Bearded dragon enclosure?

Ben3233 · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject: Bearded dragon enclosure?

Hello I would like to make a enclosure for my bearded dragon Uresaii, before he becomes an adult. Here are my questions!

1)Does an enclosure of 4x2x2 feet is too small?

2)Is it better to have a top opening cage or a side opening cage? Because I want to know if it's going to be bad for the humidity level(too high).

3)Finally, does somebody know how to low the humidity level? I have a top opening enclosure and the humidity is too high. (I have a carpet for substrate because he is a juvenile, should I change it for sand?)

Thank you so much!

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Ben3233
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

meanah · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:38 am Post subject:

i myself would put calci sand in there. or repti sand either one. and id say 4.2.2 wouldnt be bad. im hoping one day i can move my beardie into my tegus current cage. and make them a bigger one
they cage is right now 6.3.2 .
id say go with front opening. and im sorry but i wouldnt know how to get the humidity down. sorry.
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Ben3233 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

Thanks a lot meanah!

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Ben3233
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

i0r · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

Basically with sand, a tiny shallow water bowl and maybe a high wattage lamp to keep a high temp would bring the humidity down a bit. Also....if you go for a side opening cage, make sure the top has good ventilation to let the humidity out

We are also waiting for you to show some pics of Uresaii

so we get to know him better

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0.1.0 Argentine B&W, Juancha

Ben3233 · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

Thank you Ior, yes some picture of my little Uresaii will be post tonight or tomorrow.

Also, I need to change his substrate, he is like 20 cm long (don't know the age, I guess it's 4-5month) I will change it for playsand.

I will made a side opening for interaction,feeding and handling, and a good ventilation on top!

Thank you!

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Ben3233
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

pitsnherps · Member Joined: Jan 06, 2008 Posts: 44

I would not use sand they can get impacted from Calci sand very easy.
When he gets to around 14 monthes old you can use play sand.

Shelf liner
Paper towel
reptile carpet
All works goood

Ben3233 · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

Yeah that is the problem, I don't know how old my bearded dragon is. He is 30cm, do you have any idea of his average age?

Also, when I will use playsand, I have in mind to feed him into another enclosure, reducing chances of getting an impaction.

Thank you!

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Ben3233
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Uresaii)

cwj108 · Valued Member Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 104

Even feeding in another enclosure, it doesnt mean he wont ingest it. My beardie likes to go around and randomly licks things or uses his tongue to check things out. I use crushed walnut shell, but then again he is around 18 inches long. I used reptile carpet until he was at least 10 inches and then put sand in, but after learning about the seriousness of impaction I shop vac'd it out and have been using ground walnut shell ever since without any problems at all.

As for the enclosure, I built him a 5' by 2.5' wide by 2' tall. I built mine 2 feet tall so he can't get out, having no top really helps keep the humidity low. I do not have a water dish, he has refused to drink out of one, NEVER has and I don't see him ever starting. He drinks in the bath sometime ( I put reptisafe in the water) and I make sure is veggies are soaked and he stays nice and hydrated. I wish I could get him to drink out of a dish, I have tried everything.

As for side open or top, I do not have a side door on mine, I reach in from the top. I have been working with him since he was 6 inches long and he got used to me coming from above real fast. The thing he likes is not so much where you come in from to get him, but when you pick him up, always having part of you under his feet so he feels secure. I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to post or pm!