Adoptable Bearded Dragons Requirements
Enclosure checklist for adopting a Bearded Dragon through NCHS:
1) The minimum enclosure size needs to be 36" by 18" floorspace (40 gallon breeders are perfect).
2) UVB tube lighting, either T8 (which must be hung under the screen), or T5 (which is the better option providing stronger UVB) provides the best UVB coverage.
3) Heat/basking lighting (a halogen flood light provides UVA and par that mimics our Sun) is the goal to creating a "sunlike" environment.
4) NO red bulbs! (red bulbs are an invention of the pet industry, they don't provide sunlike brightness if used for heat during the day, and if used at night can impair sleep patterns with the third eye of the BD).
5) NO coil UVB bulbs (coil UVB provides UVB in one particular spot, beardies need a range of UVB in many temperature zones, which tubes provide well)
6) Nighttime heat is not needed if your house does not dip below 65 degrees. If it does, use a Ceramic Heat Emitter, this will provide heat without light.
7) NO loose substrate of any kind. That includes sand, calcium-sand, crushed walnut shells, and anything loose that can be ingested. These harbor bacteria, can cause impaction and respiratory infections, and are unsanitary. Good choices are tile, reptile carpet, newspaper, and paper towels.
Click here to download the enclosure checklist.
1) The minimum enclosure size needs to be 36" by 18" floorspace (40 gallon breeders are perfect).
2) UVB tube lighting, either T8 (which must be hung under the screen), or T5 (which is the better option providing stronger UVB) provides the best UVB coverage.
3) Heat/basking lighting (a halogen flood light provides UVA and par that mimics our Sun) is the goal to creating a "sunlike" environment.
4) NO red bulbs! (red bulbs are an invention of the pet industry, they don't provide sunlike brightness if used for heat during the day, and if used at night can impair sleep patterns with the third eye of the BD).
5) NO coil UVB bulbs (coil UVB provides UVB in one particular spot, beardies need a range of UVB in many temperature zones, which tubes provide well)
6) Nighttime heat is not needed if your house does not dip below 65 degrees. If it does, use a Ceramic Heat Emitter, this will provide heat without light.
7) NO loose substrate of any kind. That includes sand, calcium-sand, crushed walnut shells, and anything loose that can be ingested. These harbor bacteria, can cause impaction and respiratory infections, and are unsanitary. Good choices are tile, reptile carpet, newspaper, and paper towels.
Click here to download the enclosure checklist.
