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Setting up a nice bearded dragon enclosure requires you to consider factors like size, temperature, decorations and many more.
Bearded dragons, also known as beardies or Pogna are cold-blooded reptile hailing from Australia and are amongst the friendliest animals in the world.
In fact, Pogonas recognize their owners and will respond to their touch. Now, that’s quite rare for a reptile. Even dressing up a Pogona is very likely!
The best bearded dragon enclosure is Carolina Custom Cages Extra Long as it offers a long list of amazing features at an affordable price and has ample space.
READ ALSO:
Cheap Bearded Dragon Enclosure
Bedding for African Ball Pythons
It don’t matter if you are a new or experienced beard owner, you’ve come to the right place my friend. Here, you’ll find everything you need to create the best habitat for bearded dragons! This post will give you a broad idea of how to create a beardie’s dream home, you know, the one all their little beardie friends will always want to chill at. You get me.
Best Bearded Dragon Enclosure
To be honest, this post will offer you the suggestions you need to create a cheap bearded dragon enclosure that keeps your little gal or guy super happy, but super healthy!
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Carolina Custom Cages Extra Long
This terrarium is designed by a boutique breeder based in North Carolina. The breeders have a long lasting reputation if breeding healthy bearded dragons over the years.
The extra-long terrarium, which measures 48” x 18” x 18”, is our most highly recommended cage. It is complete with amazing amenities and features that will surely blow your Beardie away! You don’t have to take our word for it. Search the Internet and read the reviews of multitude happy reptile owners about this cage.
Assembling this cage is as easy as ABC. It is complete with equally sized glass plates and some screws that you can put together in a jiffy. Its metal grate works well with any type of heating equipment.
The top grate is not too fine, so it retains heat relatively well. This model also features sliding doors, making it a lot easier to socialize and feed your pet.
Do not fear, there is no escape artist that can break away from this enclosure. The door comes with a simple latch to prevent accidental opening.
Similarly, this cage comes complete with many grommets surrounding its perimeters that are much smaller compared to most bearded dragon terrariums. So, don’t worry about your pet’s dinner trying to get away.
Want to know the best part?
It is sturdy, and fits most fabric and sand mats. Many reviewers also loved how this product arrived in pristine packaging – something you hardly expect in online shopping.
Despite all its features, this cage doesn’t cost you and arm and a leg.
Pros:
- Super easy assembly
- So much wriggle room
- Large, sliding glass doors for easy access
- Holes for electrical wiring are small enough
- Comes with waterproof base
- Ideal life-long cage – no more size upgrades
- A solid and economical find
- Metal mesh and door lock provide added security
- Removable metal mesh won’t restrict heat
- Easy-to-clean crystal clear glass
Cons:
- Dimensions are too big for a hatchling
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Carolina Custom Large Terrarium
Carolina Custom Cages produce a wide range of solidly built confines. This unique model size measures 36” x 18” x 18”. As expected of Carolina, reptile owners who ordered this cage were wowed to receive such a neatly packaged product.
This bearded dragon terrarium is a breeze to assemble, making it a lot faster to get your beardie chilling in his home.
It comes with a quality lock to make it impossible for intruders to open the cage. This cage also comes with a waterproof base.
You will see holes for electric cables that are small enough, so you don’t have to plug in crumpled to prevent your pet’s dinner from running away.
To be honest, this cage shares almost exactly the same features with the previous Carolina product. The major difference is that it does not have sliding doors.
It is still a great cage and is without a doubt an absolute bargain.
Pros:
- Over simple assembly
- Has enough space
- Large doors for increased accessibility
- Holes for electrical wiring are small enough
- Comes with a waterproof base
- Metal mesh and door lock provide added security
- Removable metal mesh won’t restrict heat
- Easy-to-clean crystal clear glass
Cons:
- A foot smaller than the previous product
- Lacks sliding doors
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Reptizoo Reptile Glass Terrarium
The REPTIZOO Reptile Glass Terrarium is also a good choice. It provides a comfortable environment for your Bearded Dragon to live in. You can find closable tube inlets so you can install various types of equipment that will help you mimic the natural habitat of your pet.
This cage is built with front opening doors, allowing easy access. The doors are designed to close separately to minimize chances of escape while you feed or make adjustments inside the cage. This cage also features a raised waterproof bottom so you can tuck a substrate heater underneath.
Moreover, this cage comes with a user-friendly manual. It only takes five minutes to install this cage. This product measures 36” x 18” x 18”, which is roomy enough for one Bearded Dragon. If you want to place more equipment and some decorations to boot, it would be wise to choose a bigger cage.
Pros:
- Large front opening doors open individually
- The full-width metal top screen allows UVB penetration
- Complete with closable tube inlets for electrical equipment
- Window ventilation on the left and right sides
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Only comes with one key to control the door lock
- Limits your freedom to place more supplies
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Exo Terra Large Tall Glass Terrarium
This is the 4th on our ratings of the best bearded dragon enclosure ideas you can do.
The Exo Terra All Glass Terrarium offers you the chance to stimulate any kind of environment suitable for your reptile – be it a tropical environment, dry desert, or whatnot.
It features a waterproof base, which helps you create a miniature lake for your pet thereby making he terrarium look realistic!
Plus, I shows a generously sized ground base that yiu can fill with dirt, sand or any substrate that your Beardie likes to scoop up.
Its bottom is much deeper compared to other glass tanks, affording your Beardie all the space he needs.
It’s ventilation system is top notch. It retains and regulates humidity really well. There is also continuous airflow regardless of how you want to customize the cage.
Additionally, the top of the tank is a stainless steel cover that does not stop UVB and infrared penetration. You can also get rid of the cover anytime for cleaning.
Aside this pros, the cage is highly accessible. It has two front-facing doors identical to Carolina models. It makes it a lot easier to feed and interact with your pet any time of the day.
Cleaning is simple as he pivoting doors open and close one at a time, so an escape is unlikely. Plus, the doors have a safety lock to keep unwanted and away from your pets.
The huge bearded dragon enclosure arrives a your doorsteps fully assembled. Meaning, you don’t have to spend important time trying to figure out how to mess with nuts and bolts.
Sad news is that he glass doors are not as thick and sturdy compared to the rest of the tank. And if you are on a small budget, this cage is really not for you.
The Product dimensions are 18” x 36” x 24”.
Pros:
- Waterproof base
- Top grate is simple to take off for maintenance
- Patented ventilation system
- Two front-facing doors for convenience
- Includes an elevated bottom frame for substrate heater
- Has a realistic, decorative background
- Doors open and close separately
- Comes with a reliable safety lock
- Completely assembled right out of the box
- Stainless steel cover allows UVB penetration
- Top grate is easy to remove for maintenance
Cons:
- It costs a lot
- Glass doors aren’t as thick as the rest
- Tank can’t contain live insects efficiently due to bigger grommets
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Carolina Custom Cage Extra-Tall
This easy-to-assemble cage comes in a huge 18 different models ranging across medium, tall, giant deep, bio deep, etc.
The bio deep models come with a a waterproof base that is 12 inches deep, while other models have a waterproof base of 4 inches, 6.3 inches or 7.5 inches deep. They come with hinged doors for certain models (24 and 36 inches long), and the others have sliding doors (48 and 72 inches long).
No matter their models, they all generally come with a key-lock feature. Produced by Carolina Custom Cages, which is a division of Carolina Designer Dragons, this cage comes in the following dimensions: 49.5×20.2×11.5 inches and weighs around 73 pounds.
Now, this cage comes with a tougher Styrofoam and cardboard in excess to better protect your cage. Any habitat of reptiles must be frequently cleaned, and this cage makes cleaning a breeze.
Pros:
- These cages are available in 18 models for you to choose from
- Depending on the size of the cage, two types of doors are available.
- These custom cages contain a lock-key feature
- Assembling these cages is extremely easy
Cons:
- There are unique features available in certain specific models only
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Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium
This is another amazing cheap bearded dragon enclosure from Exo Terra, which is a bit shorter than the former model. This cage measures 24” x 18” x 12”. Bearded Dragons are not fast climbers and they spend most of their day on the ground. So, a tall cage isn’t all that necessary.
This is one of the best bearded dragon enclosures because it has large pivoting doors that make it a breeze to feed and interact with your pet.
The distance between the tank’s doors and the bottom is 4 inches, which is deep enough. You can mount a heat lamp against the wall or leave it hanging over the top lid.
This particular model has some similarities with the Long Tail model. It is designed to lend a natural ambiance. Plus, it is complete with an amazing rocky backdrop.
Assuredly, your Beardie will feel at home straight away! The grooved wall is made of foam that you can remove anytime.
But, you will have to increase your cage size as your Beardie matures into adulthood. This cage is only recommended for beardie hatchlings.
Pros:
- Has a rocky background that looks realistic.
- Waterproof base
- Two front-facing doors for accessibility
- Completely assembled right out of the box
- Comes with a trusted safety lock
- Waterproof base
- Lockable mesh lid is easy to remove for cleaning
- Has a realistic, rocky background
- Stainless steel cover allows UVB penetration
Cons:
- Not suitable for a full-grown Bearded Dragon
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Exo Terra Outback Terrarium
Designed by professionals, this bearded dragon enclosure size makes it the perfect choice for your pet reptile.
The front doors are designed with near perfect precision that makes easy feeding and maintenance of the cage too. The cage comes with dual doors.
These doors can be opened separately, and they come with a lock uniquely designed to stop your pet from jail-breaking.
The top ventilation allows penetration of infrared rays and ultraviolet B rays. This part is easily removable, in case, you want to decorate or clean it.
There are closable wire inlets on both sides. This will come in handy when you would like to install sensors, some background decorations (like waterfalls), or heaters.
Produced by Hagen, it comes in the dimensions of 25×19.6×13.3 inches and weighs 40.7 pounds. The front window is extra-high fixed to let your thick layer reptile pass easily.
There is a limited edition hand-painted 3D rock, which also offers extra space for climbing. In order to heat the terrarium, please use the heating fixtures advised along with the product.
Pros:
- The stainless steel mesh cover offers durability
- It comes with front window ventilation
- It contains dual doors to prevent your pet from escaping
Cons:
- It does not come with heating
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Reptizoo
This particular best berarded dragon enclosure provides your pet reptile a comfortable environment to live in.
This product has a dimension of 52×24.1×11.9 inches and weighs 70.8 pounds and is manufactured by Reptizoo, who has more than 10 years of experience in this domain. The front door is sliding, and this allows for feeding your pet and maintenance.
There is a sliding glass lock, which is uniquely crafted to sop the escape of your pet. Plus, the doors can be separately opened.
The top ventilation allows penetration of infrared rays and ultraviolet B rays. For the purpose of cleaning and decorating, this top ventilation can be removed.
The bottom is raised in order to accommodate a heater that can heat the extended ground surface. There are closable wires found on the right for the purpose of installing heat wave rocks, waterfalls, sensors, etc.. The pet can climb on the natural background.
Pros:
- Very easy to install the terrarium
- The sliding door in the front provides for easy feeding of the pet and prevents escape..
- Top ventilation allowing for penetration of rays like ultraviolet B and infrared
- A window for ventilation on the left and right
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with any decoration
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Carolina Custom Cages Tall Large
These custom cages are largely easy to assemble and possess as many as eighteen models. These models are tall, medium, bio deep, giant deep, etc.
The bio deep models contain a waterproof base, and this base is as deep as 12 inches. The waterproof base of the others is 4 inches, 6.3 inches or 7.5 inches deep depending on what the model is. Certain models come with sliding doors, while the others have hinge doors.
Generally speaking, all these models features come with a key lock security feature. These cages are produced by Carolina Custom Cages, which is a division of Carolina Designer Dragons.
These cages are available in dimensions of 35.9x18x23.6 inches and weigh 57.5 pounds. In order to protect the cage better, it is packed with extra Styrofoam and tougher cardboard.
Any bearded dragon terrarium your pet stays must be regularly cleaned. These models of cages are extremely easy to clean and maintain.
Pros:
- You have a range of 18 models to make a choice form.
- Every model are embedded with a lock-key feature
- The assembling is damn easy and user-friendly
- 2 models of doors are available depending on the model
Cons:
- Not all features are available in all the models
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Carolina Custom Terrarium Tall Extra-Long Deep
These cheap bearded dragon terrarium are easy to assemble and user-friendly. You have a choice of 18 models to choose a home for your pet reptile.
The cage size ranges from medium to tall to giant deep to bio deep. All these models come with a water-proof base, which can be 4 inches deep, or 6.3 inches or 7.5 inches or even 12 inches deep depending on the model.
The models that are 24 inches and 36 inches long contain doors with hinges, and the models with 48 inches and 72 inches in length contain sliding doors.
All these models boasts of a security feature – the key lock feature. The dimensions of this cage are 48x24x24.1 inches, and it weighs 73 pounds.
It is made by Carolina Custom Cages, a division of Carolina Designer Dragons Inc. These cages are packed with tougher cardboard and Styrofoam in excess in order to protect them better.
These cages can be cleaned without any hustle for a better environment for your pet reptiles.
Pros:
- This is one of the best bearded enclosure DIY that is easily assembled
- Choose what you think is the best for your pet reptile from 18 models
- To better protect your pet, they have a key-lock feature
- These cages are easy to assemble
- They come with two types of doors depending on the model
Cons:
- The glass at the bottom can sometimes be too thin for your reptile causing it to heat up
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Tetra Deluxe Aquatic Turtle Kit
Although too small for bearded dragons, it’s a great place to begin. It is included on this list of best bearded dragon cages because it comes with so many great features!
This tank is a great beginning size for your bearded dragon, plus it comes with rocks, a decorative plant, and a basking light.
Since this tank is originally designed for aquatic turtles, it holds water quite well. That being said, a lot of users were happy with how this tank worked well for their beardie!
Just fill the tank with rocks and sand instead of water! This tank also includes both a UBV and heat lamp, saving you another shopping trip in case you forget them.
The top of the tank features a removable screen. You might want to weight this top down to prevent your bearded dragon from pushing out.
Because this tank is made to hold water, it does not a lock or swinging open doors. This can make it a bit a harder to interact with your bearded dragon.
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Zoo Med ReptiBreeze Aluminum Screen Habitat
The Zoo Med ReptiBreeze Aluminum Screen Habitat has been specially made for arboreal lizards.
With a screwdriver, you can build this cage without breaking a sweat. It comes with a white floor panel, you can also easily decorate the cage with lotsa colors of your choosing.
Another cool things is that this aluminium cage actually has 2 doors – a smaller door at the bottom and the main door in front.
The bottom door assists in easy cleaning of the substrate for the cage. This enclosure is made from aluminum so it resists rusting and corrosion that can last for many years to come.
Being a screen habitat, this bearded enclosure from Zoo Med allows circulation of air so that your lizard friend can breathe on fresh air.
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KollerCraft Flat-Backed Reptile Habitat
This is topping the #13 on our list of best stylish bearded dragon enclosure, then search no more! The Flat-backed reptile habitat from KollerCraft has a unique shape which makes it look beautiful and male your living room quite elegant.
With a 5-gallon capacity and measuring at 10 x 19 x 12 inches, this enclosure is big enough for a bearded dragon and other kinds of reptiles. Its sturdy screen top will make sure that your lizard buddy will not have a chance to escape as well as providing a good air circulation.
Its wide flat-backed designs allow you to watch your lizards for hours. This enclosure has lots of spaces so you can add hammocks or branches in order to create an ideal habitat for bearded dragons.
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Zilla Fresh Air Screen Habitat
The Zilla Fresh Air Screen Habitat features a waterproof and very durable PVC base which allows whatever substrate you wish to add for your lizard buddy.
It is easy to assemble and well designed for arboreal lizards.
It has dual doors that allows you easy accessibility during feeding and cleaning time. Both doors can be locked securely so that your bearded dragon will never have a chance of escape.
The cage is made of durable aluminium which assures that it will not rust. Its black mesh is also durable that not a scratch or bite from your bearded dragon can ruin it. Plus allowing air to circulate the inside of the enclosure.
This is one of the rare dragon play house that allows cable cords and tubes for electric equipements. There are two options for the size, but both sizes are large ebough to accommodate your pogna!
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Zilla Tropical Starter Kit for Reptiles
For first-time bearded dragon owners, the ReptiHabitat from Zoo Med Laboratories can help you have an ideal habitat for bearded dragons in one go. This particular habitat is of high quality and has all the needed items in order to create the most ideal and comfortable habitat for your bearded dragon.
This is a cheap pogna terrarium that is affordable and made from high-quality materials making it very sturdy and durable. It also has enough space for your reptilian buddy to crawl around and still add some decorations that increase your lizard’s happiness.
Lastly, manufacturers of the Reptile Starter Kit ensure you have the most satisfactory experience with their products and provided the unit a reinforced packaging so that it is not damaged when it arrives on your front door.
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Southern Enterprises Terrarium
This terrarium is one of the most beautiful pogna cages I’ve ever seen. Instead of being just a cage, this terrarium is a decorative stand that will be beautiful for your home.
It does not have a screen top; it has slits along each side instead. This means you’ll want to use larger gravel in the bottom, so you don’t get sand anywhere!
Like most other bearded dragon cages, this cage comes with two doors. This helps your bearded dragon stay safe and warm while you clean.
Because this terrarium is also a coffee table, you will need to rely on heated rocks instead of heat lamps to keep your bearded dragon warm.
Some buyers said that this not feel very sturdy, so be careful what you use for decoration with this piece.
You also want to be careful to ensure that gravel, sand, and your bearded dragon can’t escape through the doors or the slits.
The doors do not lock, so be sure that you close them securely before leaving your bearded dragon unattended.
Southern Enterprises makes a variety of other decorative terrariums, but this one seems to be the one most commonly used for turtles and lizards.
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SeaClear 40 gal Acrylic Aquarium Combo Set
If you’re searching for a nice, basic bearded dragon cage, this is your best bet. This long terrarium has no whistles and bells but will hold your bearded dragon and keep him safe.
The SeaClear terrarium comes with a light that helps you see your beautiful bearded dragon cage. But, you will still need to purchase a heat lamp for your bearded dragon.
This aquarium has acrylic glass, which is more shatter-proof and scratch than normal glass. You will need to buy some additional mesh to cover the roof, since this tank has gaps for easy feeding.
This tank has a sleek, minimalistic look when done. Instead of having the regular back trim, the glass wraps around. The lighting on it is stunning! Some users found it difficult to clean this cage because of smaller openings on top, but the visual display is worth it.
Buying Guide: Things to consider when buying a bearded dragon tank
Enclosure (tanks)
There are lots of different types of optimal tanks/enclosures/cages you can choose for your pogna’s habitat.
These options will range in functionality, price, and the material they are made from.
Note: No matter the form/type of enclosure you choose for your bearded dragon, you need to ensure you have a screen lid, which keeps humidity levels down and allows proper air flow.
Also, all enclosures must have UVA, UVB, and basking lights, as well as a ceramic heat emitter if necessary for keeping the tank warm at night. Read on to discover the different types of enclosures you can use for your bearded dragon.
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Glass Enclosures/Terrariums
Like fish tanks, glass terrariums are a great choice because they allow for 360 viewing.
Glass enclosures are also easy to find at pretty much any pet store and is also long lasting. Plus, glass terrariums make a good habitat for bearded dragons because the screen lid that goes on top allows for ample air flow and as such, helps keep humidity levels low, just how your dragon like it.
As far as cons to glass terrariums go, they don’t always hold heat well as other habitat options,. Which can cause your dragon to dull in color.
Think of it this way, glass doesn’t exactly provide the best insulation.
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Plastic Enclosures
PVC Cages are made of PVC plastic, these cages are rather light weight and have a nice smooth finish to them.
Many times, you can find selling them in a wide variety of colors and even offering to install offering to install the lights for an additional charge.
These cages are also often stackable and blend into home décor quite nicely.
But, maybe, most importantly, these cages generally hold heat quite nicely, making your dragon very happy.
As far as the bad side to PVC cases go, they can prove to be quite expensive, as in hundreds of dollars depending on the size. Plus, keeping humidity low can sometimes be an issue with PVC cages that have an enclosed top that doesn’t allow for proper airflow, so just make sure to habitually check on the humidity level.
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Vision Cages
Proven to be the most professional option, vision cages are made from a single piece of plastic and uniquely have a built in fixtures of lights.
These cages generally tend to be very simple to clean as well and even come chemical resistant. Similar to the PVC cages, vision cages are a great choice for beardie owners because they are light weight and often stackable.
But, because vision cages really go the extra mile in catering to both the owner and bearded dragon’s needs, they can be really expensive.
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ABS Cages
ABS cages are quite similar to that of both PVC and vision cages. They are made to be lightweight and made of ABS plastic, making them easy to stack, move, and clean.
Plus, some people believe that ABS plastic doesn’t release the toxic odor that other plastics can emit.
The con to ABS cages? They can be quite expensive.
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Plywood Bearded Dragon Enclosures
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Melamine Cage
Melamine is a very sturdy and heavy wood that is a good choice for using to build a bearded dragon habitat because it is a great insulator.
Melamine will perform a great job of keeping your beardie warm and nice. Plus, because melamine is white, it will reflect more light as well and can help keep your beardie colorful.
But, the drawback with melamine is that it is expensive, heavy, and can be ruined if gotten wet.
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Plywood cage
Many people enjoy making their very own custom bearded dragon cage. Plywood bearded dragon enclosure is a great option for this project because it is very easy to find, lightweight and is very cheap.
Commonly, you will want to seal the plywood with a nontoxic sealant and leave the top open for a screen lid (ideally).
Size
A baby beardie needs to be housed in a 20-gallon tank, while an adult Beardie that measures at least 1 ft. in length needs a 40-50 gallon tank.
Note: a healthy Beardie can grow up to 2 ft. long (inclusive of its tail), especially when your pet is fed an ideal diet.
Instead of starting with a 20-gallon tank and buy bigger tanks progressively as your Beardie grows, just go for the 120-gallon tank and have your dragon grow into it. Regardless, you don’t necessarily have to stick with the minimum size requirements.
The smartest action to take is to get the biggest tank your budget allows. Doing so ensures your Beardie has all the space he needs to roam around and lallygag his tooshie. Most importantly, you can put in other interesting decorations and equipment to keep your pet occupied.
Plus, ensure you consider the amount of horizontal floor space when getting your pet’s enclosure. Beardies aren’t made for climbing, unlike chameleons or geckos. But, enclosures with high sides aren’t better suited for Beardies.
Type
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Glass terrarium
Glass terrariums are the major mainstream type of cage for docile, cold-blooded reptiles. So, it comes as no shocking news that this type of enclosure is one of the most economical choices.
The major badside, however, is that they are heavy. It’s going to be a challenge to move the enclosure once it has been set up with your Beardie inside.
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Melamine cage
For those who would like to try their hands at bearded dragon enclosure DIY. It gives them the freedom to tailor the enclosure according to their preferences.
It is made with a melamine board, which is a type of wood that is coated with a fire-resistant plastic finish. You may install artificial rock formations inside to mimic your pet’s natural habitat.
The only bad side is that your beardie is only visible from one angle. Melamine is also not as easy to work with compared to plywood. Lastly, melamine cages don’t provide adequate insulation.
Bearded dragons may not have any issue with it, but a lower temperature could cause a change in your pet’s color.
Security
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Full Metal Screen
You and I don’t want our beardie to break away from its cage and get hunted by Feli the cat. Thus, security is an important factor when selecting your pet’s enclosure.
A lot of terrariums are now majorly calibrated for reptiles. The best ones are complete with a full heavy-duty metal screen cover that you can snugly on your pet’s enclosure.
Plastic screens are not advised since they will melt due to the heating lamps that you will use to provide warmth to the enclosure. Glass is also not advised as it limits the amount of air that goes into the tank.
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Locking Lid
A locking lid is also advantageous especially for families witj little children. You don’t want your small boy or girl to lay his hands on your reptile.
Durability
If you do not want to purchase terrariums at frequent intervals, especially for a pet that can live for ten to thirteen years, select a product that is long-lasting and sturdy.
Yes! Bearded Dragons can live more than a decade, provided that they are well taken care of.
The Right Equipment
Picking the best cage for your Beardie is merely winning half the battle. To secure the other half, you need to gather the right equipment.
To keep your pogna in top shape, prepare the following items:
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Basking light
Need I also remind you that beardies love to bask in the sun? Another reason why you mustn’t buy for a glass lid to cover your terrarium is that it stops you from using a basking light.
A basking light helps your Beardie toasty. Enough UV exposure also allows bearded dragons to draw vitamin D into their skin.
This encourages phosphorous and calcium absorption from their food, which is core for various metabolic processes including bone formation, muscle contraction, and so on.
Otherwise, their bones will soften and break easily. They could also suffer from muscle tremors and organ failure that will eventually lead to their death.
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Heating tool
It is best to use a combination of a heated rock and heated lamp, most especially if you live in a cool environment.
The rocks also add character to your pet’s enclosure.
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Humidity and Temperature monitor
Keep an eye on the temperature of your pet’s habitat. Beardies are not capable of regulating their body temperature.
Instead, they adjust to that of their environments. Know that their immune system, digestion, and metabolism are hugely influenced by their body temperature.
Therefore, get a reliable humidity and temperature monitor to achieve the appropriate temperature gradient.
Your Beardies tank should fall between 90 degrees Fahrenheit on one end so he can revel in UV light, to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on the other end so he can chill if he wants to.
Bearded Dragons also require adequate humidity to keep themselves hydrated in order to shed skin properly. Without it, your Beardie would retain its shed skin, which could hamper their eyesight.
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Water dish
Bearded dragons naturally draw out food from their food but they also like to get soaked occasionally. Choose a large, shallow dish so he could easily climb into it.
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Substrate
They are not fast climbers. If there’s one thing bearded dragons are good at, it’s digging. Digging is a good exercise.
It also trims their claws. At times, they dig to create a more comfortable basking area.
Loose Particle Based Substrates
Loose particle based substrates are those that are, well, loose. Generally, because this substrate is loose, it will produce dust and debris that your beardie can ingest.
The main threat these pose to your bearded dragon is the risk of impaction from being ingested. Impaction is majorly when your dragon’s digestive tract becomes clogged and they are unable to pass food outta their stomach, this can be really deadly and serious and deadly if not taken care of!
Another bad side to particle based substrates is that they can get into the bearded dragons nose and eyes and cause infection!
Below are some examples of well-known loose particle substrates, none of which I would recommend…
- Play sand
- Wood chips/shavings (wood is toxic to bearded dragons, best to avoid)
- Alfalfa pellets
- Millet
- Gravel
- Walnut shells (Probably the MOST dangerous option. Avoid at all costs)
- Calcium sand (the brand Calci-Sand is NOT digestible, don’t believe the pet stores)
Non-Particle Substrate
Non-particle substrates are an all-round safer options for your beardie because they do not run the risk of causing them to become impacted nor do they get stirred up easily and end up irritating your beardies eyes or nose.
Check out the most common forms of non-particle substrate below…
- Newspaper
- Non-adhesive linoleum
- Ceramic tile (My TOP recommendation!)
- Reptile carpet
- Paper towels
Some of these options do have little bad sides to them. For example, your dragon’s claws may become stick in the thread of the reptile carpet and some beardie owners have reported their dragons dislike how slippery tile can feel.
In these cases, ensure your bearded has lots to climb on to keep nails trimmed and consider laying down some non-toxic topsoil and adhesive and sand to the tile to give it more traction.
Hide huts
Another reason why Beardie dig is that they want to build their own cubbyhole where they can retreat away from prying eyes. So, give him a few places to relax.
Decor
Decorations add color and interest to your pet’s enclosure. Your Beardie will not likely appreciate it, especially when he discovers that he can’t the fake plants.
But, it transforms a drab cage into a beautiful centerpiece!
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Should Be the Temperature for a Bearded Dragon tank?
Bearded dragons are native to the hot regions of Australia. So, you must stimulate their natural habitat in captivity.
The basking area should be kept between the ranges of 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Never let it exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cooling area, on the other hand, should be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It should never go down below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, especially at night.
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What Size Tank Do You Need for a Bearded Dragon?
A good precaution is to choose a terrarium measuring three times more than the length of your Beardie (inclusive of its tail).
A baby beardie should be housed in a 20-gallon tank. The bare minimum for an adult Bearded Dragon is 50 gallons. However, simply adhering to the minimum requirement restricts freedom. About 120 gallons would be best.
Conclusion
Kindly standing back and admiring the beauty of a bearded dragon terrarium provides you the perfect contentment.
How much more when you have already brought home an amazing pet? That will often send you to butterflies. However that won’t turn into a reality if you settle on a shabby enclosure.
We highly recommend the Carolina Custom Cages Extra Long Terrarium as it offers a long list of amazing features at an affordable price. So, choose this terrarium! It is apparently the biggest one in this list, which is beneficial as it eliminates the need for size upgrades.
Your Beardie will be a lot happier if he has more than enough space. So before the excitement of having a Beardie gets the best of you, be sure that there is already an assembled and fully furnished terrarium waiting for your pet.
Lastly, pick one of the best bearded dragon enclosure ideas we’ve shared to make the perfect home for your beardies today!
Perkins. Mac. says
The picture of the bearded dragon at the top and bottom of this article has what appears to be severe mbd. It could be another ailment or just the angle of teh shot but judging by it’s apparance and our history of rescues it looks to be suffering from mbd.
EcoPetLife says
Hello Perkins,
I think this mught not be true. Isn’t MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease? It’s hard to tell as the image was gotten from a free sharing image library. However, I will ifnrom the poster of your analysis. Thanks for your insighful comment