Outside in how cold?

[lissac67]

I am in New England and take our beardie out on the porch to sit in the sun everyday in the summer. It is her most favorite thing. She adores watching the birds, leaves, bugs, my son playing, etc. Even today it is raining and 70, but I opened the window and let her sit on a towel (there is a screen so she is safe) and watch the rain. I only leave her there for 30 minutes at a time and am sure she is very warm first. My question is how cold can it get where she still might be able to go sit on her porch (she thinks she owns the place) and enjoy some sun before it is just too cold? I am thinking even just 20 minutes once or twice a day in direct sun? If it was 55, in the sun, would she be ok for 20? I hate to wrap her so she can still get the rays as long as possible. But I do take her out wrapped too, and let her just look around for a while.

 

[CooperDragon]

I would go by room temperature. They're usually fine at room temperature for a while (70s). If the temps are below about 60 or so I wouldn't expose her to that for too long. 20 minutes supervised is probably fine. I'd take advantage of the hot summer days as much as possible. She can be outside for hours if it's a nice hot day (80s+)

 

[DragonsForBreakfast]

I have a heat bed for my beardie (half a pillowcase full of rice that you can heat in the microwave) that you can put her on to make sure she is warm enough. I heat it for 3 minutes and the heat stays for 30-40 minutes.

 

[lissac67]

That's a great idea! I do the rice for a heat compress for myself. You can regulate it and it does stay warm for quite a while. Even half an hour when the temp is around 60, if the sun is out, would be great for the natural rays that are so important to them. She could go out until the end of Oct. then for short bursts. I work from home so can watch her closely. She loves it so much, I feel so bad bringing her in.

 

[PastelBeardie]

I have a heat bed for my beardie (half a pillowcase full of rice that you can heat in the microwave) that you can put her on to make sure she is warm enough. I heat it for 3 minutes and the heat stays for 30-40 minutes.

From what I understand, beardies don't feel warmth from underneath like they do from above, and as a result heat rocks can burn them. I would worry about a heat bed doing the same thing.

 

[Taterbug]

I have a heat bed for my beardie (half a pillowcase full of rice that you can heat in the microwave) that you can put her on to make sure she is warm enough. I heat it for 3 minutes and the heat stays for 30-40 minutes.

From what I understand, beardies don't feel warmth from underneath like they do from above, and as a result heat rocks can burn them. I would worry about a heat bed doing the same thing.

I think this problem is a little misunderstood. Dragons can feel heat from below, but maybe not as well as from above or they just cant understand it without natural context. They certainly aren't designed to only be exposed to heat from below. Dragons will lift their bellies or even curl their toes to avoid burns on naturally heated surfaces, or just move. I read somewhere (can't find it now so maybe was a different lizard) they may even use their shadow to let the rock cool off enough to lay on.

Hot rocks and heat mats on the other hand don't warm the surrounding air and may not be used in conjunction with a heat lamp, so while the surface could be blistering hot the rest of the environment is too cool. That's not how nature works, so they aren't quite smart enough to understand. They also can't warm up enough from the rock but may not have a better option.

Heat pads aren't necessary but can be made safe with a thermostat. Rice packs wouldn't be offered and burning temps - I keep mine at around basking temp (100 or so) just to help keep the lizard from cooling too much.

Anyway, lissac - I go by ambient temps but also how warm surface temps can get - I agree with the limits above. There were a few sunny days this past spring that got my window sill on the inside up to basking temps but the air outside was still too cool. Remember UV rays work in conjunction with heat for D3 - both are needed and if the skin isn't heating up the synthesis process is much less efficient. Could you use a clamp light to heat up her/a small area around her? This is a pretty easy and effective solution around the house

 

[lissac67]

Yes, I often put her in the windowsill with pillows around in case she decides to jump off, it gets pretty warm in the window sill for sure. And yes, I know they have to be warm with the rays as well. That is why I thought a way to keep her warm might work. Though you did hit on something. She loves being on the porch and we do have outlets out there. I could perhaps rig up a clip lamp around her to help a bit with heat, too. Part of it is her enjoyment of being out there, though. Not just the sun. She just loves watching the leaves blow around, the birds, the bugs etc. I will take her out in the house all winter for many short periods during the day, but it isn't nearly as much as being outside for her. She always tries to climb back on her little shelf when it is time to go in. :lol: