Terrarium Size Guidelines
A bearded dragon terrarium needs to be big enough to provide enough space for exercise, as well as to facilitate a proper temperature gradient.
The absolute minimum appropriate enclosure size for a bearded dragon is 48″ x 24″ x 24″, or 120 x 60 x 60 cm.
However, ReptiFiles strongly recommends that you go above and beyond these dimensions for housing your pet. In fact, some sources argue that 5′ x 3′ x 3′ (150 x 90 x 90 cm) or 4′ x 2′ x 4′ (120 x 60 x 120 cm) is a more suitable starting point! Extra floor space and height allows your dragon to get more exercise, and demonstrate more natural behaviors, which makes them more enjoyable for your to watch!
Either way, you may have noticed that these recommendations are different from most sources. As we come to understand reptile health better, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the majority of pet reptiles are overweight due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. We at ReptiFiles strongly believe in promoting a standard of care that puts reptiles’ needs first, so our numbers are different. Bigger is always better, as long as you use the space well.
Here are some great bearded dragon enclosures available for purchase online:
Maximum Reptile
- Essential 4 – 48L x 24W x 24H (ReptiFiles Review)
- Essential 6 – 72L x 24W x 24H
- Essential 6 – 72L x 24W x 36H
Zen Habitats
- 4′ x 2′ x 2′ Wood Panel Reptile Enclosure (ReptiFiles Review)
- 4′ x 2′ x 2′ PVC Panel Reptile Enclosure (ReptiFiles Review)
- 4′ x 2 ‘x 4’ PVC Panel Reptile Enclosure
Kages
- 48″ x 24″ x 24″ / 4’ x 2’ x 2′
- 48″ x 24″ x 36″ / 4′ x 2′ x 3′
- 60″ x 24″ x 24″ / 5′ x 2′ x 2′
- 60″ x 36″ x 36″ / 5′ x 3′ x 3′
- 72″ x 24″ x 24″ / 6′ x 2′ x 2′
Carolina Custom Cages
Can you house 2 (or more) bearded dragons in the same tank?
It’s so tempting to buy more than one bearded dragon! They’re too cute to get just one, right? And housing them together just makes sense, right? After all, everyone needs a friend, and you’ll end up saving money on equipment, right?
Wrong. Here’s the facts of the matter:
Two adult female bearded dragons have been known to get along well enough, but they will have dominance disputes . This means that you will get to see beard flaring, head bobbing, and arm-waving. The submissive one will typically get last rights to basking spots and food, and will be more prone to illness due to stress (We experienced this with our females). Using an extra-large enclosure is best practice for this scenario. But if they start to attack one another, they must be separated!
Click here to see what happened after two long-term roommates got in a squabble.
Two male bearded dragons should never be housed together. Period. With them, dominance disputes can turn into real fights, and one or both may be injured or even killed.
One male and one female should also never be housed together. Putting two animals of opposite gender together nearly always results in mating, which leads to babies. Unless you want tons of baby bearded dragons (one female can produce up to 100 babies from a single mating), buy only one.
If you do want tons of baby bearded dragons, know what you’re getting into (and still house the male and female separately).
Bearded dragons of different ages/sizes:
Well, this picture shows more or less everything you need to know on the subject. Just don’t do it!
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