How to Properly Set Up a Bearded Dragon Enclosure

I made a guide on how to set up a proper enclosure for a bearded dragon, because I personally have one and I put a lot of time into taking care of him. I see so many online and in person that are neglected or being abuse, or just are taken care of incorrectly and it is quite sad so I hope with this guide, it helps anyone who is inquiring about a getting a bearded dragon.

A Terrianum Of Appropriate Size

Substrate (Reptile carpet, sand, ect)

Climbing And Hiding rocks

Fake Plants

Basking Domes

Basking Bulb

UV Lamp

UV Bulb (Preferably The Long One)

A Water/Food Dish

Temperature Gauges and Humidity

Somewhere For Them To Bask (basking slate, hammock, etc.)

Calcium and Vitamin Products

Live Insects

An Item To Get The Live Food With

The Bearded Dragon

Doing your research is a critical part in this step. Without proper research, Bearded dragons become absurd and neglected. It is important to research the food requirements, activity levels, sleep time, temperature and humidity requirements, set up requirements, signs of sickness, and so much more before getting a bearded dragon. Once you gather everything and complete your research, they become very simple pets to take care. The main thing that you would need to research is the food and weight requirements for the age of the bearded dragon you are wanting to get, as it changes as they age. Their set up may also need to change based on their age as well.

When setting up the enclosure, it is important to remember that bearded dragons are extremely delicate. The need both a hot and cold side to mimick them being out in the wild. An ideal temperature range for the hot, or basking side should be about 100-108 degrees F. On the cool side it should be about 85-95 degrees F.

Humidity is also an important factor and it should stay between 30-40 percent on the hot side, and between 40-50 percent on the cool side.

After this is established, it is safe to set up the enclosure to your preference, just make sure the bearded dragon has enough room to run around, hide, and climb in between all the decorations. It would also be best to keep the basking bulb only on the hot side, whereas the UV bulb should stretch through the entire enclosure. There should be no extra lights on the cool side. An overnight no-light heat emitter can be used at nighttime as well if the temperature drops too low.

Once the enclosure is set up, you can start getting certain foods (not live food yet) for the bearded dragon. These would be foods that can be stored for a long time without significant risk. These Foods you can get and store which are freeze dried insects, mixed flower diets, and dried food toppings. Once you get the bearded dragon then you can get live and fresh food which include live insects and roaches, horn-worms, and fresh fruits and greens

Keep in mind with these live insects, you will also have to feed, or 'gut-load' them which can be done with greens or specific insect feeders from pet stores. Most, if not all, of these food items can be purchased at a pet store or on a pet or reptile website.

After the enclosure is set up properly, it is time to look for a breeder.

Breeders are highly recommended because their main focus is on the bearded dragons species. Unlike pet stores, where they house multiple reptiles together, the risk of buying a defected or sick bearded dragon is significantly lower.

Once a bearded dragon falls ill, it is very hard to reverse the illness, especially if it effects their respiratory system or their bones, and this is highly likely in bearded dragons from a pet store.

At this point, you are reading to go get your bearded dragon from your selected breeder.

Make sure when going to get the bearded dragon that you have a way to transport him/her. You can use a specific carrier that they make for reptiles, or a box or container with holes poked in the top for air. Also, make sure to lay down a towel to provide extra warmth!

Once you get the bearded dragon, put them in their new enclosure, which will be their new home. Pick out a name! It is best if you do not try to handle the bearded dragon for about 1-2 weeks so they can adapt to their new home and understand the outside surroundings.

This also helps them to get to know you, what you look like, how you attend to them, and overall you as a person!

Once your bearded dragon is home, set a schedule for them that becomes routine, just like your own schedule, make sure you are able to follow it.

Some guidelines are their daytime lights need to be on for 14 hours a day, then off for 10. Alternate what you feed them daily along with the vitamins and calcium supplements that will be used so they get enough of everything and do not become too picky. However, feed them at the same time 2-3 times daily. Set a scheduled time (once they adapt) to get them out of their enclosure so the can free roam.Also set a time for a once weekly bath in warm water to help with digestion and shedding!

Everything is pretty much done and ready. At this point, you may want to double check the temperatures and humidity gauges, the schedule, and that the bearded dragon is comfortable in their new enclosure.

If it looks too bland, you can always add more plants or climbing items for the bearded dragons.

If the humidity is too high, you may need to invest in a de-humidfier and if the temperature is too high or too low you may need a different wattage amount in your bulbs. So for example if you have a 100 watt bulb and the temperature is too hot, try going down to an 85 or 90 watt and vice versa.

At this point, your bearded dragon should be comfortable in their new home and everything should be set up correctly.

It is now a good time to start hand-feeding and petting them. Some are more timid than others so it may take more time to create a bond, but it is no different than a dog. Overtime you will be able to pick them up and hold them without them freaking out, but remember, baby steps.