Is it wise to handle a beardie in winter??

[Em Lynch]

I was just curious, the temperatures are dropping down to minus 7 here at the moment and we are due some snow!
I handle my beardie daily but i often wonder if taking her out of her warm viv is doing her any good? My house is naturally cold

 

[P]

My house is cold also, so i know how you feel. Is the ambient temp inside colder than 65?

You can try a rice sock or beanie bag heated in the microwave to assist with temps while you handle your BD
I take mune out during winter, but for shorter periods and maybe a "before bed time" snuggle with a rice sock under her.

 

[Em Lynch]

It was 62 degrees ambient when i woke up this morning and the living room where she is situated has no constant heat source (like a radiator), but i do have the option of turning on the gas fire so we sit by the fire when its cold 8D i wish i could handle her more but the cold makes things difficult.

 

[Jp]

Unfortunately, you have to temporarily limit playtime outside the enclosure.
If temps in the enclosure are affected by the ambient temp of your home than additional lighting or CHE is recommended for needed heat.

 

[Em Lynch]

thanks Jp! what do you mean by additional lighting or CHE? what is CHE? I don't mind limiting play time outside of the enclosure, i'd rather put her needs before mine

 

[Jp]

Im sorry, a C.H.E is a Ceramic Heat Emitter, these provide heat with no additional light.

 

[Em Lynch]

Oh i see, at the moment she has an infrared light that i leave on at night to heat her enclosure

 

[Jp]

The colored bulbs have been known to irritate dragons & the C.H.E is recommended as an alternative.

 

[Em Lynch]

i see, do you have any posts to hand i can refer to to read up on this? i'd like to know in what way it irrates a dragon

 

[Jp]

It is rumored that dragons can't see the red or purple lights but my dragons had a negative reaction to them. I've also read post from other members saying they've experienced the same thing with their dragons & colored bulbs.

 

[P]

Its like you sleeping with a spotlight on all night, youll not get propper rest, making you tired and edgy, and over time this lack of rest will affect your eating and day to day functions

Same with dragons, in time it will affect their health, metabolic functions inside the body, temperament etc.........
They need total darkness to sleep propperly and they need to cool down at night, so temps between 65 and 70 sleep time are fine