Bearded dragons need an area with high brightness, or what could be accurately described as full spectrum lighting. This type of lighting consists of a minimum of two basking lights for your pet––ideally with one containing UVA, and another containing UVB radiation.
In general, the temperature in the lizard’s basking spot should be between 95 – 110 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. UVA lighting should be between five and 12 percent while UVB should be less than two percent.
In addition to the basking lights, your bearded dragon will also need a normal white or blue light, or a combination of the two that can be used as a daytime light. It is important to create a 12-hour cycle of daylight and nighttime for your pet.
You will also need a reliable thermometer to make sure that the temperature used for basking is accurate.
If the enclosure is larger than three feet long, you should also consider using fluorescent bulbs to provide full-spectrum lighting from above the enclosure. This full-spectrum lighting should extend across the entire length of the enclosure and should be on for 12 hours each day.
In summary, a bearded dragon needs a minimum of two basking lights with one containing UVA and one containing UVB radiation, and a white or blue light for daylight. An enclosure larger than three feet long should also use fluorescent bulbs to provide full-spectrum lighting.
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Do bearded dragons need 2 lights?
Yes, bearded dragons need two lights in order to stay healthy and live comfortably. The proper lighting set up should consist of a UVA bulb and a UVB bulb. The UVA bulb should provide them with the proper ambient light, while the UVB bulb should provide them with the important UVB light for metabolizing calcium.
Both light bulbs should be no further than 12-18 inches from the basking area. Additionally, the basking light should be on during the day, while the UVB light should remain on continuously, day and night.
Do I turn off both my bearded dragons lights at night?
Yes, it is important to turn off any lights that you have in your bearded dragon’s enclosure at night, to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. In the wild, your bearded dragon would remain in its den or hide until morning light comes, and so it is important to replicate this environment in its enclosure.
Since they will naturally wake up with the morning light, you should also ensure that any lights that you have on during the day are off at night. This will also help their natural circadian rhythm, making sure their sleep time matches the natural setting.
Additionally, if there is too much light at night, it can lead to adverse health effects in bearded dragons, including stress and potential eye damage, so ensure you are turning off both your lights at night.
Where do you put the light on a bearded dragon?
The most important factor when placing a light on your bearded dragon is their natural habitat, which tends to be desert areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight. To give your bearded dragon a similar environment, you should place the light in a spot that will provide your pet with heat, UVB, and proper lighting.
Depending on the type of light you use, it might need to be placed a certain height from their basking spot, so check the package instructions to ensure you are following the correct recommendations.
Additionally, you will want to ensure the light fixture is placed in an area that can’t be easily accessed and that your bearded dragon can’t reach it. Taking the time to properly position the light can help create a healthy and comfortable living space for your bearded dragon and set them up for a successful and happy life.
How do I keep my bearded dragon warm at night?
To keep your bearded dragon warm at night, there are a few key steps you should follow. First, use a high-quality heat source such as an incandescent bulb, ceramic heat emitter, or heat panel to provide your dragon with the correct temperatures.
During the day, the basking spot should be between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cool side of the aquarium should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the basking spot should be around 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the cool side should be between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, you should use a thermostat to monitor and regulate the temperatures.
Second, you can supplement the heat in your bearded dragon’s cage at night by using an under tank heater (UTH) on the cool side of the cage. UTHs should be placed on the side of the cage that is farthest from the heat source.
This will create a basking gradient, allowing your bearded dragon to self-regulate it’s body temperature.
Third, you can use a heat mat or heat lamp strung near the top of the cage to create a warm area for your bearded dragon to sleep. This should be placed at one end of the cage and no higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Last, you can use a radiant heat panel placed on top of the screen top or the side of the cage to provide additional heat. The panel should be placed on the side of the cage that is closest to the basking spot.
This will create a chamber effect, allowing your bearded dragon to absorb the heat more readily.
By following these steps, you can provide your bearded dragon with a warm and comfortable nighttime environment.
Is it OK to leave a heat lamp on overnight?
Leaving a heat lamp on overnight is generally not recommended. Heat lamps produce a lot of heat and can create a fire hazard or create a temperature increase in the environment where the lamp is located.
Additionally, continuously running an electrical device such as a heat lamp overnight can increased the risk of an electrical fire, especially if the device is not being monitored or if there is a lack of an adequate ventilation system.
For these reasons, it is generally not recommended to leave a heat lamp on overnight.
Can I leave my bearded dragons heat lamp on overnight?
It is generally not safe to leave a bearded dragon’s heat lamp on overnight. Heat lamps can create an unsafe enclosure temperature if left running for too long. If temperatures get too high, it can cause dehydration, digestive issues, and other health problems for your bearded dragon.
A preferred method of heating would be to use an under-tank heating system, like a reptile-safe heat pad, as it will keep a consistent temperature without increasing the risk of creating an unsafe environment.
Additionally, you should also have a thermometer placed inside the enclosure to help you monitor the temperature levels and make sure they remain safe. Heat lamps are better used during the day as they provide a basking spot to warm up in, while overnight you should switch to a slower, more reliable form of heating.
How cold should my Beardies tank be at night?
Your Bearded Dragon’s tank should be at a cooler temperature at night, typically between 65 and 75°F. In their natural habitats, the temperature drops significantly after the sun sets, and it is important to provide your Bearded Dragon with a similar environment in captivity.
If the ambient temperature in their tank is too high, it can cause stress and illness. You can achieve the right decrease in temperature at night with the help of a ceramic heat emitter bulb and a thermostat for temperature regulation.
During the day, the temperature should remain as close to 90-95°F as possible and should never exceed 100°F. A regulated UVA/UVB light source should be used along with a basking lamp, preferably two, to help maintain these temperatures.
By providing the optimum tank environment for your Beardie, you can ensure their health and wellbeing.
When you turn on a bearded dragon Night Light do you keep the heat light on?
That depends on the type of lighting you are using. If you have a full-spectrum light, such as an LED, you will not typically need to keep the heat light on. However, if you have a traditional incandescent bulb night light, you may need to keep the heat light on if the night time temperature in your bearded dragon’s enclosure falls below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of the type of light you use, you should always have a thermometer in the enclosure to monitor temperatures. If temperatures fall below 70 degrees, you should definitely keep the heat light on to ensure your bearded dragon stays warm and comfortable.
What is the proper light setup for a bearded dragon?
A proper light setup for a bearded dragon is one that provides both UVA and UVB light. A full-spectrum bulb with a combination of UVA/UVB should be used as a primary light source with a basking spot light (50-70 watt for most small dragons up to 3-4 feet, up to a 150 watt for a large dragon over 4 feet long).
The bulb should be placed close enough to the dragon to provide UV coverage (no more than 12 inches away) in order to provide beneficial levels of UVA/UVB. A UVB-producing bulb, such as a Reptisun 10.
0, should be used to supplement the full-spectrum bulb. It should be placed in such a way that the bulb is not in direct contact with the dragon, and that the dragon has access to shade if needed. Additionally, a fluorescent light fixture may be used for additional light and a night bulb for nocturnal visibility.
In addition to lamp lighting, a basking platform should also be provided for the dragon to bask under. This should be heated to 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be provided with a thermostat or ceramic bulb for temperature control.
Finally, a regulated ambient air temperature should be provided by heating the air around your dragon. Aim for a temperature of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a basking site higher and cooler areas for when the dragon needs to cool off.
