how long can bearded dragon survive without heat

How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Heat?

Bearded dragons can survive without a heat lamp for 24 hours as long as their habitat remains at or above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).

Bearded dragons need warmth to survive, and they should always have access to a heat source during the day.

09/03/2023 – Research Overview

Temperature For Day & Night
The ideal temperature range for a bearded dragon is between 95-110°F (35-43°C) during the day and 65-75°F (18-24°C) at night.

Bearded Dragon Can Survive Without Heat
If the temperature drops below 65°F (18°C), a bearded dragon can only go 24 hours without a heat lamp or another external source of heat such as the sun.

Possible Health Problems
After this time, a bearded dragon would start to suffer from health problems, loss of appetite and the food in its stomach may start to rot.

However, it is recommended that they should not live without heat longer than 24 hours.

Why Do Bearded Dragons Need Heat?

Churro the bearded dragon
Credit: Dennis Harper

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded creatures, so they need an external heat source to regulate their body temperature.

Without it, their metabolic and digestive processes will be impaired, leading to a variety of health issues.

The ideal environment for these reptiles is one with temperatures between 70°F and 85°F.

Additionally, the basking spot should be around 95°F during the day.

Lastly, supplying adequate warmth encourages activity levels and allows them to live happily without stress or fear of becoming too cold.

How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Heat?

The short answer is not very long at all. Though we have already answered this part above in our introduction section, let’s beat the drum e little bit more below.

Without a consistent source of heat, a bearded dragon won’t be able to maintain its internal thermostat or digest food properly.

In fact, prolonged exposure to temperatures below 85°F could lead to serious health issues such as respiratory infections, hypothermia, and even death.

Therefore, it’s important for beardies to have access to appropriate levels of heat at all times.

That said, there are some exceptions when it comes to heated environments.

For instance, during winter hibernation periods (for certain species), they will naturally drop their body temperature until springtime arrives again.

During this time however, these reptiles should still be kept in an environment with stable temperatures – albeit lower ones than normal – so they don’t become too chilled while sleeping.

All things considered though, no matter what the season or circumstance may be; Bearded Dragons must always have reliable access to adequate heating solutions in order to survive and thrive.

What Temperature Should I Keep My Bearded Dragon Enclosure?

Heat Lamp
Credit: red.lab

As a responsible bearded dragon owner, one of the most important aspects of your pet’s health is maintaining an appropriate temperature in its enclosure.

Basking Temperature

The basking temperature is the temperature of the spot where your bearded dragon will spend most of its time basking, digesting food, and absorbing heat.

This spot should be the warmest part of the enclosure, as it is where your bearded dragon will spend most of its time.

The basking temperature should be around 100-110°F (37-43°C).

To achieve this temperature, you can use a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter.

The heat source should be positioned over the basking spot to provide a focused source of heat.

Overall Temperature

The temperature gradient should be from the basking spot to the cooler side of the enclosure.

The overall temperature in the enclosure should range from 80-90°F (27-32°C) during the day and should not fall below 65°F (18°C) at night.

You can use an under-tank heating pad or ceramic heat emitter to maintain the overall temperature in the enclosure.

Cool or Hide Spot Temperature

Bearded dragons also need a cooler spot to retreat when they feel too warm.

This spot should be between 75-85°F (24-29°C).

You can create a hiding spot or use a plant to provide shade and create a cooler area in the enclosure.

Night Temperature

During the night, the temperature in the enclosure should not drop below 65°F (18°C).

You can use a low-wattage heat lamp or a ceramic heat emitter to maintain the night temperature.

It is essential to ensure that the heat source does not disturb the bearded dragon’s sleep cycle, so the temperature should be measured before and after the light source is turned on.

Failure to provide an appropriate temperature range can result in health problems, such as respiratory infections, digestive issues, and lethargy.

In summary, here are the ideal temperature ranges for a bearded dragon enclosure:

  • Basking temperature: 100-110°F (37-43°C)
  • Overall temperature: 80-90°F (27-32°C) during the day and should not fall below 65°F (18°C) at night.
  • Cool or hide spot temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C)
  • Night temperature: Should not drop below 65°F (18°C)

By providing your bearded dragon with the appropriate temperature range, you are ensuring that it can thrive and live a happy, healthy life.

What To Do If Your Beardie Is Stuck Without Heat

The best thing you can do is provide a temporary solution until you’re able to get more permanent heating equipment.

If you don’t have any spare lamps or other accessories on hand, one of the quickest and easiest solutions would be to create an at-home terrarium with natural sunlight as the main source of light and warmth.

This won’t necessarily mimic their regular environment but will help keep them warm enough in the short term.

You’ll also want to make sure that your beardie has plenty of food and water available while they wait for proper heating equipment.

It’s crucial to provide them with access to clean water so they can stay hydrated throughout this time.

But keep in mind to be patient and take basic safety precautions while handling your pet during this period since it can take some time before you can buy a new lamp or other items required for their regular habitat setup.

Taking a trip with bearded dragon: Tips & Tricks For Heating

Post Bath Loki
Credit: water-fall

Now that we’ve discussed what to do in the event of your bearded dragon not having access to heat, let’s talk about tips for going on a trip with them.

Taking a road trip or vacation can be stressful enough without worrying about the well-being of your pet.

But don’t worry—with these steps and considerations, you can make sure your bearded dragon is safe and comfortable during travel time.

First up: preparation,

Before taking off, it’s important to ensure that all necessary supplies are packed correctly and securely.

Make sure you have everything from food bowls to vitamins and supplements ready to go before departure.

You may also want to consider packing extra water containers as well as several thermometers so you can monitor temperatures throughout the journey.

Also, if flying with your beardie, check ahead of time that airlines permit reptiles onboard – some may require specific tanks or carriers depending on size and species.

Second, monitor the weather while you’re traveling; aim to maintain it between 75° and 85° Fahrenheit (24° to 29° Celsius).

While traveling long distances or boarding planes, if at all possible, transport them in the vehicle rather than leaving them unsupervised in luggage compartments; they will prefer being nearby rather than being left on their own in strange areas.

Outage/Bulb Shortage? What To Do?

It’s like being in a race against time; you need to act fast and efficiently before things get too out of hand.

Firstly, you must provide an alternative source of heat for your reptile friend.

Try using hot water bottles or microwavable heating pads to keep them warm until their main source is restored.

Make sure that these substitutes are not too hot as this may lead to dehydration or even worse- burns.

Positioning these around the tank at regular intervals will ensure evenly distributed warmth throughout the entire enclosure.

Secondly, create darkness inside their habitat by providing some kind of cover on top of the terrarium.

This could be anything from a blanket to fabric draped over the sides, just make sure there is enough air circulation within so they can still breathe properly.

If this isn’t possible then simply turn off any bright lights in the surrounding area that might disturb them during their day’s rest period.

What Is The Lowest Temperature A Bearded Dragon Can Survive?

Without proper heat, they can quickly become ill or even die within hours due to hypothermia.

First off, it depends on the age and size of your pet lizard. The lowest temperature a bearded dragon can survive is 65°F (18°C)

A younger, smaller beardie will not be able to tolerate temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a few hours before becoming unwell.

Larger adults may fare better with cooler temps but should still not be exposed for longer than several hours.

In general, you don’t want to leave your reptile companion without heat any longer than absolutely necessary.

How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Uv Light?

Bearded dragons need UV light to stay healthy and active.

Without it, they can become lethargic, lose their appetite, and even suffer from metabolic bone disease.

So how long can a bearded dragon go without being exposed to UV light?

It is possible for a dragon to survive without UVB light for up to two days. Without Vitamin D, they can’t properly absorb calcium, which can cause a range of problems.

It depends on several factors such as age, health status, and overall activity level of your beardie.

An adult bearded dragon may be able to last a few days without exposure to UV light while babies or young ones may only survive for a day or two before becoming ill.

In addition, an unhealthy or inactive bearded dragon would not fare well without access to UV light at all.

It is therefore important that you provide your pet with adequate amounts of UVA/UVB lighting in order to keep them healthy and happy.

The recommended period of time for exposure should be 10-12 hours per day – any more than this could lead to overexposure which can cause serious harm or death.

Make sure you are providing the best quality bulb possible so that your pet receives optimal levels of vitamin D3 production from its environment.

Precautions To Keep Your Bearded Dragon Warm

Power outages or equipment failure can cause the temperature in the enclosure to drop, putting your pet at risk.

To prevent this from happening, it is important to take certain safety precautions to ensure that your bearded dragon doesn’t go without heat.

Here are some safety precautions to consider:

Use a Timer

One way to ensure that your bearded dragon doesn’t go without heat is to use a timer for your heat sources.

This will allow you to control the on and off times of your heat source, ensuring that your bearded dragon’s enclosure is always at the right temperature.

You can also invest in a thermostat that will automatically regulate the temperature in the enclosure.

Have a Backup Power Source

In case of a power outage, it is important to have a backup power source for your heat sources.

This can be a backup generator, a battery backup, or a portable heat source that can keep your bearded dragon’s enclosure warm until the power comes back on.

Be Prepared with Supplies

It is always a good idea to have backup supplies on hand in case of an emergency.

This includes extra bulbs, heating pads, and other equipment that may be needed to maintain the right temperature in the enclosure.

It is also important to have a backup plan in case of an emergency, such as a plan to move your bearded dragon to a warm location if the power is out for an extended period.

Do Bearded Dragons Need Heat at Night?

Whether they need heat at night or not depends on the temperature of their environment.

In nature, the temperature drops naturally overnight, and this drop in temperature can be quite dramatic in some areas.

Therefore, it is good to allow this natural nighttime temperature drop in a Bearded dragon’s enclosure as they naturally do not require as much heat during these times.

As a general rule of thumb, if the temperature in the tank drops below 65°F (18°C), then bearded dragons need heat at night.

If your home drops below 15°C (59°F), then some supplementary overnight heating is required to keep your Bearded dragon warm.

Ideally, your dragon’s nighttime habitat temperature should hover between seventy and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.

While bearded dragons are used to cooler temperatures at night, you should be careful that your beardie doesn’t get too cold.

This is just as dangerous as overheating and can make your bearded dragon ill.

It is important to note that any heating equipment used overnight should not emit light because it can disrupt their sleep/wake cycle.

Do You Need to Provide Heat During Drumation?

During brumation, a bearded dragon’s digestive system essentially shuts down, and its heart rate drops significantly.

Bearded dragons cannot internally regulate their body temperature, so they must use external sources to heat or cool their body.

For optimal brumation conditions, turn off the basking bulb and UV light.

The tank should be cooler to mimic Australian desert winter conditions.

When and if it wants heat during its sleepy winter, then it will move to the heat, bask a while and back to its bed when it feels the need to.

During these few months, lighting and heating are not necessary and should be switched off to replicate natural conditions.

Turning off the heat and UVB will not harm a healthy dragon at all.

The burrow keeps them safe from cooler conditions on the surface.

You should reduce the basking temperatures and daylight hours that you currently provide gradually over the coming days and weeks until you completely turn them off.