Camping Beardie?

[Syd1210]

Hi!
I always came to this forum when I first got my beardie and needed good info but this is my first time posting. So... I want to take my beardie, Rhaegar, camping with me because I don't have anyone I trust enough to leave her with. I've thought about the scenario's and I thinkkk it would work out okay but was wondering if anyone else has experience with this.

Unfortunately, I don't have a camper, I'll be tenting it, so it involves much more thought and planning. I am not comfortable having all that electricity and heat inside a tent that's flammable so I was thinking I could keep her tank in the back of my SUV, there is electricity on the site so I could have an extension cord hooked up at least for the UVB light. Since it will in July (in New Hampshire), the outdoor temps will be up so I can bring heat lamps to help regulate temps if necessary but I may not need them or only need a small one. I would leave the back hatch door open during the day for air and natural light. I also have a harness for her so she can hang out with me a lot too.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of?
Terrible idea?

I appreciate any advice

 

[CooperDragon]

Welcome to the forum! Some folks camp with their dragons without a problem, but you're right in that it will take some extra thought and planning. JenFid goes camping with her dragons so you may be able to find some more info/ideas in this thread https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=144784&p=1700101

You don't need to bring lighting, just give her time outside in the natural sunlight. That's the best source of lighting possible =). Does your tent have enough space so that she can have her own space without getting crushed overnight? A dog bed or a tote bag with a blanket at the bottom should do the trick for sleeping. A leash is a good idea so you can have her outside with you. I wouldn't leave her alone so keep that in mind if you go out for food or something. How old is she? If you're only going away for a weekend, she would probably be quite content having some alone time in her tank too. I leave my guys on weekends quite a bit (I tent camp too) and they're fine in their familiar habitat. If you're going for longer than that, it may be good to bring her along.

 

[Syd1210]

Thanks for the advice!
I'm going for 3 days but I don't have anyone willing to travrl to my house to give her fresh greens everyday.

So far it sounds like I'll be able to make it happen though!

 

[SDragons]

We have been taking our BD out to the trailer almost every week since May. He loves it and we love him being with us. Since we have our trailer set up at a permanent location at a lake we just leave the his second tank and lights setup there and plug everything in when we get there.

We keep him on a leash anytime that I made when he is out of his cage outside the trailer. I would highly recommend doing this for your BD's safety.

I would be worried about the heat from the car even with the door open. It may get too hot in the car, so I would recommend Keeping an eye on how hot it gets.

When we traveled to a hotel last weekend I used a smaller clear Rubbermaid bin with a dish towel on the bottom for travelling and sleeping. It worked perfectedly. Perhaps you could use something like that in the tent for your BD to sleep in.

When we travel up to the trailer I use the clear Rubbermaid bin / dish towel for the trip up to the lake and I seatbelt the Rubbermain bin in to keep it in place.

Have a fun time camping.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Be aware that inside a locked car , with windows up , it can get extremely hot VERY FAST.

I don't know the climate where you live but I think keeping your beardie in a RV unless it's a/conditioned or well ventilated could be problem (due to extreme temperatures in the day time while parked in the sun).
Might be safer from wild animals (of the predatory kind) and perhaps also from sticky fingered people but see above.

Another option if it's warm during the day and you'll be staying with the beardie is a transportable hutch like http://www.templeandwebster.com.au/Bono-Fido-Small-Animal-Metal-Lawn-Hutch-45722-45723-BONO1090.html?refid=GPAAU447-BONO1090_11441478&device=c&ptid=76069739220&PiID%5B%5D=11441478&gclid=CKTis6TIws0CFYaUvAodD8gMlQ

 

[Syd1210]

Thanks for all the ideas! I like the plastic bin and towel idea for night time in the tent. And I do already have a great harness for her.

My car would not be parked in direct sunlight with her tank in there, we will be in the woods, shaded with windows cracked and back hatch left open during the day, which is the area where her tank will be (back trunk of an suv) ...basically outside until I close the door.
Well that's what I'm hoping will work out at least