RecoveryLizards
Bearded dragon care guide
Pogona vitticeps
A large, highly active desert lizard with one of the highest UVB requirements in the hobby. 40-gallon tanks are a starting point, not an adult home.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Bearded dragon enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult bearded dragon should live in at least 48" L × 24" W × 24" H; we build toward 96" L × 24" W × 24" H (8 × 2 × 2 ft, roughly 16 sq ft of floor and about a 239-gallon glass equivalent).
4x2x2 is the floor; 6–8ft long is where they thrive. Never house two together.
- Hatchling / baby
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 72" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 96" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Cluster of halogen flood bulbs over a raised basking platform, on a dimming thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 100–107°F surface for adults (105–110°F for babies)
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–95°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–85°F ambient
- Night
- 65–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Linear T5 UVB 10–12% spanning ~2/3 of the enclosure (UVI 4–6 at basking). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–40%. Dry enclosure, water bowl only; high humidity causes respiratory infection.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / play sand mix (bioactive friendly). Depth: 4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Raised basking rock or platform under the lamp
- Hide on the cool end
- Branches for climbing
- Water bowl and open sight-lines
Build list
- 4x2x2 minimum enclosure (6ft preferred) — Beardies patrol constantly and need a huge gradient.
- Linear T5 10–12% UVB fixture — Highest-UVB pet species; compact coil bulbs are not adequate.
- Halogen flood bulbs + dimming thermostat — Wide, hot basking surface rather than a hotspot.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk topsoil/sand mix — Diggable and dust-free at 4in depth.
Bearded dragon FAQ
How big should an adult Bearded dragon enclosure be?
At least 48" L × 24" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 96" L × 24" W × 24" H — about 8 × 2 × 2 ft, or a 239-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Bearded dragon need?
Basking or warm surface 100–107°F surface for adults (105–110°F for babies), warm side 85–95°F ambient, cool side 75–85°F ambient, night 65–75°F. Cluster of halogen flood bulbs over a raised basking platform, on a dimming thermostat.
Does a Bearded dragon need UVB?
Linear T5 UVB 10–12% spanning ~2/3 of the enclosure (UVI 4–6 at basking). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Bearded dragon need?
30–40%. Dry enclosure, water bowl only; high humidity causes respiratory infection.
What substrate is best for a Bearded dragon?
Topsoil / play sand mix (bioactive friendly), at a depth of 4 in.
How big does a Bearded dragon enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own bearded dragon record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.