Relocation stress questions...

[YavannaV]

We've recently been given access to a vacation home to use whenever we wish. It's a 2.5 hour drive from our home and we'd like to go once a month for 3 or 4 day long weekends. That doesn't mesh so well with feeding Dregan his greens / feeders daily. We'd like to bring him along and have a 2nd enclosure that stays so we just need to bring him back and forth on the monthly trips. Right now, he goes with me once a week to pick up my little ones from school (it takes about 45 minutes to drive there, wait for car loop and drive back since they're in a magnet program and it isn't near our house) and he seems to love being out and about. Would the 2.5 hour trips just become routine for him since he already enjoys being in the car? I don't want to stress him out and stunt his growth (he's just turned 9 mo). I've read on here about other beardies having problems from relocation stress. My guy seems to be pretty easy going though. He even ate crickets on the first day we brought him home and I was told to expect he might take days to adjust. Anyway, I'm looking for some advise and similar stories and if frequent traveling has been good or bad for your beardie. Also, do you put your beardie in a carrier or just let him hang out in the car? Dregan just chills on my shoulder or chest and looks out the window when we go on the school outings. If there's a loud noise he might hide under my hair but he's peeking out again not long after.

I don't really want to impose on a friend to look in on him every month and I'd rather not board him since that would be moving him to another place and w/o people he knows.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[YavannaV]

Any suggestions? We are supposed to go in 3 days. I don't want to go and buy a 2nd enclosure if it would be stressful to travel on monthly trips for him and need time to plan an alternative. Thanks for reading and any thoughts.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Yvanna...I answered some of these questions in Missfirefly's post, but I'm sure your dragon will be fine. I would personally take him in a small pet carrier, or a box like a shoebox, just in case because if he got spooked riding with you, he could go under the seats or worse yet, under the pedals. And if he had to go to the little lizards room , it could be a smelly mess in the car or on you.

 

[YavannaV]

Thanks. I read the other thread as well. When I've taken Dregan to school, it's only on days that he's already pooped. We live a mile from the expressway and the school can be seen from the expressway so there's only 2 stop lights between here and there. He's gotten spooked from big trucks going past before and he's gone straight for my hair (he loves to hide under it). I see your point about the pedals though. On the monthly trips, it'll be hubby, me and our two kids so he could ride out and look around for a lot of the drive. I'll keep a shoebox and towel to make him more comfortable if needed. I really hope the trips become routine for him and non-stressful.

 

[bunnyrut]

i think if he is already used to the car rides the drive won't be too much of a problem.

once you are there i would add stuff to his viv from his other viv so the familiar scent is there. and as long as he sees you guys in both places it shouldn't be too stressful.

 

[LLLReptile]

As long as he's already adjusted to things, it shouldn't be too big a deal. Some beardies don't seem to mind that kind of travel, while others do. Some of my staff bring in their personal pets on weekends, and there is definitely a difference in individual animals who mind it and who don't. If your beardie continues to eat and thrive, even with all the traveling, then by all means go for it!

If his appetite does drop off, or he doesn't seem quite right, then perhaps give him a break for a while before going back to it. A carrier will help, as he'll be able to sleep and/or feel secure if you're not able to hold him or watch him closely the entire time.

I would suggest having a heat pack (the 40 hour ones like we use for shipping could work) as a back up just in case it gets cold, something happens, etc - that way if there ever is an emergency, he has some heat as needed. I have some myself for when I bring my animals out places (I use my own animals in addition to store animals for our community outreach programs), they're super helpful in a pinch.

-Jen