Shed is approx. 8 months but I am looking to change his viv to accommodate him right into adulthood.
I keep him on my dining room counter (not as gross as it sounds) because I sit here to use my laptop so he gets lots of company. However, this precludes us of a normal UK type wooden vivarium because the narrow end of my viv must go against the wall and I don't want to be looking at 3 sides of wood and I don't want him looking at them either, he is very interested in what goes on around him. Therefore, I want a glass viv. I am not worried about the heat, I have that under control.
I have an exo terra - 60 x 40 x 40 at the moment. I love this.
For a full-grown beardie you'll want at the very least an enclosure that's 48x18x18", anything smaller won't do, some people even think that's way too small and recommend an enclosure that's 4x2x2 (48x24x24") at the very least.
I know a lot of people say 40's (36x18x16"), 50's (36x18x18") and 55 gallons (48x12x20") are just fine but putting a lizard in a tank thats only 36 inches long or only 12 inches wide is kinda cruel when you consider the fact they grow to 18-24 inches long, are decently active and love exploring.
If I'm correct in centimeters that would be 121 x 45 x 45 for a 48x18x18" enclosure and 121 x 60 x 60 for a 4x2x2 (48x24x24") enclosure.
For a full-grown beardie you'll want at the very least an enclosure that's 48x18x18", anything smaller won't do, some people even think that's way too small and recommend an enclosure that's 4x2x2 (48x24x24") at the very least.
I know a lot of people say 40's (36x18x16"), 50's (36x18x18") and 55 gallons (48x12x20") are just fine but putting a lizard in a tank thats only 36 inches long or only 12 inches wide is kinda cruel when you consider the fact they grow to 18-24 inches long, are decently active and love exploring.
Thanks, VenusAndSaturn, I was afraid you would say that
I just can't find a glass enclosure that long - do you know of any? Or could I, perhaps, buy 2 and remove the plastic side panels and sandwich them together? With a bridge to get over the glass part?
Any ideas are very welcome because I really am stuck for wall space, since I have two 200l aquariums and, as I said, he is in the very best place for socialisation - all the children take notice of him and they'd forget if he were out of sight.
Also, could I add a second storey? I know Beardies aren't climbers but a proper second storey would mean they aren't climbing and Shed loves climbing (he is still small, of course).
The wooden enclosure would be great, also it would probably be best if you didn't replace the sides and back with glass unless really needed since enclosed enclosures like that often have the animal less stressed out since they can't see their reflection everywhere they look like they can in a regular glass tank.
Also beardies are semi-aboral so they do climb a lot. Not like some species of lizards that spend most of their time up in the trees but they do love to climb. My sub-adult spends weeks at a time never touching the ground of her enclosure and only getting around by the hammocks and branches in her enclosure.
The two adults, however, don't stay up off the ground as much but that could be mainly because of how the tanks are set up currently.
You could add a second story but I'd still keep the main/bottom tank at least 121 x 45 x 45.
The wooden enclosure would be great, also it would probably be best if you didn't replace the sides and back with glass unless really needed since enclosed enclosures like that often have the animal less stressed out since they can't see their reflection everywhere they look like they can in a regular glass tank.
Also beardies are semi-aboral so they do climb a lot. Not like some species of lizards that spend most of their time up in the trees but they do love to climb. My sub-adult spends weeks at a time never touching the ground of her enclosure and only getting around by the hammocks and branches in her enclosure.
The two adults, however, don't stay up off the ground as much but that could be mainly because of how the tanks are set up currently.
You could add a second story but I'd still keep the main/bottom tank at least 121 x 45 x 45.
Shed is approx. 8 months but I am looking to change his viv to accommodate him right into adulthood.
I keep him on my dining room counter (not as gross as it sounds) because I sit here to use my laptop so he gets lots of company. However, this precludes us of a normal UK type wooden vivarium because the narrow end of my viv must go against the wall and I don't want to be looking at 3 sides of wood and I don't want him looking at them either, he is very interested in what goes on around him. Therefore, I want a glass viv. I am not worried about the heat, I have that under control.
I have an exo terra - 60 x 40 x 40 at the moment. I love this. <<< OK size for a hatchling or a juvenile under 12 months old.
But is this large enough for a fully grown Beardie? <<<< NO , a full grown bearded dragon be a up to 26 inches long over 800g, my Peppa is 25 inches long and nudging 780g .
The tank needs to be at least 4ft L x 2ft W and at least 18 inches tall for an adult to be able to comfortably crawl about.
For a full-grown beardie you'll want at the very least an enclosure that's 48x18x18", anything smaller won't do, some people even think that's way too small and recommend an enclosure that's 4x2x2 (48x24x24") at the very least.
I know a lot of people say 40's (36x18x16"), 50's (36x18x18") and 55 gallons (48x12x20") are just fine but putting a lizard in a tank thats only 36 inches long or only 12 inches wide is kinda cruel when you consider the fact they grow to 18-24 inches long, are decently active and love exploring.
Thanks, VenusAndSaturn, I was afraid you would say that
I just can't find a glass enclosure that long - do you know of any? Or could I, perhaps, buy 2 and remove the plastic side panels and sandwich them together? With a bridge to get over the glass part?
Any ideas are very welcome because I really am stuck for wall space, since I have two 200l aquariums and, as I said, he is in the very best place for socialisation - all the children take notice of him and they'd forget if he were out of sight.
You can easily construct from plywood with sliding glass doors at the front . A timber viv will be superior to a glass viv thermally , wood is an good thermal insulator.