Traveling beardie

[Jsw]

I just introduced myself in the introduction forum. I have a question about class pet beardies.

My current plan is to have him at school with lights on timers. I'd feed him his veggies and crickets at 6:30 am when I arrive and 4:30 pm when I leave. Lights on at 8 am off at 8pm with a red light on all night. His old schedule was food 8am and 8pm with lights on and off about then. Weekends he'd have his bowl of dried worms and pellets, and I frequently go in at least one day a weekend,so I could feed fresh food too.

Now I'm not so sure I want to leave him alone that long. What about having two set ups, and he comes home with me on weekends and overnights in a little travel carrier? I don't always go straight home, so on those nights I would have to leave him at school with just timers affecting his lights.

Would he be more stressed with travel or being alone? How dangerous is it for him to get cold? Our tbuilding's power goes out occasionally (once or twice a month about), which would mean his lights go out in a dark, cold classroom until someone shows up in the morning to reset breakers.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[kornel351]

Hey Jsw , first off i would like to say that it's great to see a new member join!. Baby bearded dragons need 80 percent animal fat 20 percent plant matter,juvniles need 50/50 while adults need 80 percent plant matter and 20 percent plant make sure the correct proportions are on there diet .I recommend a Ceramic Heat Emitter that could be used for both day and nighttime because bearded dragons actually could see the red light sometimes affecting their sleep patterns. The room temperature must not drop below 65 degrees because if they do its really dangerous for them since they won't beable to digest there food correctly leading to major problems . Bearded dragons in the same enclosure can be very stressed because they fight unless they are both females but it's is advised that they be alone .I also suggest that you use dubia roaches instead of crickets they are more balanced, less messy and easy to breed .Also make sure you research the types of veggies safe for bearded dragons no avocado or lettuce(since it holds no nutritional value mostly water) .Don't forget to supplement calcium to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) and vitamins .Gut load all feeder insects as they hold Jo value to your beardie if there isn't anything good in them .

 

[Gormagon]

Sounds like you need to keep him at home. Just one winter night without electric could be dangerous for him. Also no type of light emitting bulb at night, use a CHE only and only if the temps in your house drop below 65 at night. They like it cool and dark when they sleep. Timers can be set for up to 15 hours of daylight a day.
If you kept him at home he would get fed properly and you can keep a good eye on him.

KEEP THE CAT AWAY FROM HIM!!!

 

[SDragons]

Our BD changes tanks every weekend from April to Sept when we go from the house to the Lake on the weekends.

He has done fine with the 2 tanks.

 

[Gormagon]

Our BD changes tanks every weekend from April to Sept when we go from the house to the Lake on the weekends.

He has done fine with the 2 tanks.

Yes but he will be doing this in winter months and unless he is in the far south, this will not be healthy.

 

[Jsw]

Thank you for the replies.

kornel, thanks for the general information!

SDragons, that's good to know that some bearded dragons can tolerate regular travel.

Gormagon, why would traveling be dangerous just because it is cold outside? My car is heated, and I could get a travel heater. I only live 20 minutes away. If I had to, I could just make sure that I go home before going out or go back to school to pick him up after running my errands. ETA: This is a genuine question not a being contrary question.

Also, I'm not sure where you got the impression I let my cat near the bearded dragon such that you felt the need to yell at me about it?

 

[JessPets]

Thank you for the replies.

kornel, thanks for the general information!

SDragons, that's good to know that some bearded dragons can tolerate regular travel.

Gormagon, why would traveling be dangerous just because it is cold outside? My car is heated, and I could get a travel heater. I only live 20 minutes away. If I had to, I could just make sure that I go home before going out or go back to school to pick him up after running my errands.

Also, I'm not sure where you got the impression I let my cat near the bearded dragon such that you felt the need to yell at me about it?

I don't believe Gormagon was trying to be rude, I think he was just trying to stress the fact that the cat should never be with the dragon. Remember, we are all here to help you

 

[SpacialCoogs]

I take my dragon camping with me, she actually likes the travel. I don't think it's a problem to take her home every weekend. They are naturally curious and it would be a bit of an adventure plus you'd get more opportunities to bond and provide enrichment to her.

 

[Rankins]

It kind of depends on the dragon. Some don't stress...others do. I would use stress as my indicator on whether its appropriate or not.
Let your dragon make the decision for you. Winter temps don't matter much if the dragon is kept warm. A hot water bottle, hand warmers, the car heater all will work.

 

[SDragons]

For the winter I would put the leach on my beardie and then put him under my jacket for warmth for the trip between the house and the car.

 

[Jsw]

Thank you. I'll see how confident and stress-free he is for now and make a decision later. ?

 

[Rankins]

One winter I drove 5 hrs to pick up a couple of my gila monsters. It was snowing most of the drive there and back. I brought a cooler with a couple hot water bottles (obviously not hot enough to burn) in it. When I got the animals I put one in each of thier bins. That along with the car heater kept them warm and happy. They can tolorate cold temps better than a bearded dragon though. Right now 16 of my Heloderma are sleeping in a 50°F room for the remainder of the winter. A bearded dragon would be a Popsicle at those temps

 

[CooperDragon]

I've taken my guys on road trips many times over the years and they're fine with it. Not every dragon will enjoy traveling but I've had good experiences. Generally car temps are fine for them. They like to look out the window sometimes but I have a duffel bag with a fleece blanket in it for a secure hide. They like to curl up and sleep once it gets dark. They're on a leash during the day so they don't get under foot. I keep a heat pack with me during the winter so if I stop for food or a break I'll just put the heat pack under the blanket and they're fine. I drive through Minnesota and Iowa regularly during the winter months so if they're OK in those temps they should be OK in most places. Tucking them into a jacket or just putting them in the warm duffel bag between the car and a building as SDragons mentioned is a good idea too.

 

[Jsw]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the help!

 

[Gormagon]

Jsw, I apologize for making you think I was yelling at you. I really just wanted to stress the fact that cats are very dangerous to dragons. The will kill just for fun, because it is entertaining to them.
These were all great suggestions and, it IS doable, but watch for signs of stress like (not eating, stress marks and hiding).
Also I would be concerned about the cold and flu bugs that the kids bring into the classroom.