So I'm moving into a new apartment. The one I'm looking at is a little tight in square feet so I was wondering if it's at all feasible to get a taller enclosure but skinnier. Currently I have a vision cage which is about 36 x 24 x 28. Is there any way this would make sense to do? Would it be too difficult to set up lighting for and provide the essential heat gradient? I'm thinking maybe 24" - 30" for width- if this would work what would the recommended height/depth be? My bearded dragon is about 16" so a little smaller than most. He's an adult though at 5 years old.
You dont want to go smaller than a 40 gallon tank and they say you need the length -- not taller as they need the floor space- I am terrible on dimensions ---I am more of a visual person - better person to weigh in on this subject would be Cooperdragon - or Gormagon or one of the other more experienced people--
Karrie
24 inches long really is too small imo. 36 should be the minimum for an adult. 48 is better but that's obviously not something everyone can manage. They do need the floor space more so than the height.
Yes, you "could" go higher but, you gain nothing. However, you will lose the ability to maintain a proper heat gradient, the way that you do now. As physics tells us all, Heat Rises. With that taken into consideration, it could possibly get colder than what your dragon is used to on the floor of the viv.
Floor space is critical for dragons as well as climbing areas but, you don't want them to tall because they (I think) have very poor depth perception and, can misjudge distance very easily. The climbing areas should be no more than 12" from the floor for this reason. Broken limbs and backs are common injuries caused by tall climbing areas. I am sure you don't want this to happen to your dragon, heck, I don't even know your dragon and, I don't want it to happen to him either.