For those of you who let their beardies rome

[ajam1212]

My 2 hate being locked up when we're home.So as long as we're home they free roam.Been using this for years now.Simple to knock up an old side table with an 18" dessert uv tube.The heat lamp is a 40 watt spot.Never had any issues.Its gets plenty of use when they're out & both dragons will lie under it together. They do wonder about but always go back here to warm up. Usually when they've had enough of being out they will head back to their Vivs.I will stress though they only come out when someone is home to supervise. That's when the table gets switched on.

 

[PatsyB]

That's a great idea. I'm afraid that my senior cat would be laying under it with them I have a heated throw blanket (it doesn't get too hot) on the couch that Dexter and the cat fight over when it's turned on.

 

[ajam1212]

We got a 15 yr old cat who gets terrorized by the dragons.He seems to love them though. If we can't find one the cat will show us where they're hiding.Quite cute really he's like their bodyguard.Animals never fail to amaze me with, can be very amusing.

 

[PatsyB]

Ha! We have a 14 year old cat that acts like a kitten. She loves to watch Luci run around the house but she will run if he comes towards her! I do the same thing though, if I can't find Luci, I just look for her and she is usually watching him! Our older cat, once her and Dexter find their spots, will usually sleep together.

 

[ajam1212]

Amazing little animals beardies. Bought my first when my little girl was 3 as she was petrified of bugs.6 years on we've ended up with 2 beardies 1 leopard ghecko & a vieled chameleon. (& of course the cat) They're all part of the family very much loved,& my little girl isn't afraid of bugs anymore. Just a shame certain people don't research reptile care before they buy. Have rescued a few who have thankfully gone on to responsible owners to live happy lives.

 

[PatsyB]

That's great that your daughter isn't afraid of bugs anymore. I never was a bug person until I started with my frogs, now i'm breeding supers and hornworms in my basement! We didn't do a whole lot of research before we got our frogs but I did before we got Dexter. We just actually added a veiled chameleon to our family a few months ago. We did a lot of research before hand and everyday we are learning something new. How old is your veiled?

 

[ajam1212]

My veiled is 3 or 4 now their a lot more demanding to care for than beardies. So you should be fine.Beardies are hardy little devils & enjoy socialising my oldest is 7 now & still loopy.My veiled is a moody devil & bit of a bruiser. Loves being handled on his terms complete opposite to the dragons.

 

[ajam1212]

Apologies if the reply seems odd,got my reply mixed with a new beardies owner.Still getting used to this site doesn't play well with the browser I use on my android phone.

 

[PatsyB]

That's okay I read it just fine! My veiled is very moody too. He will sit at the front of his cage and listen intently to me talking to him but the minute I open the cage to get him out he runs. Our veiled is 5 months now, we don't handle him too much at the moment. I held him last week and he charged up my arm hissing at me, I thought for sure I was going to get bit! It's good that he's not so needy for attention like my bearded dragons are though.

 

[ajam1212]

Sounds familiar it does take chameleons a lot longer to form a bond with. From memory mine took 1-18 months before he began to show trust.Even now he's a moody devil.Very Important not to rush them.Mine is in a mesh flexi Viv. Usually when he's ready to interact he comes to front of the Viv. As soon as I open he's straight out onto me sometimes with a leap & sometimes having a moan as if to say what took you so long.He got a habbit now of climbing onto my head or shoulder.I do take him outside and place him in the olive trees Obviously have to watch him like a halk but he loves to wonder around the garden.Highly amusing when the beardies & the cat are also out.If his Viv is open he will wonder out & have stroll indoors sometimes.The good thing is now when I go towards him he comes to me.Chamelions moods seem be a lot more dependant on season aswell, winter months he will slow down his eating & be happy to hang out in his Viv. Come Mid summer here he comes to life.Noticed this occurs yearly.
The beardies tend to differ year to year.
I wouldn't be with out any of my lizards.I think many people under estimate them.People don't believe me when I say my beardies come when I call them (on their terms mind) until they see it.

 

[PatsyB]

My family thinks I'm nuts for getting lizards, they still don't get it. In fact we had the chameleon for months before we told anyone that we had it. I have a coworker that came over one day and she found herself sitting next to Dexter on the chair and just petting her. She was like "I GET IT NOW!" she could have just sat there relaxing all day with Dexter. Another coworker just loved my lizard room and how peaceful it was.

We've been letting Bumble (the chameleon) control things at his pace. We will leave the door of his cage open while we are in the room so he can venture out if he wants (so far he hasn't). The bearded dragons do get moody at certain times. I find that my boy starts to get lethargic when the temperature is cold outside. So he hasn't been having a good summer since here in Chicago it's been mostly cold. Except today it's 105 and he is running around his tank trying to get out and run!

 

[ajam1212]

I know what you mean.When people come round to visit they usually end up sitting with one of beardies on their lap for a good while.My great aunt is in her 90s & she loves sitting with the beardies having a photo taken to show her friends.
From experience of Pascal (chameleon ) he was the same for a good year or so, then overnight seemed to except us & his surroundings.First sign was him coming out for a wonder off his own back.Bubble sounds the same stay patient.
As explained the beardies seem to change routine yearly.Whats always been constant is the slow down at different times of the year.Poppy always around December Wesley always around April or may. They hate not seeing each other though.Its a love hate relationship.

 

[donprec]

That's a really nice idea, I wish I was crafty/handy enough to do something like that myself

 

[lazer]

I have been beating myself up for years because I am unable to let my Lady(bug) spend much time out of her home. I truly feel rotten about it.

But what a brilliant idea. Now, if she gets cold, she will have a place to go. I just have to find a good spot for her while basking. I don't want to stick the table or chair in a corner.

That helps me with my other problem. The height of her Terrarium is only 18". I combined two very large pieces of wood I purchased for her to clime on. But it takes up whatever room I have left in her tank and because she is already used to all of her furniture, I don't want to stress her by introducing it now.

I can set it up so she can have access to a window that she didn't have before due to its height from the floor.

Since I have been assisting my mother after her surgery and her recuperation time, the house is not "Beardie" proof so I am beyond careful when I leave her out. I don't want to make her too nervous by always being within two feet of her (unless she decides to take off which is cool) so now I have an answer. I am pretty sure she will stay around the area where the warmth is.

Thank you ajam!

 

[joshua123]

Won't u need a reflector for your fixture?

 

[ajam1212]

Won't u need a reflector for your fixture?

Sorry for delay.Reflector, yes is usually fitted but broke.Hadn't refitted when I took pic.Also the tube fitting is mounted on a flat reflective board the usually a standard reflector.