Do you have the basking spot for your bearded dragon, but you’re not sure what rock to get for him to relax on?
Does a bearded dragon even need a basking rock?
Basking rocks are great places for your beardie to relax and absorb heat and UVB.
Without a basking rock, your bearded dragon will still use the spot, but a good rock will help encourage him to stay there longer and get more health benefits from the light.
While any rock may do, you want the best basking rock for your bearded dragon.
The best basking rock for a bearded dragon requires enough space to let the beardy relax in several positions and absorb heat. Here are our picks for the best basking rocks:
- These Natural Habitat Rocks we have found to be excellent choices for basking rocks, as well as for building habitat rock formations for various reptiles, amphibians and turtles.
- Grouped by general size (medium or large) and color (Blue Green, Deep Maroon, Painted Desert, Uluru Red and Watarrka Rose). Hand selected to typically have at least one side basically flat. The medium sizes about 6” x 8” and large sizes about 7-1/4” x 12-5/8”.
- As a basking rock, there’s enough natural porosity that although the rock gets warm accumulating heat, it doesn’t get too hot; as glazed ceramic tile or slate would.
Read on for our reviews of the basking rocks and why you should buy a basking rock in the first place.
Table of Contents
Why You Need A Basking Rock
This section will look at some reasons you need a basking rock.
There are many reasons, but here are a few of the important ones.
Encourages beardy to stay in basking area – Most bearded dragons love to relax in their basking spot, which is key to their health.
However, some won’t naturally spend as much time as they need to.
A comfortable basking rock will help them find the basking spot more enjoyable to help them spend more time where they need to be.
Increases heat for your pet – A basking spot will help keep your pet warm.
The basking spot needs a 105° degrees Fahrenheit (40° C) temperature.
The rock will keep them there longer and absorb and give off the heat on its own.
Allows for more UVB – Beardies need the vitamin D they get from UVB.
If they don’t spend enough time basking to get this, they will have calcium deficiencies.
By encouraging the reptiles to stay put, basking rocks help them keep their calcium at good levels.
Helps with digestion – The heat from basking is also crucial for digestion.
Not enough heat, and your pet may end up impacted.
It gives them something to climb on – Beardies love to climb, and a good basking rock will be fun for your pet.
Review Of The Best Basking Rock For Bearded Dragon
This section will look at our picks for the top basking rocks.
Look at the breakdowns of each product, including user pros and cons, to help you decide which one is the best fit for your situation.
Carolina Custom Cages Natural Habitat Rocks
- These Natural Habitat Rocks we have found to be excellent choices for basking rocks, as well as for building habitat rock formations for various reptiles, amphibians and turtles.
- Grouped by general size (medium or large) and color (Blue Green, Deep Maroon, Painted Desert, Uluru Red and Watarrka Rose). Hand selected to typically have at least one side basically flat. The medium sizes about 6” x 8” and large sizes about 7-1/4” x 12-5/8”.
- As a basking rock, there’s enough natural porosity that although the rock gets warm accumulating heat, it doesn’t get too hot; as glazed ceramic tile or slate would.
This basking rock by Carolina Custom Cages is a little more expensive than other options, but the premium quality may be just what you’re looking for.
This product comes in a medium and large sizes.
With these choices, you have the option of picking one, depending on the size of your lizard and tank.
The medium-sized rock typically comes around 6″ inches by 8″ inches.
The large option usually comes in around 7″ inches by 12″ inches.
You are also able to pick different colored rocks when you buy them.
This way, you buy a rock already matching your tank’s style.
Colors available include:
- Blue-green
- Deep maroon
- Painted desert
- Uluru red
- Watarrka rose
These are real rocks, so the heat absorbed will be natural and appropriate to pets, unlike fake slate or ceramic, which can get way too hot.
Carolina Custom Cages is a smaller company whose main job is in breeding and caring for reptiles such as the bearded dragon.
Trust this company for its stellar reputation.
Pros For This Product:
- Different sizes fit different situations
- Natural rock and natural heat
- Comes in different colors
- A trustworthy company which deals with reptiles often
Cons For This Product:
- Higher price
- Rocks may break in transport (but are exchangeable)
Penn Plax Lizard Lounger
- COMFORTABLE FOR ALL CLIMBERS: Our Lizard Loungers provide a safe, fun, and interactive space for your reptile to climb around on! These handwoven, 100% natural seagrass hammocks allow your pet to self-regulate their temperature by moving closer or further from a basking light, when on an incline. They’ll know how high to climb!
- VERSATILE AND ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING: The provided 2.5” suction cups easily attach to glass, plastic, and acrylic terrarium walls. For a strong bond, please clean and wash suction cups with water before placing inside the habitat. Our Lizard Lounger Corner Triangles can be placed at any height, providing an elevated vantage spot for your pet.
- KEEPING THINGS CLEAN: For optimal use and longevity, our Lizard Loungers should be spot cleaned on occasion. This prevents debris and dirt buildup on the natural seagrass fiber. Use a vinegar and water mixture on the lounger, spot clean where necessary, then immediately dry completely before letting your pet climb back on.
Although this lounger by Penn Plax isn’t technically a basking rock (more of a hammock), this product will serve a similar purpose at a lower price.
This seagrass lounger comes in a triangle shape with two sides at 10″ inches and one side at 12″ inches.
This makes it more than large enough to hold an entire bearded dragon’s body with the tail curving around or hanging off.
Suction cups attach easily to most tank walls, and the natural, handwoven materials are perfectly safe for your bearded dragon to use.
Hammocks are a popular choice for bearded dragons due to their semi-arboreal nature.
This means they spend a lot of their time in nature climbing, usually to escape prey or hunt down animals.
Beardies love climbing onto these and relaxing.
Putting one in your basking spot will help encourage them to absorb more heat and UVB.
As a hammock instead of a rock, it won’t absorb heat and help warm your pet.
However, you may not need this if your heater is in the right setting.
Pros For This Product:
- Affordable pricing
- Beardies love to climb on it
- Easy to install
- Large enough for most adult bearded dragons
Cons For This Product:
- Not a rock
- Doesn’t absorb heat to warm the bottom of your reptile
Zilla Reptile Shale Rock Den
- Rock formations that appear realistic inside the terrarium
- Satisfy your pet's desire to find a place to hide and cool down
- Provides and elevated platform for your pet to bask and warm up
This Zilla Reptile shale rock den is a medium-priced product for those wishing to encourage their bearded dragons to stay in the basking area while still offering them a place to hide and feel safe.
The shale rock design looks natural and will match the style of most other bearded dragon furniture products.
Usually, you see these as a piece on the cool side of the tank.
But placing it directly in the basking area will cause the rocks to heat and still warm the beardy.
This may be perfect for reptiles with skittish personalities.
They may not want to rest in an exposed spot, but now they can absorb heat in the shelter.
The non-porous exterior design resists bacteria growth and makes the product easier to clean.
Pros For This Product:
- Medium price
- Provides shelter and safety
- Can encourage a bearded dragon to stay in the basking area
- Easy to clean, resist bacteria
Cons For This Product:
- Gives some shade; blocks UVB some
- Takes up more space
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best basking rock for bearded dragons.
Any of these will work well in a basking spot, so now it’s up to you which one fits your style the best.