Bearded dragons are a famous reptile you can find in many homes and businesses. If you’re interested in raising one of these amazing creatures, you must ensure that the habitat is set up correctly. This guide will go over the steps necessary to create the perfect bearded dragon habitat.
Choose the Right Tank
The first step to creating the perfect bearded dragon habitat is choosing the right tank. Your tank should be large enough to house all your dragons but not so large that they have too much space and become territorial. It would help if you also considered how much space each bearded dragon needs for basking (the term used when a reptile sits in the sun after coming out from hiding), plants, hiding, and substrate (the material on which reptiles sit or walk).
Bearded Dragons come in two sizes: medium and large. Each size has different requirements for space. The rule of thumb is that one adult medium-sized bearded dragon will require about 20 square feet per animal; one adult large-sized bearded dragon will require about 35 square feet per animal.
Create a Good Temperature Gradient
The temperature gradient in your bearded dragon habitat is an important part of the habitat’s design, as it allows your reptile to regulate its body temperature. The ideal temperatures for a bearded dragon are between 78°F and 86°F.
- Cool end: 75-78°F (23.89-25°C)
- Warm end: 82-86°F (27.77-30°C)
If you have live plants in the enclosure, they should be kept at the warm end, where it is 82 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit or 27.7 – 30 Celsius. If you do not have live plants in your enclosure, use one of our faux plant options to help create this gradient, along with appropriately sized rocks/rocks where needed!
Provide a Hide Spot and Plants
A hide spot is an essential part of a bearded dragon’s habitat. Your pet will not be happy without one. A good hide spot should fit your dragon comfortably so it can rest or sleep there. Your pet might feel vulnerable and stressed if the hide is too small.
A plant-filled terrarium can provide your bearded dragon with many benefits:
Plants help to keep the humidity level up and prevent dehydration while also keeping the temperature down by providing shade from the lights in their habitat.
Install a Lighting System
Your bearded dragon’s habitat should have an appropriate lighting system.
Lighting is important for all reptiles, but it’s especially important for bearded dragons because they need UVB light to help them absorb Vitamin D3, which promotes calcium absorption and bone growth and can prevent metabolic bone disease.
The basking lamp should be positioned so that your dragon has a place to bask in the heat. You can use rocks or other objects to create a basking area where the temperature will reach about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). The basking lamp should be set about 12 inches above this area or as far away from your dragon as possible without causing burns or eye damage if you use regular incandescent bulbs with a reflector hood over them.
Your reptile cage should also have an overhead heat lamp on one side of its enclosure—this allows your beardie to get warm enough at night, so he doesn’t shiver his little tail off trying to keep warm!
Add a Basking Ramp
A basking ramp is an excellent addition to your bearded dragon enclosure. This can help your dragon get to the top of the tank and provide a nice spot for them to sit and bask in the heat lamp.
You’ll need to make sure that the ramp is at least 2 inches wide so it’s big enough for your dragon to climb up comfortably. You also want it free of sharp edges or dangerous spots that could hurt your pet. Ensure you leave enough room on either side of the ramp, so you don’t accidentally bump into it while cleaning or feeding your pet!
Set Up the Substrate
The substrate is the material your bearded dragon will spend most of its time on, so it’s essential to choose wisely. Bearded dragons’ best substrates are about 60% sand and 40% organic material. If you can’t find a substrate like this, try mixing your own by combining equal parts by volume of sand and organic material (such as coconut fiber).
The depth should be at least 2-3 inches deep, but no more than 4 inches deep if you want a healthy habitat for your pet. This may seem like a lot of open space to move around, but remember—bearded dragons aren’t great at climbing or jumping! They’re also adept at burrowing into the ground under their habitat, so don’t worry if they seem too active when exploring their new home. They’ll eventually calm down once they settle into their natural rhythm.
Another way that you can ensure that your bearded dragon stays healthy is by always keeping its enclosure clean and dry throughout its life cycle (you should change out all of the substrate every three months).
Conclusion
Consider many things when setting up the perfect bearded dragon habitat. But, once you have all the right tools in place, you can create an ideal environment for your bearded dragon. The most important thing is to keep your pet happy and healthy!