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Bearded dragons make really good pets because they are peaceful and loving reptiles. But, do bearded dragons need light at night?
More and more people are now keeping bearded dragons as pets because they are very calm, easy to care and also very friendly to both adults and children. However, if you want to get the best from this reptile, then you must provide an environment that matches its natural habit.
Heat and light are crucial elements in a breaded dragon habitat. This reptile is usually very active during the day and thus needs to be kept in an area with a lot of light.
But most bearded dragon owners are usually confused about whether the reptile still needs light at night or not. If you are one of them, then you have come to the right place. In this post, we will discuss whether bearded dragons need light at night or not.
Do Bearded Dragons Need Light at Night?
A simple answer to this question is NO, bearded dragons do not need light at night. Bearded dragons are diurnal creatures, meaning are usually very active during the day and sleep at night. So, if you have lights ON during the night, then you will disrupt their normal circadian rhythm.
Bearded dragons need light to survive and thrive. Light plays a crucial role in regulating their body temperature, helping them digest their food properly, and processing vital nutrients. However, this reptile does not need light 24/7.
As diurnal creatures, they only need light during the day when they are most active. During the night when they are resting, they need a quiet place that is completely dark. This means that they don’t need light at night.
Remember that if you want a bearded dragon to thrive, then you need to mimic its natural habit. If not, then you will affect its circadian rhythm (sleep and wake cycle) which could result in daytime fatigue, disturbed sleep, hormonal changes, changes in mood, gastrointestinal issues, and much more. All lights, both inside and outside the bearded dragon’s tank should be switched off for 12 hours each night to ensure proper sleep.
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Do You Keep Basking Light on at Night?
NO, basking lights should not be kept on during the night at your dragon’s tank. Basking light plays a crucial role in protecting the bearded dragon from hypoglycemia (lack of calcium). However, this light should only be turned on during the day and off during the night.
The reason why bearded dragons don’t need basking light during the night is that they want to rest. The dragon has been active during the day and is tired and wants to rest. During cold months when extra heat is needed, you should use a ceramic heat transmitter that does not emit any light.
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Do Bearded Dragons Need a Red Light at Night?
NO, bearded dragons don’t need any form of light at night, including a red light. Just like other forms of light, a red light will disturb the bearded dragon’s sleep and ultimately affect its health.
Like other reptiles, bearded dragons have a unique ability to see and sense extraneous lights such as red light. So, if you want your bearded dragon to have proper sleep at night, then you should turn off any form of light and ensure that the room is completely dark. Besides disrupting their sleep cycle, red light could also damage your bearded dragon eyes and thus should be avoided.
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What Light Do Bearded Dragons Need at Night?
Bearded dragons do not need any form of light during the night because they are diurnal creatures. Any form of light, including red or blue light, could affect their circadian rhythm.
If you switch any form of light on, your bearded dragon will think that it is still daytime and that will seriously destruct its sleeping schedule.
Lack of good quality sleep will also affect the reptile’s health and well-being, which is something you don’t want. So, to ensure that your bearded dragon gets enough quality sleep at night, ensure that the tank and the room are completely dark.
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Do Bearded Dragons Need Heat at Night?
It depends on the weather. During summer when temperatures are high, they don’t need extra heat. But during winter when temperatures have dropped below zero degrees, they may need extra heat at night.
However, you should not use white lights to keep your bearded dragon warm during cold nights because it will disrupt its sleep. If additional heat is needed at night, then it should be provided with a ceramic heat emitter.
This device is highly recommended because it does not emit light and can also be thermostatically controlled to ensure that optimal temperature is maintained.
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Final Thoughts
So, do bearded dragons need light at night? The answer is YES. The quality of sleep that your bearded dragons get every night will play a big role in determining their health and well-being.
If you want your beaded dragon to thrive, then you need to ensure that it gets quality undisrupted sleep at night. This can only happen if you turn off all lights during the night to ensure the room is completely dark.