Soft Furnishings in Lizard Enclosures: Comfort, Safety, and Behavioral Insights…
What will you see if you give scaly beings more than branches and rocks?
We’ve all seen the beautiful enclosures for lizards that mimic their natural habitat, which is vital in regard to their UVB and UVA light requirements, as well as the heating and humidity needs for different species. After all, they live where they do in nature because their bodies are designed to be there.
Tropic-dwelling lizards may have their enclosures complete with a miniature lush forest, maybe even a small stream and tiny waterfall with high humidity.
Bearded dragons are often seen inside enclosure with basking rocks, sand, and sometimes plants in pots they can safely eat. Sand, although visually appealing with the rest of the desert-styled décor, is not recommended because if it is ingested along with food, it may cause impaction.
*Photos above c/o Stockcake
In stating this, Murph is an exception to a sand concern, as are some other lizards. Here’s why:
He has no interest in living food anymore (Beardies become more herbivorous and less carnivorous as they age). The chance of him ingesting a concerning amount of sand is next to none since he isn’t grabbing crickets as they hop around on sand. In fact, he is hand-fed (It’s been this way since depression due to my departure to Costa Rica for two weeks & he refused to do anything for his care-takers. See our trip to Costa Rica). Although I could decorate with sand, Murph is fine with his sand-colored sheet.
When decorating an enclosure (after first researching the do’s and don’ts for that species, of course) it’s easy to get carried away. I have unintentionally made Murph’s enclosure cluttered. Guess what, it is again because I haven’t figured out how to keep him basking the proper distance under his 10.0 T8 UVB bulb, and also give him a safe way down to the cooler area. He is not as coordinated as he used to be and there is a tumble risk.
So, do lizard parents ever decorate their lizards’ enclosures with stuffed animals and other soft things?
Absolutely they do! Sometimes just a pillow or blanket, but this is why companies and people make lizard beds and pillows. Sure, they are cute, but I believe every animal likes the option to curl up to something soft. I learned this when Copper, my other beardie, never wanted to leave a certain stuffed teddy bear.
Do lizards like soft things?
See Murph loving soft stuff and some of what we’ve done this past week together💗🦎
See, Murph’s enclosure looks cluttered again in my opinion. He didn’t seem to like the way it was previously decorated. And I don’t like the way it is now. Sorry Murph, we’ll be changing it again.
Thank you for being with us and “Thank you!” to our awesome new (and not so new, and equally awesome) email subscribers!
“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – ❤️Murph & Dawn
LizardPlanet.com 
Leave a comment