Portable enclosure

[Dloyd92]

I’m looking forward to the changing seasons. With that I’m looking forward to taking my beardie for walks in the park. Or even something fancier than a clear plastic tote for vet visits. I’m thinking I will build a diy portable enclosure large enough to keep an adult dragon but light enough to carry through the park or in and out of the vet’s office. Probably a wooden frame with a wooden floor. Wrap the top and sides with a screen to allow plenty of sunlight and ventilation. Probably have a hinged door on one side and have the whole top of the enclosure also open on a hinge for ease of ingress and egress. Would also like to somehow incorporate some shoulder straps to be able to comfortably carry it long distances. Any thoughts??

 

[ChileanTaco]

What exactly do you mean by "keep an adult dragon"?
Likely a portable enclosure isn't large enough for keeping a dragon for a longer time, but more for bringing the dragon somewhere. And also a sufficient large enclosure, even if super light, would be hard to carry just because of its size - if it's not disassembled and the dragon taken out.
If your plan is to bring your dragon somewhere plus keeping them contained there: There exist portable pet playpens. Often they have a fabric on the side (not so good as the dragon could climb it), but also with clear plastic for the walls, and/or with a mesh lid. This would be sufficient for setting it up in a park, or for visiting somebody together with your dragon.
For carrying your dragon, you would obviously need something else in addition as the above is meant to fold up. Also for going to the vet, the playpen won't work, but you would need a carrier.

So, generally, two things:
- something small to transport your dragon
- something large that folds up.

(What I personally use:
- in case I would have to transport my dragon somewhere, like for a vet visit: a clear plastic tote with lid and a sturdy handle; they are sold here as tool boxes (I made holes in the lid); I wanted rather this than a backpack-style carrier.
- for outdoors: a good harness.
I am not traveling with my dragon, and I am not visiting other people for an overnight stay with my dragon.)

 

[xp29]

I use soft-side cat/small dog carriers. They work great.

 

[CooperDragon]

The soft sided carriers have worked really well for my dragons too. Even on long road trips or overnight they're comfortable and secure. I would consider two different issues - transportation and easy to move housing. The soft carriers are great for transportation. If you want to configure easy to move housing, I would get a few adjustable light stands that you can break down and bring along with some dome fixtures and lights. You can pack those in a tote bin with other accessories. If you want an enclosure to bring with you on travel then something that is collapsible and lightweight is a good bet. A child playpen/pack & play is good because it folds up and is fabric. There are dog versions that have removable netting for the top and these are great in the yard.
If you want to build something more like a traditional enclosure, I would consider aluminum L shaped framing (strong, light) that you can build panels with using something like screen or thin bamboo plywood (think something like the Zen Habitat). Then you can fasten the panels together to set up and break them back down to move the enclosure.
In the use case you're describing, it sounds like a soft carrier is probably your best bet. That will let you bring them to the park and doctor easily.

 

[Smutmutt]

https://a.co/d/5jx7063

When I picnic with my guys I use this soft sided with zip out covered patio.

 

[xp29]

https://a.co/d/5jx7063

When I picnic with my guys I use this soft sided with zip out covered patio.

Oh now that is awesome, I bookmarked it for future reference