Top Tips for Your Bearded Dragon Enclosure

By Todd S. Miller Todd S. Miller
Level: Basic PLUS

Todd is a reptile lover of all kinds, he favors Beared Dragons, Geckos, and anoles. He has been studing and raising reptiles since he was ...

There is a lot of advice and information out there today about bearded dragon enclosures and the dos and don'ts of how to set one up.

The enclosure is very important for the healthy and happiness of your beardie, since this is will he/she will be spending a great of their time. So it is important that it be set as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Here are some basic tips you can consider when setting up your bearded dragon enclosure.

You want to use a glass aquarium for best results. Other material such as plastic will decrease the UV rays that they need.You want to have at least 2 thermometers inside the enclosure. These lizards need both a hot side and a cool side so they can regulate their own temperatureThere should be a screen top that slides forward. This is the best way, it makes feeding them and taking them out easier. The screen also helps with regulating the temperature and keeping unwanted pests outFor the flooring area, this is a big issue with owners some say sand, some say newspapers, etc, the best thing for your beardie is to use reptile carpet. Bearded dragons use the tongues to eat, which are sticky, so they will be eating the sand and/or newspapers or whatever you put in there. With carpet they can not digest this so it is best.There should be a water dish at the cool end of the enclosure at all timesYou should provide a branch or something that the beardie can climb on, these guys like to perch, but they are not climbersYou will also need 2 different types of lighting, one that provides proper heating and one that produces the right UV raysThey also need adequate heating, the best way to do this is by using an under the tank heating pad. DO NOT use any type of heating rock or device inside the enclosure. Beardies are not always the smartest and can harm themselves with heating devices.

When it comes to the proper care of your bearded dragon knowing and understanding what they need and their natural habitat is important. Follow the tips above and you will have a healthy and happy beardie for a long time.

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Article Submitted On: December 17, 2010

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)