Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, I've contacted a breeder (debbie's dragons) and am making final arrangements for getting a new beardie set up in my home, but something just recently struck me. I've seen that people recommend taking a beardie out to get unfiltered sunlight 3-4 times a week at least, this in itself would not be a problem except for the fact that I live in Chicago, and winter here is typically an extraordinarily unpleasant thing.

I'm not sure I'll have a way where I can get my future dragon into unfiltered sunlight without going into terribly cold temperatures.

I've been figuring I could go ahead with a mercury-vapor bulb just as an added precaution for their higher UVB, but I was wondering if anyone else has their beardies in areas with nasty winters and possibly had any suggestions.

Having a good UBV-light should be enough. A lot of beardies never get out in the sun, so the time outdoors is just a very good bonus for the health-wise. Just buy an UVB-light, use it all day (12-14 hours), every day, and you should be safe.

I live in Michigan and I have never brought my dragons outside (although I've been meaning to start doing that). Just use a good UVB light and they will be perfectly fine.