| The time now is Sep 09, 2010 - 06:34 AM |
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Post subject: TRAVELING WITH YOUR DRAGON
 Posted: Sep 08, 2006 - 11:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 23, 2003
Posts: 1649
Location: Chicago, IL
Status: Offline
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Dragons DO travel well if their basic needs are met....warmth, hydration, food. The main consideration is keeping dragons from becoming overly stressed. The following tips will help you to keep Spike a happy road warrior. Don't forget to send us a postcard!
1. Dragons CAN overheat! Yes, they are desert creatures, but be aware that the interior of a closed-up vehicle gets DEATHLY hot very, very quickly on a warm day. Most pet stores carry bags that can easily (and safely) conceal a dragon while road-weary keepers grab a meal at a restaurant.
2. Be paranoid! It's tempting during a restroom stop to let your dragon out (on a leash!!) to run around in the cool grass. But please remember that herbicides and pesticides may have been used in this area. This is also true of city parks, and all other areas that you can't vouch for through personal knowledge. Avoid wild-caught insects for the same reason.
3. Familiar is good! Bring enough water from home to last your dragon through the trip. New smells can be off-putting for dragons. The water in some areas might have a high sulphur or iron content that a dragon won't like. If you can't take along water from home...use jugged spring water. If your dragon has a stuffed toy that it likes to snuggle with...by all means, bring it along. Try to serve up the same food items you would at home.
4. Avoid stress! If you are going to be staying in hotels, remember that the carpets and even the bathtubs might have been treated with chemicals and/or insecticides. Be careful about where your dragon is allowed to run. Use your DO NOT DISTURB sign in order not to frighten room service staff! Don't forget that many people are terrified of reptiles...even harmless bearded dragons. Also, have plenty of extra newspaper or papertowel on hand so that the dragon's bedding inside the carrier is always clean.
5. Going by air? BE SURE to call ahead if you plan to ship your dragon by air. There's a VERY good chance the dragon will be forced to ride in the cargo hold. If this is the case, you will need to provide special packing and insulation or the dragon will perish.
6. You! Yep, YOU. Just being held by their familiar keeper is enough to keep most dragons happy for long stretches. Ours love to sit on our shoulders or be held against our chests and watch the world go by.
Sometimes, they'd rather get inside a dark shirt and take a nap. Just don't forget to keep yourself in the equation!
7. This and That: There's all sorts of nifty stuff that keepers can get to make traveling with a dragon easier.
You can get soft-sided reptariums that fold flat for easy storage.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/reptariums-reptarium-accessories-and-explorariums/-/22-gallon-basic-reptarium/
You can get a nifty little heat pad that plugs into your vehicle's cigarette lighter to help keep your dragon warm. Check the device now and again to make sure no "hot spots" are developing that could burn your dragon.
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/caborvbase12.html
If your budget won't allow for the heating pad, there's always the heat packs.
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Supplies/Product/Heat_Packs_35_Plus__60_Plus_Hour_Varieties_116505.html
Mainly, don't forget your UVB light, your calcium D3 powder, your digital camera, your common sense, and your senses of humor, fun and adventure....oh, and your dragon. That should pretty much cover it.  |
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My whole slew of critters:
http://ymbryum.net/animals.php
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