures because they’re very efficient at keeping heat inside.
But, glass tanks are extremely popular among beginners due to their cost and accessibility. They also offer an improved perspective that your pet has. If you choose to buy glass vivariums, make sure that you do not set it near any window that is drafty or heater.
Set their enclosures on the side of the space to decrease the loss of heat.
After you have purchased a vivarium, it is important to choose a lid will also have to select a lid
- Standard
- Split-top
- Lids with hinges that are single or double
- Front panel sliding/lifting doors with sliding panels
The most effective lid is split top in which one part is easily able to slide off while the reverse half is able to remain fixed. The bottom half gives enough space for the lamp to be unaffected (you could easily burn yourself if you touch them in the wrong way).
Be sure to ensure your lids shut in a safe manner to avoid injury to your lizard.
What size tank should I Purchase for a Bearded Dragon?
An Bearded Dragon enclosure must be large, wide and at least 75-gallons in capacity. The size of the tank will be determined by the size and age of your bearded dragon. The handy chart below to help determine the best vivarium for the age of your beardie:
| Tank size (gallons) | Bearded Dragon Age (months) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 1 |
| 30 | 2 |
| 40 | 3-4 |
| 50 | 5-6 |
| 65 | 7-8 |
| 75 | 9-12 |
| 120 | 12+ |
The focus of the tank of a Bearded Dragon should be on the floor. They’ll probably spend most of their time in the area searching, climbing, bathing and sleeping.
Bearded Dragons are huge reptiles and they require plenty of space to walk around and climb.
Since reptiles are ectotherms, they depend on their environment for maintain their temperature.
They require temperatures between 100 and 75 degrees in their natural habitat. the range must be large enough to produce the appearance of a thermogradient (i.e. warmer and cooler regions).
Bearded Dragon Lighting
Your vivarium should have an over-the-top UVA basking bulb that is 50 to 75 Watts. It will replicate the intense sun’s rayons.
It is recommended to utilize a dome-head lamp that is able to sit directly on the lid of the screen. You can also use an erect lamp fixture. It’s best to replace it at least twice a year. The temperature of their most area of basking is 95 to 100.
Also, they’ll require the UVB Tube light. You must make use of a tube-shaped the UVB lamp not a coil-shaped.
Install the UVB light by using a tube light hood which is secured beneath the lid of your mesh. You don’t want the light to be sitting on the top of the mesh as it block out 40 percent of the rays.
A lot of the lights do not deliver sufficient quantities of UVB. Similar to the UVA bulb, it’s going to need replacement every 6 months or so as its UVB production decreases.
Timers are particularly useful in lighting.
Bearded Dragons require 12-hour daily and evening cycles. Make use of a timer with light for at least two plugs , and set it up to run for 12 hours every day between 7 AM and 7 PM.
Feed your bearded dragon at the start of the day, to allow the dragon enough time to digest their food before lighting out.
Infrared light bulbs for night are not recommended since they disrupt your bear’s circadian rhythm.
Heating for the Enclosure
Bearded Dragons depend on heat sources from outside to maintain the body’s temperature. They require a gradient in temperature that ranges from an extremely hot 100 degrees to 75 degrees..
A bearded dragon’s behavior can determine whether their body temperature is excessively high or low:
- If they are hot, they keep their mouths open and appear brightly colored.
- If they’re cold, they’ll turn their most darkest shade, absorbing all the heat sources that is available.
Their habitat must be the right temperature to ensure they are healthy and therefore, their tank should include both a cool side as well as an extreme hot side.
The hot side must include an auxiliary lamp for basking.
Your Bearded Dragon is likely to require different decorations and landscaping in order to be the closest to the lamp for basking. The maximum height for basking should be 6 inches above at the very top of the tank. It is possible to use sturdy branching or hammocks made of reptiles for this.
The cooler part of their home should be kept away from the glare lamp, and should have shade plants and hides.
To determine the temperature of your habitat, it is recommended to make use of a thermometer with a digital probe. Thermostats that are attached to the wall are not reliable.
If temperatures fall to below 65 degrees at night, you should use a ceramic heating device.
Enclosure Humidity
Bearded Dragons require low humidity levels due to their native desert habitat. The optimal humidity range is 30-40 percent.
If the humidity is too high then your dragon is vulnerable to developing respiratory illnesses. When the humidity is less than 30%, your lizard will begin to lose water.
You can determine the signs that you suspect that your Bearded Dragon is suffering from dehydration because they’ll show severely stressed skin. Beards are known to prefer soaking during times when they are shed or dehydrated.
The best method to ensure humidity is to place an soaking water dish inside their tank , and then let it evaporate.
A water dish could be an plastic container (without toxic paints and dyes) and should be big enough to comfortably fit the body of the person. The ideal size is 2 inches deep and 7” in width, and 10” in length. Don’t make the dish more than the ear of your child – this will eliminate the risk of drowning.
They’re unlikely be able to directly drink from the water bowl because the majority all their intake of water is derived from the insects and plants they consume.
Bearded Dragon Substrate
The Pagona vitticeps species is native to the desert of central Australia.
Sand forms a significant element of their environment within the natural world. But desert sand is not similar to the commercial sand available to reptiles. Sand that is found in their natural area is heavily enriched with calcium as well as other minerals. They take small doses of it, which provide them with the perfect quantity of these vital nutrients. Commercially-available sand is often poor in calcium, so the instinct for a calcium-deficient dragon is to keep eating it and get a blocked intestine, a condition called impaction.
Wild Bearded Dragons easily hunt insects without ingestion of the sand particles. Impaction appears to be due to calcium deficiency. The belief that dragons consume it in error appears to be only applicable to young dragons and those who have not yet had experience.
The sand particles are small but they can cause massive medical issues for the intestines of your bearded dragon and can cause impaction. Impaction is an extremely common health problem for reptiles , and can be fatal.
The most suitable substrate for reptiles is a carpets made of felt fake grass, dried desert soil. Sand is safe to use in adult bears only if enough calcium sources are present in the usual way. The best method is to supplement their diet. However, there are some who prefer to place sepia bones (or remove small fragments of it) inside the enclosure as they are high in calcium and readily available. Sand’s advantage is the ability to recreate conditions that are similar to their natural habitat , and also giving them the ability to dig: one of their most loved activities.
You could also make use of 12×12 ceramic tiles to cover 30 percent of the tank. This can ensure that your dragon’s claws shorter while offering a great place for them to cool off.
Materials, Decor, and Landscaping
The goal is to create a home with the ability to climb and hide enrichment of your animal, with many logs, hides and caves. On the hot part of the tank, you must include:
- Reptile hammock(s).
- Strong branches.
- Rock decor.
If you come across rocks and branches that are found in the wild, put in boiling water to get rid of any parasites or bacteria that could be present.
To cool things up, add half-logs, cave hides , and the like-looking bush or vine which are free of pesticides.
To create the most beautiful bearded dragon’s habitat is a matter of thinking through what your dragon’s eyes see.
- What is going to give them the most captivating area?
- How can you make your tank as attractive and healthy as you can?
Bearded dragon habitats are typically designed to be desert-themed, and include fake cacti, desert background , and a reptile-like sand carpet.
Summary
Bearded dragons are among the most enjoyable reptiles to keep. They require very little care once they have set an enclosure.
A great Bearded Dragon habitat should have:
- 75-gallon plastic or wooden tank.
- 50 watt dome-head UVA basking bulb.
- Shape of a tube UVB light that is secured beneath the lid of mesh.
- Felt reptile carpet.
- Two meals to eat and drink water.
- A lot of plants, decorations as well as caves, hides and nooks.
When buying their products, remember that there aren’t any products that are 100% certain to be safe for reptiles. The reptile market for pet owners is not controlled, so make sure you do your own research, use care and read plenty of reviews.
If you adhere to all of the steps mentioned in this article you’ll get a healthy and happy bear.
When you’ve completed making their home, do not forget to get them out for daily handling!
Have you owned one of the Bearded Dragon before? What was the method you used to set up your enclosure? Tell The Reptile Bay by leaving a comment below.
