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I am receiving a dragon soon and can't decide whether to use a 55G aquarium or a 40G breeder. Both have pros and cons:

55 pros: longer, more room to run, more height for climbing,
55 cons: narrower, less overall floor space, harder to keep temps up

40 pros: more overall floor space, easy to heat, wider
40 cons: not much climbing room, shorter

Plus the 55 is in my living room where people are. I read in a couple of places that suggest putting beardies in parts of your home where people spend time, because they are social and need interaction with other creatures. Is this true from your experiences, or is it a myth? I just worry a 55 is too narrow for a full grown beardie. Would they have trouble turning around in on? What % of their bodies is tail? Both sizes are often recommended in equal it seems on the net. One guy on here said the 40G is preferrable because of the overall floor space. But if you use a hammock or some second level/ledge in the 55G, that increases floor space and lets them climb a lot. If you can't see, I'm kinda torn, and hoping that some people have some good reasons why or why not to use on or the other. I'm leaning toward the 55 with some kind of material used as a canopy/ledge type thing (I can't explain it very well, I'll post pics when/if I finish). Thanks for the time...
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-Bill

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I recommend a 40 breeder for the width overall the cage is going to look better wider more room to set branches,rocks etc.

Although these are tanks you already have, it might be worthwhile looking into a 75gallon, they are good because theya re as long as a 55 but as wide as a 40b. Plenty of running, climbing and digging room!
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I agree that this size tank is worth looking into. I have a 4 year old, 23.5 inch female in one. She has rocks and driftwood (which I rearrange every so often for variety) to explore, basking spots, and room to move around. There is a newsprint substrate, but enough room for a small sand box (cat litter pan) in which she digs and naps from time to time.

And yes, beardies are social! There are french doors between my kitchen and reptile room. When she hears us moving around in the house, she becomes very alert and positions herself to see the door. She loves to snooze on my chest while I watch tv, or interact with my cats--who haven't quite figured this creature out, but are quite respectful of her. Sometimes she just hangs out with one of the family or cruises around the living room to see if anyone is eating an apple (a favorite of hers). Best of luck with the new one--beardies are awesome!
regards,
althea

I have a 55...I like it. (I would love to give my girl the run of the house, but hey you have to put limits somewhere). I have a lizard hammock (although she doesn't use it much). I get her almost everyday to run around for exercise. I can't say that I have any complaints. She can turn around just fine (of course she still has some growing to do...she is only 16" now at 5 months...I think she is going to be a monster).

She seems content there. She uses all parts of it at different times. I am able to get her temps pretty easily. I use rocks for her to climb on too. I have seen the 40 breeders and they look funny to me.

Here is a pic of my set up. I didn't have the hammock when I took this photo (I placed it on the cooler side.)

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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ

I saw her in comparison to the 55 gallon and she IS monstrous! Funny, because her parents were not that large! LOL. Shes lookin good!
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KDRKreatures.com
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honestly, I don't do anything special. She gets a lot of food, but she eats a lot of food. What are ya going to do.

I love talking about her.!
The other day she discoverd rain....it was exciting. She couldn't get enough. She seems to like flashy things. (My ZZ did not like things like that).

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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ