Bearded Dragon Habitat Setup Guide

Bearded Dragons bask a large amount of the day absorbing the warmth they require to digest their food. It is crucial that there are at least one or two satisfactory basking spots in the Dragon's habitat. Rocks are preferred to logs as they retain heat better, though logs can also provide stimulation for the creature as they will climb up and down it. Any piece taken from the outside should to begin with be boiled or baked to remove contaminants. Electric or battery powered heating devices like HotRocks can cause stomach burns if they malfunction, so they are not widely recommended. A habitat must also include something the Dragon can take cover under.

Bearded Dragons in addition require proper lighting. A UVB light is required, with two options being offered, Fluorescent strip bulbs or mercury vapor bulbs. These bulbs will need to be kept inside 8 inches of the basking site so your lizard can correctly absorb the energy and must to be replaced every 6 months. Without a good quality UVB the Dragon will develop MBD and not consume as much. A Dragon needs between 12 and 14 hours of daylight. Any fewer or additional causes problems with their circadian rhythms and makes them lethargic and sick.

For heating Bearded Dragons require bright white light through the sunlight hours. At night a red light can be used as it will provide warmth and you will be able to see it, but it will not disturb the animal's slumber cycle. Under tank heaters are one option for keeping the tank snug at night when the heating lamp is off, while ceramic heat emitters are another.

Heat is one of the most vital health factors. A Dragon needs the correct warmth to digest it's food so a good thermometer is essential. Analog, Round, stick-on, and other non-digital thermometers do not evaluate basking temperature accurately as they do not measure the actual basking setting, just the temperature of the air or glass. A digital thermometer with a probe or an Infrared thermometer are two suitabletypes of thermometers. Temperatures need to be 105F-110F [basking spot] throughout daylight and 60F-80F at night (the upper end of this range for babies, the lower portion of the range for full grownDragons). If the dragons do not receive the correct heat they will grow to be lethargic and they will consume a smaller amount. Eventually, the lack of correct heating will grow to be fatal.

A 20 gallon (75 litre) aquarium is the bare minimum for a juvenile Bearded Dragon, however they will fast outgrow this inside their first year. For an adult the smallest possible is a 40 gallon (150 litre) breeder, though many breeders advocate a 55 gallon (200 litre) breeder in its place. This allows the Dragon ample freedom to turn around, lie down, and run to and fro as it chooses.

Substrate is an added very essential factor in keeping a healthy Dragon. Babies and juveniles are particularly at danger of impaction and are often kept on paper towels as they are straightforward to dispose of and clean up subsequently, and there is no threat of the baby ingesting substrate. Tile is a different accepted choice, as is reptile carpet. As the Dragon gets bigger it can be put on finely sifted play sand. Calcium sand is often used and widely recommended but is also reported to be a cause of impaction due to 'clumping' in the gut if eaten, while play sand will pass straight through a well fed individual. Walnut shells, wood chips, and something else of that sort are on no account to be used. They are big, with harsh edges and can be swallowed. They are not edible, however, and will expand and clog the gut, causing a very heartbreaking fatal impaction.