Bearded Dragon Vivarium Essentials

Bearded dragons, or often fondly called beardies, are easy reptiles to care for. For one, they are omnivores, meaning, they readily eat insects and plant materials that are generally easy to obtain. Second, they can withstand a broad range of temperatures. Lastly, their more common illnesses are easily preventable and treatable by qualified veterinarians.

When choosing a bearded dragon to buy, there are two important things to consider – health or age and housing. First, it is very important to pick a healthy, well-adjusted beardie. Ideally, you should try to get a very young lizard, preferably a hatchling, if one is available. While older beardies are easier to obtain, you might have a tough time trying to figure out some crucial details about the lizard such as age, previous diet, etc.

Aside from knowing the health condition and age of the animal, it’s also important to make sure that you’ve got his new enclosure already established even before you bring home your new pet. It is not recommended to try to set up the cage or vivarium while your new pet companion is sitting around and waiting in his little pet store carrier. This is an ungainly move, which can be quite frustrating for the animal. For your pet’s convenience and comfort, it is best to have the bearded dragon vivarium ready before you pick up your new beardie from the pet store.

But, what is a vivarium? For novice owners who know nothing about animal cages or housing, the term vivarium can be quite intimidating. The thing is, a vivarium simply refers to a structure, container, or enclosure for keeping or raising animals inside the home. Examples of vivarium include aquarium which holds water (“aqua” meaning water); and terrarium which holds dirt (“terra” meaning earth). Since lizards such as bearded dragons do just fine in an aquarium or terrarium, the term vivarium will be used in this article to refer to a bearded dragon enclosure.

Bearded dragons generally do not require a highly specialized environment. Please note, however, that although they do not require an extra special home, there are some basic criteria that must be satisfied for the overall health and well being of your exotic reptile. Below are some of the essential things that your bearded dragon vivarium must have to ensure a high level of comfort for your new dragon.

• Cage or Tank: A juvenile dragon should have at least a 10-gallon vivarium, more preferably a 20-gallon or bigger so he can grow into it. Just make sure it has a secure lid or cover and it should be fine.

• Lighting: Bearded dragons do best with a full spectrum fluorescent light. The bright white light is required 10 to 12 hours a day for warmth.

• Climbing and Hiding Accessories: Beardies are good climbers and love spending a great deal of time basking on rocks and bushes as well as perching on exposed tree branches. Make sure that the initial set-up of your vivarium allows for such activities. A hidey box and few branches should be fine for a start.

• Water Dish: Even though they are desert creatures, bearded dragons need water to survive. You'll want to have a small, shallow water bowl that cannot be tipped over.

• Food: You don't necessarily have to have live insects already purchased when you buy a new bearded dragon. Do you know why? It’s because the lizard may not even want to eat anything on his first day in his new environment. However, you have to know where you are going to get live crickets, what to feed them, and how to house them.

Due to the varied sizes, growth rates, and individualized needs of bearded dragon species, it is recommended that you consult your reptile veterinarian for the specific housing requirements of your dragon. Remember, a bearded dragon vivarium doesn’t have to be expensive or full of decorative items. Just provide your beardie’s basic housing and nutritional needs, and it should grow to be happy and healthy in its new home.