Environment

Did you know that bearded dragons can grow to be approximately 30-60cm long? You need to make sure you provide your bearded dragon with a tank that will best fit their needs. The bigger the dragon, the bigger the tank needs to be. A 283 litre tank is the recommended minimum size, if you have a dragon that is 50-60cm, they will require a tank that is at least 454 litres in size. There are several types of enclosures that you can use. These include glass aquariums, melamine cages, PVC cages, and vision cages.

Whatever tank your family chooses for your dragon, it needs to have a cover. Bearded dragons are the Houdini’s of the reptile world and can escape easily. Screen covers are best as they keep humidity low.

Bearded dragons come from the desert – because of this, they require low humidity in their enclosures. A humidity gauge is the best way to keep an eye on humidity levels.

Special lighting needs to be included in your bearded dragon’s enclosure. These lights include a UVA/UVB tube light and a basking light. UVA/UVB lights help keep dragons healthy, while basking lights help keep them warm. Lights should be kept on for 12-14 hours each day and turned off at night. To ensure effectiveness, lights should also be replaced approximately every 6 months. UV exposure can be checked with the help of an adult to make sure your bearded dragon is getting adequate UVB rays.

Bearded dragons love the heat, so you need to be sure the enclosure is the right temperature. This will keep your dragon happy and healthy. Even though bearded dragons need heat, they also need a place where they can escape their basking light and cool down a bit. You should create a warm side and cool side to their enclosure. The temperature of your enclosure depends on your dragon’s age. Temperature should be checked frequently with the help of an adult. Good ventilation in your beardie's enclosure is also essential as it helps reduce the rate of respiratory infections. 

To feel safe and secure, bearded dragons should be given a hide box. This provides them with a place where they can have alone time, away from people and the light. This encourages relaxation and reduces stress levels. When choosing a hide box, be sure your dragon can fit their whole body comfortably inside. 

As mentioned in the Nutrition section, substrate is the material used to cover the bottom of your dragon’s enclosure. There are many different types of substrate, so it really comes down to what is right for your bearded dragon when choosing one.

It’s best NOT to use sand as a substrate with young bearded dragons. If you use sand for older dragons, consider buying digestible reptile sand and feeding them from a shallow dish to minimize the risk of them eating the sand.