Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone, I have a couple of questions about beardie care. I'm planning on acquiring a bearded dragon at least three months from now, but I normally research any new animals long before I buy them. My first question is, how much would the start-up cost be for a beardie enclosure? I plan on getting a 8-10 month old dragon, so I'm going to be getting an adult sized tank. The largest floor space I can provide is 48" long and 18" wide, but I can make up for this in some extra heigth. Will climbing spaces above the cage floor make up for the minimum provided floor space? Finally, From everything I've read in beardie books, the temp can vary from 92-105 on the basking spot. What is your guy's typical basking spot temps? Thanks for any replies!
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1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1 SHTCT Baldy Leopard Gecko
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko
1.0 African Fat Tailed Gecko
1.1 Crested Geckos
0.1 California Kingsnake
1.1 Cornsnakes
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Chilean Rose Tarantula

Bearded dragons do better with more floor space than extra height. Though a 4'x 18" of floor space is a little small, it will do if that is all you can provide. 4'x2' or larger would be better. Cage height shouldn't exceed 2' high. Higher cages can make it more difficult to ensure the dragon has access to UVB rays from the uvb light and proper basking temps. Unless you are using mercury vapour bulbs, it is best to stick to the 2' maximum height. WIth MVBs you can get away with some extra height but this really doesn't make up for more floor space.

The basking temp should fall within 95-115F with a choice of basking areas within that range being the best. The basking spot should be set up to give areas closer to 95F and areas up to and evening exceeding 115F (but not higher than 120F). This allows the dragon to go to the basking temp he needs for giving times of the day. A wide sloping basking spot is great to provide this range, as the dragon can climb higher on the basking spot for more heat, or lay in a lower section when they don't need it to be as hot. You will find your dragon will be near or at the hottest basking location when it first wakes up and right after it eats.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for the reply! Now that I think of it, I can provide a slightly longer cage. What I have is a large heavy duty melamine shelving system that holds all of my tanks. The tank would take up an entire shelf and could overhang probably 3-4 inches on each side easily. Would the 18" width work with a longer tank? (If there isn't a tank with these measurements for sale, I can make it myself.) Thanks again!
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1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.1 SHTCT Baldy Leopard Gecko
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko
1.0 African Fat Tailed Gecko
1.1 Crested Geckos
0.1 California Kingsnake
1.1 Cornsnakes
1.0 Ball Python
0.1 Chilean Rose Tarantula

The 18" width should be fine with a longer tank. Try to get as close to 8' area for floor space.
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PHLdyPayne

iv been breeding beared dragons for 11 years now, i would advice to keep your basking spot at 105 max i have my high spots at 108, never would i ever go to 120 degrees,
just keep reading the care sheets and books from people who actualy bred and know breaded draogons well