For the past month or so I have been doing research on getting a bearded dragon, and i was curious to know something. I know when it comes to reptiles or any animal its best to not "cut corners" when it comes to what it needs and money but i was wanted to know; if i were to get a baby beardie (saying if i even get it i might get a juvenile) would it be okay in a 40 gallon breeder tank? Or would it best be I leave it at 20 and then 40 as it gets older? I dont have too much money to begin with so i wanted to know if that'd be okay. Thanks for reading.
Hi there, yes you can start him out in a 40 if you don't have a smaller tank. Really small babies do best in a smaller tank but if you set him up in a 40 make sure the tank isn't too cluttered. I've raised a lot of babies so when they're small it's easier for them to settle in + also find their food if the tank is not cluttered. A nice long basking stick that gets close to the uvb bulb is the main piece of cage decor as well as a nice rock or two. Both can be brought from outside, the rock can be washed with hot, soapy water + then rinsed. The stick/log can be put in a preheated 250 degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Or you can buy the cage decor at the store. Here's a simple set up from when I was raising babies. A paper towel is used as a snuggling/sleeping area by some, so that's all you need.
I housed a number of babies in each tote so I provided several sticks in each one since they love to climb + bask on them. Easy to care for them in this set up + they thrived.