Taco on the balcony (with leash)

[ChileanTaco]

Here is now the photo I promised in the other thread.
Just had four days off in a row and on one sunny afternoon he wanted out - sure we did

Also used this opportunity to observe his colors close-up when he was basking.
His skin looked mostly lemon yellow with orange, with grey scales/spikes on top from which some had a orange tip. Funny sunny

 

[xp29]

Here is now the photo I promised in the other thread.
Just had four days off in a row and on one sunny afternoon he wanted out - sure we did

Also used this opportunity to observe his colors close-up when he was basking.
His skin looked mostly lemon yellow with orange, with grey scales/spikes on top from which some had a orange tip. Funny sunny

Taxo looks quite pleased

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Taco looks quite happy! That's definitely a must to have him on a leash out there.

Tracie

 

[ChileanTaco]

@Drache613
Absolutely - the height, and he's an avid climber, and the birds could scare him. I could see very much what he would chose as an "escape route"...
The birds: I've never seen flocks (!) of vultures, but here they are. Flocks of seagulls, okay, but this? Turkey vultures, resting on the skyscrapers and flying between them and going down to the shore to eat dead sea mammals and scraps from the fish market. There are also some hummingbirds coming to the balcony when the succulents bloom - not sure what Taco would think of that...
On the table there are two golliwog plants that grow back to be used again in Taco's enclosure, and and that shriveled aloe - well, not my fault, I love to rescue plants from the trash

Taco liked it out there from the beginning on, possibly because he has the exact same view from his enclosure (two windows next to that balcony).

 

[NickAVD]

I'm very happy for Taco! Nothing can replace real sun and the UV that it emits.

 

[ChileanTaco]

@NickAVD
So true And that's really high UV (UV index often 15 and above) here - even in winter. Looks like a summer photo, but here on the other hemisphere it's winter You'd imagine how our summers are
And I really see the difference regarding how long Taco wants to be out of his enclosure. Balcony? Half an hour, an hour... Indoors: after approx. 15 min he wants to go back. Clear why.
We now do this regularly.
Before, we did this rarely, as first he was too small (took a while until the harness provided a secure hold, so by then the harness was only used for training, getting him used to it, indoors during that time), and then once he was big enough we went on the balcony a few times but then he brumated. Taco is now 13 month old and I have him since end of August last year. For me he's a perfect "balcony companion" as I like sitting there on weekends, usually reading (I also do some crafts out there, but then he's indoors just to avoid him getting into contact with something harmful (tools, superglue, dust and small parts are of course a no-no around any kind of animal); he then watches me through the window and looks when I bring the stuff in afterwards).

 

[NickAVD]

You have a wonderful balcony and a beautiful view of the ocean! I think birds of prey can often bother you. Have you thought about making a walking enclosure for Taco from a mesh?

 

[ChileanTaco]

I have thought about it, but opted for "no" or a "maybe I'm trying this out in case I would come across a bird cage for free"
Reason why:
Taco tolerates the harness and leash very well. He also sits on me, or on a branch, for a long time, not wandering around. He also won't get more outdoor time with this: I only take him out of the enclosure if he wants, and then I'm at home and have the option to go on the balcony which I do nevertheless and not only for him.
Also, I would never leave him outdoors unsupervised, not even for a short time (like: me going to the bathroom), as of the birds (despite they would not be able to get him), sometimes sudden weird noises (it#s generally rather quiet, but there are both a construction site and a military recinto just across), and we can have high wind gusts from time to time.
So I would not see a benefit in a cage and thus I won't start constructing something that's likely never used.

Generally, however, I think an outdoor enclosure can be a good thing. Myself as well as my in-laws have used, or in the case of my in-laws use, outdoor enclosures for other animals - pets like birds and rabbits, as well as wildlife to foster like birds, hedgehogs, squirrels - in slightly different settings (countryside, in the garden as a slightly covered shed or on the balcony on the first floor). In those settings it was/ is even okay to put the animal(s) in right in the morning and leaving them there unsupervised, or leaving them there slightly supervised (animal in a cage while doing garden work).