Since we may interchangeably use some terms, it is good to look at what vivarium, aquarium, and terrariums are briefly.
1. Vivarium (vivaria)
Refers to a semi-natural structure, container, or enclosure to keep or raise animals or plants primarily for observation, research as pets, or decoration. It may be open to the atmosphere or not.
2. A terrarium (terrariums or terraria)
A terrarium is an open or sealable vivarium, enclosure, or cage for keeping or raising reptiles, amphibians, terrestrial invertebrates. It can also be for ornamental plants, and some terraria are open to the atmosphere.
3. Aquarium (aquariums or aquaria)
Aquariums are vivarium for keeping aquatic animals such as fish, African draw frogs, crayfish, shrimp, Mystery snails, marine turtles, hermit crabs, or aquatic plants. It often has at least one transparent side. It may also be known as a tank, enclosure, etc., such as a fish tank.
Note that the terms reptile or amphibian tanks, cages, housing, vivarium, or enclosures will mean the same thing so long as they are for keeping terrestrial pets.
Bearded dragon tank or cage size
What size tank does a bearded dragon need? This common question, one of the most important when it comes to buying enclosures for these pets.
1. Advice
Our best advice is you begin with a 40-gallon tank if you have baby bearded dragons and upgrade to at least a 75-gallon tank once they are above 15 months. It will cut on the total cost you spend on these cages since these reptiles grow very fast.
2. Why no to a small tank?
Going for a small tank will stress these pets, make them unhappy, depressed, stressed, or even affect their health as well as their healthy growth and development. They need enough room to move around freely, hunt, hide, explore, dig, climb, and play in. A small tank may make them feel trapped.
2. Vertical vs. horizontal space
Your beardie is not arboreal, therefore and ideal vivarium should have enough flat surface areas and a vertical one.
Therefore, when choosing a terrarium for these pets, measure their length from snout to tip of their tail tip to get their size and choose the right one.
The ideal tank (vivarium or terrarium) sizes (Width x Depth x Height) or (Length x Width x Height) is as follows.
3. Hatchlings and babies (0-2 months)
They measure below 4 inches after hatching, and their length will be about 5-9 inches by the time they are two months.
While hatchlings can stay in a 10-15 gallons tank and baby bearded dragons in an enclosure about 20 gallons, go for cages over 20 gallons.
Since they grow very fast, such tanks will only be a temporary place that will serve them for about 2-3 months. Instead, going for a 40-gallon tank as your pets can still use it until they are subadults).
While it is not bad, a large tank will make it hard for them to catch their food, especially feeder insects, and bugs but stimulate physical activity.
However, if you have good feeding bowls that will prevent these bugs from crawling out or feeders such as Exo Terra Reptile Cricket Feeders, feeding them should not be a big issue.
Buying a small one means you will have to upgrade after a short. In the long run, you may spend more and remain with small cages you don’t require.
4. Juveniles 10-16 inches long 2-7 months
Their typical size 5-9 inches at two months ad and 12-19 inches by the time they are seven months.
Juvenile beardies minimum of a 40-gallon tank with their depth is enough to allow them to turn around freely. Consider their length and width.
5. Subadults and adults (16-20 inches long)
Young subadults measure 12-19 inches, and the time they are 18 months, they will be 16-20 inches in size.
Subadults and adults whose size is 16-20 inches require a minimum tank size of 55 gallons tank with the 75 gallons being the ideal one. However, any medium size vivarium with capacity ranging from 50-75 gallons will still work well if its depth is not too small. This range includes a 60 gallon and 67-gallon tanks.
For instance, a 55-gallon tank, avoid those with a small depth such as the 48”x13”x 20” may not be the best choice. Instead go for the 50-gallon tank such as one with 36″ x 18″ x 18” or the 67-gallon vivarium measuring 36″ x 24″ x 18” or 48″ x 18″ x 18” or 36″ x 18″ x 18”.
6. Fully grown adults 20” + long
Adult bearded dragons can grow up to 24 inches. However, most are 18-22 inches long.
For a 20” + long, provide them with a minimum tank size of 75 gallons. However, the ideal size will be a 120 or 125-gallon tank. An 80 gallon, 100 gallons, or other sizes will still work well.
Typical dimensions for the 75-gallon tank are 48”x18”x 20”, and the 120-gallon tank dimension are 48″ x 24″ x 24”. (4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet).
There are even bigger terrariums such as the 60”x24”x24” or even larger available. While the bigger it is, the better, a massive one will require more resources such as to heat or light it properly.
7. How do I know its volume?
Since most dimensions are given in inches, to get its volume in gallons, multiply its size (WxDxH) in inches and divide by 231.
DIY bearded dragon enclosures – homemade
We will not be focusing much on DIY bearded dragon enclosure. However, you deserve to know there are a lot of resources, including videos and tutorials, to guide in making any type even the standard crossfire designs. For instance, Instructacble.com has some tutorials.
One advantage of making your own is that some designs will fit your home furniture such as house corner, coffee table, etcetera.
Outdoor enclosures
If you live in areas with favorable climatic conditions, you can buy and outdoor cage. Otherwise, it will be tough and expensive to keep these pets warm.