More and more people own lizards today, and when cared for properly, lizards are wonderful pets. Among the most popular types available, bearded lizards are great companions. Read this article for information on lizard lifestyles and to learn how to make a bearded dragon habitat.

Native to Australia, the bearded dragon is a medium sized lizard with a long life span. Including the tail, these lizards can reach up to two feet in length, and they prefer a mixed diet of insects, baby mice, worms, and leafy vegetables. Fresh water should be provided daily, and it is also important to occasionally mist your lizard. Since these animals are very social, they can be kept together in large aquariums.

Native to central Australia, bearded dragons prefer forested, dry, warm climates. During the day, they hang out in trees and bushes, but also can be found basking on warm stones. To keep your lizard healthy and happy, try to recreate this natural environment as closely as possible in its new tank.

To start, you must choose the appropriate enclosure. While hatchling bearded dragons do fine in your average 10-15 gallon tank, adults should be kept in aquariums at least 55 gallons large, so keep this in mind when looking for a tank. Also, bearded dragons can be quite the escape artists, so a tight fitting lid is a must!

With your lizard's enclosure in place, you next need to decide what type of bedding (also known as substrate) that you want to line the bottom of the tank with. A good substrate is easy to keep clean, absorbs liquids well, and easy to digest, just in case your lizard eats some. Most specialty stores sell substrate specifically designed for bearded lizards, but shredded newspaper works as well. Whatever you choose, be sure to avoid, kitty litter, cedar shavings, crushed corn cobs, or gravel as this can be bad for your pet if ingested.

Now that the bedding is in place, it is time to start decorating! A happy lizard is a lizard with lots of things to climb on and places to hide. Use oak for climbing posts and make sure to add flat stones for basking. Non-toxic, live plants also make a nice touch.

Now that you have the tank decorated, it is time to start thinking about heat and light sources. Though it comes last, this is the most important part of habitat design. The tank must be kept between 78-88 degrees F during the day and no less than 70 degrees F at night. Incandescent light bulbs affixed to the lid of the tank are the best way to provide heat and light source. You should also purchase a special basking light to position over the area the lizard will bask.

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