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What do bearded dragons need in their cage?

Bearded dragons need plenty of environmental enrichment and good basic husbandry to thrive in their cage. This includes a secure enclosure large enough to allow your pet to thermoregulate (heating, humidity and air flow, a basking and hide area), appropriate furniture such as a basking log and a variety of climbing branches, a variety of organic substrates such as calcium sand, organic soil, and mulch, a reptile-safe UV-B light for Vitamin D3 synthesis, fresh water for hydration, calcium supplement and plenty of room for them to explore and roam.

Additionally, these animals should also be provided with a variety of high-quality and nutrient-rich foods such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, pinky mice and select vegetables. Bearded dragons come from arid environments, and their cages should provide plenty of air flow and should be kept clean and free of bacteria and parasites.

A weekly cleaning with a reptile-safe disinfectant will keep your pet both mentally and physically healthy.

What is needed in a bearded dragon’s cage?

A bearded dragon’s cage should provide the animal with enough space to move around, exercise and explore. It should also ensure the animal has the appropriate temperatures and humidity needed for the species.

In order to make the environment comfortable for a bearded dragon, the enclosure should have several components.

Temperature: A bearded dragon cage should have both a warm side and cool side, with the warm side being between 95–105°F (35-41°C). For the cool side, it should be between 75–85°F (24-29°C). To keep an optimal temperature for your dragon, especially at night, use of a thermostat, heat lamps, and/or under tank heaters is essential.

Lighting: Bearded dragons need UVA and UVB light to synthesize vitamin D3 and promote proper growth and development. UVB light sources should be placed within 12” of the basking spot and should be replaced every 6 months.

Furthermore, external light sources like full spectrum lighting fixtures or a combination of fluorescent bulbs should be placed approximately 12” – 24” away from the basking spot.

Humidity: To maintain the proper humidity levels, a humidity gauge should be used to check the percentage of humidity in the enclosure. Maintaining optimal humidity levels, within the 30-40% range, is necessary for the overall health and well-being of your bearded dragon.

If the tank is too dry, the dragon is at risk of dehydration, respiratory infections, and other various health issues. Misting the tank with water and providing a humid hide spot can help to increase humidity.

Substrate: Asper the type of substrate that should be used in a bearded dragon’s tank, suggestions range from newspaper or paper towels, to reptile carpet, to sand. While there are advantages and disadvantages to each, the primary goal should be to choose a substrate that is non toxic and easy to clean.

Hides & Decorations: It’s important to provide your dragon with decorations and hide spots- this is especially true when multiple dragons are kept together and can prevent aggression. Dragons also like to climb and bask, so adding large branches, rocks and other decorations that allow for exercise can help keep your dragon from becoming bored.

All in all, a bearded dragon’s cage requires adequate heat and light, a proper substrate, and safe, comfortable hides and decorations for your pet. Providing your reptile with an environment that meets all of these needs is key for its overall health and wellbeing.

Do bearded dragons need worms everyday?

No, bearded dragons do not need worms everyday. In fact, worms should be fed to bearded dragons in moderation as worms are high in fat and are known to cause “ballooning” of the stomach if fed too regularly.

Instead, bearded dragons should be fed a variety of foods, such as crickets, other insects, and leafy greens. A good diet should consist of 60-80% veggies, 15-20% insects, and 1-3% fruits, so worms should only make up a small percentage of their overall diet.

Additionally, worms should be gut-loaded with calcium and other nutrients to help ensure your bearded dragon has all the proper nutrients it needs. In general, it is recommended to feed worms to your bearded dragon no more than once per week.

What do you put in the bottom of a lizard tank?

The bottom of a lizard tank should be filled with a substrate that’s absorbent, easy to clean, and non-toxic. Many popular substrates for lizards include natural products like sand, coconut fiber, shredded coco husk, or bark chips.

You’ll also want to make sure the tank is large enough for your lizard to move around and that the substrate is deep enough to provide them with a comfortable place to burrow. Some lizards may need additional material like rocks, logs, or branches for decoration and climbing.

It is important to remember that some lizards may be prone to ingesting the substrate, so make sure that it does not create a choking hazard. It is also important to avoid using loose materials like gravel, soil, or wood shavings as they can be hazardous to your lizard’s health.

Are bearded dragons hard to keep alive?

Bearded dragons are relatively easy to keep alive if proper care is taken. A variety of housing requirements (i. e. size or temperature) must be maintained, as well as their diet and UV light exposure to provide a healthy habitat.

Due to their hardy nature, it is often easier to care for a Bearded Dragon than other types of reptiles. However, they do require specific and consistent care to ensure their health and longevity.

Regarding their housing, the habitat must be large enough to accommodate the Dragon and provide enough space for it to roam around and exercise. Temperatures need to be controlled between 90-100 F in the day (a basking area) and 80-85 F during nights.

Additionally, a basking area must be provided in order for the Dragon to thermoregulate, which requires UVB bulbs to create ultraviolet radiation.

Next, providing a balanced diet is important in providing proper nutrition for your Dragon. This includes a variety of grazers and foragers such as crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, leafy green vegetables, and, occasionally, some fruit.

It is also important to supply your Dragon with a variety of supplements to help them grow and maintain healthy skin and bones.

With all these in mind, caring for a Bearded Dragon may seem daunting at first, but if all requirements are met, they can make excellent companions and provide much joy over years of happy companionship.

Can you leave a heat lamp on all night for bearded dragon?

No, it is not recommended to leave a heat lamp on all night for a bearded dragon. Heat lamps produce a very concentrated and intense heat that could result in the enclosure becoming too hot for the bearded dragon, potentially leading to stress or physical harm.

Additionally, the lamp should be off for most of the night to simulate natural daylight patterns. Ideally, the lamp should be on for 8-12 hours a day, split into two sessions at the start and end of the day.

During the day, provide an appropriate basking spot in the enclosure at 95-105°F. At night, keep the temperature a few degrees cooler, generally an ambient temperature of 75-85°F is recommended.

How often should I hold my bearded dragon?

You should hold your Bearded Dragon for short periods of time several times a week. Handle your Bearded Dragon for roughly 10-15 minutes 4-5 times a week, making sure to chat, pet and interact with them to create a positive association with handling.

This will help you to build trust with your Bearded Dragon, as it gets used to being handled by you. Do not pick them up unless it is to move them to a new location or do a health check, as they do not like to be handled too much.

Allow it to move out of your hands when it wants to, and also make sure to support their back and bottom when you do hold them. Before handling, always make sure your hands are clean and warm, and avoid areas with any contaminants or parasites, like their toilet area or places where wild animals have been.

How long can a bearded dragon go without care?

The amount of time a bearded dragon can go without care depends on a variety of factors, including their age and general health. Generally speaking, a young and healthy bearded dragon in optimal conditions should be able to go about two weeks without any care.

However, this can be much shorter in less-than-ideal environments; for example, a bearded dragon exposed to extreme temperatures or prolonged hunger could suffer serious health complications or even death in the absence of proper care.

As such, it is extremely important to provide your bearded dragon with attentive care, including proper housing, diet, and health maintenance. For example, young and healthy bearded dragons should have access to temperatures within the range of 75°F to 95°F, and should be provided with a diet that is rich in protein and calcium.

Additionally, all bearded dragons should be checked for signs of illness or disease periodically by a reptile-knowledgeable veterinarian, as any health issues should be addressed as soon as possible.

In short, in order to ensure that a bearded dragon remains healthy, it is vital to provide them with attentive care – ideally, no more than two weeks should ever elapse between check-ups and general health maintenance.