Before you bring your new bearded dragon home, you want to get everything set up and ready to ensure your beardie is comfortable from the day they arrive. Bearded dragons have specific habitat requirements ensuring that they receive ample basking time and heat to make them feel at home. Remember a bearded dragon’s natural habitat is dry, hot with limited humidity.
This is why it’s so important you choose the right cage. The cage is also referred to as a tank, vivarium and terrarium. Selection should be made based on the size of the bearded dragon you are getting and the space you have available at home to put the cage on display.
Table of Contents
Best Bearded Dragon Enclosures
It is imperative when choosing a cage that you choose a cage that is the right size to make your dragon comfortable, bearing in mind that your beardie is going to grow at a rapid rate when they are younger with growth slowing as they mature.
Carolina Custom Cage Terrarium, Tall Extra-Long Deep 48L
The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium 48L is a large terrarium with extra length to provide your beardie with all the space he or she needs. These cages offer easy assembly and come in a range of models, ensuring you find the perfect match based on the size of your beardie and the space you have available.
This cage offers a 6.3 inch deep waterproof base and outstanding security, keeping your bearded dragon safe. The glass front provides a wonderful viewing windows, so you can watch your dragon as it goes about its day. In addition to this, these cages offer easy access for cleaning and feeding through the top cover and the front doors.
Stats For Nerds
- Dimensions: 48L x 24D x 24H
- Volume: 120 gallons
Pros
- Best size for bearded dragon
- Deep waterproof base
- Excellent viewing
- Easy access for feeding and cleaning
- Safe and secure
- Easy assembly
Cons
- None, we love this product!
REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Large Terrarium
The REPTIZOO 67 Gallon tank is a durable and strong tempered glass cage that provides a great habitat for your bearded dragon. This cage offers outstanding ventilation through the top cover, which also allows for ample infrared and UVB penetration. This cage also offers a waterproof base with space for a substrate heat mat, if you prefer.
The REPTI ZOO 67 gallon offers an easy sliding front door, which makes feeding and cleaning quick and hassle-free. Build up the cage in only five minutes.
REPTIZOO offers twelve years of experience offering this cage which is suitable for humid and damp locations with a glass tank which is hygienic and very easy to clean.
Stats For Nerds
- Dimentions: 48L x 18D x 18H
- Volume: 67 gallons
Pros
- Durable and strong
- Hygienic tempered glass for easy cleaning
- Excellent ventilation
- Waterproof base
- UVB and Infrared penetration
- Sliding front doors
- Five minute installation
Cons
- A 67 gallon tank is a bit small for an adult bearded dragon
Exo Terra Allglass Terrarium
The Exo Terra Allglass Terrarium provides you with a glass tank with patented front window ventilation. This cage comes with a waterproof bottom with ample space for a substrate heater. You will find the dual doors a welcome addition to reduce escaping while enabling you to clean and feed your dragon with confidence.
This cage is deep in design which reduces the risk of escaping and is a versatile and adaptable tank available in twelve sizes. Durability, ventilation, and ample lighting are words that come to mind when it comes to this terrarium.
Stats For Nerds
- Dimentions: 36L x 18D x 24H
- Volume: 67 gallons
Pros
- Glass tank – easy cleaning and great viewing opportunities
- Waterproof bottom with space for cleaning quick and easy substrate heater
- Dual doors with locks to reduce the risk of escape
- Removable lid for easy cleaning, while providing ample ventilation
- Deep design to prevent escape
- Versatile – available in twelve sizes
- Durable and strong
- Top screen allows for UVB and infrared penetration
Cons
- 36L is not enough for an adult bearded dragon
Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Tall Extra-Extra-Long Deep 60L
The Carolina Custom Cage 60L comes with easy assembly and is available in eighteen different models to ensure you find the right size to meet the demands of your growing bearded dragon. The twelve inch waterproof base is the perfect space to hide your substrate heater while keeping your beardie comfortable and safe.
This cage offers key lock security, fantastic viewing and outstanding ventilation. The easy access lid and front access makes feeding and cleaning quick and easy. This tank is made of the finest quality materials to provide a strong and durable tank you can house your beardie in with confidence.
Please note, that when ordering this cage, it comes in two separate boxes which must be ordered separately. Ordering only one box will make it impossible to complete your cage set up and bring your bearded dragon home.
Stats For Nerds
- Dimentions: 60L x 24D x 24H
- Volume: 150 gallons
Pros
- Easy assembly
- 6.3” waterproof base with space for substrate heater
- Excellent ventilation
- Great viewing of your beardie
- Easy access through front doors and lid for easy maintenance and feeding
- High quality design
- Reduced risk of escape
Cons
- Comes in two boxes which must be ordered separately
Carolina Custom Cage Terrarium Giant Deep 72L
The Carolina Custom Cage Terrarium Giant Deep 72L offers an easy assembly cage for your bearded dragon which can suit him/her through their adult years. These cages come in a choice of models with hinged doors offered on the smaller 24 and 32L designs and sliding doors on the larger 48 and 72L design.
This cage comes with the convenience of a 6.3 inch waterproof base and easy access from the front and top for easy maintenance and feeding. This cage comes in large sizes to ensure your dragon’s needs are met with confidence.
Just like the Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium 60L, the Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium Giant deep 72L comes with two different boxes. You must order two items separately in order to assemble.
Stats For Nerds
- Dimentions: 72L x 18D x 24H
- Volume: 134 gallons
Pros
- Ample space for an adult bearded dragon
- Easy assembly
- Sliding doors
- 6.3” waterproof base with place for substrate heater
- Easy access through top and front for feeding and cleaning
- Lid allows ample light flow for UVB and Infrared to keep your dragon healthy
Cons
- Comes in two boxes which must be ordered separately
Benefits Of A Proper Bearded Dragon Cage
Knowing the basics of what to look for when choosing the best bearded dragon cage is one thing, but knowing the benefits can help you ensure you provide your dragon with the best home closest to their natural habitat, keeping the beardie happy and healthy for years to come.
A bearded dragon home offers a safe place where your bearded dragon can spend their days basking in the sun and being protected from the family dog or cat. In addition to this, a good bearded dragon cage can reduce the risk of escape, keeping your dragon in the cage. Further, the right cage helps to keep the insects in, which ensures your dragon eats a healthy and well-balanced diet, keeping the cage as close to their natural habitat as possible.
Here is what a bearded dragon vivarium should look like
General Requirements
Every bearded dragon cage should have a good quality substrate on the bottom and a hide or cave where your dragon can go and hide when they want quiet. You want to ensure you provide ample lighting with a basking light and platform, enabling your beardie to sunbathe and soak up the sun, as they do in the wild. All cages should have food bowls, thermometers, and decorations that make your bearded dragon feel at home.
How to set up a bearded dragon tank
Choosing a Cage – What You Need to Consider
A bearded dragon needs to be kept in an enclosure which has been designed to be as close to its natural habitat as possible. When making your selection, there are some important factors to take into consideration, these include:
- Ventilation
- Safety
- Escape opportunities
- Size
- Material
Ventilation
There should always be ample ventilation provided for your bearded dragon. Good airflow helps to keep the air fresh inside the tank, reducing unwanted smells, while helping to manage heat, helping you control the heat to meet your bearded dragons’ unique requirements.
Safety
Safety is very important when it comes to your bearded dragon’s cage and something to take into consideration when making your tank selection. Cages should lock with ease to reduce the risk of your bearded dragon getting out and possibly lost or injured.
Escape Opportunities
Bearded dragons cannot climb the side of a glass tank, which is some good news when selecting your new bearded dragon tank. But if you have a piece of branch or a basking platform that is quite high, your beardie can climb out. This is why you need to ensure your cage has a mesh lid which stops your dragon from escaping. Any front doors to the cage, whether sliding or hinged should have a strong and durable lock, ensuring your dragon remains safe and secure in his/her tank at all times.
Sizing
Choosing the right size for your tank is something that should be done with serious consideration to ensure your bearded dragon has plenty of space to move around with confidence. Remember bigger is better.
Cages come in a variety of sizes. As a rule of thumb, you should work to:
|
Tank Size |
Bearded Dragon Length |
|---|---|
|
20 gallon |
Baby dragon (less than 10 inches) |
|
40 gallon |
10 – 16 inches |
|
50 – 75 gallon |
16 – 20 inches |
| 75 – 120 gallon |
20 inches and above |
Materials
Tanks and cages come in a variety of materials. There are those you purchase in a pet shop or online such as your glass tanks and purpose made vivariums and terrariums and then there are those you can make at home as a DIY project. If you are a first-time bearded dragon owner, it’s recommended to make your purchase from the pet shop to ensure your bearded dragon has the best cage to ensure they are remained comfortable.
The most common material choice when it comes to bearded dragon cages is glass. Glass offers an excellent viewing window, enabling you to keep an eye on your dragon at all times.
The second most common option is melamine cages. These are often DIY projects where beardie owners make their own cages and while these are a great and affordable option, they don’t provide as much viewing space. Melamine cages are best recommended when building the cage into an existing cabinet, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to clean bearded dragon cage?
A. Check out this video
Q. What temperature should a bearded dragon’s cage be?
A. The ideal temperature for an adult bearded dragon should be
- Basking area – 105-110ºF.
- Daytime hot area – 95-105ºF.
- Daytime cool area – 85-95ºF.
- Nighttime Minimum Temperature – 65ºF.
Q. Where to put bearded dragon cage?
A. You should choose a room in the house that has the most consistent temperature during both day and night. Keep your bearded dragon enclosure away from sun rooms, rooms with wood burners, rooms that are used regularly and any rooms that use an oven or heating.
Q. How to keep bearded dragon cage from smelling?
A. There are a few things to get rid of the smell in the tank:
- Bath your bearded dragon frequently.
- Make sure the cage is dry as moisture can carry bacteria.
- Deep clean the tank at least once a month.
- Remove fecal matter and urea daily.
- Remove uneaten food and clean food/water bowl daily.
Q. How many bearded dragons in one tank?
A. Bearded dragons are dominance oriented species and they live alone in natural habitat. Co-habitation is not recommended except for breeding purposes.
Q. How often should I clean out a bearded dragon vivarium?
A. Once a month is fine.
Q. How to heat bearded dragon tank at night?
A. If the temperature is lower than 65ºF, you can use ceramic heat emitter to ensure a good temperature for your bearded dragon.
Q. How big does a bearded dragon enclosure need to be?
A. Bearded dragons are used to wandering in the wild so they should have an enormous enough vivarium. Therefore, make sure the minimum tank size is 40 gallons.
Q. How much does a bearded dragon cage cost?
A. The minimum size of a bearded dragon tank is 40 gallons and will cost about one hundred dollars or more.
Conclusion
Choosing your bearded dragon cage can be quite daunting, but with the information above, it’s easy to see that the Carolina Custom Cage Terrarium 48L is the clean winner.
The cage comes with only one single box. It meets the needs of your bearded dragon, catering to an adult beardie of twenty inches and above. While you can keep your baby dragons in smaller cages, moving them to a large cage from the start can reduce costs and ensure your dragon can grow with ease and confidence.
The waterproof base offers a welcome addition to these tanks. This reduces the risk of mess and also provides you with space to put a substrate heater if you choose to use a product of this nature. This is down to personal preference. Substrate heaters are best used during the winter months, helping you to manage the heat inside the tank and keep your beardie comfortable at all times.
Carolina custom cages offer glass fronts, which offer a great way to view your beardie without bothering them too much. Every bearded dragon has its own personality. Enjoy watching your bearded dragons antics with ease through the clear glass panels.
We mentioned earlier the importance of ventilation in the tank and the Carolina custom tanks provide excellent ventilation through the top of the tank, which ensures that your dragon receives ample fresh air while removing unwelcome smells and maintaining the right heat.
In addition to this, these cages are deep in design. While we know that bearded dragons cannot climb the glass sides of a tank, they can climb onto branches and basking platforms to plan their escape.
Thanks for providing reviews, it was informative. In your expert opinion, how would the Carolina 48x24x24 compare with the Reptizoo 48x24x24?
Thanks Steve. There no much difference between them. However, I prefer the Reptizoo 48x24x24 a bit more as I like the inlets for wires and tubing on the right side of the tank.