One of the first things you will have to do when you set up a bearded dragon tank is find a way to maintain the proper temperature. This will be extremely important for the long-term health and welfare of your new pet reptile. In the following article, we’ll help you figure out what temp should my bearded dragon tank be. You’ll also find some heating accessories further down in this article that will help keep your bearded dragon tank at the optimal temperature.
How Hot Should a Bearded Dragon Tank Be?
The Bearded Dragons natural habitat is the Australian Outback, which is hot and dry throughout the year. Since bearded dragons have evolved to live in such hot dry environments they need to be kept in similar conditions in captivity. In order to keep your bearded dragon healthy and active, they will need to have a mix of temperatures zones in their tank, so they can bask and cool down whenever the need arises.
Optimal Temperature for an Adult Bearded Dragon
Adult bearded dragons can handle slightly lower temperatures than young bearded dragons. This is mainly due to their larger body size which allows them to retain heat longer than a smaller bearded dragon. And since they are not growing as quickly, they don’t need as much heat to boost their metabolism.
| Temperature Zone | Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 90°F to 95°F |
| Non-Basking Area | 80°F to 90°F |
Optimal Temperature for a Juvenile Bearded Dragon
Juvenile bearded dragons fall somewhere in between adults and babies when it comes to their heating requirements. Even though their growth has slowed down they still require the extra heat to help increase their metabolism. And their body mass is still on the low side, so they are not as efficient at maintaining their body temperature.
| Temperature Zone | Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 95°F to 100°F |
| Non-Basking Area | 80°F to 90°F |
Optimal Temperature for a Baby Bearded Dragon
Baby bearded dragons need to be kept at a relatively high temperature in order to be healthy and active. Very young bearded dragons are in a stage of their life where they experience rapid growth. In order to fuel this growth, they need to keep their metabolism high by staying warm throughout the day. Since baby bearded dragons are so small they won’t be able to retain as much body heat, so they should always have access to a heat source even at night if that is possible.
| Temperature Zone | Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Basking Area | 95°F to 110°F |
| Non-Basking Area | 80°F to 90°F |
Bearded Dragon Temperature at Night
Bearded dragons can tolerate lower temperatures at night. In their natural environment in the Australian desert, nighttime temperatures can drop considerably. This happens in most deserts where swings in temperature of 30 to 40 degrees between night and day are not uncommon. Because of their ability to tolerate this, you can keep your bearded dragons habitat close to room temperature at night.
| Temperature Zone | Temperature Range |
|---|---|
| Night Temperature | 70°F to 75°F |
What is the Lowest Temperature a Bearded Dragon can Survive?
Answering what is the lowest temperature a bearded dragon can survive, is a bit of a challenge and will only be a rough estimate. What has been observed in nature and by veterinarians is that bearded dragons will start to become lethargic at 60°F. And as the temperature drops further their body will begin to shut down, and they will die if they are not warmed back up to the proper temperature.
Bearded Dragon Tank Accessories
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Bearded Dragon Temperature Control
Zoo Med Repti Temp Digital Infrared Thermometer
The Zoo Med Repti Temp Digital Infrared Thermometer (Buy Online) is a great tool to have if you want to accurately track the temperature of your bearded dragons habitat. This thermometer is able to measure temperatures that range from -28° to 230° F (-22° to 110° C).
To take a temperature measurement with this device, all you will have to do is point at the spot you wish to measure and push the button. This will give you a local temperature reading of the area the thermometer is directly pointing at. This granular temperature data is more useful than the coarse readings you would get from a regular thermometer.
Having information about the temperature gradients in your bearded dragons habitat will allow you to dial in your lighting and heating setup. With this thermometer, you will be able to keep your bearded dragons basking area nice and warm. While at the same time you will be able to find or create cooler areas for them to take refuge in once they are fully warmed up.
Zoo Med Digital Thermometer
The Zoo Med Digital Thermometer (Buy Online) will give you a good overview of the temperature in your bearded dragon’s tank. This thermometer will measure temperatures that range from 10° to 140° F (-23° to 60° C).
If you want to know the temperature of your bearded dragons habitat at a glance this is the type of thermometer you want. This thermometer has a digital display with easy to read numbers, so you won’t have any problems reading this thermometer when it comes time to check on the temperature in your bearded dragons habitat.
You will also be able to place this thermometer inside or outside of a tank since the temperature probe is attached to a long flexible wire. The probe itself is also fully submersible, so you won’t have to worry about it getting destroyed if it gets exposed to water. And to top it all off this thermometer comes with batteries included, so it will be ready to go right out of the package.
Zilla Temperature Controller
The Zilla Temperature Controller (Buy Online) is a perfect addition to any bearded dragons heating setup. If you want to control multiple high powered heat sources this controller has got you covered. This temperature controller is rated to handle devices that consume up to 1000 watts of power. For most bearded dragon tanks this power capacity will be more than adequate.
This temperature controller can be connected to basking lights, heating pads, heated basking rocks and any other heating accessories. All of these devices will be turned on and off by a thermostat that takes accurate temperature readings from inside your bearded dragons habitat.
Setting up this temperature controller is a simple task. All you will have to do is plug all of your equipment into the controller. Then you will have to attach the temperature probe to the inside of your bearded dragons habitat in a location that will give a good representation of the tanks temperature. Then you can turn the controller’s temperature dial to your desired temperature setting, and then the controller will automatically keep your bearded dragon’s tank at that temperature.
Zoo Med Repticare Terrarium Controller
The Zoo Med Repticare Terrarium Controller (Buy Online) is perfect for someone who uses lights to heat their bearded dragons habitat. This controller acts as a power strip and a timer in one easy to use device. The Zoo Med Repticare Terrarium Controller has 8 grounded outlets, four of which are connected to the timer, and the remaining four are continuously powered.
The four outlets connected to the timer can be programmed to simulate a natural day/night cycle. That means you can turn on your non-infrared basking lights during the day, and then turn them off at night. And if you are using any other supplemental heating sources they can also be connected to the timed outlets to save electricity at night.
The four always-on outlets are perfect for devices that have to run all day long 24/7. One good example is infrared-lighting. Since infrared-lighting can be kept on all day without disturbing you or your bearded dragon, it is a perfect heat source for use in those outlets. Under Tank heaters can also be left on all day, so they also can be plugged into the always-on outlets. If you need a good power strip with a built-in timer the Zoo Med Repticare Terrarium Controller is one of the best options available.
Zoo Med Large Repti-Therm UTH Under Tank Heater
The Zoo Med Large Repti-Therm UTH Under Tank Heater (Buy Online) will help you take the chill out of a bearded dragons habitat. This under tank heater is designed for use on 40 to 50-gallon tanks, so you can be sure it will evenly heat a large area.
The Zoo Med Large Repti-Therm UTH Under Tank Heater is designed to heat a tank up to 5 to 10 degrees above ambient room temperature. That makes this heater perfect if you live in a cool environment, and you want to be sure your whole tank is kept at a safe temperature.
An under tank heater will also help ensure there are no cold spots in your bearded dragon’s tank since it provides a more even source of heat in comparison to lights or other heating elements. And the warmth from an under tank heater will not escape from the tank as easily as other heating methods.
If you want to really make sure your bearded dragon is always warm and comfortable, an under tank heater is the best option. And if you use it in conjunction with a basking lamp and a temperature controller, you will have the ultimate bearded dragon heating setup.
Zoo Med Repticare Standard Rock Heater
The Zoo Med Repticare Standard Rock Heater (Buy Online) is not only a heat source, it will also add a nice decorative touch to your bearded dragons habitat. This heated rock will reach a temperature of 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit after warming up for two to three hours. And this rock heater is designed to not have problems with “hot spots”, so you can rest assured it will have a nice even temperature across its entire surface.
Adding a rock heater to your bearded dragon tank will increase their overall health and well being. First, a rock heater will help with their digestion since it will very efficiently transfer warmth into their intestines. And you will probably find out that the rock heater is their new favorite spot in the tank once they get acclimated to it.
A rock heater should only be used as a supplemental heat source in addition to basking lamps and other heating elements. Unlike a primary heat source, a rock heater is better at conductive heat transfer. That means a rock heater will only transfer a significant amount of heat when a reptile is in direct physical contact with it. Adding a rock heater to a complete heating solution is the best way to go if you want to make sure your bearded dragon is always at the optimal temperature.
