Is a 36x18x18 enclosure good for an adult bearded dragon?

I heard that 48x24x24 was ideal but I’ve seen people use smaller ones for adults. I don’t know if that’s a safe practice so I wanted someone else’s opinion. If it’s not then I will just build my own enclosure.

It is best to go w/ the biggest closure you can afford - a 50 gallon would work -- if you plan on taking the dragon out a lot to give it free roaming a 50 gallon would be ok - recommended tho is 75 or 120 gallon which is the 4x2x2-- if you have the means and know how to build your own I would do that
Karrie

+1 (I agree with above).

KarrieRee":2dofmkqe said:

It is best to go w/ the biggest closure you can afford

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Completely agree! That being said, I would consider those measurements (a 40g breeder) to be the bare minimum.
I've housed adults in them before, and it works, but they appreciate the extra space.

-Brandon

retchysowner,

If you can & do decide to build a 48 x 24 x 24, think for a bit. Any chance you'll add another dragon (or similar sized 'zard) to the "family" in the foreseeable future? The reason I ask is because I gave the same consideration, and designed a 96 x 24 x 24 enclosure with a removable partition between the two 48" sections. It's got a bigger footprint (might need one of those 8' folding tables unless you planned on building a stand/legs) but building a second (or 2nd half) is only incrementally more than building one.

It could also be handy for anyone considering breeding; keep the male on one side, female on the other. Remove the partition for "dating", then replace it so they don't kill each other afterward.

Because of the material (Baltic Birch) I settled on, I wound up building a 60 x 24 x 24, but I'm keeping the 96" side-by-side for the future... 8)

MrSpectrum":9dl80z34 said:

Remove the partition for "dating", then replace it so they don't kill each other afterward.

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Sometimes I think we need this but for humans.... :laughing6:
thank god the wife doesnt read what I write here lmao

-Brandon

claudiusx":1po4lh30 said:

thank god the wife doesnt read what I write here lmao

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Mine does! :lurk: :wave:

I have a 36x18x18 for my adult. I find it to be plenty large when he's brumating. :lol: When he is active, it's enough to provide a good heat/light gradient but not enough space for him to run around and he often wants out. I supplement it with providing a LOT of time for him outside of his tank to the point he only really sleeps there. This may vary between dragons. If you have one who isn't super active then it may be enough. I'd go with a larger space if you can.