Out of Cage Experience

[wes]

I was wondering what people let their beardie do when it's outside of its cage. My son puts him on his bed with various action figures and makes "caves" out of the sheets and blankets for him to explore. Or he'll hold him while he does some homework. We just got him about two weeks ago and my son has been sick the last few days so I'm trying to get the beardie out of his cage, but I don't know what to do with him. He used to just kind of hang on when I held him, but now he seems to want to really climb up my arm fast and I'm afraid he'll jump off. The previous owner said he was about a year old, but he is only 10" long. (She didn't feed him as many crickets as most people on this board seem to do, but he seems very healthy.) Is there anything that's not obvious that we should avoid doing? For instance, I know parrots will try to fly from your shoulder into a pot of hot water on the stove. Thanks in advance.

 

[Buggsy]

10" at 1 yr, that is mighty small? Have you corrected his UVb and food (im sure you have i just like to ask lol!)

If your nervous, i always found sitting on the floor was a good option, you can pop him on your lab and he can explore. I like to 'beardie-proof' a room first though, by blocking aff all the small places they they will get into (i.e. everywhere) they like to climb and jump so i like to give them the room to do this!

Hope this helps!

B

 

[isabelleandpaul]

Well, my kids do the same as your son with our beardie, she takes truck rides, wears crowns and is put in all sorts of lego houses. My husband plays on the computer with Balrog walking around him and the keyboard. I prefer to carry her wherever I need to go around the house, then let her run around while I do something else.

I guess everyone has their "activity" with their beardie, I hope you find yours!

 

[contessa20]

I was wondering what people let their beardie do when it's outside of its cage.

When Mango is out of his viv he usually rides around on my shoulder with his head tucked up under my hair. Eventually he'll start getting antsy and want to run around. Once he's down he typically runs back and forth between the back sliding glass doors and front door (when it's open so he can see out). When he starts getting cold he lays on top of the cable box where it's warm.

If his room is especially warm I'll let him free-roam in there while I'm off doing other things. It's pretty well beardie-proofed and he has a perch where he can climb up and see outside (which is where he always goes once he's done a bit of exploring). His perch stays nice and warm as long as it's sunny out. I'm thinking about buying him an MVB for Christmas to hang over his perch so he can be there even when it's not sunny out.

At night he likes to cuddle up under my bath robe and go to sleep.

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

Ive made my apt living room 100% beardie proof ! I've blocked all tight spaces and gaps so She can't run and hide to hard to reach places. She usually walks around but her favorite spot is by the screen door... she climbs up on it ! Its pretty cute

 

[Lovethelife07]

lilly usually sits on the arm of the chair when i read or watch anything on tv...when she wants to run she jumps over to the other chair and climbs up the back and just sits there lol...i usually plug in a heat pad on the one chair so she finds that about a half hour into playtime i love hearing beardie stories

 

[wes]

Many thanks for the replies so far. It sounds like most of you give your beardie the freedom that I would like to give, but haven't because of my fears:

• He will jump off my shoulder and hurt himself.
• He'll find a crevice, escape and somehow hurt himself.
• The temperature will be too cold on the floor (thermostat is set for 69F) and..., well, I'm not sure what would happen.
• The dog will attack him. (I might start a thread on how to introduce them. I sort of made introductions from a distance, but beardie seemed afraid and pooch acted like I wasn't holding anything.)
• He will poop on the furniture or hardwood floor.

Are these mostly legitimate or unfounded fears? He normally just sits and stares at me when I have him out. And then I worry he will get cold and put him back. My son is feeling better and the beardie is more active with him. I assume that is due to a comfort level with each other. Thanks again.

 

[isabelleandpaul]

Well I think your fears are legitimate, I have the same concerns myself. About pooping anywhere, since my beardie poops only when she's out of the cage, I carry a paper towel and place it under her tail when she's about to poop (when she wiggles her hips). I am not worried about the hardwood floor since it is easy to clean. Once she pooped (once a day, approx at the same time), then she is allowed on furniture!

To make sure she doesn't jump from too high, I don't carry her on my shoulder, I prefer to cradle her in my arms (she's 5 months old). And she needs constant supervision to make sure she doesn't run under a couch ou furniture. And our house too is not that warm (20C) so when we take her out it's only for about half a hour max. When she gets cold to the touch, we take her back into the viv.

Have fun!
Isabelle