Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles that originate from the deserts of Australia. They require external heat sources to regulate their body temperature and cannot produce their own internal heat. When kept as pets, it’s important for bearded dragon owners to understand their ideal temperature range and know the coldest temperatures they can tolerate without risk of illness.
What is the ideal temperature range for bearded dragons?
The ideal temperature range for bearded dragons is between 85-100°F during the day when they are most active and 75-85°F at night when they are resting. Basking temperatures where a heat lamp is focused should reach 95-110°F to allow them to raise their body temperature through thermoregulation. Temperatures lower than 75°F can start to make bearded dragons lethargic as their metabolism slows down. Temperatures below 70°F are not recommended for extended periods as it can suppress their immune system and appetite.
What is the lowest temperature a bearded dragon can tolerate?
Bearded dragons can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 65°F, but this should only be for brief periods of time. Prolonged exposure to temperatures lower than 65°F can lead to health issues:
- 65-70°F – Bearded dragons become increasingly lethargic but can tolerate a few hours at a time in this range.
- 60-65°F – Bearded dragons will be very inactive. Exposure longer than an hour risks suppression of their appetite and immune system.
- 55-60°F – Bearded dragons should not be kept in this range for more than 15-30 minutes as they can rapidly lose their ability to regulate their body temperature.
- 50-55°F – Extreme risk of illness and potential death after only a few minutes of exposure.
Why do colder temperatures pose health risks for bearded dragons?
As reptiles, bearded dragons rely on external heat sources to support biochemical reactions within their body and regulate their metabolism. Their ideal core body temperature is around 99°F. When the environment gets colder, a bearded dragon’s body temperature drops as well. This causes the following physiological effects:
- Lowered metabolism – Digestion, circulation, and other internal systems slow down since chemical reactions work best at higher temperatures.
- Suppressed appetite – Their hunger and desire to search for food decreases as their metabolism slows.
- Weakened immune system – Lower temperatures inhibit the ability of bearded dragons’ white blood cells and other defenses to fight infection.
- Organ damage – If their body temperature drops below 50°F, cell death and tissue damage can occur as fluids crystallize and fats solidify.
While short term exposure to cooler temperatures in the 65-75°F range may only cause more sluggish behavior, prolonged exposure can lead to serious health complications and potential death in very cold temperatures under 55°F. Their biology as reptiles simply makes them vulnerable when they get too cold.
How to keep bearded dragons warm enough
To make sure your bearded dragon stays within their ideal temperature range, the key is setting up proper heating in their habitat. Here are some tips:
- Place the tank away from drafty windows or doors.
- Use an under tank heating pad that covers 1/3 to 1/2 of the tank floor set to 90-95°F.
- Use a basking bulb or ceramic heat emitter focused on one area that reaches 95-110°F.
- Maintain an ambient temperature of 85-90°F during the day.
- At night, use a ceramic heat emitter or space heater to keep the tank above 75°F.
- Use thermometer probes throughout the tank to monitor temperatures.
With the proper heating setup, your bearded dragon can comfortably thermoregulate despite colder temperatures outside their tank. Monitoring the temperatures daily and making adjustments is key to keeping your bearded dragon warm and healthy.
Signs your bearded dragon may be too cold
Even with a good heating setup, sometimes environmental factors can cause your bearded dragon’s tank to dip below their ideal temperature range. Watch for these signs that your bearded dragon may be getting too cold:
- Lethargic movement or lack of normal activity
- Staying in one basking spot for a prolonged period
- Darkening skin color
- Loss of appetite and lack of interest in food
- Slow digestion of food
- Weak grip or loss of strength when handled
- Hiding behavior and avoidance of basking area
If you observe any of these symptoms or find tank temperatures below 70°F, take action right away to gradually warm your bearded dragon up to their ideal temperature range again. Avoid sudden large increases in temperature.
Tips for warming up a cold bearded dragon
If your bearded dragon is exhibiting signs they are too cold, here are some tips for safely warming them back up:
- Gradually increase basking spot temperature to 105-110°F.
- Gently reposition them into the basking spot if needed.
- Monitor temperatures until their enclosure is back up to 85-90°F.
- Resist the urge to rapidly reheat as a sudden temperature change can shock their system.
- Offer food once they regain normal activity levels to help raise their metabolism.
- Provide fresh greens and vegetables to supply nutrients.
- Allow several hours for them to fully regulate their temperature and digest food.
With the proper response, your bearded dragon should recover well when given enough time out of the cold. Call an exotic vet if you have concerns about their condition or they are not improving.
Precautions when transporting bearded dragons in cold weather
Special care should be taken when transporting bearded dragons during colder weather or taking them outside of their normal indoor habitat. Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
- Minimize transport time in cold weather.
- Use an insulated carrier or box with warming packs.
- Wrap the reptile tank in a blanket if moving between buildings.
- Warm vehicle interior before placing carrier inside.
- Keep probe thermometer inside carrier to monitor temperature.
- Do not leave carrier unattended in vehicle.
- Move straight to warm enclosure at destination.
With planning ahead and monitoring the temperature, you can safely transport your bearded dragon and keep them warm. It is recommended you avoid taking them outside or bringing them into cooler environments like garages or basements during winter.
Can bearded dragons survive being cold during brumation?
In their native desert habitat, bearded dragons actually do exhibit a period of brumation during the colder winter months where their metabolism and activity levels decline. However, they settle into deep underground burrows that maintain stable temperatures in the 60s F. Sudden drops into colder temperatures that could occur above ground pose a significant threat.
Some owners attempt to replicate brumation for pet bearded dragons by allowing temperatures to decrease into the 60s F. However, this should only be done under controlled conditions in consultation with an exotic pet veterinarian, as allowing them to get too cold poses health risks. Brief drops into the low 60s may be tolerated for short periods during a supervised brumation cycle, but temperatures below 60°F could be dangerous and potentially fatal.
Can baby bearded dragons tolerate colder temperatures than adults?
No, in fact baby bearded dragons are actually more vulnerable to getting too cold compared to adults. Here’s why:
- Lower body mass makes them lose heat faster.
- Fast growing juveniles have higher metabolism needing more heat.
- Underdeveloped immune system more impacted by cold.
- Small size limits ability to behaviorally thermoregulate.
For the healthiest growth and development, it’s critical baby bearded dragons are kept within a tight temperature range of 88-98°F for their enclosures. Allowing temperatures lower than 75°F for more than brief periods can put them at risk of illness. Any sudden temperature drops near or below 65°F could be life threatening and require immediate warming.
How low humidity can impact bearded dragons when cold
Dry conditions and low humidity exacerbate the impacts of cold temperatures on bearded dragons. Lack of moisture in the air speeds up evaporation and dehydration, which can be amplified when a bearded dragon already has a suppressed metabolism from the cold. Signs they may be negatively impacted by dry and cold conditions include:
- Shedding difficulties
- Discolored or shriveled skin
- Wrinkled appearance, especially around eyes
- Listlessness or lethargy
- Gaping mouth breathing
Ensure humidity stays around 30-40% in a bearded dragon’s enclosure to avoid these drying effects. Use a hygrometer to monitor moisture levels and provide a humid hide box if needed. Proper hydration is critical for managing cold conditions.
How to handle a bearded dragon found cold
If you find someone else’s bearded dragon in a situation where it has gotten too cold, here are important dos and don’ts to follow:
- DO gently pick up the bearded dragon if unresponsive and limp.
- DO slowly transfer to a warm location right away.
- DO monitor body temperature and gradually warm back up.
- DO contact a reptile vet to assess health status.
- DON’T rub, shake, or handled excessively.
- DON’T attempt to rapidly heat like placing on heat rocks.
- DON’T give food or liquid until vet approved.
With the right emergency response, a bearded dragon can recover after being found in severe cold given time in proper conditions to stabilize. Rapid rewarming could shock their system, so gradual warming and veterinary guidance is key.
Conclusion
While bearded dragons require plenty of heat from basking bulbs and heating pads, there are limits to how cold they can tolerate as reptiles. Temperatures below 65°F can start impacting their health while below 55°F puts them at risk of life-threatening consequences and organ damage. All pet bearded dragon owners should be vigilant about maintaining proper temperature ranges in their enclosure and avoiding prolonged exposure to cold.
