Are you planning to bring home a bearded dragon? Or maybe you just are looking for a better-suited enclosure for your pet bearded dragon?
For setting up an ideal environment for your pet bearded dragon, you need to choose a pet enclosure that is right in size and type, provides easy access to your pet, and is cost-effective in the long run. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Extra Long, REPTI ZOO Collapsible 120 Gallon Reptile Tank, Exo Terra Outback Terrarium, REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass, and New Age Pet Reptile Habitat are some of the best-bearded dragon enclosures.
Do you want to learn more about what makes an enclosure ideal for your bearded dragon and how to pick the right one? Here are some tips for you to get started, along with reviews of some best bearded dragon enclosures.
Factors Determining a Suitable Bearded Dragon Enclosure
Following are some of the factors you can use as guidelines to buy a good bearded dragon enclosure:
Enclosure Type
Reptile enclosures come in a variety of types. Some are vertically tall, and some are horizontal in nature. Some of these enclosures are made from metal, wire mesh, and glass.
While choosing an enclosure for your bearded dragon, make sure that you opt for a horizontal terrarium since bearded dragons are only semi-arboreal.
You should also ensure that the pet enclosure is ideally made of glass which will help you monitor your bearded dragon from time to time.
Size of the Enclosure
Bearded dragon enclosures come in many sizes. You must choose the size enclosure as per the age of your pet bearded dragon.
For baby bearded dragons, usually, a smaller tank of around 20 gallons capacity will suffice. The smaller tank ensures that they can easily catch the insects fed to them.
They can even live in a larger tank, but then it will become very difficult for you to feed your pet.
For adult bearded dragons, however, you need to invest in a larger pet enclosure as bearded dragons can grow to be quite long. For an adult bearded dragon of average length, a pet enclosure with a capacity between the range of 55-75 should be sufficient.
However, for bearded dragons whose length is more than 20 inches, a pet enclosure of around 100 gallons is advisable.
Ease of Access
Having a bearded dragon as a pet means you will have to tend to it frequently. Be it feeding, handling, or cleaning its enclosure, and you will need constant access to your pet.
Most pet enclosures come with a removable top lid. This is great for having complete and easy access for things like cleaning purposes. However, it can sometimes be frustrating as you will have to remove the heat lamps every time you clean the enclosure.
Another option for ease of access in pet enclosures is a terrarium with a front opening. The front opening provides easy and convenient access for feeding and spot cleaning. However, cleaning the entire tank can be a tedious process.
One catch with front-opening doors is that your bearded dragon can escape easily. So make sure you always opt for an enclosure that has latches or safety mechanisms to lock in your pet.
Cost Effectiveness
Lastly, you must take into account the cost of the bearded enclosure. Though the best ones often cost a lot, there are some good bearded dragon enclosures that are well-equipped yet do not burn a hole in your pocket.
Our Top 5 Best Bearded Dragon Enclosures
1. Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Extra Long
The Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium, Extra Long tank is a glass enclosure. It comes with a mesh rooftop.
This pet enclosure has a tank capacity of 65 gallons which is sufficient for an average-sized bearded dragon. It is also pretty long, with 47.2 in length, 17.8 in breadth, and 17.8 inches in height.
Because it is long and spacious, your pet bearded dragon will be able to roam around freely and stay comfortable. It also comes with sliding front doors, which help you access your pet or clean the enclosure easily.
The front doors have a safety lock to prevent your bearded dragon from escaping or children in your house to access your bearded dragon.
Pros
- Easy to access your bearded dragon
- Ideal for juvenile or average-sized bearded dragon
Cons
- No scope for adding taller plants or decor items for climbing
2. REPTI ZOO Collapsible 120 Gallon Reptile Tank
The REPTI ZOO Collapsible 120 Gallon Reptile Tank is one of the larger-sized pet enclosures on this list.
This enclosure is spacious and has plenty of room to accommodate a large bearded dragon in a comfortable manner.
With the dimensions 48 x 24 x 24 inches, this enclosure is collapsible and easy to assemble. It also is made from tough tempered glass and a special PVC black-out back wall to provide stress-free and ideal conditions for your pet bearded dragon.
This enclosure comes with a special front door which can be easily opened by one hand. The screen top not only provides good ventilation but also has provisions for UVA and UVB penetration. The ventilation is also facilitated by side vents.
Pros
- Great Quality
- Ideal for most adult bearded dragons, irrespective of their size
- Stress-free environment
- Fixtures for wiring
- Collapsible
Cons
- Quite expensive
3. Exo Terra Outback Terrarium
This is a unique-looking bearded dragon glass enclosure. The uniqueness is attributed to the 3D- Rock background, which looks like an outback. The Exo Terra Outback Terrarium though great to look at, however, has only a 20-gallon capacity.
Given the small size of the pet enclosure, it is a perfect enclosure for your baby pet bearded dragon. It has dual front doors, which can be opened individually for easier access.
It also comes with a removable stainless steel mesh roof which provides a unique ventilation system.
Made from stainless steel, this cool pet enclosure has the following dimensions: 25 x 19.6 x 13.3 inches.
Since there is a risk that baby bearded dragons can escape the pet enclosure, the Exo Terra Outback Terrarium comes with lockable front doors.
In case you need to fit in any wires for setting up a heating pad, this enclosure has closable cable inlets. It even has fixtures for thermometers and other devices.
Pros
- Easy access due to dual front doors and smaller size
- Safety is ensured due to the locking mechanism
- Ample ventilation
- Unique design
Cons
- Not suitable for adult bearded dragons
4. REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium
The REPTI ZOO 67 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium is an enclosure that comes with tough tempered glass. The tough glass walls ensure that they provide moisture to your bearded dragon, yet they do not rattle.
Complete with a double hinge door for easier access to your pet. This enclosure comes with a lock for your bearded dragon’s safety.
The dimensions of this enclosure are 36 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 24 inches in height.
With optimal ventilation enabled due to the top screen and side windows, this pet enclosure also comes with closable inlets for wires and tubes.
It can seem a little expensive on the pocket, but the features that it provides make up for the cost. This pet enclosure is ideal for average-sized bearded dragons.
Even though the name contains words 67 gallons, this enclosure comes in two different capacities, 50 gallons and 75 gallons.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy and durable
- Ample ventilation
- The locking system is provided for safety
- Closed inlets for wiring
Cons
- Expensive on the pocket
5. New Age Pet Reptile Habitat
The New Age Pet Reptile Habitat is one of the pocket-friendly options on this list of bearded dragon enclosures. It is made up of a durable and long-lasting wood-plastic composite and a front glass panel to monitor your pet bearded dragon.
This pet enclosure comes in three different sizes: small, medium, and large(15 gallons, 50 gallons, and 120 gallons capacities, respectively). The dimensions vary according to the sizes.
This enclosure has a mesh roof and vented side panels which provide great ventilation. The roof mesh can support heat and UV lamps, but it does not come with readymade fixtures for wiring.
Pros
- Front doors for easy access
- Locking in safety feature
- Easy to assemble
- Pocket friendly
Cons
- Absence of fixtures for wiring and heat lamps
- Not beginner friendly
Conclusion
An ideal bearded enclosure is one that is best suited for the age and length of your pet bearded dragon. Since bearded dragons can live up to 15 years if ideal conditions are provided, you must invest in a sturdy, durable, and comfortable enclosure for your pet.
FAQS
What Are Some Materials Used to Make Enclosure Casing?
Glass, melamine, ABS, and PVC are some of the materials used to make enclosure walls. Glass is the most commonly used material for making bearded dragon enclosures. Melamine enclosures make use of wood for building an enclosure.
Sometimes plywood is also used. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plastic substitute for making pet enclosures. To cut out the plastic odor of PVC, sometimes ABS is also used.
