Basking lamps are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own if you want to provide a healthy home for your bearded dragon. They create the warm temperatures and ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight necessary for healthy reptile habits, digestion, and metabolism.
Without a basking lamp, your bearded dragon won’t be able to properly digest food or regulate its body temperature—which can lead to serious health problems.
In this article, we’ll look at why it’s essential for all bearded dragon owners to invest in a quality basking lamp and review some of the best on the market.
The Basking Light
Having a basking light in your reptile’s enclosure is essential for their health and comfort. Not only does it provide warmth, but it also helps in digestion, immunity, shedding, growth, and other important functions.
When setting up the perfect basking light for your bearded dragon, there are many options available on the market today – from light bulbs to ceramic heat emitters.
To keep the cost down, I recommend using a basic halogen floodlight attached to a Fluker’s Clamp Lamp.
Once you have your lighting equipment bought and set up, you’ll need to make sure that it provides enough heat for your pet. A good way to do this is by purchasing a digital laser thermometer so you can monitor the temperatures of your tank.
Baby bearded dragons enjoy a warm environment with temperatures ranging from 105-110°F, while adult bearded dragons prefer temperatures of 100-105°F.
Types of Bearded dragon basking lamps
Various commercial infra red Bearded dragon basking lamps are available, but cheaper spot light bulbs can also be used. Heat lamps will differ with regard to their fitting type, mounting type, wattage and colour. Higher wattages generally emits more heat, but is more expensive to run.
This is a simple lampshade holder that is mounted on the outside of a container.
Keep Your Bearded Dragon Warm and Cozy with a Basking Lamp
Keeping your bearded dragon warm and cozy is essential for its health and well-being. A basking lamp is a perfect way to do this, as it provides the necessary warmth and ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight that they need. Not only does it help in digestion, immunity, shedding, growth, and other important functions, but it also helps regulate their body temperature.
When setting up a basking lamp for your bearded dragon, make sure to invest in a quality product and use a digital laser thermometer to monitor the temperatures of your tank.
The Benefits of Using a Basking Lamp for Your Bearded Dragon
Using a basking lamp for your bearded dragon is essential for its health and wellbeing. Not only does it provide the necessary warmth and ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight that they need, but it also helps in digestion, immunity, shedding, growth, and other important functions. Additionally, it helps regulate their body temperature so they can stay comfortable in their environment.
The benefits of using a basking lamp for your bearded dragon are numerous, and investing in a quality product is essential for their health. With the right setup and monitoring, you can ensure that your pet is getting the best care possible and living in a healthy environment.
Obtaining the correct temperature
Obtaining the correct temperature is vital in creating a natural basking spot for Bearded dragons and stimulate basking behaviour. A basking spot temperature of 40 ºC / 104 ºF with a natural temperature drop to 24 – 34 ºC / 75 – 93 ºF towards the other side of the container should be created. To make it more appealing, the basking lamp should be mounted to emit heat over an elevated area, such as a log or a rock.
The perfect basking lamp type, size and distance from the basking surface will also depend on the ventilation, ambient room temperature and size of the enclosure.
Various mounting combinations should be tested with a reliable thermometer before the final mount. Thermostats are also a great way to prevent overheating.
Digital thermostats can be used to switch heat lamps on when the temperature is too cold and off again when temperature reaches a certain level.
The lamp fitting
Basking lamps for Bearded dragons can either use a bayonet type fitting or a screw-in fitting. Make sure to buy the appropriate fitting for the light source used.
Mounting types
Depending on the type of enclosure, Bearded dragon basking lamps can either be fitted inside the enclosure or placed above or on the mesh lid on top of the enclosure.
Can I Use a Regular Bulb for a Basking Light?
Bearded dragons need a source of light that is suitable for basking and regular bulbs can be used effectively. Halogen bulbs are particularly useful as they generate steady heat and have a long life, however, a standard fluorescent bulb will also do the job.
It’s worth noting that a powerful fluorescent bulb may be required as some sections may not emit as much heat as you’d expect.
When selecting your bulb it’s important to consider tank size and wattage needed; 40-100 watts depending on the setup. My own experiences have shown me that 60W or 75W Halogen bulbs work best, but slightly more powerful fluorescents would also do well.
So if you’re looking to set up your bearded dragon with the perfect basking light source then don’t forget regular bulbs can be used too!
Ideal Bearded Dragon Basking Temp
It’s crucial to create the perfect basking spot for your bearded dragon as it will help them stay healthy and be able to carry out essential functions. Therefore, it is essential to get the temperature just right.
The ideal basking temperatures for bearded dragons of various ages are as follows:
– For adults (12 months old and up), their basking spot should range from between 95°F – 100°F (35°C – 37.77°C)
– For juveniles (4-11 months old), the best range is 100°F – 105°F (37.77°C – 40.55°C).
– For baby/hatchling dragons (younger than 4 months old), they require a slightly higher range of 105°F – 110°F (40.55°C – 43.33 °C).
It is important to note that the basking spot should never exceed 110°F (43.33°C) as this can be dangerous for your bearded dragon.
Heat Bulbs for Bearded Dragons
Heat bulbs are an essential part of keeping a healthy bearded dragon. These bullets enable them to regulate their day and night cycles, aid in the digestion of food and keep their appetites up.
If bearded dragons aren’t kept warm, their health can suffer and they might get impacted by the food in their bodies that aren’t being digested.
When it comes to buying a heat bulb for your bearded dragon, you have two main options: incandescent light bulbs or halogen flood light bulbs. These items are readily available online and at any hardware or home store near you.
It’s important to remember when setting up a heat bulb for your bearded that you mount it above the enclosure where it won’t get filtered out by any screens, unlike the UVB which should go inside since screens can filter out UVB rays before they reach your beardie.
Wrapping Up Bearded Dragon Lighting Guide
Creating the perfect lighting setup for your bearded dragon may seem like a complicated challenge, but it’s actually much simpler than you think. With the right UVB bulb and a powerful white basking bulb that emits enough heat to keep your pet comfortable (but not too much), you’ll be 90% of the way there.
After you get those two elements in place, it’s just a matter of trial and error in terms of placement to ensure that you’re getting all the necessary lighting, temperatures, and UVB coverage for your bearded dragon.
Following this guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to create an ideal lighting setup for your pet so they can live their best life!
Do Bearded Dragons Need a Heat Lamp At Night?
It may be surprising to hear, but bearded dragons don’t actually need a light at night! Once evening hits, it’s best to turn off the heat lamp so they can sleep comfortably in the dark. This means keeping the overall temperature in their cage between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3-26.66 degrees Celsius).
However, if your home gets colder than 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius), it will be necessary to provide additional heat for the beardie. The ideal option for warming their cage during those times is to use a Ceramic Heat Emitter, or “CHE”. This type of setup offers a safe source of heat which eliminates the risk of short circuiting or burning your bearded dragon.
So while they don’t absolutely require a heat lamp at night, you may want to consider installing a Ceramic Heat Emitter as an alternative source of warmth if needed!
How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Heat (Or Lamp)
For those wondering how long a bearded dragon can go without heat, the answer is 24 hours. That’s as long as the temperature doesn’t fall below 65° degrees Fahrenheit (18° C). Any lower than this and the bearded dragon will be in serious danger.
It’s important to understand that warmth is necessary for their survival, so it’s best to take appropriate measures to keep their environment at an optimal temperature range. If you’re ever in a situation where you can’t provide heat or light for your bearded dragon, like if your power is out or you need to travel without them, then make sure that the surrounding environment remains warm enough for their safety.
Common mistakes and warnings
- Heat lamps are generally not ultraviolet lamps. These are completely different lighting.
- Because most Bearded dragon enclosures are closed, overheating is a real threat. Test and test again before the final mount.
- Allow at least a 30 cm / 12″ distance between the lamp and basking surface to prevent direct contact with the Bearded dragon.
- Try to prevent small gaps surrounding the heat lamp to prevent climbing related injuries.
- Check all electrical equipment and its wiring including the basking lamps at least every three months.
Heat lamp availability
- Electrical suppliers and general purpose stores
- Specialized reptile pet shops
- Online stores such as BangGood and Amazon
FAQs:
How should I mount my basking lamp for my bearded dragon?
It’s important to mount the basking lamp above the enclosure where it won’t get filtered out by any screens. This will ensure that your bearded dragon is getting the right amount of heat and light.
Do bearded dragons need a heat lamp at night?
A: No, bearded dragons don’t need a heat lamp at night. Once evening hits, it’s best to turn off the heat lamp so they can sleep comfortably in the dark. However, if your home gets colder than 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius), it may be necessary to provide additional heat for the beardie with a Ceramic Heat Emitter or “CHE”.
Conclusion:
Bearded Dragon Basking lamps can be a great way of providing your pet reptile with the heat they need to survive. They are affordable, reliable and come in many different shapes, styles, and colors.
When compared with other alternatives like heated rocks or ceramic tiles, basking lamps provide a much more consistent source of warmth for your Bearded Dragon for its entire life. Be sure to get an adequate sized lamp for your pet’s enclosure so it can always comfortably bask under the light.
