How to set up your Bearded Dragon’s home

Heating, feeding and decoration: find out what you need to create the perfect haven for your dragon.

Terrarium

Bearded Dragons must be housed in glass terrariums. Your Bearded Dragon will spend most of its time here, so you want it to be safe and secure. They grow about a centimetre a week, so be prepared to upgrade to a new tank within the first year. The terrarium should have a secure wire mesh lid that provides proper ventilation and allows light through.

Reptile heat lamp

A quality heat lamp is important! Bearded Dragons are ectothermic, meaning they cannot produce their own body heat and must rely on heat sources in their environment.

Thermostat and thermometer

Baby Bearded Dragons like it hot (around 35°C), so that they can digest their food, but you need to offer both a hot and cold zone. Too much heat will cause dehydration and could be fatal. Not enough heat and your Bearded Dragon will have a low immune system and slow metabolism. Getting the temperature right is crucial.

Full spectrum UV light

A good source of UVB light encourages Vitamin D3 to be produced in their skin, which is necessary for your Bearded Dragon to metabolise calcium. Lights should run on timers for about 12 to 14 hours every day. Bearded Dragons need a ‘night’ cycle to sleep. There is no substitute for natural unfiltered sunlight.

Dishes for water and food

Provide clean water in a shallow bowl and change it daily. If there is faecal matter or drowned insects in the water, change it immediately. Avoid using deep bowls, as they are a drowning hazard.

Hideaway

A hiding area or hideaway is a place where your Bearded Dragon can sleep or conceal itself.

Quality substrate

This is essentially the ‘base’, like gravel or sand. It should be safe and easy to clean – and preferably something natural.

Basking rock

A basking rock should be placed in the corner under the heat lamp. The more Bearded Dragons you have, the more basking spots you will need.

Native branches

Important for climbing and exercise. Bearded Dragons are climbers and are sure to impress you with their gymnastic manoeuvres.

You can find all you need for your reptile in-store or online at Petbarn.

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