Recommended cage designs for the extremely handy?

[brewster]

We're planning to get our first beardie. I've spent many hours surfing here and elsewhere before posting. I haven't really found a decent guide to cage building. any suggestions would be very welcome. Below is my plan so far, please feel free to correct anything I've gotten wrong or that is bad idea.

I want to build a "living room" grade enclosure. From what I've read, 48w x 12h x 15d would do. Does it need to be taller? Can it be smaller in length?

One site said top access was better due to the quickness of the beardies. Is this true? Most of the cage photos here show front access.

I'm thinking of 3 sides 1/4" plexi & a screen top, with back and bottom either wood or that white PVC "lumber alternative". If it's front access, how deep should the "pan" below the level of the opening be?

Is the UV light actually in the cage dangerous? i've seen several photos of it.

thanks for any help or links

 

[Clay Davenport]

I wouldn't go with less than 18" high for a bearded and preferrably 24". You want to be able to provide arboreal basking sites and with 12" of height, that just isn't going to be adequate.

48" long is a good size if you have room for that length. They will explore the cage and make use of the room. Another benefit is if you at soem point decide to get a mate then two can live in that cage as well.
I liked to use 48x24x24 cages for beardeds when I kept them.

As for the access, I never had any problem with beardeds in front access cages. It's really a matter of what's best for you.
If you use front access, then I'd make the substrate dam 3" high.

I would discourage you from using plexiglass in the cage. It often causes problems with clawed lizards.
I once housed a bearded temperarily in an unused snake cage with a plex door. Within two months the door was terribly cloudy from the scratches. That particular bearded always got extra active when someone was in the room and would scratch at the door alot as they do when they see it's feeding time.

UV light poses no problem inside the cage. If you use mercury vapor lamps though just ensure the dragon can't come in contact with it. The same would be true with the basking lights if you use flourescent UV.

 

[brewster]

Thanks Clay.

Actually, we live in the city and have a relatively small place, and would like to keep the footprint to a minimum. What would that be? I usually see more references to not less than 45 gallon, but not sq footage.

Your plexi comment is exactly the kind of thing I've been having a hard time finding out! You see so many herp cages, but what's good for a snake isn't for a dragon.

Am I being silly making a cage right off the bat rather than keeping it for as long as possible in a 20 gallon tank? Maybe, I would learn the ropes and know more of what's best. Would I be able to buy lights that would work for both?

 

[Clay Davenport]

I have kept single adult dragons in a 36" x 24" cage, but that is the minimum in my opinion. The height is still important.
If you're buying a baby bearded, then making a cage this size may be a little premature. A 10 or 20 gallon tank would work well for the first few months. They grow quickly though, so it wouldn't be long before the larger cage was needed.
As for the lights, you can use dome light for heat on a tank, and the large cage can be built to accomodate it as well. I usually used keyless fixtures mounted to the inside of the cage for the basking lights though if the top was solid, then mount a 24" flourescent for the UV if you want. I am assuming that UV bulbs come in that size, I never used them myself.
A keyless fixture (ceramic) runs a few dollars and a small flourescent fixture that plugs in can be gotten from Wal-Mart for less than $10.

 

[brewster]

Oh well, a 24x36 is only 1/4 sq ft smaller than my planned 48 x 15.

I thought UV lights were a neccessity for dragons?

 

[Clay Davenport]

The majority of people who keep dragons say they are, if for no other reason than that is what they are continously told. Many of them also don't bother to replace the bulbs every 6 months either so it's just a feel good measure in those cases with no real effect.
I'm not going to start that debate here though. For one pet dragon I'd say use it.
I raised dragons for 9 years without ever using UV light, but provided good supplmentation. For the novice keeper though, it never hurts to cover all the bases.
With a large collection UV becomes a major expense, if the bulbs are used correctly, but it's no big deal with just one cage.

 

[jenn_jeffery]

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/dcage01.shtml

I bought that cage from Clay and housed two dragons on one level. I'm showing you the cage for the design more than the plans. You could easily shrink the plans down floor space wise and to be only one level, unless of course, you plan on getting another dragon later on (they're addictive!!). The only thing I would recommend changing in this cage is either the materials uses (use a solid wood instead of planks) or use a biscut joiner to join the planks together. Sandy types of substrate go through the planks way too easily!

I too like the front opening cages with dragons, but if you have the cage on the floor, a top opening MAY be easier to clean out as crawling into the back of a large cage on the floor is a hassle.

Enjoy your new dragon! They're wonderful critters!!

 

[geckospot]

Unless your dragon is exposed to direct outdoor sunlight at regular intervals, ( for a few hours , 3 times a week minimum ) you will need to use UV lighting when keeping it indoors. The bulb must have a UV output of 5.0 or greater. I use reptisun 5.0 for all of my beardeds.

Geckospot.com

 

[brewster]

Thanks all for the info, especially for Clay's awesome documentation of his cage construction.

While I'm not daunted by doing a cage similar to what out there, I'm thinking for a living room setting for a single dragon, a tank would be more dramatic, and show the dragon off better. You could see from more sides than one (although I know I could make a cage with glass sides).

I found a local guy online who will sell me a ~50 gallon tank with a screen top for $45 delivered. Sounds like a deal to me.

If & when I'm ready to breed em I'll build a triple decker!!

I am somewhat astonished at the level of controversy about certain aspects of dragon care like UV light & substrate. What a minefield!

Can anyone tell me how long can dragons go without care, as in going on a long weekend? I think the local kid who used to feed my ancient cats (now deceased) has graduated.