Introduction
Did you know that bearded dragons sleep for about eight to twelve hours? However, they may sleep for a few more hours during winter since nights are longer than days.
Sleep is crucial to these little pets since it helps reduce stress, promote body repair, grow, and strengthen their immunity. Therefore, we have to ensure they have a comfortable sleeping space. We need to invest in a cozy and high-quality bearded dragon bed.
Tip: For stronger immunity, give your dragon a multivitamin supplement.
How Do Bearded Dragons Sleep?
For these cute little pets to have a good sleep, they require total darkness and comfortable beddings. Hence, please do not turn on any incandescent lights during their sleep time. If you are worried about keeping them warm, you can use a reptile carpet to help keep them comfortable without emitting light.
Although bearded dragons close their eyes withing sleeping, they can also sleep with their eyes open, especially if there’s so much light because any amount of brightness can disrupt their sleep.
When you own a beardie, it’s important to ensure that they always have a comfortable bed to sleep in. It will help them to grow both happy and healthy. Bearded dragons need lots of sleep to support proper growth and good health.
It is also essential that they follow a good bedtime routine because, in the wild, bearded dragons depend on the sun rising and setting. This process helps our little pets regulate their body temperature better. They will bask in the sun to gain energy for finding food and sleep at night when the temperature cools down.
Tip: Visit this link if you need a good daytime light for your bearded dragon.
What Are the Important Characteristics of a Good Bearded Dragon Bed?
After hours of comparing and researching all bearded dragon beds on the market, we finally found the most crucial characteristics of a bearded dragon bed.
- Comfortable Fabric
Since a bearded dragon bed is where our pets will rest and sleep, we need to ensure that the beds have comfortable fabrics. In case you didn’t know, some dragons experience long-term bruises due to bad fabrics.
- Good Sleeping Bed Design
A bearded dragon bed should have at least a pillow and a blanket. It would be best to have a quilted mattress to ensure that our dragons can sleep soundly.
- Convenient to Clean
Some bearded dragon beds have sensitive fabrics that make them difficult to clean. We should choose a bed that we can scrub repeatedly but will not wear and tear.
Tip: For better cleaning, add this reptile cleaner to your supplies.
- Enough Bed Size
Also, bed size is very important. Before settling with a particular dragon bed, make sure that it can give plenty of space for your pet to crawl.
- Great Protection
Some bearded dragon beds provide tiny roofs for our beardies. You can choose it if your pet wants more security and less stress.
What Are the Best Substrates for Bearded Dragons?
We decided to put all the answers on one convenient topic with many questions about a bearded dragon bed. This section will discuss all the most recommended substrates where our little pets can sleep. However, it will still depend on your budget and how much effort you put into its maintenance. If everyday cleaning is okay with you, the most recommended is reptile carpet.
However, we also have lower-maintenance options, such as ceramic tiles and paper towels. Most of the substrates that we will discuss below are available at pet and hardware stores. Thus, you will not have a hard time looking for them.
- Reptile carpets
A reptile carpet is one of the best substrates for bearded dragons since it is very easy to install and offers various patterns to choose from. Usually, these carpets are felt-based made specifically for reptile terrariums. Some of them also have rocks or grass textures for a more natural look. When someone is looking for the best substrate, we always recommend reptile carpets.
Regarding its longevity, reptile carpets usually last for two to three years and hold up well against the wear and tear of temperature fluctuations. If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you can consider linoleum flooring or fake grass.
However, fake grass is the most tempting alternative since it looks like a reptile carpet. But remember that this option is very difficult to spot-clean since it has an uneven surface and traps many bacteria.
- Newspapers or paper towels
Newspapers or paper towels are great low-cost substrates, and it is easier to replace and not abrasive. However, we cannot reuse it, and it’s not very attractive. These substrates provide even coverage and do not affect your tank’s humidity levels. It is also very helpful for hatchlings and juveniles who are light enough since they cannot tear the paper. This option is very cheap and quick to replace.
Plus, they are also highly absorbent and eco-friendly. If you don’t mind the appearance and want to save money, newspapers or paper towels are perfect.
- Ceramic tiles or slates
Ceramic tiles are also an eco-friendly option to provide your bearded dragon’s terrarium with a more natural look. It is safe and very easy to clean. Unlike reptile carpets, ceramic tiles or slates can be easily sanitized and spot-cleaned with a cloth. What makes these substrates more interesting is that they are excellent conductors of heat and will not decrease or amplify the intensity of the tank’s heater.
However, the only downside is the challenge of cutting and fitting the ceramic tiles to your tank’s specific dimensions. Tiles usually come in 3″ x 6″ or 12″ x 12″ inches. Therefore, you need to cut it to fit properly. If you don’t have the tools required in cutting, it will be very hassle to cut the tiles safely and cleanly.
Conclusion
In the wild, bearded dragons sleep in sheltered places to protect themselves from predators and other natural elements. Such locations include beneath fallen logs, the tree holds or hollows, caves, dens and other sheltered places that can keep them safe and warm during the night.
So, in captivity, we have to provide our scaly pets with a place where they will feel secure without any distractions. Their sleeping area or hideouts (hide holes for bearded dragons) should be a perfect napping place.
