Bearded Dragon: Lighting And Heating Requirements Explained

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Having proper bearded dragon lighting plays several key roles in their well-being. You need a suitable UVB bulb to ensure your lizard is absorbing vitamin D3 and calcium. You will also need a basking light that can pump out enough heat to reach the desert-like conditions that beardies need to survive for 12-14 hours a day.

When choosing a UV bulb, there are a few different options available to you. You have compact fluorescents, tube fluorescents, and mercury vapor bulbs (MVB's).

For beardies you'll want to stay away from the compact fluorescents. These gained a bad reputation a few years back when several cases of photo-kerato-conjunctivitis were linked to certain brands. PKC occurs when high levels of UV radiation is absorbed causing painful eye irritations, and even burns. Recent models have proved to be safer, but lack the overall amount of UVB that beardies need.

Mercury vapor bulbs are the Swiss army knife of UV lamps. Not only do they provide a great amount of UV output, but they second as a basking light hot enough to eliminate the need for a secondary heat apparatus. However, there is some debate over these products in terms of the extreme UV levels, and its safety to humans.

Fluorescent tubes are the overall favorite when it comes to beardies. If placed at the recommended distance from the lizard(and not obstructed by glass), they emit safe and adequate UV levels that span the length of the enclosure.

In addition to UV light, bearded dragons also require a basking area of 100-110F to help them regulate their body temperatures and digest their food easily. Depending on a number of climate variables, what specific light you will need varies. You may just need a regular house bulb, or you may need a specific "basking light" to get the temps your pet needs.

Regardless of the specific light needed, be sure that all lights are placed at safe distances from your pet to avoid injuries.

Many times the basking light will provide the heat gradient needed for your habitat. Around 80F on the cool side, 90F for the warm side, 100-110F for the basking spot. Like myself, you may find that a secondary light is needed to get your climate correct. You may have to change the distance of your lights or the wattage with the seasons to maintain. You can make things easy on yourself by adding a thermostat to your lighting set up. Thrown in a timer while your at it and you're good to go.


About the Author:
Your bearded dragon lighting set up is a very critical part of keeping them healthy. Everything from digestion to body heat and bone strength depends upon it. And so it must be provided in the proper amounts, on a daily basis to keep our beardies alive and well for years.

All the Best,

Joselyn Rhodes



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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