Cage Size

[jrr429]

So I have a new, empty, tank ( 4 feet long my 1 foot wide and 2 feet high)...was wondering if a bearded dragon could be housed in it? or any suggestions on another lizard that would work?

 

[maggiee22195]

So I have a new, empty, tank ( 4 feet long my 1 foot wide and 2 feet high)...was wondering if a bearded dragon could be housed in it? or any suggestions on another lizard that would work?

You could definitely house a bearded dragon in there! You could even house 2 females in there!
If you are looking for a really interesting and social lizard, you could consider a blue tongue skink. The tank you have is the perfect size. Here are some links on blue tongue skinks:

http://www.anapsid.org/bluetong.html
http://www.pet-care-portal.com/blue-tongued-skink.html
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/lizardsaspets/a/bluetongues.htm
http://www.bluetongueskinks.net/care.htm

 

[ReptileNinja101]

Great for a beardie, but no good for a BTS. Not enough walking space. Beardies love to climb so their a much better choice. Also just stick with one beardie, to house two you would need at least a 75 gallon.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Just curious but how is 4 feet long by 1 foot wide and 2 feet high not good for a BTS? When I was researching them, the care sheets sounded pretty spot on to what he just posted. I had always figured dragons prefer height to length in their enclosure, whereas bts were the other way, long and low.

 

[T-ReXx]

One foot wide isn't enough floor space for a BTS. The animal should be able to stretch out at full length in the width of the cage, and all BTS get over a foot. And the 2 foot height space is going to go to waste. A single beardie would do fine in that cage, but as already mentioned it is not enough space for two adults.

 

[ReptileNinja101]

The width and height are the problem. The length is fine. It's the floor space thats used by a BTS. They are poor climbers because of their short stubby legs and long barrel like body. With only 1 foot of space to turn around in and burrow isn't much at all. That is why a 40 gallon breeder is better suited for a BTS. It has more floor space than a 55 gallon and it has more room for them to turn around in and burrow in. The dimesions of a 40 gallon breeder is 3 ft long by 18 inches wide and 17 inches high. Also in a 55 gallon the height of the tank will never be utilised and you will just have open space, then making you need a stronger bulb wattage to get the right temps on the floor. Thats why a 40 breeder is better in terms of floor space.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Ah gotcha... thanks for clearing that up.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My BTS is in a 40 gallon breeder tank. It's perfect for her to frolic, stretch out, burrow, but it does have to have a secured top. She got out once and was found lounging in the windowsill. Those short stubby legs are strong enough to propel them right over the top, and they will use their tail to assist this endeavor. She was a rescue and had lived in a 20 long for 3 years with no hide. When we put her in the big tank she was exstatic, running all over like a kid in a toy store. Her fav thing was the cocoa crispy box temporary hide. I love her, she's an awesome pet.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Oops it tried to post twice.

 

[Salt4Sam]

I have my two juvi beardies in a 55 right now, until they get bigger. Then they're moving to the 100g. How about a golden or Mali uromastyx? I have a couple of them and they are absolutely fantastic. Hearty, easy to care for and they have tons of personality.

 

[Dron2124]

my beardy was not a fan of me it sucked. My old beardy would always wait till i took her out then she would shit on me and she always ran for the window to get away and she would run into the window hard so i had to get read of her.