With beginners taking care of reptiles, they have many questions about their pets. One is “Can you transport a bearded dragon?”
The answer is yes, you can transport a bearded dragon and travel with them, even overseas.
However, those kinds of pets do not go out often.
You should bear in mind to use unique treatments and measures. The methods are to protect their physical and mental health, especially on long trips.
To help you grasp the knowledge about the topic, the article below would provide you with a detailed guide to moving the bearded dragons safely.
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Can You Transport a Bearded Dragon?
Can you transport a bearded dragon?
You can move your beardies even on long trips. But it is inevitable to follow some precaution methods below and protect them from any danger:
- Have a suitable ventilation
- Buy some heat sources to balance their temperature
- Not to feed them one day before the trip to avoid digestion problems
- Keep an eye on beardies’ stress levels
- Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight
- UV/heat bulbs are required to keep the temperature high
- Drive carefully and protect the passengers, not only your pet
What to Consider When You Travel With a Bearded Dragon?
It would be best to be concerned about some important stuff before moving with your beardies. That is the distance of the trip, the external temperature, and the possibility of relocation stress.
1. Distance
First of all, how far you are going to go is what you need to think about.
Suppose you have a short commute and you can be a passenger instead of a primary driver.
Then, there is no need to consider any potential danger to your pet.
As at home, handle him or lay him in his familiar small tank during the entire trip.
By contrast, it is different for longer travels that span many days or in cold weather.
You should think about some protective methods for the bearded dragon.
2. External Temperature
Secondly, to understand how to carry a bearded dragon, you need to know external weather has a significant influence on the animal’s life and behavior.
He is similar to any reptile or ectodermic.
The bearded dragon’s temperature can change dramatically based on the sunlight and outside heat.
For example, when your beardie lives in a 15-degree Celsius environment, his body’s temperature is 15 degrees Celsius, too.
That might lead to his death fast.
Moreover, the too-low temperature outside could adversely affect the bearded dragon’s digestive system.
Consequently, he may get severely sick before meeting your vet.
Therefore, you need to prepare well and have complete information about your destination’s temperature.
That includes even the most minor changes.
In some areas like Europe or Russia, the weather can become suddenly colder than usual. Stay away from the odd cold places if possible.
3. Mental Health
Thirdly, it is highly recommended to keep an eye on your pet’s mental health.
Some beardies can have depression and stress after being relocated.
They have to be out of their regular environment for a long time, so their tiny brain can not adapt to the new one like ours.
The result is an emotional problem.
Read the guide below and do your best to minimize the potential risks.
What to Bring When You Transport a Bearded Dragon?
Before coming to some tips and tricks for a perfect long trip on planes, cars, or trucks with the bearded dragon, there are a few things you have to prepare and bring with you.
1. Food
Food is the most crucial part you should prepare for traveling long distances and overnight stay.
Vegetables, fruit, and green food are easy to bring.
However, if you want to satisfy your beardie and give him the same emotion at home, some insects like free-dried crickets are ideal.
Although, it is relatively tricky and annoying to travel with.
Read More:
2. Bedding and Tank
To address how to move a bearded dragon across the country, the tank and bedding should not be ignored.
With such long roads, you need to have a big-size enclosure.
On the other hand, transporting to the vet or on day trips requires small tanks.
They are smaller than 20 gallons.
What’s more, beardies need bathroom time and place.
Unless you want to waste time on solving their messes, it is necessary to prepare a few cheap bedding or substrate.
A roll of paper and a dozen of old newspapers are more than enough for a 10-day trip.
3. Carriers and Heat Pads
Thirdly, while moving on cars or buses, bearded dragon carriers will keep your pets safe and not get lost.
Stick to carries that fit their bodies entirely.
They also should be able to retain heat.
Let’s take a look at this video to know more about how to transport a bearded dragon with a suitable carrier:
Also, heat pads are for controlling the external temperature. Alternatively, use warmers in case you have a tight budget.
Attach the heat pad or warmer to the carrier with tape.
Cover it with a towel to avoid unwanted burning.
4. Furniture and Cleaning Stuff
Similar to human beings, bearded dragons need some pieces of furniture and cleaning stuff.
For instance, the stuff to entertain them can be rocks, logs, hammocks, etc.
Moreover, you need to remove dust and dirt from their tank, so keep in mind to bring some cleaning devices.
But provided you forget to pack in that stuff, there are some specific animal shops you can drop by on your road.
So bring some more amounts money if possible.
5. Water Bowl
Additionally, one to three water bowls are what you need for long travels with beardies.
While they can take hydration from daily food, they also have to drink.
However, those guys do not like you to pour water on them.
Therefore, water bowls from their standard tanks might be ideal options.
6. Adjustable Harness
Resemble other curious pets, bearded dragons like wandering or running in new circumstances, making you not know where to find them.
To minimize the risk yet let the pets stretch their muscles, owners can bring adjustable harnesses.
Besides, the harness would prevent you from finding them when they escape danger.
For instance, when a bearded dragon meets strange dogs or cats, he tends to bolt them.
Unless you want to chase and search them all day, preparing a harness is essential.
7. Others
You can bring a few other stuff when transporting a bearded dragon like UVB basking lights, a thermometer, the vet’s contact, snacks, etc.
7 Useful Tips and Tricks to Safely Transport a Bearded Dragon
1. Make Sure There Is a Suitable Ventilation
Besides buying a pet carrier fitting your pets, you have to think about its ventilation.
To save you money, you even can use an old shoebox and make air holes on it.
Prioritize their safety on long trips.
Some owners even use soft towels to line around the carrier.
That would help prevent the hurt once your bearded dragon is jostled.
2. Have Multiple Heat Sources
As I have just mentioned, the external temperature has a massive effect on bearded dragons.
Therefore, you need to prepare many heat sources to keep them safe on long roads.
The way they get heat from the car might have the root of the wrong carrier.
Its temperature needs to range from roughly 22 to 32 degrees Celsius.
If you only plan for a short trip, the temperature in the range is acceptable. But on long trips, you should strive to prepare a few heat sources:
a. UV Light
Because a bearded dragon needs vitamin D regularly, UV light is required on long journeys, particularly in cold areas.
b. Heat Pack
Another thing you need is heat packs.
You should buy one to three bags and put them in the corner of the carrier.
Remember to wrap them off with paper towels, or you would have a grilled beardie after the trip.
c. Car Heater
Before beginning the journey, remember to heat the vehicle to around 25 degrees Celsius.
You can slightly raise the heat in winter if needed and install a car warmer set.
d. Hot Water
Lastly, hot water is a temporary solution to keep the temperature suitable on short trips.
Some owners use water bottles to contain the hot water, and some embark on making hot water packs.
What’s more, you can put paper towels soaked in hot water in a small bag.
Please put it in the carrier after that.
3. No Feeding One Day Before the Trip
Thirdly, you should not feed bearded dragons one day before the journey.
Because of the lack of bathing and sunlight, their digestive system often has some troubles on the trip.
Although you have already bought the heat sources, that does not help all the time.
Therefore, the water supply or bathing day might be better than the food once they reach the destination.
4. Control Your Bearded Dragon’s Stress
Another risk bearded dragons face on long trips is relocation stress.
They dislike significant changes in their environment.
Consequently, most bearded dragons suffer stress and feel unsettled after the journeys.
To tackle the problem, try some tips such as:
- Relax your pet before the trip. To help him feel comfortable and relieved, you can give him some cuddling gestures, rubbing his back, or a free day bath in the sunlight.
- Play their favorite songs. Like kids, those beardies are easily attracted to their favorite music and quickly forget the stress.
- Fasten the carrier into a seatbelt. While they are in the car, it is ideal for keeping them calm by buckling the box, ultimately reducing the moves or shaking.
- For the reason that you can not know when they are stressed, keep an eye on them often. When they need help, try some solutions like slightly holding them, driving steadily and slowly, or adjusting to the suitable temperature.
5. Protection From Direct Sunlight
Furthermore, keep in mind to avoid sunlight directly shining on the bearded dragons.
While they love bathing, a higher temperature than usual may hurt them in the long term.
They are unable to adjust their body to the heat quickly. As a result, it is best to place them in shady areas.
Furthermore, never leave them alone while you are going out.
The weather can change suddenly. In the carrier, beardies can not move freely or find a better shelter.
Even if your absence only lasts for a few hours, the outside changes can lead to depression and stress.
To decrease the risk, you can let them wander for a few minutes after hours lying in cars.
6. Bring UV or Heat Bulbs
Last but not least, buy heat and UV bulbs for long journeys.
To save space, some people accept bulbs involving both settings.
The tools would help the reptiles warm in short-term tanks.
7. Drive Carefully
Finally, make sure to drive steadily. Most beardies are scared of abrupt turns and sudden braking.
Like humans, they would end up tossed out and hurt even.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transporting a Bearded Dragon
1. Can I Travel With My Bearded Dragon by Plane?
It mainly depends on the plane’s regulations.
Make sure your beardie is healthy enough on long trips, and follow my above guides carefully.
If not, you might want to leave your pet at home or have him taken care of by your friends in a few days.
2. Can I Take My Bearded Dragon on Vacation With Me?
Of course, you can take your bearded dragons while on vacation.
However, you need to know that taking care of them on vacation might be more complicated from time to time.
Unless you can not be far away from your beloved pet, you can try to find a pet sitter or a boarding program.
3. How to Move Reptiles Across the Country?
While it is relatively hard to move reptiles across states, you can try using a suitable carrier and bringing essential furniture.
Keep in mind to punch air holes in the sealable plastic boxes.
Besides, with large pets such as iguanas, the transportation of dogs or cats is ideal.
4. Can You Ship a Bearded Dragon?
Of course, you can ship bearded dragons as long as you have safe means of transportation.
Following many reptile reviews, FedEx’s Live Animal Desk performs best in this field.
Transport bearded dragons, but the company also ships all living features on time with a firm guarantee.
Conclusion
In summary, above are some main pieces of information related to the question of, “Can you transport a bearded dragon?”
Bend your mind to essentials such as proper ventilation, heat sources, feeding ways, protection from direct sunlight and stress, heat/UV bulbs, and careful driving.
We hope the article has helped you have safe travels with your pet in the best way.
Key points to remember when transporting your bearded dragon:
Transporting your bearded dragon may be necessary for various reasons, such as vet visits, relocations, or outings. It’s essential to do so with care to ensure your pet’s safety and well-being. Here are some key tips and considerations for safely transporting your bearded dragon:
1. Use a Secure Enclosure:
- Invest in a suitable transport container or enclosure. A small reptile carrier or a well-ventilated, escape-proof box works well.
2. Comfortable Substrate:
- Line the enclosure with a comfortable substrate, like a soft towel or reptile carpet, to prevent your dragon from slipping and provide a sense of security.
3. Temperature Control:
- Maintain the appropriate temperature during transport. Bearded dragons need warmth to stay active, so use a heat pack or a heated car to maintain their comfort.
4. Adequate Ventilation:
- Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating or suffocation. Drill small holes in the transport container if necessary.
5. Separate Enclosures for Multiple Dragons:
- If transporting multiple bearded dragons, use separate containers to prevent stress and potential aggression.
6. Minimal Handling:
- Minimize handling during transport to reduce stress. Bearded dragons may become agitated if they are moved around excessively.
7. Quiet Environment:
- Keep the transport area calm and free from loud noises, which can stress your bearded dragon.
8. Offer Water Before Travel:
- Provide access to a small dish of water before the journey to ensure your dragon stays hydrated.
9. Avoid Feeding Before Travel:
- Refrain from feeding your bearded dragon immediately before transport to reduce the risk of regurgitation or discomfort.
10. Secure Lid or Cover: – Ensure the transport container has a secure lid or cover to prevent escape during the journey.
11. Consider Distances: – Short trips may require less preparation compared to long journeys. Be mindful of the duration and prepare accordingly.
12. Regular Check-Ins: – While en route, make brief stops to check on your bearded dragon’s well-being. Ensure temperature and ventilation are maintained.
13. Use a Reptile Harness (Optional): – For outings or short walks, you can use a reptile harness and leash to allow your dragon some outdoor time. However, this is not suitable for long-distance travel.
14. Emergency Supplies: – Carry essential items like a reptile first-aid kit and a list of emergency contacts in case any issues arise during transport.
15. Reptile-Friendly Vehicle: – Select a vehicle that can maintain a stable and comfortable temperature for your bearded dragon during the journey.
16. Avoid Drastic Changes: – Be consistent with the temperature and lighting settings in your dragon’s enclosure before and after travel to minimize stress.
In summary, transporting your bearded dragon can be done safely by following these guidelines. Ensure the enclosure is secure, comfortable, and well-ventilated, and maintain the appropriate temperature. Minimize handling, create a calm environment, and provide access to water. Consider the distance of your journey and be prepared with emergency supplies. By taking these precautions, you can transport your bearded dragon with minimal stress and ensure their well-being throughout the trip.
