Building A Healthy Bearded Dragon Vivarium
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If you have decided you want to buy a bearded dragon as a pet, there are a quite a few other things to consider before making your purchase. The most important thing you must think about is providing a comfortable home for your new pet. Creating a bearded dragon habitat kit, or enclosure, for your beardie is imperative to its health and comfort. You want to provide a home that is as close to their natural habitat as you possibly can.
If you've done some research, you know that your beardie will be about two feet long when fully grown. This means that its home should be at least twice as long to provide adequate living space. The enclosure also needs to be tall enough to prevent the animal from climbing or jumping out. You are going to need a habitat that is about the size of a 20- or 50-gallon aquarium and this takes up considerable space. The enclosure also needs to be in a relatively quiet area, free of loud noise and where there will not be light 24 hours a day. Like all animals, your pet needs dark periods of time and loud noises will cause it to stress which can cause illness.
There are many types of enclosures to choose from. A regular glass or acrylic aquarium will work well as a home for your pet. Just keep in mind that something this large is likely to be heavy. Many people opt for an enclosure that is wood on three sides with a glass front and sturdy lid. Wire enclosures will be lightweight. Just assure that your bearded dragon will have plenty of room when full grown, has a place to stay warm and that it can't escape or harm itself.
Coming from the grasslands of Australia your bearded dragon needs an environment that is somewhat desert-like. The substrate, or flooring, of their habitat should be a mixture of dirt and sand if you wish to provide a natural floor. Pet stores also sell carpet-like flooring that is easy to maintain, as well as other suitable materials. Some people simply use heavy-duty paper for easier clean up. Whichever flooring you choose, be sure that is won't aggravate the animals feet and won't cause illness if ingested.
The ability to warm itself is essential to the health of your bearded dragon, as well as having a source of ultra violet light. It is a must that you provide a heat lamp and a source of light for the UV rays and to simulate periods of night and day. A thermometer should also be inside the habitat to insure that your beardie has enough warmth.
Don't forget that you will need a water source and something to put their food in. Pet stores have a wide selection of products for this purpose. They are specially made to be safe for your pet and are not too deep and won't tip over. A shallow, heavy saucer that won't tip can also serve well. Your bearded dragon is an omnivore and eats plants and other animals. Along with a variety of fruit and vegetables, you should also give your pet live crickets or mealworms.
In addition to providing these essentials, you should also give your pet some 'furniture' for climbing and basking on. A flat rock or two under the heat lamp will be a favorite hang out as the rocks will absorb heat from the lamps and offer a nice place for sun bathing. Wooden logs, plants, rope or vines and even a poly rock wall for climbing will make your pet feel at home and provide a variety of options for their comfort.
Now that you know more about the requirements for your bearded dragon vivarium, you know that it can be expensive. With some creativity however, you can find items you can use that won't cost a lot. Just be sure that the items you choose are safe for your beardie. It would be a good idea to purchase a book on bearded dragon care so you can read up on how best to care for them. With an adequate home, warmth and food, you should have a happy, healthy pet.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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