Welcome to Part 4 of the Bearded Dragon Care Sheet: Bearded Dragon Heating Requirements!
Along with providing your bearded dragon with proper lighting, you must replicate the heat of the arid desert environment and supply adequate heat. In this article, we will go over some bearded dragon heating requirements.
Learning Points
- Learn how supplying adequate heat for bearded dragons is important to their health and well-being
- Discover the appropriate temperature ranges for baby, juvenile and adult bearded dragons
- Learn about the importance of maintaining nighttime temperatures
- Learn how to create a temperature gradient and on regulating temperatures using thermometers
- Discover the different types of heating elements to use for a bearded dragon and which ones best suit your needs
Supply heat by using incandescent bulbs, heat lamps, and other devices. Just like the fluorescent bulbs in the lighting section, use heat lamps that are specifically designed for reptiles.
Regular household bulbs do not provide enough heat to keep a bearded dragon healthy and comfortable. Here are the proper temperatures for each stage of a bearded dragon’s growth.
Proper Temperatures for a Baby Bearded Dragon (Newborn – 5 Months Old)
The ambient temperatures within the enclosure for a baby bearded dragon should stay at least 80°F (26°C) to 85°F (29°C). A basking area should have temperatures ranging between 95°F (35°C) to 110°F (43°C). On the opposite side of the enclosure, the temperatures should be slightly cooler and range between 80°F (26°C) to 90°F (32°C).
| Temperature Areas | Ideal Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 95°F - 110°F |
| Cool-down Area | 80°F - 90°F |
Proper Temperatures for a Juvenile Bearded Dragon (6 Months – 18 Months Old)
Juvenile bearded dragons require temperatures slightly cooler, ranging from 95°F (35°C) to 100°F (40°C) in the basking area. The cooler region should be kept around 80°F (26°C) to 90°F (32°C).
| Temperature Areas | Ideal Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 95°F - 100°F |
| Cool-down Area | 80°F - 90°F |
Proper Temperatures for Adult Bearded Dragon (Over 18 Months Old)
Adult bearded dragons can have slightly cooler basking areas with temperatures ranging between 90°F (32°C) to 93°F (33°C). The cooler area of the enclosure should be kept at 80°F (26°C) to 90°F (32°C), just as with babies and juveniles.
| Temperature Areas | Ideal Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 90°F - 93°F |
| Cool-down Area | 80°F - 90°F |
Nighttime Temperatures
The nighttime temperatures should drop to 72°F (32°C) to 80°F (26°C) within the enclosure. If the temperatures drop below this after turning the heat and light sources off at night, you may need to use a heating device that does not emit light to supplement heat.
The bright light from a daytime bulb will disturb the bearded dragon’s sleeping patterns. We will discuss nighttime bulbs and heating devices further below.
Thermometers
Use high quality thermometers in the basking area and in the cooler zones to constantly monitor temperature levels.
You should also provide a good hygrometer within the terrarium to monitor humidity levels. You want to keep the humidity levels around 35% – 40%, but never over 55% inside the terrarium.
There are many very good digital thermometers available for getting fast, accurate readings.
Creating a Temperature Gradient
There should be a consistent temperature gradient across the entire terrarium. The hottest point should be directly under the basking element and the coolest area on the opposite end of the enclosure. The temperature should be the warmest in the basking zones while cooling gradually into the coolest zone. A thermostat specifically designed for use with terrariums will help regulate consistent temperatures.
Bearded dragons know how to regulate their own body temperature. Therefore, a bearded dragon knows when it needs to bask, and when to move to a cooler area if getting too warm. It is very important to provide a proper temperature gradient for them to regulate body temperature.
Now, let’s go over the best devices for heating your enclosure.
Keys To Success
- Maintaining proper heat is essential to the health and well-being of a bearded dragon
- Baby bearded dragons require the basking area temperatures to be between 95 – 110 degrees F with cooler temperatures between 80 – 90 degrees F
- Juvenile bearded dragons require the basking area temperatures to be between 95 – 100 degrees F with cooler temperatures between 80 – 90 degrees F
- Adult bearded dragons require the basking area temperatures to be between 90 – 93 degrees F with cooler temperatures between 80 – 90 degrees F
- Nighttime temperatures should stay around 72 – 80 degrees F
- Use good quality thermometers to maintain a temperature gradient throughout the habitat
- Undertank heaters should not be used on plastic or wood enclosures due to the risk of fire
- Never use heat rocks to supplement heat. These heating devices can burn the bearded dragon
Heat Basking Lamps
Heat basking lamps are incandescent bulbs designed to provide radiant heat for your bearded dragon. They can range in size from 10 watts to 150 watts and come in different variations.
For bearded dragons, we recommend to use bulbs designed for basking, such as the Zoo Med Repti Basking Bulb, or the Exo Terra Intense Basking Spot Bulb. Both bulbs are excellent choices for incandescent-style basking bulbs.
There is also the Exo Terra Halogen Basking Spot Bulb which has a much longer usage life over incandescent bulbs. The downside to using halogen bulbs is becoming very hot. Use extra caution when using halogen bulbs due to the extra heat.
Use basking bulbs with a dome-style fixture that includes a high heat ceramic socket. Mount the dome-style lamp fixture onto a lamp stand which allows the bulb to safely hang over the enclosure.
Mercury Vapor Bulbs
As mentioned in the Lighting section, Mercury Vapor bulbs provide UVA/UVB radiation and is a good heat source. This is a viable option in order to reduce the amount of bulbs needed in order to provide both basking heat and ultraviolet radiation.
We recommend to use a linear fluorescent bulb in conjunction with a Mercury Vapor bulb to ensure the spread of UV radiation across the entire enclosure.
Ceramic Heat Emitters
Ceramic heat emitters give off radiant heat, but do not provide any visible light. Mount heat emitters in a light fixture similar to basking or Mercury Vapor bulbs.
These devices generally provide supplement heat, or nighttime heat. Ceramic heat emitters are ideal for nighttime use due to the lack of visible light. The most common wattages are 60 watts or 100 watts.
Nighttime Bulbs
As mentioned previously, nighttime bulbs simulate a nighttime environment. Bearded dragons spend the nighttime hours snoozing and resting, much like humans. This type of bulb also supports nocturnal activity.
Nighttime bulbs are usually incandescent bulbs with lower wattages, and supply some heat while providing very little light. This light is not visible to a bearded dragon.
Ceramic heat emitters and undertank heat pads can also supply small amounts of heat without producing disturbing light.
Helpful Links
Undertank Heat Pads
Undertank Heat Pads (sometimes referred to as Substrate Heaters) are flat pads that stick to the bottom, or side, of a terrarium and give off a low, gradient heat. Substrate heaters provide supplemental heat from below, or to warm the substrate.
Undertank heaters are a good option to use to supplement heat and warm the substrate during cold winter months.
Heat Rocks
Heat rocks are heating elements which resemble realistic rocks and provide radiant heat. The bearded dragon may sustain burns on the belly when laying on a heat rock, but they are widely sold in the pet market. However, avoid the use of heat rocks.
