| Bearded Dragon Habitats are not difficult to setup | | | | measure the actual basking position, just the |
| when you follow some simple rules. Bearded Dragons | | | | temperature of the air or glass. A digital thermometer |
| bask a large amount of the day absorbing the | | | | with a probe or an Infrared thermometer are two |
| warmth they require to digest their food. It is crucial | | | | suitable types of thermometers. Temperatures need |
| that there are at least one or two satisfactory | | | | to be 105F-110F [basking spot] all through daytime |
| basking spots in the Dragon's habitat. Rocks are | | | | and 60F-80F at night (the upper end of this range for |
| preferred to logs as they contain heat better, though | | | | babies, the lower portion of the range for full grown |
| logs can also provide stimulation for the creature as | | | | Dragons). If the dragons do not receive the correct |
| they will climb up and down it. Any piece taken from | | | | heat they will grow to be lethargic and they will |
| the outside should initially be boiled or baked to | | | | consume only small amounts. Eventually, the lack of |
| remove contaminants. Electric or battery powered | | | | correct heating will grow to be fatal. |
| heating devices like HotRocks can cause stomach | | | | A 20 gallon (75 litre) aquarium is the bare minimum |
| burns if they malfunction, so they are not widely | | | | for a juvenile Bearded Dragon, however they will fast |
| recommended. A habitat must also include something | | | | outgrow this inside their first year. For an adult the |
| the Dragon can hole up under. | | | | smallest amount is a 40 gallon (150 litre) breeder, |
| Bearded Dragons in addition require proper lighting. A | | | | though many breeders suggest a 55 gallon (200 litre) |
| UVB light is required, with two options being | | | | breeder as a substitute. This allows the Dragon ample |
| accessible, Fluorescent strip bulbs or mercury vapor | | | | freedom to turn around, lie down, and run to and fro |
| bulbs. These bulbs will need to be kept inside 8 inches | | | | as it chooses. |
| of the basking location so your lizard can correctly | | | | Substrate is an additional very crucial factor in |
| absorb the energy and must to be replaced every 6 | | | | keeping a healthy Dragon. Babies and juveniles are |
| months. Without a good quality UVB the Dragon will | | | | particularly in danger of impaction and are often kept |
| develop MBD and not consume as much. A Dragon | | | | on paper towels as they are straightforward to |
| needs between 12 and 14 hours of daylight. Any | | | | dispose of and clean up afterward, and there is no |
| fewer or additional causes problems with their | | | | probability of the baby ingesting substrate. Tile is an |
| circadian rhythms and makes them lethargic and sick. | | | | additional standard choice, as is reptile carpet. As the |
| For heating Bearded Dragons require bright white light | | | | Dragon gets bigger it can be put on finely sifted play |
| throughout the daytime. At night a red light can be | | | | sand. Calcium sand is often used and widely |
| used as it will provide warmth and you will be able to | | | | recommended but is also reported to be a cause of |
| see it, but it will not disturb the animal's slumber cycle. | | | | impaction due to 'clumping' in the gut if eaten, while |
| Under tank heaters are one option for keeping the | | | | play sand will pass straight through a well fed |
| tank snug at night when the heating lamp is off, while | | | | individual. Walnut shells, wood chips, and something |
| ceramic heat emitters are another. | | | | else of that sort are on no account to be used. They |
| Heat is one of the most critical health factors. A | | | | are big, with harsh edges and can be swallowed. |
| Dragon needs the correct warmth to digest it's food | | | | They are not edible, however, and will enlarge and |
| so a good thermometer is essential. Analog, Round, | | | | clog the gut, causing a very distressing fatal |
| stick-on, and other non-digital thermometers do not | | | | impaction. |
| calculate basking temperature suitably as they do not | | | | |