Ed's Road Trip

We are on a family vacation to North Carolina. While we are away, we have a good friend house sitting so that our birds get affection, our home is protected, and our cat is correctly ignored. However, he was not very comfortable with Ed. So... we took Ed on vacation.

Behold:
PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7zdNfMf8_o

PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jJxM1NrxD4

 

[Jiffy]

Very cute videos!
Looks like Ed is having a great time!
What part of NC are you vacationing in?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

That is cute!! Hes saying I wanna go out for a walk!!

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

That's too cute. You can tell he is having a great time by his body posture. If he held up his head any higher he'd hit the roof! He's owning that dash.

 

[gulum]

Ahh Cute.
My little guy hasn't been on a roadtrip . . . yet, but whenever he's out you can just see how much they love it!

 

[RichGarner]

Ok, now I have a serious question...

So I brought along a small (10-gallon) tank and a small bulb. I knew it would not be his ONLY source of heat as we planned to take him into the sun for most of the week. However, after spending about 10 mins outside in 85 degree beach weather, he turned black as night with stress. I don't understand. Shouldn't he ENJOY the sun?

So now I'm worried about how to leave him unsupervised:

Should I...

A) Leave him in the small tank inside with the small bulb (a standard house bulb directly on the top of his tank)
B) Leave him in his tank but leave his tank outside in direct sunlight to allow him to get natural heat (he does not seem to like this)
C) Bite the bullet and find a reptile shop to buy a bigger bulb (budget is limited on this)

Please advise. (until I get response, he will be in his tank outside. in a few hours, the sun will move and he will be in the shadow.)

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

Perfectly normal for them to turn themselves dark when outside to soak up the rays. It may not be stress at all. They turn dark for several reasons, one of which is to soak up sun rays and heat. So don't worry he is probably having a great time. He is going to get so spoiled from being outside all the time on vacation that he will demand outside play time when you get home. :wink: Don't leave him outside in the tank though. As the sun can make the tank too hot. :shock:

 

[beardie parents]

Those were adorable!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[gulum]

Yeh, I don't think it's much to worry about.
Like Vegas said Dark soaks up more heat. And my little gut, when he first started going outside, would puff up and blacken at at the sight of a sparrow - but they get over it.

 

[RichGarner]

Ok. It's been a couple of days and so far Ed is somewhat indifferent to the new location. I put Ed on his leash and took him for a prayer walk with my son this morning. (Actually, my son and I walked. Ed just rode the shoulder taxi.) A few people had very nice compliments about him. One lady jumped in fear, but she laughed about it and even asked lots of questions.

We went to the beach and he sat either on my chair, on my leg, or on the sand. I think he hates his leash, because when he's in it, he's not very happy. But when he's not in his leash and sitting on my hand or on the deck, he is nothing but excited!

I think he might have a touch of the 'vacation clogs' that my wife also gets when we go away for more than a few days. (Certain bodily plumbing gets backed up.) He did not poop all day yesterday and he finally pooped today. It was not normal, rather dark and grainy, and he seemed to rub it all over his belly. I had to give him a bath.

So, maybe he's got the vacation glogs, or maybe he misses his dubia roaches, or maybe he just is not doing well with the cheap bulb. What do you guys think?

Ed relaxin' at the beach:

 

[VEGASLIZARD]

What great pics! The different poo may be an upset tummy from different food? I would give him a nice warm bath every morning you are on vacation and gently massage his tummy, that way he will do his business in the bath and you won't have to worry about him making a mess in the small viv where it is difficult for him to avoid or on you. :roll: I found that Scorch didn't like her leash very much when she first started wearing it either, but they usually get over that once they realize they are having a good time. Ed looks like he is having a good ole time at the beach!

Scorch says, welcome to the beardie beach club.

 

[msmaui]

Adorable pictures!! He seems to be a real "beach beardie."

 

[HandH]

how old is ed

 

[RichGarner]

how old is ed

He's about 6 months old. I'm guessing anyway. When I bought him, the store owners said he was 4 months. And I've had him about 2 months.

 

[Shock]

Aww thats so cute! He looks like he's loving everyminute of it! When i get my beardie i want to take him on vacation with me! Probably can't, but i'm glad you took yours! I bet Ed is happy too!