Natural Habitat The bearded dragons naturally live in areas of Australia that provide high temperatures, as well as land formations that are suitable for perching or shading.
When building a vivarium for a bearded dragon it should be identical to the natural living conditions in order for the bearded dragon to survive and live a healthy life.
The natural habitat also provides the correct insects, and ample space for the bearded dragon to move about that should be mimicked by the vivarium.
Vivarium Construction Regardless of the type of vivarium to be used, the beardie should be placed in a vivarium that is already built and ready for use; transferring a bearded dragon from the store to an unfinished bearded dragon vivarium may cause problems with the dragon's adaption to the vivarium.
A commercial reptile cage or aquarium may be used as a vivarium, though one may be built by the owner to fit any budgets or special ideas the owner may have for the dragon.
Despite the type of housing used, it should provide enough space to allow for the dragon to move around with ease and have areas built for perching.
Lizards fewer than six inches in length require a vivarium with a volume close to that of a twenty gallon fish tank, while adult dragons require over twice the amount of space.
A small vivarium is important for young lizards to feel secure, and to be able to catch live insects with ease.
It is important to consider the growth rate of young dragons, which can grow rapidly in a month and require a larger vivarium.
It is recommended for an adult bearded lizard vivarium to be 42" wide and 24" tall, with a length of around 20" in order to provide sufficient rooms for the dragon.
If one is housing multiple bearded dragons, or even breeding them, the vivarium should be large enough to accommodate all of the dragons being contained.
Vivarium Environment The environment must produce a temperature gradient, which is a varied temperature throughout the cage.
A bearded dragon's daily activities usually consist of basking in sunlight, which means the bearded dragon vivarium should have a basking area set up to produce temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
In contrast, a shaded area that is at room temperature is required; this is due to the nature of the dragons to be thermoregulation reptiles.
A constant temperature throughout the vivarium will cause a decrease in the dragon's appetite and calcium absorption; however the right temperatures will increase the appetite and even induce the growth of vivid colors by the bearded dragon.
Heating lamps should be installed to maintain the correct temperature gradient, and homes that are subject to colder temperatures at night may require additional heating sources.
The environment of the bearded lizard vivarium must be suitable inside and out, meaning the location of the vivarium is important as well.
The vivarium must not be placed in direct sunlight, as it will cause temperatures that are too high for the dragon to survive; the vivarium should also be placed away from air conditioning and other sources of cold air, as the lizards are vulnerable to health problems in cold areas.
Traffic outside of the vivarium should not be excessive, excessive traffic will lead to higher levels of stress in the dragons; some levels of traffic are required for the bearded dragons because of the dragon's nature to want to observe.