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What would you rather live in — a house with no furniture, or a house lavishly supplied with a dining table, comfortable couches, exercise equipment, a game room, home theater, etc.?
The answer is obvious: you’d rather live in a home with furniture and amenities to support comfortable living! The same applies to your pet bearded dragon. No matter how big your bearded dragon’s enclosure is, it won’t do your pet much good unless it has adequate enrichment items inside for them to use. After all, an enclosure is only as functional as its ‘furniture’!
As you create an indoor habitat for your bearded dragon, keep in mind that Pogona vitticeps is native to eastern central Australia, where its habitat spans desert and grassland. That being said, there are so many options when it comes to bearded dragon decorations. Some people (like myself) prefer to respect the bearded dragon’s origins with desert theme. Others prefer a more tropical look. And still others like to turn their beardie’s home into something of a dollhouse. *shrug* The most important thing for you to do is:
Good decorations make a terrarium look cool, but they’re also important for exercise, mental stimulation, and helping keep your bearded dragon healthy. In zoos, enclosure décor and “toys” are called enrichment items. A common misconception that modern reptile husbandry experts are working to remove is that reptiles are stupid creatures that do not need “toys” or “decorations” beyond their keeper’s fancy.
For more information on the importance of enrichment for bearded dragons, check out my video on providing enrichment for lizards:
Bringing home a new bearded dragon is an exciting time. As a responsible pet owner, you’ll want to set up the perfect habitat for your new friend. A properly designed enclosure is crucial for your bearded dragon’s health and happiness.
When designing your bearded dragon’s home there are a few key considerations
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Size – An adult bearded dragon needs a minimum tank size of 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (120 gallons). Bigger is always better!
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Temperature – Bearded dragons require a basking area between 95-110°F and a cool side around 80°F. Proper heating is essential.
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Substrate – Reptile carpets, paper towels, and tile are commonly used to prevent impaction.
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Lighting – Proper UVB lighting is vital for bearded dragons to produce vitamin D3.
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Decor/Enrichment – An enriching habitat reduces stress and allows natural behaviors like climbing, basking, and hiding
With those basics covered, let’s explore some inspiring bearded dragon enclosure ideas to create a stylish and stimulating habitat!
1. Naturalistic Desert Theme
A naturalistic desert setup brings the Outback right into your home. It provides sensory stimulation and opportunities for natural behaviors like digging and basking.
Key elements:
- Sand substrate
- Large rocks, logs, and clay hiding spots
- Drought-resistant desert plants (alo vera, jade, cacti)
- Excavator clay background
Sand allows natural digging behaviors and the backdrop mimics their native desert habitat. Desert plants add oxygen and aesthetics. Multiple basking levels allow a heat gradient.
2. Zen Habitat
A zen reptile habitat uses neutral elements like sand, rocks, and wood to create a calming atmosphere. The minimalist design is easy to clean and reduces overstimulation.
Key elements:
- Sand substrate
- Large rocks and logs
- Minimal plants and decor
- Neutral colored accessories
The neutral tones and materials create a spa-like retreat. The lack of clutter reduces stress for a shy or anxious bearded dragon.
3. Tropical Jungle Vibes
Trade the desert for the jungle with dense foliage, vines, and tropical plants. It’s an unusual but fun twist on their native Outback habitat.
Key elements:
- Eco-earth or reptile carpet substrate
- Tropical plants (snake plant, pothos, bromeliads)
- Twisted vines and wood pieces
- Canopy hides
- Rainforest backdrop
The vivid jungle plants and twisting vines encourage climbing and exploration. Canopy hides at different levels allow basking spots up high. Just be sure all plants are reptile-safe!
4. Naturalistic Bioactive Habitat
Bioactive setups use live plants and a clean-up crew of bugs to create a self-sustaining ecosystem reminiscent of nature. It provides enrichment and stimulates natural behaviors.
Key elements:
- Topsoil/playsand substrate 4-6 inches deep
- Isopods, springtails, potworms
- Hardy low-light plants (pothos, sansevieria, bromeliads)
- Leaf litter
- Logs, rocks, cork bark hides
The deep substrate and leaf litter allow burrowing and stimulation. The clean-up crew feeds on waste and prevents harmful bacteria. Hardy plants help purify the air.
5. Custom Cabinet Setup
Converting an old cabinet into a bearded dragon habitat allows for ample space and full customization. Built-in storage keeps supplies organized.
Key elements:
- Sand, tile or linoleum substrate
- Full spectrum lighting installed inside
- Glass doors to allow UVB penetration
- Hides, hammocks, and platforms
- External tank heater if needed
- Decorative background
With some DIY skills, you can create the enclosure of your dreams complete with ambient lighting, storage, and easy access.
6. Modern Chic Habitat
Why not add some contemporary style to your bearded dragon’s home? Sleek lines, faux greenery, and modern furniture create an unexpected habitat.
Key elements:
- Slate tile substrate
- Faux leafy vines
- Modern terrarium furniture (couches, chairs, shelves)
- Geometric or abstract wallpaper background
- Contemporary water and food bowls
The mix of modern and natural elements results in a unique urban oasis. Just be sure to use reptile-safe adhesives and materials.
7. Baked Clay Climbing Ledges
Adding climbing ledges made from baked clay or excavator clay allows your bearded dragon to exhibit natural climbing behaviors.
Key elements:
- Natural colored clay
- Ledges of varying heights
- Natural vine attached between ledges
- Sand substrate
Start with just a few ledges to avoid overcrowding. Place them strategically under the basking lights to create multi-level basking spots.
8. Zen Garden
Inspired by Japanese zen gardens, this habitat uses sand, rocks and minimal greenery to create a peaceful sanctuary.
Key elements:
- Play sand substrate
- Large domed rocks and boulders
- Small rake patterns in sand
- Sparse greenery like jade or aloe
- Neutral colored accessories
The simplicity provides a calming environment. A rake can be used to create patterns in the sand. Peaceful yet enriching.
9. Natural Wood Vivarium
A natural wood vivarium made of sealed plywood allows you to create a custom enclosure with a beautiful DIY look.
Key elements:
- Sealed plywood construction
- Tile, linoleum or reptile carpet substrate
- Fake or real vines attached to walls
- Cutouts in walls for basking shelves
- Real or fake plants
- Partial screen top for lighting
Sealed plywood prevents mold or mildew. Attach vines to the walls and create ledges or hideaways built into the walls. Add plants and decor of your choosing for a nature-inspired habitat.
10. Dig Box
Allow your bearded dragon’s natural digging instincts to thrive by creating a designated dig box within their habitat.
Key elements:
- Low plastic tub or bin
- Coconut coir, organic topsoil, play sand substrate
- Hideaways like clay tunnels or cork rounds
- Small plants, leaves, twigs
Bury treats and toys in the substrate to encourage foraging. Limiting the dig area prevents messes. Rotate dig box contents regularly.
11. Cluttered Climber Habitat
Fill the tank with stacks of wood, vines, and rocks to encourage your beardie to climb, explore and exhibit natural behaviors.
Key elements:
- Reptile carpet substrate
- Branches, vines, cork tubes
- Stacked rocks and slate
- Hammocks, hides, and ledges
- Fake leaves and greenery
The cluttered environment stimulates senses, reduces stress, and showcases natural abilities. Ensure safety with stable stacking and ample basking space.
12. DIY Background
Crafting a 3D background is a rewarding way to add realistic detail and camouflage unattractive tank walls.
Key elements:
- Foam, cork bark, clay sheets
- Silicone, wood glue, hot glue
- Acrylic paints
- Natural elements like sand, wood, rocks
Carve shapes into foam or clay, glue the pieces together, paint and decorate with real natural elements. Allow to fully dry before adding to tank. Get creative!
Final Thoughts
When preparing your bearded dragon’s home, focus on ensuring proper housing requirements are met first and foremost. Then let your imagination run wild to create an oasis they’ll thrive in.
Naturalistic desert themes are a classic choice, but you can also push the boundaries with unexpected ideas like tropical or modern designs. Bioactive and DIY setups allow ample customization for a personalized habitat.
Just remember to always keep your bearded dragon’s safety and wellbeing top priority by using non-toxic materials and allowing proper heating and UVB. With a little creativity you can design a habitat your bearded dragon will absolutely love.
How will you decorate your bearded dragon’s home? Get inspired by these creative enclosure ideas to provide proper housing and lots of enrichment. A stimulating habitat will lead to a happy and healthy scaly friend.
Functional Object Ideas for Decorating a Bearded Dragon Enclosure
This is one of the bearded dragon decorations you can’t go without, because it helps your beardie find the perfect basking temperature. Bearded dragons also like to climb for exercise, so providing a basking fixture is perfect. Personally I really like using a cork bark log for this.
Bearded dragons need a place to hide out when they want to be left alone. They use their hide when they want to escape the heat, are looking for some extra humidity, are brumating, or simply want a protected place to take a nap.
Another reason I like cork bark logs is that they can double as a hide and a basking platform.
Yes, bones. The man we bought our bearded dragons from used sterilized, dry cow bones he found in the wilderness to decorate his terrarium, and let me tell you—it looked cool.
Flagstone is a cheap, natural material with a plethora of uses in your dragon’s enclosure. Its rough texture makes it excellent for keeping claws filed down without inhibiting climbing ability. It also absorbs heat very well, making a perfect basking area when placed under the heat lamp. A word of caution, though: flagstone is heavy and large pieces can be difficult to handle.
If you want to include some green in your bearded dragon’s enclosure, it’s best to use live plants rather than artificial alternatives. Bearded dragons tend to try to eat anything green, so accidentally ingesting an artificial leaf or piece of toxic plant can be harmful or even deadly. Here are the some drought- and heat-tolerant live plants I recommend for use in bearded dragon enclosures:
- Air plant (Tillandsia)
- Agave
- Aloe
- Carex grass
- Elephant bush
- Festuca grass
- Gasteria
- Haworthia
- Hens and chicks (Echeveria)
- Ice Plant
- Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
- Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia danicolor) (spineless)
- Sempervivum
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, but still want to use live plants, The Bio Dude sells handy bearded dragon-specific plant packs here.
Keep in mind that having live plants in your enclosure will raise the ambient humidity. Many keepers choose to plant them on the cool side of the enclosure to create a humidity gradient alongside the temperature gradient. For best results, add a high-PAR 6500K plant grow light to your lighting setup (I recommend the Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED) to keep the plants healthy by giving them the specific kind of light that they need to thrive.
If you go onto YouTube and search for tutorials on building reptile enclosures and décor, you’ll find a goldmine. This is a fulfilling way to make a natural-looking enclosure for your beardie that is deceptively lightweight!
If you’re not particularly crafty (like me), you can also purchase surprisingly realistic-looking pre-made foam décor.
Backgrounds are a fun way to get rid your terrarium’s sterile-looking white walls. Or worse, glass and the cords hanging around in plain sight! You can make your own with foam, or buy a poster to mount behind. PetBackdrops.com has a wide selection of -based backgrounds, but if you’re looking for something in 3D, you can’t go wrong with Universal Rocks.
Are hammocks safe for bearded dragons?
Hammocks have become something of a standard piece of décor for bearded dragon enclosures, but just because something is a standard doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s best practice. And in this case, it turns out that hammocks are largely NOT safe for bearded dragons.
Aside from the fact that they make a lousy basking surface, they’re also a safety hazard. Through their widespread use, it’s become clear that woven-style hammocks are capable of trapping bearded dragon nails, toes, and even whole limbs. When the dragon tries to free itself, the resulting struggle can lead to broken nails at best (ow) and broken limbs at worst (much bigger OUCH!). This doesn’t happen to every bearded dragon with a hammock, but it is possible, so it’s safer just to omit this piece of décor entirely.
However, an exception to this rule are fabric hammocks that don’t have holes big enough to cause problems. However, because they’re made from a porous material, they’re quite capable of harboring bacteria, so you’ll have to be very diligent about washing and disinfecting the hammock every time it gets soiled.
Bearded dragons like hammocks because they like to climb and get up high to survey the surrounding terrain. You can accommodate this preference just fine without a hammock with climbing objects such as sturdy branches and magnetic ledges.
Best Bearded Dragon Setup on a Budget!
FAQ
What should a bearded dragon have in its enclosure?
To provide enrichment and allow your Bearded dragon to thrive, you should provide plenty of semi-arboreal perches in the form of hammocks, branches and basking platforms along the entire length of the vivarium.
What is the best enclosure setup for a bearded dragon?
- Size: A minimum of 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in height is recommended for an adult bearded dragon.
- Material: Glass or acrylic tanks are common choices.
- Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation with a screened top or a mesh lid.
- Sliding Glass Doors: Consider sliding glass doors for easy access and maintenance.
Do bearded dragons prefer tall or long tanks?
The minimum required enclosure size for a bearded dragon is 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in height (4x2x2). This of course is a minimum, and does not mean you cannot go larger if you’d like.
What should I put on the floor of my bearded dragon enclosure?
Tile flooring or paper towel flooring are both good options to use with both adult and baby bearded dragons. Reptile carpet is not the worst option but there is a slight risk of stuck claws in smaller beardies. It’s also hard to clean, and can easily become a host to a huge amount of bacteria.
How to make a bearded dragon enclosure?
You can add two types of bearded dragon substrate in this enclosure. Since sand is a vital part of the wild habitation of beardies, you must add sand to one part of the tank. On the other portion, you can lay down fake grasses. Then, you should add some hideouts, hammocks, bath dishes, and rock décor for your beardies.
How much does a bearded dragon enclosure cost?
To have an appropriate bearded dragon enclosure, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny. Many people find that building their own saves them a lot of money in the long run. That only sometimes means that a DIY project is going to be more cost-effective.
What is a Home-Sweet-Home bearded dragon enclosure?
The reason behind naming this tank as a home-sweet-home beardie enclosure is having all facilities like home. This tank setup idea includes different décor items for their recreation. In this tank, homemade basking rocks are available where your bearded dragon can enjoy the warmth. Besides, there are hammocks for your bearded dragons.
How to keep a bearded dragon in a tank?
Your bearded dragon will get a cave to hide in one corner of the tank. Another required luxury for your bearded dragons is their basking area. You can DIY homemade basking rocks. Then, you need to set up these basking rocks under the basking light. To make this enclosure a home, a rope hammock can bring the ultimate perfection.
Should you DIY a bearded dragon?
A DIY project lets you do just that. You also get to control the materials you use, which is great for ensuring safety and durability. Plus, the sense of accomplishment you feel when your bearded dragon is thriving in something you built is unbeatable. Not all DIY projects go smoothly, so let me give you a heads-up on common pitfalls.
How do you make a basking wall for a bearded dragon?
You should use glue that adequately seals the basking rock with the grout and sealer. This will ensure the Styrofoam doesn’t melt when exposed to the heat of the basking light. 3. DIY Rock Wall by Gecko Time This DIY rock wall project is a great way to create a cool backdrop for your bearded dragon’s enclosure. It can also double as a basking spot.