One of the most important things bearded dragon owners have to do is make sure their pets have a good place to live.

Because they will spend most of their lives in their bearded dragon habitat, you must ensure that it provides everything they need to thrive. If you don't do this, the life of your bearded dragon will be less satisfying, it could develop health problems, and it could even live for a shorter amount of time.

Many new owners need help with how to get started when it comes to putting together the appropriate cage setting.

Yet, that is all taken care of by this guide. In it, we take you step by step through setting up your bearded dragon habitat so that you'll be ready to go as soon as you get your bearded dragon!

What kind of reptile tank, reptile lighting, heating, and substrate should you use for your bearded dragon? Discover how to create the optimal habitat for bearded dragons with this article.

The Right Bearded Dragon Habitat

Since your bearded dragon will spend most of the day inside its cage, it is clear that this structure is of utmost significance.

You can't just get any random cage. If you select the appropriate housing for your animal companion, you can ensure they will be healthy and comfortable!

Your reptile pet should have a tank large enough to allow enough floor area because bearded dragons are terrestrial creatures who enjoy exploring their bearded dragon habitat. Because a fully grown bearded dragon can reach a length of two feet, including its tail, the cage should provide ample space for the dragon to roam freely and comfortably.

Adult bearded dragons should have between fifty and sixty gallons of space in their bearded dragon habitat. If you plan to keep more than one bearded dragon, you'll need an even bigger one!

Glass tanks, on the other hand, are inexpensive and readily available, factors that contribute to their popularity among newcomers. Glass is by far the most common material used for keeping bearded dragons as reptile pets. Glass reptile tank doesn't offer the same level of insulation as acrylic or wood does, but it does let you see your reptile pet clearly and check on how clean the cage is. Wood or acrylic are both better options.

If you want to prevent heat loss, putting their enclosure in a room's corner is a good idea.

After you have acquired a reptile tank, the next step is to select a lid for it, as follows:

• Standard
• Split-top
• Single or Double hinged lids
• Front panel sliding/lifting doors

The most convenient cover is divided into two parts, the front of which may be removed while the other half remains fixed. In the back half, there is sufficient space for a lamp to remain in place without being disturbed.

If the enclosure has a front entry, it will be much simpler for you to access your pet inside. This sort of enclosure, made out of Glass or acrylic and features a screen on the inside, offers superior insulation than a conventional glass terrarium.

You can build your enclosure out of Glass, wood, and screen or have one created specifically for your Custom Reptile Cages by a professional contractor if you want the best in aeration, insulation, and aesthetics. But, before you attempt this, it is essential to have a fundamental understanding of the components that make up a basic tank arrangement.

Reptile Heating And Lights

Setting up a habitat correctly includes providing it with adequate lighting and heating. Bearded dragons are desert-dwelling reptiles with a cold-blooded metabolic system; therefore, they need an acceptable amount of heat to stay healthy.

In the wild, these reptiles achieve this by locating a protected spot where they can soak up the heat of the scorching desert sun.

Your vivarium will require a UVA basking overhead lamp between 50 and 75 watts. It will be similar to the powerful rays of the sun.

You should use a reptile lamp with a dome-shaped head that can be placed immediately on top of the mesh screen cover. You might also use a lamp fixture hanging from the ceiling. It is recommended that it be changed two to three times every year. The temperature of their hottest basking place is estimated to be between 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can simulate this natural occurrence by using a basking bulb. It will provide the right radiant heat. Your bearded dragon can select the level of stimulation at which he is most at ease if you provide him with numerous perches.

In order to effectively produce calcium, your bearded dragon must also be exposed to reptile light. UVB bulbs made specifically for reptiles can give off the right amount of radiation, which is essential for their health.

While selecting the appropriate UVB bulbs for your tank, it is essential to consider the tank size. Also, check to see that the bulbs are housed in fittings specifically built for each variety of uvb light.

Bearded dragon substrates

Sand is a typical component of the environment in which a bearded dragon lives in the wild; nevertheless, there is some controversy regarding the appropriateness of using sand as a substrate for captive bearded dragons.

This disagreement stems from a problem known as impaction, which occurs when a bearded dragon consumes such a large quantity of an indigestible substrate that it plugs its digestive tract and prevents them from being able to digest its meal.

Conversely, impaction should not be a reason for concern when all of the other husbandry requirements are satisfied. Bearded dragons who are not malnourished will not intentionally try to get their nutrition from their substrate.

On the other hand, bearded dragons that are malnourished will look for the nourishment they lack wherever they can find it, including through substrate consumption.

Because this will most closely mimic their natural environment while still allowing them to exhibit natural burrowing and digging behaviors, we recommend using sandy desert substrates for a bearded dragon, provided they are high quality.

This is because sandy desert substrates allow bearded dragons to dig and burrow naturally, one of their natural behaviors. But, non-loose substrates like slate or tiles can also be employed with some degree of effectiveness if the right conditions are created.

Water And Food Bowls

Bearded dragon hatchlings are known to take pleasure in chasing crickets and other small insects, but as they grow older, they tend to become more open to consuming a larger variety of meals. If you install a food bowl in their habitat, you will have an easier time providing them with a nutritionally sound diet.

Ensure the feeding bowl is sufficiently weighted so that it will not topple over if your bearded dragon puts their weight on it. If you have a younger bearded dragon, it is essential to ensure that the bowl is shallow enough for the bearded dragon to look into and reach the food contained within it.

Most bearded dragon habitats can make do with a water dish at most a few inches deep. When it comes to the water bowl, you'll want to ensure it's not too deep so that your bearded dragon won't drown if they fall in. Nevertheless, if you make the pool too shallow, you will rapidly face problems because you must keep adding water.

Tank decoration

Throughout the full length of the vivarium, you should install a variety of semi-arboreal perches, such as branches to provide your bearded dragon with lots of enrichment and to ensure that it can grow.

Rocks or chunks of wood will also assist in keeping your bearded dragon's claws trimmed. It will also reduce the likelihood of health problems caused by excessive clawing.

It is recommended to provide hiding spots throughout the cage, which can be created using logs, half logs, or traditional reptile hides. Additionally, the cage can be decorated with foliage, which may include living plants like Aloe vera or Echeveria in a bioactive setup for Bearded dragons, or artificial plastic plants. In a bioactive setup for Bearded dragons, it is suggested to use real plants.

When bearded dragons are bored or stressed, they may exhibit a behavior called glass surfing where they push against the walls of their vivarium in search of more stimulation. This behavior is not harmful on its own, but it suggests that the dragon needs more enrichment in its environment.

To avoid unnecessary stress, it is crucial to provide enough entertainment for the bearded dragon. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a shallow water dish away from the basking light on the cooler side to keep the humidity level low and a shallow food bowl to prevent the bearded dragon from consuming the substrate while eating its greens.

Humidity

Because they are native to desert environments, Bearded Dragons can only survive in environments with minimal humidity. The humidity level should be between 30 and 40 percent for optimum comfort.

Your bearded dragon runs the risk of having health problems and infections of the respiratory system if the humidity is too high. Your lizard will dry up when the relative humidity drops below 30 percent.

If your Bearded Dragon suffers from dehydration, you may notice that its skin is excessively wrinkled and wrinkly. When they are shedding or when they are thirsty, bearded dragons will choose to soak.

The most effective method for maintaining humidity is to place a dish of soaking water inside their enclosure and allow the water to evaporate.

Hide Boxes

A hide box is one of the essential components that should be included in the habitat of your bearded dragon pet. This is because bearded dragons in the wild require a secure location to conceal themselves from potential threats. They will come here to rest if they wish to feel an increased sense of safety and protection. This will be their go-to area.

Hide boxes can be made from clay pots to plastic bowls with a door hole cut in one. You can also create your hide boxes. However, you can choose from many other kinds of hide boxes available for purchase.

Just double certain the container is roomy enough to accommodate your bearded dragon. They won't have a good sense of security with their tail jutting out like that!

Plants

Using plastic plants is recommended if you want your terrarium to have a natural look with vegetation. However, if you prefer live plants, it is important to choose ones that are safe for your pet to ingest in case they accidentally consume them.

Some examples of safe, non-toxic plants that can be added to a terrarium for bearded dragons include jade plant, red rooster ornamental grass, Aloe vera, sky plant, turtle vine, and parsley. These plants can provide an attractive addition to your bearded dragon's environment.

Despite this, it is still advised to use artificial plants instead of live ones as they do not require any maintenance, can be cleaned easily, and eliminate any risks associated with live plants such as pests or toxins.

Do not hesitate to make the necessary changes!

Always work to get better, and your bearded dragon will be thankful to you for the rest of its life. If you keep half the bargain, they will make excellent pets in exchange for cooperation.

When you welcome a newborn bearded dragon into your house, you anticipate it will mature and spend significant time with you. If you start with a smaller habitat, you must upgrade to a larger one as the animal matures into an adult.

Yet the effort still needs to be done, even when your bearded dragon has reached its full adult size. There is no assurance that kids will find everything about their environment to be to their liking. You can discover that certain things become tedious to them after a certain amount of time, or that a configuration you believed was appropriate when you had less knowledge is not the best option.

Consistency and effort are the two characteristics that are most crucial to look for in a good owner. Maintain vigilance over the habitat's construction and look for opportunities to enhance it whenever they present themselves.

Conclusion

The environment that you provide for your pet bearded dragon can have an impact on the quality of life that it enjoys. You won't find it all that difficult once you know what to do.

We made this tutorial simple enough to make it actionable. There may be some minor particulars about which you have queries.

Please do not be reluctant to inquire about it!