Moving with My Beardie

[Venidara]

Some background on my dragon:
I have a four year old (WOW I honestly can't believe it's been that long! I got him when he was about 3 months old) male bearded dragon. He's been in great health since I got him, and he's currently about a foot and a half long (note, he is missing the end of his tail due to an incident before I had him) and in a 50gal (it's been a while since I bought it and this is what a calculator online says, may be off, 3'x1.5'x1.5')

My question:
I'm moving (for the first time from my parents' house) and I'm able to keep him where I'm going! This is very exciting, as I was afraid I wouldn't be allowed to keep him. However, I'm a bit nervous about transporting him, and I was hoping to get some advice.

It's not a horribly long trip, about an hour as I said. And he and his tank will be the first things put into my room for sure. Right now, it's looking like I'll be taking my stuff primarily in my mom's mini-van or a truck if I can borrow one, and possibly a small car as well if needed. I will not be driving, and I'm currently thinking I will either try to find a safe spot to put the tank while wrapped in my blankets so it doesn't break, and snug so it won't bounce around, and a small cat carrier with blankets and hand warmers (I've done this to take him to the park before) to keep him in my lap. He's not very prone to getting stressed, though I am very worried about it. I've had him out and about with lots of people around and he stayed pretty calm, no signs of stress, and same whenever I've moved his tank to a new spot in the room or gotten a new tank or rearranged the items in his tank. Does this seem okay? Does anyone have any tips for moving with a beardie safely? I've been trying to find tips online but they're all for HUGE moves and suggest shipping them. :/

 

[SDragon]

That all sounds pretty sensible. It's not that big a journey, where abouts are you in regards to climate? The cat carrier sounds like it would work, pack it with towels so he can feel secure and not slide around. For a journey that short the less space to move the better imo.

I'd definitely pack so you can get the viv out first and the beardie settled, then unpack the rest.

One comment, imo your adult dragon needs quite a bit more space than he currently has.

Good luck with the move!

 

[Venidara]

Thank you! What I ended up getting for him to travel in is a decent sized (larger than a cat carrier and cheaper) plastic tub that I'm going to put large holes in so there's ventilation, and I'm gonna put lots of blankets and stuff in so he's cozy, and hand warmers, and keep it on my lap. I'm in Oregon, the weather is pretty unpredictable, but currently has been really warm. I don't think heat will be an issue, and it's such a small amount of stuff it won't be an issue to get him settled quickly, I don't even have extra furniture aside from my bed and a small book shelf.

I've been planning to get him a bigger tank for a while, it'll happen when I have the money. He's got room to roam around right now, with a nice big stick for basking and a hide on his cool side. I'm wanting to get him a custom tank within the next year or so. I do also take him out a lot, so he gets plenty of exercise. I have an ideal tank in mind that I do want made, and I may be able to get it within the next few months, hopefully. My first priority for him is getting him to the vet in the new town, who is close enough that I will be able to get him more regular visits than I have been able to here. I got him when I was 15, and although I do regret getting him when I was not able to support him with my own money and better dictate his care, I'm very glad that I'm able to start doing so now that I have a job and am getting out on my own. I'm also planning to get him a bigger, nicer tank that opens from the front, with tile and a few more things inside for him than he has at the moment. It just needs to wait until after I move, as I don't know exactly how much it will cost me, and after the vet visit.

 

[SDragon]

Hey, I wouldn't give yourself a hard time that you got him when you were young. He sounds like a well cared for lizard and you aspire to make that even better.

It's a great idea to identify the best local reptile vet and whilst a fecal test isn't a bad idea i don't see the need to have a vet check up unless you have a specific concern?

I personally much prefer front opening vivariums so that sounds great, you might be able to get something built for not a fortune.

In terms of the move I wouldn't worry about the heat pads I think it will be more tham warm enough. Good luck with the move and branching out on your own!

 

[coffeebutt]

You probably moved already BUT yeah I live on my own but visit my parents who live 2 hours away. I have a small tote container I use to bath her with a lid I have holes in that I use to keep her in, on the passenger side while I drive.

If someone else is driving I sit on the passenger side and let her just sit on me the entire ride My dad drove me home for Thanksgiving and I had a blanket and the heat on so it was nice and toasty and i think she really enjoyed it she was trying to see out the window haha. But yeah 1 hour? I wouldn't worry too much they'll be fine I put my 40gal viv on the back seat and most of her stuff inside it with a towel so no bulbs could break.

Good luck!!

 

[SeventyGTX]

When we moved from California to Nevada, I put ours in a shoe box with holes in the lid. She rode with me on the front seat of the U-haul truck and the cat was with my wife in her car. She made the near 4 hour trip just fine. 10 years later she's still doing well.