Bearded dragon terrariums

What terrarium does a bearded dragon need?

An adult bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) needs a terrarium of at least 120 × 60 × 60 cm. The size is not arbitrary: that length is needed for a real thermal gradient between the warm and cool zones, so the animal can choose its temperature. In a shorter terrarium, the two zones overlap.

• Juvenile: you can start with 60 × 45 × 45 cm, as it finds food and the basking spot more easily. Move it to the adult terrarium before it reaches 30 cm.
• Adult Pogona henrylawsoni: more compact, it lives well in 90 × 45 × 45 cm.
• Adult Pogona vitticeps: 120 × 60 × 60 cm minimum, and larger if space allows.

Some keepers buy the adult terrarium straight away so they do not have to change it; both options are valid.

Which PVC terrarium is there for bearded dragons?

The PVC terrarium for bearded dragons in this collection is the horizontal model in 10 mm white PVC with sliding glass doors, in 40 × 40 × 80 cm and 50 × 50 × 100 cm. Based on its dimensions, the 50 × 50 × 100 cm one is suitable for a juvenile Pogona vitticeps or an adult Pogona henrylawsoni; for an adult vitticeps, the guide recommends a larger terrarium of 120 × 60 × 60 cm.

• Cross-ventilation: the bearded dragon genuinely needs it, not just a grille on top, to keep humidity between 30% and 40%.
• Two cable ports: for hanging ceramic lamp holders and installing the spot lamp and lighting.
• Stackable and easy to clean: delivered flat-packed and assembled with a screwdriver.

The availability of each size is shown on the terrarium's product page.

PVC, wooden or glass terrarium for a bearded dragon?

For a bearded dragon, a wooden terrarium with a glass front is the most recommended, and a PVC one is a good alternative if easy maintenance is the priority. Wood insulates heat well, maintains the temperature gradient with lower energy use and copes with the low humidity this species needs. PVC also insulates better than glass, is lightweight and very easy to clean.

A glass terrarium is the hardest to heat properly, because glass conducts heat outwards. Whatever the material, two conditions do not change: genuine cross-ventilation and no glass or plastic between the UVB tube and the bearded dragon, because those materials filter out ultraviolet radiation. For example, a T5 tube placed over a glass lid, however thin, no longer provides the UVB the animal needs, even though the light looks the same.

How much does it cost to set up a bearded dragon terrarium?

Setting up a terrarium for an adult bearded dragon costs roughly between €300 and €500, for a basic but correct set-up: terrarium, quality T5 UVB tube, basking spot lamp, thermostat and substrate. Here is the full list of what you need:

• Heat: 50 to 100 W halogen spot lamp with a ceramic lamp holder and a dimming thermostat.
• UVB: high-output T5 tube, giving a UV index of 4 to 6 in the basking zone.
• Monitoring: two probe thermometers, one at each end, and a hygrometer.
• Interior: substrate suited to age, basking platform, hide in the cool zone, food dish and water bowl.

The cheapest kits tend to cut corners precisely on the UVB, which is the most critical element. You will find lamps in UVB lighting and the step-by-step set-up in our bearded dragon terrarium guide.