Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy!

I live in Central TX. We have temps in the summers in the 90s and 100s with lows at night in the 70 - 80s. I was wondering if it would be possible to house my dragon outside over the summer. He would be on a shaded porch in his current 50 gallon acquarium (with mesh hood). I thought this would be a good way to get him some natural sunlight as well as some fresh air.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

ok first you would have to worry about lighting bugs next uvb wont pass through glass

lightening bugs can't get into the aquarium as it has a screen top with too small of a screen. Also, since the top is screened, light can get in that way, even though I know the glass will block some.

if ya gonna put the dragon outside i suggest switchin to a mesh terrarium, like a reptarium, glass and sun and hot temps = one over heated dragon

IF housing your outside long term is your idea, I suggest building an outdoor enclosure completely. Cattle feed troughs are great especially if you want to keep more than one dragon....it can be sectioned off or just have a group of females in it. The top can be covered with heavy screen to keep bugs and predators out.

Round or oval shaped 'pond' tubs could be used outside too...just make sure it has some way to drain, so a heavy rain won't flood it.

The important features you want in an outdoor cage are areas dragons can get out of the sun and cool down (either by burrowing, hides, shaded tops etc.) They should be protected from predators or kids from getting at them (predators can be the cats, hawks and eagles flying over head, seagulls, crows, ravens etc.) Rains should not threaten to flood the enclosure, either by having a sloped roof or lean to over the tub, or a drainage system so ran flows out of the tub but still can keep the dragon inside, even if he manages to dig to the bottom. (not completely sure on the methods that can be used)

Several southern located breeders use outdoor setups completely, and their websites may have hints... doing search on the forums for outdoor cages or enclosures and checking the cage/enclosure forums, can help as well. Most outdoor cages can easily be adapted to suit dragons even if the design is for some other reptile.
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PHLdyPayne

Again, as stated I was considered putting my current setup out in a covered area like our porch or something like that. I was just wondering if anyone has done this and if the screened top is enough to keep the set-up from getting too hot. It would not be in direct sun except for maybe one hour in the early morning.

Thanks for all the info.

I test everything before I put an animal in it. Put a glass enclosure out with a thermometer in it and see what the temps. get to in the sun.

I really think it is a bad idea to put them out in glass at all, if you really want my opinion.

I put mine out in my screen cage and if the temp. outside is higher than 85 or so the dragons hide from the sun. I think they'd cook in a glass enclosure in the sun, even for 1 hour.

Unless the glass tank is going to be completely in the shade outside, glass will heat up fast and end up overheating your dragon. And glass will block out about 99% of the UVB rays...screen blocks about half I believe..and you did say the cage was going to be in a covered porch...so there really is little to no benefit for your dragon to be outside in that sort of setup, but a much higher risk of it overheating.

If you just want him outside for short periods of time, a screen cage partially shielded from direct sunlight works well. If you are hoping to keep him outside 24/7 or at least all day, but for months, building a secure outdoor cage is best.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for the input (you too BD). That is what I was thinking, but just wanted to see other folks thoughts too.

Tim

Here in the Hill Country, our beardies live outdoors in a large (12 X 30 ft) well-designed enclosure (no glass!) from March to late October, and do fantastic.
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

no glass...what do you use for screening? Do you by chance have pictures of the enclosure?