The Best Enclosure for a Bearded Dragon

Finding the best enclosure for a bearded dragon can be a daunting task. There are many things to consider when deciding on the housing for your reptile friend. In this article we will discuss what you should look for when selecting the home for your bearded dragon.

Choosing the best enclosure for a bearded dragon is one of the first important things you must decide before acquiring a bearded dragon. It is better to acquire a bearded dragon habitat that is suitable for its entire life span to begin with.

It can become costly to purchase a small enclosure then gradually upgrade the enclosure as it grows to become an adult.

Size

The best long-term solution for a bearded dragon enclosure is a standard 125-gallon tank. This tank typically measures 72″ long by 18″ wide by 16″ tall. The size will provide adequate space for even a large adult to roam around. We do not recommend an enclosure that is less than 55 gallons for an adult bearded dragon. A 40 gallon habitat is acceptable for a baby or juvenile bearded dragon.

Bearded dragons need more horizontal floor space with plenty of room for the best substrate over height. They are not huge climbers like chameleons, or geckos. Because of this, tanks with roomy floor space are much better suited for bearded dragons than tanks with high sides.

Take the size of the hide box and any plants and decor you will use into account when selecting the best enclosure for your bearded dragon. Every decor item you add the more floor space it will take up.

It is important to take floor space into account when acquiring an enclosure for a bearded dragon.

Material

The most common bearded dragon habitats are made of glass, like a fish aquarium.

They are very easy to maintain and provide an excellent way for you to view your bearded dragon (and for it to view you). A glass enclosure can last the entire life span of your bearded dragon with proper care.

You can also buy an enclosure made from plastic or acrylic. These enclosures are lightweight, but tend to cost a bit more.

Many of them feature convenient front, sliding doors that make access a snap. Unfortunately, they tend to scratch very easily which can be bad for a bearded dragon.

Bearded dragons have sharp toenails and will often scratch along the sides of the enclosure. After a while the sides of the enclosure can become blurred, or have a sandblasted look. Acrylic tanks can also hold humidity and moisture which can be detrimental to your bearded dragon over the long term.

Many enthusiast prefer to use large plastic tubs or baskets as enclosures for their bearded dragons. There are some advantages to this type of open-air enclosure such as improved air flow and a large floor space. The down side to using this type of enclosure is it is not very attractive, to you or the bearded dragon.

Security

An important factor when choosing an enclosure is the security of it. You don’t want your bearded dragon to be able to easily escape during the middle of the night, or while you are gone. Many fish tanks, or terrariums specially designed for reptiles come with a heavy metal screen cover that fits snugly on the enclosure. These are ideal when using a glass or acrylic enclosure.

Make sure it is a full metal screen cover for maximum security and safety. Plastic screens can easily melt when using heat lamps to warm the enclosure. Avoid the use of a glass top on your enclosure. Glass can filter UVB rays which limits the exposure to important lighting.

It is also a good idea to use a locking lid if you have small children or other pets in the home. You don’t want young children, or Felix the cat to go exploring in your bearded dragon’s home.

I recommend using a 125-gallon glass enclosure with a snug-fitting heavy metal screen cover for your bearded dragon terrarium set-up. It is relatively inexpensive and will last you and your bearded dragon for many years!