Who says dragons don’t exist? Bearded dragons are amazing creatures, with big personalities and a real sense of magic. And with the right temperature, lighting, and habitat, you can make them the perfect home. So let’s look at how to set up your first bearded dragon vivarium. 

Bearded dragons are a breed of lizard that’s most active in the daytime. You’ll need to be gentle, yet confident at handling them, and have a decent budget to set-up a proper home for your scaly friend, which includes a vivarium and all the equipment inside. Then there’s the ongoing heating, food, and vet care costs, which you’ll need to pay long-term.

As a rule of thumb, an adult bearded dragon needs a temperature-controlled vivarium that’s at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet - so roughly 120cm long. They’ll be thankful for plenty of décor to boost their wellbeing because they love to move, climb, and regulate their body temperature. 

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, which means they need you to bring the heat. By warming their environment appropriately, you’ll help keep their body at the right temperature. 
They rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature, so you need to create a thermal gradient in the vivarium - one warm end and one cool end - so they can warm up or cool down whenever they feel like it. 
The warm end needs a basking spot of around 38 - 45°C and the cool end should be between 20 - 26°C, with nighttime dropping to around 18 - 22°C. This basking heat usually comes from a heat lamp, with a reflector positioned at one end of the vivarium. In colder homes, a ceramic heat emitter can also be used for extra night-time warmth. 
Monitor temperatures using digital thermometers at both ends. Make sure your dragon can’t come into contact with any heating equipment. 
Lighting is also important. Bearded dragons need a high-quality UVB light source. UVB helps them produce vitamin D3, absorb calcium, and avoid a condition called metabolic bone disease. To mimic natural daylight, lights should run for around 10 - 12 hours per day. Using a timer helps keep this consistent. 

Firstly, you’ll need a suitable substrate. There are a few types that can be used, including desert sand, topsoil, reptile carpet, tiles or even paper towels. 
Every bearded dragon needs sturdy branches for climbing, secure rocks or platforms for basking, and hides at both ends of the enclosure. Décor isn’t just for looks - it’s an important part of enrichment. 

Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they can eat both plants and animal matter. Juvenile dragons eat more live insects, while adult dragons also eat leafy greens. Adults are partial to leafy greens like dandelions, watercress and rocket. They can also have fruits like grated apple or finely chopped grapes as treats. 
For enrichment, they love live food. The insects should be roughly as large as the distance between your dragon’s eyes, but a little bigger is fine. And always remove any uneaten food or leftover live insects. Insects left in the enclosure overnight can sometimes nip your dragon.

Yes. Calcium and vitamin D3 is essential to keep their bones strong. But in captivity, dragons might not get enough from food alone. However, there are ways around this. Food should be dusted regularly with calcium and vitamin supplements to support healthy bones. 
Remember, your UVB light set-up needs to be correct for these supplements to work to their full potential.

Simply place a shallow dish of water in their vivarium so it’s easy for your dragon to access.

You’ll need to remove any uneaten food or leftover live insects, because insects left in the enclosure overnight can sometimes nip your dragon. 
Safety wise, place their vivarium away from drafts and direct sunlight, so it’s easier to keep temperatures stable. Also make sure your dragon can’t come into contact with any heating equipment.

Every animal is prone to specific kinds of illnesses and bearded dragons are no different. By learning what to look out for, you can catch it early and get it treated ASAP. 
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is one specific condition to be aware of. It can happen if your dragon doesn’t get the right UVB lighting. UVB helps them produce vitamin D3, absorb calcium, and avoid this condition.

It’s great that you’re about to become a dragon parent, and we want to do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible. 
Make sure their vivarium is set up with the right combination of heating, lighting and diet. Provide shallow food and water dishes that are easy for your dragon to access. Make sure there are sturdy branches for climbing, secure rocks or platforms, and hides at both ends of the enclosure. With all this in place, your bearded dragon can really bask in the glory of their new home.