Out of tank time

[usmcfamily]

Hey guys, wondering how much time out of the tank is normal? I try to take my son's little guy out during the day and he typically stays on my shoulder while I do chores but our home is a busy one (with dogs) and he can't roam. I feel badly that he spends so much time in the tank...

Btw, he's a 17 week old boy so still a quick little guy and not interested in just chillin in one spot. Lol

Thanks for the input.

 

[Katiema10]

I try to hold my babies as often as I can and bring them anywhere pets can go. But that's just me. Some people never even touch their beardies. So there's really no range that's perfect. It all depends on what you can provide and your specific dragon.

 

[dementedlullaby]

I take mine out pretty sporadically when I'm around in the day. Sometimes they come out a lot in a day and sometimes they don't come out at all. Although at night we always take them out and sit them on a pillow covered with a blanket while we watch TV. Usually spend a bit of time with them before putting them on the pillow too.


As long as they have proper basking time before and after they eat take 'em out whenever you feel like it imo.

They really seem to love their cuddle time and Moo likes watching TV and the fish lol. Last night he was really into watching Indiana Jones for some reason :mrgreen:.

 

[Taterbug]

Something that gets overlooked I think is that when we have them out with us we limit their ability to thermoregulate. Little ones especially loose heat faster. Thought the course of their day they would be in and out of the heat to maintain pretty close to their preferred temperautre, they may be uncomfortable (in most homes I'd say too cool)
If your house is warm or you allow opportunities to bask throughout the time he is out then it's not so big a deal as if he's out for long stretches in a cool room and your body warmth is his only heat source.
We have a cat so Pepper can't always be ugh to roam either, part of my solution was a bigger tank.

 

[CooperDragon]

Something that gets overlooked I think is that when we have them out with us we limit their ability to thermoregulate. Little ones especially loose heat faster. Thought the course of their day they would be in and out of the heat to maintain pretty close to their preferred temperautre, they may be uncomfortable (in most homes I'd say too cool)
If your house is warm or you allow opportunities to bask throughout the time he is out then it's not so big a deal as if he's out for long stretches in a cool room and your body warmth is his only heat source.
We have a cat so Pepper can't always be ugh to roam either, part of my solution was a bigger tank.

This is a very good point. I found that it's helpful to provide a portable basking spot that produces temperatures similar to the basking area. A gradient forms around that and down into the surrounding room temp. If it's in a prominent place they can learn to return to the portable basking area and get the temps that they need. You still have to keep a close eye on them though and return them to the tank if they bunker down somewhere or darken or feel cold. Outside time is best done in sessions rather than for extended periods.