Bearded Dragon Cage Setup

If you are new to owning a bearded dragon pet, building a bearded dragon cage setup for your new pet can seem like a demanding task. But we assure you that creating a bearded dragon cage is not that difficult if you follow a few simple steps.

In this article, we will show you five steps for cage setup. After applying the steps, you can add items to the cage to fit your taste and satisfy your own needs as you gain more experience in caring for your bearded dragon.

5 Easy Steps to Build Your Bearded Dragon Cage Setup

Materials and Tools:

  • 20 – 40 Gallon Tank
  • UVB Light
  • Basking Lamp
  • Nocturnal Heat Lamp
  • Ramp
  • Humidity/Temperature Thermometer
  • Light Hoods
  • Food Bowl
  • Fake Plants
  • Electrical Timer
  • Rock (Optional)
  • Reptile Carpet

Step 1: Select a Terrarium

Firstly, you need a tank. The bearded dragon needs enough space to lie down, walk and anything else it wants to do.

The good size for a baby bearded dragon is 20 gallons, but you will need more space for older bearded dragons. Also, don’t forget that the tank needs a top cover of wood or metal with a wire mesh in the middle.

You can build a tank; you don’t always have to buy one. Most pet parents use white laminated plywood as the structure of it.  

Step 2: Lighting Fixtures and Humidity

Lighting Matters

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, so they need a warm place to be happy. First, you will need to get the basking lamp and nocturnal heat light and put them in a double light hood. You also need to put the UVB lamp in a light hood but separate it from the heat lamp.

Also, you will need to replace the UVB light when it reaches around 6-8 months of age because it will wear out. To hang the lights up you will need to either make or get a light stand. The UVB light sits on the mesh next to the heat.

Humidity Matters

You need a ramp under the heat lamp so your dragon can get closer to the heat if cold. In addition to that, you may need a timer when it comes to turning on and off the lights. You can keep the nocturnal light on 24 hours to keep the cage warm enough and the basking light on during the day as well as the UBV light.

Humidity is an important part too. High or low humidity put your dragon in the risk of getting upper repertory infection, so you have to keep the humidity around 20% – 30%.

Also, your dragon can get URI because of high or low temperature. Keep the temperature around 110 degrees during the day and 80 degrees at night.

Step 3: Substrate

Using sand is one of the biggest mistakes with people caring for bearded dragons. Instead, you can use reptile carpet, or nothing at all.

If you choose to use reptile carpet, resize it to fit the tank and just put it in. Of course, a carpet is a lot easier than cleaning out dirty sand weekly.

Step 4: Add Accessories

Your bearded dragon will enjoy these. Accessories can make the cage look great and make your dragon feel comfortable. First, you can get a hammock, or you can create one.

Secondly, you can get some fake plants which look beautiful. Don’t put real plants because they are messy, and some may be poisonous. Thirdly, you can get a food bowl for your friend.

Note: that there are many more accessories you can add to the Bearded Dragon Cage.

Step 5: Try It!

Your cage setup is done! Just put your dragon in and keep looking for ways to improve its life. Keep it alive and happy!

Gallery of different ideas for Bearded Dragon Cage Setup

Hope you get some inspiration from this post to create your own setup. If you need to check out other setup, you might want to read our DIY Reptile Enclosure Guide or DIY Veil Chameleon Cage Setup Guide.