If you’re setting up a home for a bearded dragon, you’ll probably find yourself asking – does a bearded dragon need a nighttime heat source?
Vivarium heating is essential for bearded dragons during the day as these reptiles are sun-worshippers, native to the Australian outback, and spend their days basking in the heat of the sun. This is best-provided by a basking lamp like this.
But at nighttime it’s a different story. Your vivarium should mimic the natural heat and light pattern of your bearded dragon’s natural environment, and since the temperature in the outback drops after dark, your bearded dragon needs a cooler temperature at night. This means you can turn off your heat lamp at night.
Nighttime temperatures for bearded dragons
While bearded dragons are used to cooler temperatures at night, you should be careful that your beardie doesn’t get too cold. This is just as dangerous as overheating and can make your bearded dragon ill.
We’d recommend monitoring the temperature inside your bearded dragon tank at all times, and making sure the night temperature inside the vivarium never drops below 18℃.
You can do this will a thermostat, which is easy and cheap to pick up on Amazon. Once attached to a heat source, you can programme your thermostat to turn the heat lamp on whenever the temperature drops below 18℃.
It’s normal for your bearded dragon to feel cold to the touch in the morning (this is normal for cold-blooded reptiles who use their environment to regulate their body temperature) and you should only worry if the temperature in your tank has drastically fallen.
Nighttime heating options for bearded dragons
If your house is particularly cold at night, you may need to install some nighttime heating to keep your bearded dragon warm. Here are the different options.
image credit: WikiHow.
Ceramic lamp
A ceramic lamp is perfect for nighttime heating as it doesn’t emit light (and won’t disturb your bearded dragon’s natural sleeping pattern).
You’ll find loads of great value ceramic lamps on Amazon. Just make sure it’s attached to a thermostat and only turns on when the temperature drops below 18℃.
Infrared night time bulb
Another good option is an infrared bulb. You can pick one up for less than £10 on Amazon and the glow from this type of bulb won’t disturb your bearded dragon’s sleep. Just bear in mind that an infrared bulb won’t last as long as a ceramic lamp.
And there you have it – the complete guide to nighttime heating from bearded dragons. Want more advice about bearded dragon care? Stay on Vivarium World:
- What is the Right Temperature for Bearded Dragons
- Bearded Dragon Vivarium Setup Guide
- Best Cheap Vivariums for Bearded Dragons
FAQs
Black/blue/red light bulbs for night viewing or supplemental heat are not needed for bearded dragons and can actually mess with their day/night rhythm. Also, nightly drops in temperature are actually healthier than providing heat at night.
Can bearded dragons go without heat at night? ›
Overnight, Bearded dragons can quite comfortably drop down to around 15°C (59°F) overnight, as the temperature drops naturally overnight, you have a little more leeway with your nighttime temperatures than during the day.
Can my bearded dragon get too cold at night? ›
Does the temperature in the tank drop below 65 degrees at night? If this is the case, you may need to use an additional or supplemental heat source. Consider a ceramic lamp next to his basking bulb to be consistent about where your bearded dragon should expect his heat source.
Is 80 degrees too cold for a bearded dragon? ›
Bearded Dragon– Their tank requires a hot side at 85-100 degrees and the cool side at 70-85 degrees. The hot side should also have a basking spot that is 100 degrees.
How do I keep my bearded dragon warm at night without a heat lamp? ›
Keep your dragon wrapped in blankets and use your body heat to keep him warm. If you are able, take your dragon into your car with the heat on high until she warms up. This works best for short-term power outages. Don't feed your dragon a lot of food since they have trouble digesting without a basking lamp.
How to tell if a bearded dragon is too cold? ›
If your tank is too cold, your dragon may act fatigued. Beneath the basking spot, aim for a temperature of 95 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit; the rest of the cage should be around 70 degrees. At night, the entire tank should be around 65.
Can I leave my heat lamp on all night? ›
Are Heat Lamps Safe to Leave on All Night? No: it's not safe to use a heat lamp at night when there is no one to monitor it. While it's inevitable to run into situations when you need a lamp (potentially all night long), it's imperative to use it properly and follow the specific label directions.
What is the best night heat source for bearded dragons? ›
If you are experiencing temperature drops below 55ºF at night, a ceramic heat emitter can be used as it does not provide visible light.
Should I turn my heat lamp off at night? ›
If the bulb produces light, then yes, it needs to go off at night. You may want to get a nighttime heat source such as a DHP or CHE.
Is 65 too cold for a bearded dragon? ›
Beardie Club
It's okay for the temperature to drop at night, that's what happens in nature. As long as it's no lower than 65 degrees they will be okay. They do tend to be a little lazy in the morning. Remember, they are cold blooded animals, they are going to feel cold.
Because reptiles are cold-blooded animals, they require terrarium temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a basking area of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Reptiles' ambient temperatures should never fall below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use a heat mat for my bearded dragon at night? ›
A heat mat or ceramic heat emitter are good options, you just have to make sure not to use anything that gives off light (including red/blue bulbs that are commonly marketed for nighttime use), since they require a day/night cycle and that can be disrupted by light.
Is 90 Degrees hot enough for a bearded dragon? ›
The temperature should range from 76 to 86 F in the day with a basking area from 90 to 100 F. Nighttime should not go lower than 73 degrees on the cold side.
Is 90 degrees OK for bearded dragon? ›
How hot can it be for a bearded dragon? The focal basking hot spot should be between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. For the rest of the habitat, 76 degrees F at the cool end and the hot end should be around 86 degrees F. At night, the temperature, in the cool side, should be in the low to mid-70s.
What temperature is a bearded dragon most comfortable? ›
The optimal temperature for a bearded dragon is 38 – 42 degrees celcius in the bright end of their vivarium for basking in, and 22 – 26 degrees in the shaded end.
How long can a beardie go without a heat lamp? ›
When they brummate they can go a few months without food or light/heat. Don't worry he'll mainly just sleep through it if he gets cool enough.
How long can a bearded dragon go without a basking light? ›
While some sources claim that bearded dragons can go up to 2 weeks without UVB light, going longer than a few days is not recommended. It's best to provide them with UVB light regularly.
How many hours a day do bearded dragons need heat? ›
bearded dragons don't need lights at night. You should only have a basking light and a tube uvb,do not use the corral ones. The lights should be on a timer on for 12 hours,off for 12 hours. If the night temperature gets below 65 use a ceramic heat emmiter.
