Bearded Dragon Substrates

What is the best substrate for Bearded Dragons?

Bearded Dragons are found in deserts, so it’s no surprise that they love sandy substrates. To replicate their environment as best as possible, you should use a compacted, clay-like sand as this will create a fairly solid surface similar to the dry, hard ground in the parts of Australia that they come from. This compacted substrate will also allow them to dig and make small burrows. You can also use regular, loose sand, provided the grains aren’t too small and/or uniform, e.g. children’s play sand. This kind of sand is notorious for irritating the eyes of Bearded Dragons.

How deep should your substrate be in a Bearded Dragon enclosure?

To make sure that there’s enough substrate for your Bearded Dragon to dig and burrow into, you should aim to cover your vivarium with a roughly 10cm-thick layer of sandy substrate. There’s really no limit to the amount of substrate you can add to your vivarium, but bear in mind that the more substrate you have, the more time it will take to clean/replace. You should also consider whether your Bearded Dragon may be able to escape their enclosure if you add an extra thick layer of substrate.

How often should you change your Bearded Dragon’s substrate?

It’s recommended that you completely change your Bearded Dragon’s substrate layer every 3-6 months. This not only prevents excessive bacteria build up, it also helps to eliminate bad smells. If you have a bioactive Bearded Dragon setup, with critters living in the substrate and breaking down your pet’s waste, you don’t have to change your substrate quite as often. That said, it’s always a good idea to freshen up your substrate – if not only to keep your Bearded Dragon setup looking the part!