Free range lizard

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Grannysmith

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My husband wants our dragon to be able to run around. We have two places set up for him to have heat and light, but he has ladders he can climb up and down and get out. He has safe places to go, but I worry that he isn’t getting the light and heat he needs. Some days he will stay under the lights all day, and some days maybe and hour, then he will find a place to hide and go to sleep. I also take him outside often to get direct sunlight. Also he sleeps in a hammock but he won’t get out of it until I lift him and and put him under his light! He will be awake looking at me! He can safely get out of the hammock. I’ve had to run out the door in a hurry and when I have gotten home, he would still be sitting there! Of course I try not to let that happen, but I’m curious as to why he won’t get out on his own. Is he just lazy, or too cold? I’d like comments and advice but please don’t attack me! Thanks!
 

kingofnobbys

BD.org Sicko
Easy fixed , it's fine to let a pet bearded dragon have some free range time inside the house so long you ensure he has access only to safe areas in the house , and outside (but under CONSTANT SUPERVISION as there are dangerous animals outside that you have no control over).

For inside - buy an 80W or 100W MVB , an ExoTerra reflector dome (about 6" diam) and an adjustable lamp stand , and visit the local pawnshop (to get a 10 pound weight).

These are good :
MVB = https://www.arcadiareptile.com/lighting/d3-basking-lamp/ , 80W is will be effective at 15" - 16"
Dome = https://zoomed.com/deluxe-porcelain-clamp-lamp/ , comes with a steel clamp ( I don't use the clamps ) , but they can be used to attach the dome to a coffee table or chair base or chair arm rest )
Lampstand = https://zoomed.com/reptile-lamp-stand/ .
Simply place something heavy over the "foot" to stop the stand from falling over, adjust stand height to give a basking spot on the floor at about 40 degC from the MVB (which also provide UVA & UVB) and you are set and your dragon will have a nice place to recharge and bask when freeranging.
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
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OP already stated that they do that... mentioned literally in the second sentence lol. that wasn't the question.

Op,

To some point you've got to trust that your dragon knows what your dragon needs and when it needs it. If the area you have for him to free roam its big then you can always setup a few more basking areas if you want. But what I'd do if I was set on a free range dragon and I was concerned about the lack of basking, would be to simply keep him in his cage for two hours a day to make sure.
But realistically, if you have basking areas set up and your dragon is cold, he will find it. It might take some time for him to learn his new larger environment but they are smart enough to know what they need.

-Brandon
 

Aaradimian

Juvie Member
Poster CooperDragon has a free-range setup that seems to work for his dragons. Maybe he will comment or you can PM him.
 

kingofnobbys

BD.org Sicko
claudiusx":iurywuwd said:
OP already stated that they do that... mentioned literally in the second sentence lol. that wasn't the question.

Op,

To some point you've got to trust that your dragon knows what your dragon needs and when it needs it. If the area you have for him to free roam its big then you can always setup a few more basking areas if you want. But what I'd do if I was set on a free range dragon and I was concerned about the lack of basking, would be to simply keep him in his cage for two hours a day to make sure.
But realistically, if you have basking areas set up and your dragon is cold, he will find it. It might take some time for him to learn his new larger environment but they are smart enough to know what they need.

-Brandon

I was aware of that , the advise on suitable kit was more general guidance for Noobs who don't know how to set up a suitable basking station for their inhouse freeranging reptile , this is a case where a good MVB is a good bit of kit to have , not everyone can allow their pet dragons to have supervised freeranging outside in the natural sunlight on warm days.

I think a minimum of 2 hours under the basking globe & UV source after EACH MEAL is the bare minimum to ensure the meal is properly digested and metabolized.
So for a hatchling , the minimum daily basking time requirement is 6 hours.
For a juvenile , two meals per day , the minimum basking time requirement is 2 hr AFTER each meal so 4 hours per day MINIMUM.
An adult , 2 hours minimum AFTER each meal .

Ref: A Guide to Keeping Australian Dragons In Captivity by Dr.D.Brown ISBN10: 0987244728
 
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