Bearded Dragon Heat & UVB Lights

Bearded Dragons need UVB light 8 - 12 inches from their basking spot for 12-14 hours per day. Make sure your bearded dragon can't access the light. A chicken wire screen around the light will prevent this, without filtering the uv rays. Replace the bulb once every 6 months - a year even if it still works. The uv after this time has degraded.

Natural sunlite is best, and taking your beardie out to the yard on sunny days is recommended. Be careful it doesn't escape. They run and climb extremely fast, a portable cage for outdoor use is recommended.

Bearded Dragon Temperature

Bearded Dragons need high temperatures in order to digest food. The basking area of the cage should be 105 degrees. You must also provide a cooler area, and the lower range should be 85 degrees. Heat should be provided for 12 - 14 hours/day. Night time heating is not necessary unless your home falls below 65 degrees. If you do find you need night time heating, use a human heating pad or under the tank heat pad, not lights as this will disturb your dragons sleep.

There are several ways to heat the cage. The best way to provide heat is by using an ordinary household light bulb and lamp . Use a digital thermometer to get an accurate temperature reading (place the probe where your beardie usually tends to bask), and adjust the wattage and placement of the bulb until you get the correct temperature. The heat source should preferably be overhead.

Ceramic heat emitters can be used, but a strong wire casing must be used to prevent the lizard from burning itself.

Don't use heat rocks. They have a bad reputation for over heating and burning lizards.