Making a house for your pet is always an exciting and enjoyable task. There are no hard and fast rules for their enclosures. You can be creative and make a unique one for the scaly pal. Or, you can simply create a regular one. Let me help you with some DIY bearded dragon enclosure ideas.
To keep it simple, you can try doing any of the following:
- Repurposed Dresser
- PVC Pipe Enclosure
- IKEA Kallax Hack
- Wooden Enclosure Build
- Melamine Enclosure Build
- Quarantine Enclosure
- Mobile, bioactive, or minimalist Enclosure
- Separate breeding, double, open top, outdoor, winter enclosures, etc.
These are easy and beautiful ideas to set the enclosure for the reptile lizards. Let me help you with further guidance.
DIY Bearded Dragon Enclosure Ideas
Do it the way you like it. Beardies are not going to be upset with you. Here are some simple ideas to set up an enclosure.
1. Repurposed Dresser
Repurpose an old dresser into a unique and spacious enclosure. Add ventilation and modify the drawers to create hides. This saves money, space, and time. It’s simple but elegant.
Beardies will have enough space to roam around and have fun. However, avoid feeding juicy fruits like grapes, strawberries, etc., here, as the dresser can get dirty.
2. PVC Pipe Enclosure
Low in budget? That’s not an issue. Try building a PVC pipe enclosure for your pet lizards.
It’s easy to prepare a unique design with these pipes. The house remains lightweight and easy to move around. It suits people who are constantly on the move perfectly. Create a wall with wires and do some color on the pipes for beautification.
3. IKEA Kallax Hack
Transform an IKEA Kallax shelf unit into a multi-level enclosure with climbing opportunities. I hope you are not wondering if beardies can climb walls. Add separate basking and cooling zones.
4. Repurposed Aquarium
If you already have an aquarium, then you don’t need to buy a new one. Clean the tank and ensure proper ventilation for your reptile pet friends. Replace the mesh lid with a secure top to prevent dragons from fleeing away.
5. Wooden Enclosure Build
Build a wooden enclosure from scratch. This option allows for complete customization in size, design, and features. The wooden structures are elegant and exquisite. It won’t just host your beardies but also enhance the beauty of your household.
6. Melamine Enclosure Build
Building a melamine enclosure for your bearded dragon is a cool DIY project. It’s super easy to work with and won’t break the bank. Just grab some melamine boards, cut ’em to size, and assemble ’em like a puzzle.
Don’t forget to drill some ventilation holes and add a basking spot. Deck it out with some rocks, branches, and a cozy hide. Boom! Your beardie will be living the high life in no time. Just make sure to keep it clean and don’t overload it with too much stuff.
7. Zen Garden Enclosure
You’ll want a large front-opening glass terrarium to create your zen oasis. Keep the decor super minimal – just some carefully selected rocks, pieces of driftwood, and a few hardy live succulents. You’ll need a nice thick layer of fine desert sand or eco-earth as the base. Place some thick branches, especially near the basking spot.
8. Desert Oasis Enclosure
Create a desert oasis for your bearded dragon with a DIY enclosure. Start with a spacious tank or terrarium. Line the bottom with sand or reptile carpet for a desert feel. Add rocks, branches, and hides for climbing and exploring.
Plant succulents or cacti for a touch of greenery. Provide a heat lamp and UVB light for warmth and health. It’s better to keep a shallow dish of water for drinking and soaking. Decorate with fake plants and accessories for a natural look.
9. Jungle Gym Enclosure
Transform your bearded dragon’s home into a jungle gym paradise! Begin with a spacious tank or terrarium. Line the floor with soft substrate like coconut fiber or reptile carpet. Install branches, vines, and driftwood for climbing and exploring.
Incorporate hiding spots and caves for your dragon to retreat to. Install a basking light and UVB lamp for warmth and health. Place rocks and logs for additional texture and enrichment.
10. Minimalist Enclosure
Create a sleek and simple home for your bearded dragon with a minimalist enclosure. Begin with a clean and spacious tank or terrarium. Use a neutral substrate like paper towels or tile for easy cleaning. Add a couple of minimalist decor pieces, such as smooth rocks or driftwood, for climbing and basking.
Place a shallow dish of water and a food dish for essential needs. Install a basking light and UVB lamp for warmth and health. Keep the enclosure clutter-free for a calming environment.
11. Bioactive Enclosure
Begin with a large tank or terrarium. Layer the bottom with drainage material like clay balls or gravel. Then, add a substrate mix of soil, sand, and leaf litter for a natural environment.
Introduce clean-up crew, such as isopods and springtails, to maintain soil health. Incorporate branches, rocks, and hides for climbing and exploration. Additionally, install a basking light and UVB lamp for warmth and health.
12. Vertical Enclosure
Opt for a tall tank or terrarium to provide ample climbing opportunities. Utilize a combination of sturdy branches, vines, and platforms to create a multi-level environment. Add other items as necessary and to your taste.
Must-Have Items in Bearded Dragons’ Enclosure
Some items cannot be overlooked while making a house for bearded beardies. Must-Have Items in Bearded Dragons’ Enclosure are:
- Appropriately sized terrarium or enclosure with proper ventilation and secure door/lid
- Basking area with an overhead heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter
- Substrates like non-adhesive shelf liners, reptile carpets, or bioactive setup
- Hiding spots (caves, half-logs, cardboard boxes)
- Live or fake plants and branches for climbing/exploring
- Shallow water dish for soaking and defecating
- UVB lighting bulb for calcium/vitamin D3 metabolism
- Calcium and vitamin supplements
- Tongs for feeding
- Temperature gun to monitor thermal gradient
- Hygrometer to track humidity levels
FAQ
Here is some information that might be helpful for you while making an enclosure for reptile dragons.
What is the best enclosure design for a bearded dragon?
The best enclosure design for a bearded dragon includes a spacious tank or terrarium. But that’s not all. You need to add proper heating, lighting, and substrate. Incorporate climbing structures, hiding spots, and enrichment elements to promote natural behaviors.
What is the best material for a bearded dragon enclosure?
The best material for a bearded dragon enclosure is glass or PVC. Both materials provide good visibility and insulation, maintaining proper temperatures and humidity levels. Additionally, they are easy to clean and disinfect, ensuring a healthy environment for your pet.
What decorations do bearded dragons like?
Bearded dragons enjoy decorations that mimic their natural habitat, such as rocks, branches, and hides. These provide opportunities for climbing, basking, and exploring. Live or artificial plants can also offer enrichment and visual interest.
Do bearded dragons need plants?
Bearded dragons do not necessarily need plants in their enclosure. Nonetheless, live or artificial plants can provide enrichment and mimic their natural habitat. Plants offer hiding spots, climbing opportunities, and visual stimulation. However, they must be non-toxic and securely placed to prevent ingestion or accidental damage.
Can you keep a bearded dragon without a tank?
Keeping a bearded dragon without a tank is not recommended. Tanks provide a controlled environment necessary for the dragon’s health, regulating temperature, humidity, and exposure to light. Additionally, tanks prevent escape and provide security.
Conclusion
So, these were some simple and interesting DIY bearded dragon enclosure ideas. You can follow and build any of them with some simple steps. Have fun with creativity, and don’t back down from trying new things. Your pet pal will love it.
Shout-out to:
https://exopetguides.com/bearded-dragon/bearded-dragon-terrarium-ideas/
https://www.beardeddragonforum.com/threads/planning-to-build-a-wood-enclosure-need-advise.15858/