Determining the appropriate photoperiod, or length of light exposure, for a bearded dragon is an important part of caring for these reptiles properly. The duration and intensity of light a bearded dragon receives impacts their health, behavior, appetite, sleep patterns, and more. Finding the right balance is key to keeping a bearded dragon healthy and happy.
How Many Hours Of Light Do Bearded Dragons Need?
Most experts recommend providing bearded dragons 14-16 hours of bright white light per day. This mimics the photoperiod they would experience in their native desert habitat. In the wild, bearded dragons bask in sunlight for much of the day as they hunt for food, socialize, and thermoregulate.
Bearded dragons are diurnal lizards, meaning they are active during the day. They require sustained periods of bright light to properly regulate their circadian rhythms. Without enough daytime light exposure, bearded dragons may experience disrupted sleep-wake cycles, lethargy, poor appetite, and slowed metabolism. Extended periods of low light or darkness can also spur brumation, which is similar to hibernation.
Light Duration Guidelines
- Babies: 14-16 hours per day
- Juveniles: 14-15 hours per day
- Adults: 12-14 hours per day
- Brumating dragons: 6-10 hours per day
These light durations include time spent under both main overhead lighting and spot/basking lighting. The overall photoperiod should be tailored based on the bearded dragon’s age and seasonal circadian rhythms.
What Type Of Light Is Best For Bearded Dragons?
To properly regulate bearded dragon physiology and behavior, lighting must provide adequate brightness and emit a spectrum similar to natural sunlight. The best lighting options include:
- Mercury vapor bulbs: Provide bright white light, UVA/UVB, and heat from one self-contained bulb.
- Fluorescent linear tubes: Replicate sunlight well and provide controlled UVA/UVB levels.
- Halogen lights: Bright white light maintains health and natural behaviors.
Along with a main bright white light source, bearded dragons also need an additional spot bulb to create a hot basking area. This allows them to properly thermoregulate throughout the day. The basking bulb should shine down on a specific basking zone, not the entire enclosure.
Setting Up Proper Photoperiods For Bearded Dragons
To provide appropriate photoperiods, you will need a timer to automatically switch your bearded dragon’s lights on in the morning and off at night. Avoid manually turning lights on and off each day.
Automatic light timers allow for consistency in maintaining proper photoperiods. They also don’t rely on you remembering to adjust lighting every morning and evening. Choose a programmable timer that has multiple on/off settings so you can program different durations for main overhead lighting and the basking light.
Tips For Configuring Photoperiod Timers
- Place timers between the wall outlet and light fixture cord.
- Set the main overhead light to be on for around 12-14 hours.
- Set the basking light to be on for 10-12 hours, centered during the brightest overhead light time.
- Gradually decrease light duration in the fall if brumating.
- Position lights to provide a daytime basking zone and a shaded retreat.
Test timer settings and make adjustments so lighting aligns with appropriate daylength. Avoid drastic day-to-day changes in photoperiod duration.
Signs Your Bearded Dragon’s Lighting Needs Adjustment
Monitor your bearded dragon for signs they need more or less daily light exposure. Adjust timers accordingly if you observe:
- Lethargy/decreased activity levels
- Sleeping or hiding during daytime hours
- Staying up at night/pacing enclosure
- Loss of appetite or disinterest in food
- Weight loss
- Change in skin, eye, muscle tone color
- Lack of interest in basking
If your bearded dragon is displaying any of these signs, subtly tweak the lighting duration and observe if behaviors improve. Any major changes in activity levels likely indicate the need for a lighting adjustment.
Other Lighting Tips For Bearded Dragon Health
In addition to providing an appropriate photoperiod, follow these other lighting best practices:
- Use lighting specifically designed for reptiles – avoid regular household bulbs.
- Replace UVB bulbs every 6 months, as they lose UV output over time.
- Give juveniles brighter light than adults.
- Supplement real sunlight exposure – when safe.
- Use ceramic heat emitters at night if extra heat is needed.
- Avoid color “night bulbs” at night – complete darkness is best.
Proper lighting is crucial for bearded dragons. Pay close attention to your lizard’s behaviors and adjust durations and intensities as needed. With appropriate photoperiods tailored to your bearded dragon, these unique reptiles will thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I leave bearded dragon lights on at night?
No, you should turn all bearded dragon lights off completely at night to allow for a proper nighttime dark period. Darkness signals their brain to release melatonin and enter a sleep state. Leave overhead and basking lights off for 10-12 hours per night.
What happens if a bearded dragon gets too much light?
Too much light can cause stress, trouble sleeping, retinal damage, blindness, and other health issues in bearded dragons. Limit daily bright white light to 14 hours or less. Provide ample shaded areas and darkness at night for their health.
Can bearded dragons live without UV light?
Bearded dragons require UVB light exposure to synthesize vitamin D3 for calcium metabolism. Without UVB lighting, they can develop nutritional deficiencies and metabolic bone disease. Provide proper UVB lighting for at least 12-14 hours daily.
How often should I replace bearded dragon lights?
UVB bulbs should be replaced every 6 months. Other overhead lighting should be replaced annually. Bulb effectiveness decreases over time. Replace bulbs based on manufacturer recommendations to ensure proper light quality.
Is a heated rock good for bearded dragons?
No, heated rocks can get too hot and burn a bearded dragon’s stomach when they lay on them. Use an overhead heat bulb to safely warm the air and provide a warm basking area instead. Remove any heated rocks from your bearded dragon’s enclosure.
Conclusion
Providing proper photoperiods tailored to your bearded dragon’s age and needs is crucial for their health. Use automatic timers to control day length, and provide 14-16 hours of bright white overhead light plus a basking bulb. Watch for signs of too much or too little light, and make adjustments to lighting durations accordingly. With the right amount and type of light suited to your bearded dragon, they will thrive in their enclosure environment.
