Bearded Dragon Temperature & Humidity Guide
Last updated: · Reviewed against sources listed below
The right bearded dragon temperature is a basking spot of about 95–110°F, a cool side of 75–85°F and nights of 65–75°F, with humidity around 30–40%. Bearded dragons also need strong UVB. Enter your readings in the checker above to see what to adjust.
Your readings
| Reading | Yours | Target | Status |
|---|
This is our temperature and humidity checker, preset for bearded dragons.
Bearded Dragon temperature and humidity chart
| Zone | Target range | How to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Basking spot | 95–110°F35–43°C | Infrared thermometer on the surface |
| Cool side | 75–85°F24–29°C | Digital probe at floor level |
| Night low | 65–75°F18–24°C | Digital probe, after lights out |
| Humidity | 30–40% | Digital hygrometer at animal level |
Why temperature matters
Bearded dragons cannot make their own body heat. They bask to warm up enough to digest food, then move away to cool off. If the basking spot is too cool, food sits in the gut longer and the risk of impaction and poor appetite rises. If the whole enclosure is too hot, your dragon cannot escape the heat and becomes stressed or dehydrated.
What matters is the gradient: a hot end and a cool end with the full range in between.
Basking temperature by age
Babies and juveniles usually do best with a basking surface near the top of the range, around 105–110°F41–43°C. Adults are comfortable at about 95–105°F35–41°C. If your dragon constantly sits with its mouth open (gaping) and avoids the basking spot, it may be too hot; if it never leaves the basking spot and is sluggish, it may be too cool.
How to measure
- Basking surface: use an infrared temperature gun pointed at the rock or platform your dragon lies on. Air temperature near the bulb is not the same as surface temperature.
- Cool side and night: a digital thermometer with a probe placed near the floor on the cool side.
- Humidity: a digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure.
Check readings after the lights have been on for at least an hour, and recheck when the season changes, since room temperature affects the whole enclosure.
UVB requirements
Bearded dragons are sun-loving lizards that need UVB to make vitamin D3, which they use to absorb calcium. Without enough UVB, they can develop metabolic bone disease even on a good diet. Use a linear T5 high-output tube (10–12%) or an equivalent, covering at least half the enclosure length and overlapping the basking area. Many keepers aim for a UV index of about 4–6 at the basking spot, measured with a UV meter. Replace tubes as the maker recommends, usually every 12 months, because UVB output fades before the light looks dimmer.
Humidity
Bearded dragons come from dry habitats and do best at about 30–40% humidity. Higher humidity for long periods, especially with poor airflow, is linked to respiratory infections. Keep the water dish on the cool side, avoid heavy misting, and make sure the enclosure is well ventilated. A short spike after misting or bathing is fine.
Brumation and seasonal changes
Many adult dragons slow down in autumn or winter, sleeping more and eating little. This is called brumation, a dormancy period similar to hibernation. Keep the normal temperatures and lighting available, offer water, and let your dragon choose. Before assuming brumation, have a vet check your dragon if it is losing weight or seems unwell.
See a reptile vet if your dragon is lethargic with normal temperatures, has bubbles or discharge at the nose or mouth, breathes with an open mouth while resting on the cool side, or has stopped eating and is losing weight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best basking temperature for a bearded dragon?
Aim for a basking surface of about 105–110°F for babies and juveniles and 95–105°F for adults, measured with an infrared thermometer. The cool side should stay around 75–85°F so your dragon can move away from the heat. Check the reading after the lights have been on for an hour.
Is 70°F too cold for a bearded dragon at night?
No. Night temperatures of about 65–75°F are normal. Only add night heat, without light, if your room drops below about 65°F. A gentle night drop mimics their natural habitat and supports a healthy day–night rhythm. Avoid red or colored night bulbs.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Bearded Dragons: Housing
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Bearded Dragons: Owning
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Management and Husbandry of Reptiles
- Baines F. et al. (2016). How much UV-B does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 4(1): 42–63
- ReptiFiles — Bearded Dragon Temperatures & UVB
- ReptiFiles — Bearded Dragon Care Guide
- Zoo Med — PowerSun UV lamp instructions (Ferguson zone UV index table)
Where sources disagree we show the range they share. See our sources and methodology for how every number is checked.