So I have seen a few lamp stands that are made to stand next to a glass vivarium and shine down from above. Would it be possible to get one of those and put a mercury vapour bulb in there for when my bearded dragon is outside his enclosure exploring? I could have it set up where ever because the lamp comes with a stand.
External basking lamp?
- Thread starter wimtom
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MrSpectrum
Gray-bearded Member
Sure, I spoze it's possible, but why?
S/he will be fine for an hour or so each day without special lighting, and if s/he's exploring, s/he'll probably be moving around too fast/much to keep up with moving the light.
S/he will be fine for an hour or so each day without special lighting, and if s/he's exploring, s/he'll probably be moving around too fast/much to keep up with moving the light.
vrenee1018
Juvie Member
I use an MV bulb for my beardie when she's outside the enclosure and in my room roaming around. I tend to leave her out for a few hours and she definitely runs back and forth from her light to wherever else she wants to go. I love using it for her and that she recognizes that that specific light is for her. 
I use several of these. I have two over my enclosure (one basking light, one heat projector) and I have one over my roach bin with a heat projector, and I have two around the house (one MVB and one regular halogen basking light). They work well for what you're describing. They are also good to have for travel. Just throw a stand, fixture/bulb, and a basking surface (log, stone, or even just a small blanket or towel) in a bag and go.
kingofnobbys
BD.org Sicko
MrSpectrum":3vtpgr2p said:
Many on this board live in very cold locations or keep their homes very chilly ( under 24 degC ) , so a free ranging dragon will definitely benefit from having a basking / recharge station to go to if it's feeling cold when out of it's tank.
A lamp stand with either an MVB ( for longer periods of free ranging ) or nice warm flood globe (for shorter outings) will definitely be appreciated , just be careful to make sure there is something small and heavy on the "foot" of the stand as they are very easy to bump over ( top heavy ).
A clamp lamp that can be attached to a chair or coffee table or door knob is good in this situation too.
MrSpectrum
Gray-bearded Member
I spoze if I were in that kind of situation, I probably wouldn't leave 'em out for longer than an hour or so anyway. If he needs to recharge, I would think it's time to put him back in his enclosure. YMMVkingofnobbys":2vqyfito said:
Experience has taught me to keep a very close eye on free-ranging critters. We left a hamster out in her ball once, got distracted, and lost track of time for a bit. (~half hour)
- ME: Hey, I haven't heard TH's ball rolling around in a while, have you?
DW: Now that you mention it, no.
We're also used to having an "apex predator" (dog or cat) running around since moving from apartments into houses, so I/we just may think of free-ranging differently than others--and that's OK.
kingofnobbys
BD.org Sicko
MrSpectrum":1mr1rcap said:
I'd never advocate letting a pet lizard free range without constant supervision ( ie being there and able to see it at all times).
If there's a cat in the house, it get banished to the bathroom or laundry or a cat excape proof wire cage or pet carrier BEFORE the lizard get's to come out.
If there's a dog in the house, it is not allowed to approach the lizard , there are some breeds of dogs who are breed and hard wired in such a way that they maul and tear a lizard to shreds the instant they see it on the floor.
NOT WORTH THE RISK IMO.
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