Lizards
Rankin's dragon care guide
Pogona henrylawsoni
A smaller, more social cousin of the bearded dragon (about 12 in).
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Rankin's dragon enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult rankin's dragon should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 24" H (4 × 2 × 2 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 120-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 100–105°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Night
- 65–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off 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 arid setup; water dish or occasional misting.
Substrate and depth
Sand/soil mix. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Insects for juveniles; adults about half insects, half greens, dusted with calcium.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- 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.
Rankin's dragon FAQ
How big should an adult Rankin's dragon enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 24" H — about 4 × 2 × 2 ft, or a 120-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Rankin's dragon need?
Basking or warm surface 100–105°F basking spot, warm side 85–90°F, cool side 75–80°F, night 65–75°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Rankin's dragon need UVB?
Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Rankin's dragon need?
30–40%. Dry arid setup; water dish or occasional misting.
What substrate is best for a Rankin's dragon?
Sand/soil mix, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Rankin's dragon enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own rankin's dragon record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.