Introduction

Congratulations on your decision to bring home a baby bearded dragon! These little reptiles are fascinating pets and can live up to 20 years with proper care. One of the most important things you’ll need to do as a new bearded dragon owner is to create a suitable living environment or tank for your baby beardie. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up a baby bearded dragon tank.

Tank Size

The first thing you’ll need to consider when setting up a baby bearded dragon tank is the size. Bearded dragons are active reptiles and need plenty of space to move around. A 20-gallon tank is the minimum size recommended for a baby bearded dragon. However, as your beardie grows, you’ll need to upgrade to a larger tank. A 40-gallon tank is suitable for an adult bearded dragon.

Lighting and Heating

Bearded dragons are reptiles that require specific lighting and heating conditions to thrive. You’ll need to provide your baby bearded dragon tank with a basking bulb and a UVB bulb. The basking bulb should be positioned at one end of the tank and provide a temperature of around 100-110°F. The UVB bulb should cover the entire tank and provide 10-12 hours of light per day. UVB light is essential for your bearded dragon’s health as it helps them produce vitamin D3, which is crucial for calcium absorption.

Substrate

The substrate is the material that covers the bottom of your bearded dragon tank. Choosing the right substrate is crucial as it can affect your beardie’s health. Avoid using sand or loose substrate as this can lead to impaction, a serious condition where your bearded dragon becomes blocked up due to undigested substrate. Some safe substrate options include reptile carpet, newspaper, and paper towels.

Decorations

Baby bearded dragons love to explore and climb, so adding decorations to their tank is a great way to keep them entertained. Branches, rocks, and hides are all great options. Just make sure that any decorations you add to the tank are safe for your bearded dragon and can’t be ingested.

Feeding and Water

Baby bearded dragons have specific dietary needs that must be met for them to grow and thrive. You’ll need to feed your beardie a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. You should also offer fresh vegetables, such as kale and collard greens, daily. Be sure to dust the insects with a calcium supplement powder before feeding them to your bearded dragon. As for water, bearded dragons need access to fresh, clean water at all times. You can provide water in a shallow dish or use a misting system.

Conclusion

Setting up a baby bearded dragon tank can seem overwhelming at first, but with the right information, you’ll be able to create a safe and comfortable home for your new pet. Remember to choose the right tank size, provide proper lighting and heating, choose an appropriate substrate, add suitable decorations, and feed and water your bearded dragon properly. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a responsible and caring bearded dragon owner.