Going out of Town Need Advice!!!

[maverickgtr]

So my boyfriend and I are both going out of town for a maximum of four days soon. Our ball pythons will be ok because we're feeding them before we leave BUT our beardie will need some babysitting. The only person I trust to take care of my baby Isis is my mommy. The problem is the only tank we have at her house is a 10 gallon. So, my question is do you guys think she'll be ok in the 10 gallon for a maximum of 4 days? We'd be taking all her lights over and I'd supply her food. Isis is about 20 inches maybe a bit bigger, we can't really tell because she likes to turn one way or another when we try to measure her The 10 gallon we have over there is big enough for her to turn around in and kind of walk around in, but admittedly it would be a bit cramped. Otherwise, I don't know what we're going to do...

[RichsBallPythons]

Why cant she stay at your house while your gone. Beardie will be fine without food for 4 days as long as there's water.

If need be toss in water crystals for crickets and toss in some extra crickets if needed but thats up to you.

[Definitions]

I agree the beardie should be fine. Just make sure the lights come on and off while your gone. The beardie would be just fine in the 10 gallon tank also if you feel more comfy doing that. Enjoy your out of town trip I'm sure your beardie will be ok while your gone.

[Action Reptiles]

Or you can go to walmart or any store that sells rubbermaid tubs and get a tub thats big enough for your beardie to be comfortable in usually you can find one for $10-20 tops and leave it at your moms. Then all you have to bring is your beardies lights and food and you have a make shift tank. When your beardies isnt at her house she can use the tub to store stuff in. I use tubs I got from walmart that are about the size of a 40gl breeder tank for all my hatchlings and even have hold back sub adults in them by themselves. They work great for temporary enclosures, just not the most visually appealing but they work.

I use these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...Specifications

The price listed is for a 4 pack but I think I paid like 15$ in the store for 1. It isn't quite as big as a 40gl breeder but it is bigger than a 10gl. Just an option but I personally dont like leaving live food in my beardies tanks as I have seen bad cases of the food(crickets) munching on sleeping dragons. Hope this helps any questions feel free to ask...

P.S. the 10gl tank might be big enough for your beardie to turn around in but won't provide the right thermal gradient, if she gets to hot she wont have any where to go to cool off...

[maverickgtr]

My mom can't stay at our house because she has four cats and a doberman and we have just a small 1 bedroom apartment and we can't have cats and dogs there without paying $300. Plus, we live too far from her house for her to drive over twice a day for feeding. Isis won't chase live crickets because she's so lazy, so someone would need to give her freeze-dried crickets and her greens.

I'll look into the tubs though. I was worried about heating and things like that in the 10 gallon so if i can get one that's like her 40 gallon I won't have to worry. What do we put on the top? I know you can buy generic sized screen tops at like petsmart, do we just get one of those?

[Action Reptiles]

Do you have a screen cover for your 40gl? If you do it will fit over the tub in the link. I just use a screen top from another 40gl breeder to cover my hatchling tubs if get fiesty and try to get out. The tubs are actually a pretty good hieght if your girl isn't a jumper you could get away with not putting a cover on just dont put any furniture in the tub that will help her get out.. For a basic set up I just put a rock or piece of tile under the heat light and a cave or something they can hide under is what I do for my quarantine tubs for adults. As its only temporary for a couple days you dont need to get to extravagant.

[maverickgtr]

Lol Isis will definitely need a screen top. When I get the tub I'll see if her screen top will cover it. One last question, do you put paper towels or newspapers in the bottom or what do you use?

[cschneider]

I got one of those tubs for my beardie for when I go out of town. I cut a big hole in the lid and attached a piece of thick screen to it with liquid nail and a staple gun. Works great as a temporary enclosure and was cheap. I also found pieces of slate in the garden section of Lowe's that I used as a substraint. They were about $3.00 for 10 pieces. My beardie seemed very happy with it!

[Action Reptiles]

As far as substrate I use either paper towels or non adhesive shelf liner. Hope this helps and hope your trip goes well..

[BPelizabeth]

I think it would be fine as long as the beardie can come out and play for a while during the day....but the tub is a great idea as well.

Personally I dont even leave my beardie alone for an overnight trip. I have a sitter come in and take care of her and the other lizards. I want no part in the beardie guiltizm when I come home...lol.

beardie guiltizm - when a bearded dragon is mad or trying to give you the guilt trip because...
A. - lights didnt come on or off at the right time
B. - not the right veggies...or no veggies/crickets
C. - did not get enough time out
D. - didnt get tucked in properly for bed/ missing favorite blankey
E. - just wants to lay the guilt trip because....it can...