17 hour road trip from Texas to Iowa in the winter?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi
Im bringing my beardie from houston texas to cedar rapids iowa with me to visit family in 3 weeks! While it isnt snowing in texas, it is in iowa, and it is much colder. i know what to expect for a winter in iowa because i've lived in iowa my whole life, and only just moved to houston this past may. I want my beardie to stay warm and comfortable. We will be taking a truck and we will be in iowa for 4 and a half days at most. We will be staying at my grandparents home. What should i bring with us to keep the lizard safe, warm, and happy? We dont know anyone in texas who knows anything about bearded dragons, and i dont know much about the boarding places here. I would like my family to meet my beardie, and i dont want to leave her. The trip just to iowa will be 17 hours, but the round trip will be 34 hours in the car.. (not counting gas stops, and 1 hotel stop). Any advice?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I would get a carrier like a small cat carrier and you can get hand warmers to put under a towel or like a hand towel or dish cloth something that will keep the heat off the dragon as they get pretty hot - but would keep the carrier warm since its so small --- i think the hand warmers last like 4 hrs or so --- make sure you take his tank or small tank like a 20 gallon maybe and his lights of course -- when you over nite in the motel set everything up so he does what he normally does --- some others on here can help w/ this as well -- make sure you take your heat gun if you have one so you can keep track of temps in the tank etc
Karrie
 

kayleeanddallas

Member
Original Poster
KarrieRee":2dfpykmx said:
I would get a carrier like a small cat carrier and you can get hand warmers to put under a towel or like a hand towel or dish cloth something that will keep the heat off the dragon as they get pretty hot - but would keep the carrier warm since its so small --- i think the hand warmers last like 4 hrs or so --- make sure you take his tank or small tank like a 20 gallon maybe and his lights of course -- when you over nite in the motel set everything up so he does what he normally does --- some others on here can help w/ this as well -- make sure you take your heat gun if you have one so you can keep track of temps in the tank etc
Karrie


Thanks for the advice!!! I don't have a heat gun, but i will def get one!
 

AHBD

BD.org Sicko
I agree, she should be fine with a couple of hand warmers. They come in packs of 5 or so at Walmart and the heat lasts at least 10 -20 hours according to the type you buy. You just open the plastic bag + give them a shake about 20 minutes before you pack up your dragon . Shaking activates the heat mechanism. Be SURE to wrap them in newspaper + tape them because they can reach 155 F, enough to burn if they come in contact with your dragon. Also check every few hours to see if they are still working. Don't let it get TOO hot in her container though. In the long run, just keeping the truck warm, in the 70 -75 zone would even be acceptable with no heat packs if it came down to it though. Have a fun trip !
 

kayleeanddallas

Member
Original Poster
AHBD":27kv4qlb said:
I agree, she should be fine with a couple of hand warmers. They come in packs of 5 or so at Walmart and the heat lasts at least 10 -20 hours according to the type you buy. You just open the plastic bag + give them a shake about 20 minutes before you pack up your dragon . Shaking activates the heat mechanism. Be SURE to wrap them in newspaper + tape them because they can reach 155 F, enough to burn if they come in contact with your dragon. Also check every few hours to see if they are still working. Don't let it get TOO hot in her container though. In the long run, just keeping the truck warm, in the 70 -75 zone would even be acceptable with no heat packs if it came down to it though. Have a fun trip !


Thanks so much!!
 

CooperDragon

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
It is unusually cold here right now (although not nearly as cold as it will be in mid winter). I've had my guys on long road trips several times, even in the winter. They tend to be just fine at normal car temps. I like using this pet carrier because it is well ventilated and clips onto a seatbelt to secure it. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EW2WKZU/ I usually have a few hand warmers on winter trips and put them under a towel or blanket in the carrier if I stop for a meal. They are able to keep the carrier nice and warm. I bring along a bag with cleaning supplies and keep it easily accessible in the car in case it's needed. I also have a bag containing some food, a dish, adjustable lamp stand, dome fixture, and either a halogen heat bulb or a mercury vapor bulb and a timer. I set that up in the room at a hotel and at the destination to provide some basking areas. You may not need it in the hotel if you are arriving at night and leaving in the morning though. When I get to the destination I set it up with the carrier open and just do a quick dragon proofing of the room and keep the door closed (pick small bits up off the floor, block off inaccessible areas etc).

76248-5659197629.jpg

76248-2473803661.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Members online

No members online now.

Latest resources

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

I miss you so much, Amaris 💔
What is a quick way to warm up a cold beardie? His heating element went out overnight and now he's very cold.
Pearl Girl wrote on moorelori1966's profile.
i feel so sad reading your about me 😢
Clapton is acclimating okay I think. He's quick as lightning so I'm not sure how much I should bring him out of his house yet. He's not at all interested in his salad though. I wonder if I should change what I'm giving him. Least he's eating his crickets.

Things to do:
Buy calcium powder
Material to raise surface for basking spot
Scenery decals for back of tank

Forum statistics

Threads
155,903
Messages
1,255,708
Members
75,967
Latest member
Newbeardiemom09
Top Bottom