by CazOmega » Thu Oct 01, 2015 1:16 pm
I've had success with keeping beardies indoors and outdoors in Durban. My younger beardies are kept indoors in a nice big tank. Newspaper flooring for easy cleaning with some biggish rocks, logs and hiding spots for them to use for basking and to change the environment up a bit. Clean up is easy and it's less expensive than substrates that could potentially cause impaction and other issues. I have a UV lamp for daytime use and a basking lamp that is only turned on when it is cold (read under 16 degrees for Durban as being cold). They are in a big tank and they seem to regulate their own temps by moving closer or further away from the basking lamp when they are hot/cold. Just don't let the whole tank get too hot for them. If mine show any signs of overheating (open mouths etc.), the basking light goes off, but generally try to keep the temperature between 30 and 32 degrees.
For the outside pair, no need of UV as they have the sun. Big enclosure with 2 levels and a ladder going up. I used weld mesh open on top and all 4 sides but half of the bottom level is enclosed to provide a hide for them. I used loose astroturf as bedding as the layers are built out of wood (varnished for easy cleaning), and the pieces can be removed, scrubbed, disinfected and replaced as required if they mess on it. If it gets cool I take them inside and put them in a tank with a basking light to ensure digestion happens easily, but when it is warm (as Durban is most of the time), I haven't found a need for a basking light for the outside dragons. They eat really well and go to the bathroom regularly. The enclosure is kept on my balcony as there is always a fear of big birds that could try attack them through the wire, so just in case, they are kept under roofing. If they weren't on my balcony, I would use a corrugated plastic roofing I think, to keep off the rain and protect against predators.
Do a bit of research and see what works for you, the space you have available and obviously to the best benefit of your beardies.
I have never been bitten by a beardy except by accident by one that used to like being handfed her veggies. They tend to be rather placid when handled often.
Hope all goes well and your new scaley kids settle in well and are healthy and happy. Just as a heads up, if you are picking from a batch of babies, the ones that are active and alert with bright eyes tend to be healthier than the ones that are just sitting there....