As any loving bearded dragon owner will agree, sometimes designing the cage of your beardie’s dreams can be a little challenging!
Because of this, I’ve assembled the ultimate collection of bearded dragon enclosure ideas in an attempt to help guide you and unleash your creativity!
Ask any experienced bearded dragon owner and they’ll tell you…
When it Comes to Keeping your Bearded Dragon Happy and Healthy, Start With Their Cage Setup!
Since your pet will be spending the vast majority of their time within their tank, it is SO important you get a few key elements right.
Providing adequate levels of UVB and balancing the hot and cool sides of the tank are just some of the necessary things to take into consideration straight out of the gate.
Feeling like you need to first learn about the essentials? No problem! Feel free to spend some time reviewing the basics behind creating an amazing bearded dragon habitat and come back to this post later!
Now, once you’ve got the essential components in place… this is where the fun TRULY begins!
From here, you can introduce cool and stylish decor items, incorporate hideaways, backdrops, and so much more!
The possibilities truly are endless.
With that being said, if you’re ready to absorb a plethora of awesome bearded dragon cage setup and decor ideas to spark your own creative genius, then just keep reading!
In This Article
Bearded Dragon Enclosure Ideas: Desert Themes
Looking to give your bearded dragon a similar environment to that of what their ancestors are used to?
Look no further than the bearded dragon cage setup ideas below that masterfully emulate the arid desert, woodlands, and savannah regions of Australia where bearded dragons can be naturally found!
This bearded dragon tank is awesome because it provides tons of different natural textures for the bearded dragon to enjoy.
From shrubbery to wood to dried excavator clay mounds, these various textures perfectly recreate those found in any grassland and semi-desert region.
Just make sure that you only incorporate plants and woods that are deemed 100% safe for your bearded dragon.
What I love about this bearded dragon tank setup, is that it utilizes key elements to elicit the feeling of natural habitat, whilst still incorporating smart accessories that add to the dragon’s overall comfort.
Although a cage of this size would be best suited for a baby or juvenile bearded dragon, the realistic backdrop, hammock, soft bed, and even little teepee are all details a bearded dragon of any age would surely appreciate!
Bearded Dragon Cage Setup Ideas: Jungle Themes
If you’re looking to provide your bearded dragon with a cage that is reminiscent of lush, green jungle, then look no further than the examples below for some great inspiration!
From the easy-to-clean dark green reptile carpet to the lush foliage and rock staircase, this habitat idea provides an environment that is both easy to maintain and enriching for your bearded dragon.
Although not sturdy enough for climbing, these faux leaf vines add a fun jungle element to an otherwise pretty plain cage setup.
In terms of what I’d do differently, I’d try and place some type of ledge a little closer to the basking bulb, throw in a cool backdrop, and take out one of the branches so my dragon had more room to roam.
I’d also make sure whatever branch I left was secure as I wouldn’t want it falling on my beardie!
I love that this bearded dragon terrarium idea offers the bearded dragon plenty of floor space with accessories like a rock water bowl and fake plants on the tank’s perimeter. I also love that there’s a little space for climbing!
With the ability to climb up a couple of inches, this dragon no doubt is able to sufficiently warm him or herself and soak up plenty of UVB!
Word to the wise, if you give your dragon a way to raise themselves up to bask, make sure you measure the temperature of said basking spot so your dragon isn’t unknowingly (No, seriously, they’ll burn themselves!) exposing themselves to too much heat.
Aim for a basking spot temperature of 95-100 for adults and 105-110 for babies.
Bearded Dragon Tank Decor Ideas
So, now that you have some great examples of overall cage setup, let’s focus in on the little details that add so much!
Plastic Balls
Contrary to what you might think… bearded dragons love hunting and can really benefit from having something like a small plastic ball in their tank to chase around!
Just make sure the ball isn’t so small that they can swallow it, as this would surely lead to some pretty serious impaction issues!
This bearded dragon owner receives bonus points for incorporating a sturdy and safe piece of decor for their beardie to climb on as well!
Bridges
Another great option for any bearded dragon tank is a bridge! Bridges are available in many different styles and sizes and provide a fun way for your beardie to get from Point A to Point B in their tank.
One thing to note, however, is that you will want to make sure you don’t place the bridge up too high.
Bridges that are up too high could present a safety hazard should your lizard fall off.
Food Bowl
A food bowl is one of your best defenses for helping keep your bearded dragon’s tank tidy! Available in a ton of different finishes and sizes, you’ll love adding a little extra style.
Additionally, once you start making salads or feeding juicy fruit, you’ll especially appreciate having a way to keep your substrate a little cleaner!
Hammock
Hammock can be an awesome bearded dragon furniture piece. In case you’re not already aware, bearded dragons LOVE to lounge on hammocks. I highly recommend suctioning one to the glass in one corner of the tank. It’s a perfect spot for basking!
Make sure that the hammock is low enough for your bearded dragon to access and stable enough that they won’t fall out. I also recommend you try and opt for hammock fabric that won’t catch or snag on their nails as well.
Foliage (Fake or Real)
To create a naturalistic environment for your bearded dragon, I highly recommend you introduce some plants.
And whether you incorporate plants that are real or fake is totally up to you!
Plants will give your bearded dragon new textures and places to hide under, new scents, and ultimately an environment that will make them happier. And a happy bearded dragon is a healthy one!
The only thing is, you’ll need to make sure the plant(s) you include aren’t toxic or dangerous for your pet, should they decided to take a little nibble.
Affordable & DIY Bearded Dragon Tank Decor Ideas
On a tight budget but want to give your bearded dragon’s cage some accessories for they’ll love?
If so, consider the following options for affordable and DIY bearded dragon decor!
Rocks from Outside
One of my favorite affordable bearded dragon tank decor items is actually any old large rock you may find in your backyard!
Rocks are great because they create a safe place for bearded dragons to bask and climb and can even help file down their nails as well!
Naturally, you’ll want to find a rock that isn’t crumbly and sharp as the last thing you want is to introduce a safety hazard into your bearded dragon’s home!
Also, because we can never fully know what pesticides, chemicals, or bacteria the rock has come in contact with… you’ll want to make sure you sanitize it before placing it in the tank as well.
To sanitize your rock, soak it in a solution of 5-10% bleach for at least 4 hours, but ideally 8.
Then, make sure to rinse it thoroughly as bleach fumes are toxic to bearded dragons.
I recommend filling up your tub or sink until the rock is submerged and adding in the appropriate bleach amount.
Wood from Outside
If you can find the right kind of wood, then you’ll be able to give your bearded dragon’s tank a great piece of decor to climb or hide under.
Just make sure you bake it at 350 for at least 30 minutes to kill any possible mites and insects living with it.
Here’s a quick reminder of the types of wood that ARE safe for your bearded dragon…
- Dogwood
- Oak
- Tulip Tree
- Maple
- Crepe Myrtle
Make Your Own DIY Hide
Want to create something custom and unique for your bearded dragon’s tank? Why not consider an afternoon project like making them their very own hide?!
The beauty in making your own is, you’ll get to customize something to perfectly fit the size of your dragon’s tank.
Additionally, you’ll also be able to give them something even cooler than what you can typically find for sale from retailers.
There are plenty of online tutorials for how to go about this process, but I recommend checking out the video above for some great inspiration and guidance!
Wrapping Up Bearded Dragon Enclosure Ideas
I hope you found this post full of helpful bearded dragon cage setup and decor ideas that will guide you in setting up an awesome habitat for your bearded dragon!
There really is an infinite number of ways you can customize your beardie’s tank, so feel free to get creative!
As long as you keep safety in the forefront of all that you do, you surely can’t go wrong.