Bearded dragon and setup

Expert Tip: You can also try going with a jungle theme instead. Dark green reptile carpet makes an ideal floor covering. Try mimicking jungle foliage with artificial leaf vines while providing rock ledges for climbing. When you bring home a baby bearded dragon, you expect it to grow and spend many years with you.

At the end of the day, the most important trait of a good owner is consistency and effort. Keep an eye on the habitat setup and make improvements whenever you can.

This could be with lighting placement, decorations, bowl size, you name it! Always strive to improve, and your beardie will be forever grateful. We tried to keep this guide as actionable as possible without overcomplicating things. However, we know there might be some small details you have questions about. We always like connecting with our readers and providing whatever help we can.

Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion for herpetology, and a connection with the reptile community as a whole. Reptile Direct. R Resources. Table of Contents 1. Pick A Good Substrate 4. Get Water And Food Bowls 5. Consider Going With A Theme 7. Bearded Dragon Reptile Carpet By Zilla Low-maintenance and comfortable bedding Safe because it cannot be digested like other substrates Treated to reduce odors Easy to clean with cold tap water.

Hunter Briggs Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. You May Also Like. Read More 8 minute read. For new owners, knowing the average bearded dragon lifespan and what impacts it is very important.

We believe…. Read More 10 minute read. Understanding what bearded dragons eat is a crucial part of your role as an owner. The right diet…. The territorial behavior of Bearded Dragons could have lethal consequences if one of them is considerably larger than the other. Aggressive outbursts could quickly lead to the smaller resident being killed. The reptiles should be separated instantly upon observing aggressive behavior, no matter what the mixture of sexes.

Bearded Dragons can successfully be housed in pairs under certain conditions so long as you maintain more careful attentiveness to their behavior. It is always ideal to keep no more than one Bearded Dragon in an enclosure at a time. No amount of preparation or additional care will influence this. A: Slowly. Make careful movements when reaching to pick up the reptile. This is especially true when grabbing hold of him or her.

The proper level of humidity in a Bearded Dragon habitat facilitates the shedding process. Juvenile dragons will shed approximately once a month—if shedding is occurring less frequently, try to mist your dragon and the plant life in the enclosure at least one additional day per week.

Shedding becomes far less frequent for adult Bearded Dragons—roughly once or twice per year after reaching a year old. However, there are still numerous visual cues to help you assess their responses to humidity.

Labored breathing and lethargy can signal humidity has grown too concentrated in the habitat. On the other hand, crusted, irritated nostrils and cracked, flakey skin independent of shedding are signs the habitat is not humid enough. The will cause the water to evaporate quickly and humidity levels will spike accordingly. Instead, refill their bowls more frequently with less water. A: In short, no. Trial and error plays a huge part in finding the ideal living conditions for your Bearded Dragon.

Mistakes happen, and your dragon baby will be fine barring any gross negligence on your part. Thank you for trusting us with guiding you on constructing your Bearded Dragon habitat! Choosing a Bearded Dragon Habitat The most popular choice of enclosure for bearded dragons in a simple aquarium. Size Size is the most important factor when selecting a bearded dragon tank. Material Like we covered above, glass aquariums are usually the go-to choice of enclosure.

When choosing a material for the substrate you should follow these basic guidelines: Cost: Cheap is the way to go here. Absorption : The substrate should be highly absorbent. Edible : Bearded Dragons love to dig.

Hygienic : The substrate material must be easy to clean. This will help keep your little guy or gal healthy and happy. Bearded Dragon Lighting There are two main components that are absolutely essential when it comes to lighting your bearded dragon tank — a UVB bulb and a basking lamp. Humidity Proper humidity levels are necessary for your Bearded Dragon to maintain an adequate quality of life.

Remember to change the water regularly as soaking will stimulate the passing of bodily waste. Choosing the proper size tank for your bearded dragon helps them to feel comfortable and less stressed, especially in those first few weeks when you bring them home and they are adjusting to a whole new environment.

A good size tank prevents glass surfing as well, which is often caused by dragons feeling too caged in. There are definitely plenty to choose from, and if you start looking up options online you may feel overwhelmed.

Here are some of the basic tanks that you can choose from:. Some first-time Dragon Keepers might not realize how important it is to determine where you will put your bearded dragon ahead of time. It will save you a lot of stress if you clear a place and get everything set up before you bring your new reptile friend home.

If you are planning to adopt multiple bearded dragons or if you already have one and are adding to your reptile family, please do not house them together. It is rarely a good idea. Another key component in giving your beardie a comfortable home is choosing the best flooring. There are quite a lot of options available, and unfortunately not all of them are safe. When you think about what flooring you want to use, the most important factor to consider is what is best for your dragon?

What will help your dragon feel happy and comfortable in their new home? What will keep them clean and safe? What flooring is safe for them and easy for you to take care of? Some of the very popular options are not safe for your bearded dragon, and some are.

You can even give your local vet or reptile shelter a call and weigh their opinion as well. Substrate is a hotly debated topic among Dragon Keepers.

Many substrates are truly unsafe for bearded dragons for the following reasons:. If you choose to use substrate, you must really do your research and make absolutely sure that you are choosing the safest option for your dragon.

Sand is one of the most common substrates that people use for their dragons. But it is very dangerous for your dragon. Pebbles and rocks are a big no as well. Other substrates are available for bearded dragons as well. These are often made up of some kind of wood chips, calcium powder, coconut fiber, or some kind of edible material.

We highly recommend consulting with your vet if you are interested in using this kind of substrate. While the ones made of edible or calcium-infused materials are dangerous, some of the wood options may work well for you depending on your situation. Some substrates including wooden chips are quite absorbent and easy to clean, but there is still some risk of impaction and you must be vigilant about cleaning them when your dragon goes to the bathroom.