Bearded dragon pet parents know that their beardie requires a heat lamp to warm their tanks. However, the nighttime is a different story when the temperatures need to be cooler and lights off.
So, does your bearded dragon need some heat at night? Perhaps not, unless it’s during the winter and you live in an area where your house gets too cold at night (below 650F). Keep in mind that the terrarium has been under heat throughout the day, so his cage will hold some heat on its own.
Bearded Dragons in the Wild
Bearded dragons in the desert of Australia live in a dry and hot environment. In other words, they are ectotherms – also referred to as cold-blooded animals.
Reptiles, such as beardies, depend on the surrounding environment to regulate their internal body temperature.
As a result, dragons bask during the day and can often be seen enjoying the sun from large rocks and tree trunks.
They keep moving in and out of the heat to control the temperature. The perfect basking spot should be between 95 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
At night, beardies prefer to move, stay away from their basking spot and find a safe place to sleep.
Because the deserts cool off each night, lizards have become used to sleeping in lower temperatures of below 70 degrees.
Bearded Dragons In Captivity
While bearded dragons can sleep safely in cooler night temperatures, it’s important to ensure that your pet beardie does not stay too cold at night. Too much cold can make them unwell and inactive.
That’s why you need to control the temperature in his cage and keep it suitable for better health. Have one or more thermostats to track the temperature at all times.
Nowadays, you can even use digital thermostats that connect to your smartphone to alert you of any temperature changes and dips.
Ideally, you need to keep the nighttime habitat temperature between 70 – 85 degrees. If your location is freezing at night, you can test if the cage drops below 650F as this is unsuitable for dragons.
If this is the cage, you might need to look at some other options of heat. Remember, the bright lights of daytime heat lamps might disrupt his sleeping patterns.
Can I Leave Heat Lamp On At Night?
Caring for a bearded dragon in captivity should emulate the natural setting as much as possible. These species have adapted over time to suit their natural environment in Australia perfectly. Still, the conditions will largely depend on where you live in the wild and the climate of the surroundings.
A big part of this is providing a bearded dragon-safe cage and a heat source to mimic the high temperatures they need for basking.
Although they have been used to sleeping in nighttime hours, many owners wonder whether this is right in captivity. Wild bearded dragons will look for a hidden spot, away from light to sleep.
As such, we do not recommend leaving the heat lamp on because it may disrupt the bearded dragon’s natural body processes.
Resting periods help support development, digestion, growth, reproduction, and other natural processes. Also, leaving the lights at night can overhead the pet, limiting their ability to rest. Like humans, a cooler, darker place brings the best feeling of comfort and safety during sleep.
For this reason, it’s essential that you turn off the heat lamps at night to let the temperatures cool off to facilitate rest.
Besides, heat lamps also emit light that could disrupt your beardie’s sleep pattern. Still, some owners residing in extremely cold climates can feel that the temperatures could drop too low at night for the liking of the beardie.
In this case, it’s tempting to leave the heat lamp on. Still, you could explore other heating options to maintain temperatures when it’s cool. We have discussed these options further below. But before that…
What Lighting Cycle Should I Use for a Bearded Dragon?
The first thing to know as an owner of a bearded dragon is that your pet is an ectotherm, and this means that they solely rely on external sources for thermoregulation on their bodies.
Basking is very important for the dragon’s health because it contributes to their thermoregulation and hence all their bodily functions.
The animal finds an open area during the day where they soak up the sun’s rays. Being a desert species, the beardie thrives in hot temperatures, and during the daytime heat, they breed and reproduce, and with the night temperatures, they rest and recoup.
For a proper cycle for the enclosed dragon, the UVA and UVB lights are needed to mimic the environment of their natural habitat. The hours will differ according to the current season.
During winter and the fall seasons, the lighting of UVB night lights should be 8 hours, and for the summer and spring seasons, the hours should be 12 to 14. As for the UVA, which is daylight, it should be 8 to 10 during the winter and fall seasons and 14 to 16 during the summer and spring seasons.
How Many Hours Should A Bearded Dragon Heat Lamp Be On?
| Winter | 10 hours |
| Summer | 14 hours |
| Autumn | 12 hours |
| Spring | 12 hours |
The basking spot should be around 95 – 1000F with a thermometer to monitor the level in different areas of the enclosure.
A gradient temperature is crucial as this gives the pet a choice of where it wishes to stay. During the day, you should strive to keep the ambient temperature at around 800F.
A basking area should have these:
- Basking area – Around 1000F
- Cool Spot – Around 800F
- Night – Around 700F
With the basking lamp positioned at one end, the temperature levels decrease further away to the opposite end of the cage. There should be hides on the cooler spot where the animal cools off and rests.
Creating these microclimates inside the cage gives your beardie the agency to make the choice of movement that allows it to display a variety of natural instincts, which is needed for the animal’s welfare and ensures a happy dragon.
Thermometers are a crucial part of reptile husbandry, so you must ensure the lamps are working adequately with the temperatures maintained in the required zones. Keeping a record of the readings will help you know when the lights need to be replaced.
How to Keep a Bearded Dragon Warm?
When designing your dragon cage, you must consider the climate in the area you live. If the temperature will fall well below 650F, a night time solution is a logical consideration.
Heat is necessary for digestion, defense, and hunting. There are different ways to keep the bearded dragon warm through cold nights. These include:
1. Ceramic Heat Emitters
They are common among lizard owners because they do not emit a light that may disturb your beardie.
Still, they have a decent amount of infrared heat that can be used at night. Ceramic heat emitters are also long-lasting and do not cost much, making them one of the best nighttime heat solutions for bearded dragons.
2. Infrared Bulbs
Since you are looking for low wattage in heat, infrared bulbs are also an option and a great one. They can emit adequate heat while giving off very little light for a good night’s sleep.
They are usually black with a dim purplish or soft red glow that your friend will love. They are more affordable than ceramic bulbs and can last for a long time.
3. Heating Mats
Another option is these flat pads that can be fitted on the bottom, side, or on top of the cage. However, avoid using heating maps on wood and other materials to support a flame.
They are recommended for bearded dragon enclosures made of glass, but make sure to get one with temperature control.
Too much heat can crack the glass. Used properly, heating mats can be used to offer extra heat from the outside.
4. Heat rocks
Widely sold and available, heat rocks can also provide additional heat for your beardie. However, the rocks could get hot, causing severe burns to your beardie. They may be used for bearded dragons with caution not to get them too hot.
5. Heating cables
A more flexible option you could try is heating cables that emit heat. They can be placed inside the enclosure in tight coils overnight. You can as well attach them outside of the cage.
Just plugin and let the beardie enjoy the warmth. The good thing is that heat cables are resistant to water and make an excellent choice for the highly humid beard enclosure.
How to Keep Your Dragon Warm At Night Without Heat Lamps?
It’s good to consider other creative options to use apart from the options we’ve put up above. Most owners depend on heat lamps as the primary heat source for bearded dragons. Sometimes the lights fail, or the power goes out for several hours, and you’re left worried about your little friend.
Knowing easy ways to warm your beardie saves you from this. Check out easy methods to warm a bearded dragon.
1. Use a warm cloth, blanket, or pillowcase.
Suppose power goes out or you want to travel for a short distance. In such cases, a blanket can protect your lizard from the harsh cold.
You don’t want them to continue staying in temperatures below 65 degrees. Gently wrap a beardie in a pillowcase or blanket, and you’re good to go.
If more warmth is required, have the pet close to the body, but be cautious not to suffocate him. Similarly, you should cover the terrarium with a blanket when the lamps do not retain more heat in the cage.
Use a thermometer regularly to check the temperature level.
2. Use heat packs
A heat pack, such as a rechargeable portable heat pack/pad, is also a great way to keep your dragon warm. The main advantage of heat packs is their ability to emit heat for many hours.
Avoid keeping them where the dragon can be in direct contact with the heat pack, as these can cause burns.
You could put them inside a material like a cloth to avoid burning the dragon. Other heat packs options to use are self-heating pads and hand warmers.
3. Use hot bottles
Another way to heat the terrarium is to use hot bottles inside a foam box. Fill the bottles with hot water and cover them in a foam box before placing them in the terrarium. The foam box prevents direct contact with the dragon and helps to maintain the temperature for a longer time.
If you do not use a foam box, place the bottles out of reach of the dragon to prevent burns. Covering the bottles with a blanket before putting them inside is also a viable option. The use of grain pillows instead of hot water bottles may also work.
4. Use the car’s heating
You may also consider using the car’s heating to warm up your dragon. If you decide to go this route, wrap the dragon in a blanket before putting them under the car’s heater. The car should provide sufficient warmth to get the dragon warm.
However, some dragons won’t appreciate being handled for a long time, so you may not entirely depend on the car’s heating.
Can I Sleep with My Bearded Dragon?
In general, its not recommended to sleep with your bearded dragon. Because sleeping with your bearded dragon can lead to injury and death.
Also, there’s a potential for salmonella infection if you sleep with them. If you choose to sleep with your beardie, you must play safely by washing your hands and beddings to avoid germs.
How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without a Heat Source?
Bearded dragon can survive 24 hours without heat as long as the temperature doesn’t go below 65F.
The beardies can still live in temperatures below 60 degrees, keeping them in poor health. If left in these conditions for long enough, they can develop illnesses and die.
If the power goes off for a few hours, you should not panic as a bearded dragon can survive without a heat source for a day or several as long as the temperature stays above 650F.
How Can I Automate a Bearded Dragon’s Lighting?
The easiest way to keep the lights in sync with your dragon’s requirements is to use timers. Choose a programmable time, set a specific time when you light the lights on and off, and then automate it.
This will save you a lot of hassle and ensure your beardie achieves a healthy circadian rhythm where they sleep and wake at the same time each day.
Do You Turn Off UVB/UVA In a Bearded Dragon Cage At Night?
Bearded dragons do not need UVB at night. Therefore, you need to turn off the heat lamp, so the bearded dragon doesn’t think it’s daytime.
It’s, however, advisable to keep their lights on an hour after feeding to aid their digestion.
What Happens If My Bearded Dragon Gets Too Cold?
Your bearded dragon will become lethargic as these creatures are cold-blooded. Another thing that could happen is decreased appetite due to the metabolism slowing down.
In the long run, cold will interfere with the absorption of calcium, resulting in serious health illnesses, including metabolic disease.
What is The Ideal Wattage for A Bearded Dragon Heat Lamp?
If you’re wondering the number of watts required to emit the proper heat for the cage, the answer isn’t cut because there are certain things you have to consider.
For starters, you need to consider the material used for the tank. Generally, wooden enclosures retain heat much better than glass and won’t require powerful glasses.
The size of the tank also determines the wattage. For instance, larger tanks of up to 40 gallons require at least 60 -70 watts of halogen bulbs.
You also want to consider how far the bulb is from the beardie, but ideally, you want to place a stronger bulb a foot or more away to provide a wider berth of heat. Placing them too close to the dragon offers warmth on a small tank area.
How To Keep a Bearded Dragon Warm At Night – Wrap Up
We have discussed several viable options required to maintain the terrarium temperature. Our suggestion is you should get a heating source. These lizards are cold-blooded, requiring them to live under heat sources. The best thing you can do is get them heat lamps in the cage.
