Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone ever take their BD's outside for some real sunlight? I've tried it, and every time I take Rexie out and put him in the grass, the "darker" side of his personality comes out. He'll sit there for a few minutes and then decides to "run for it," obviously hoping for freedom. Then when I go to gather him up, he gets mad. Sometimes he'll try to run for it (and he can run surprisingly fast!). Once he knows he's got to give up, he distends his beard, the beard turns black, he opens his mouth as if to bite, and he whips his tail around when picked up, as if throwing a temper tantrum!

Do other beardies act this way, or is Rexie just more ornery than most when he "gets back to nature"?

I'd love a way to tie him up and let him roam around the back yard, but don't know if there are lizard leashes that would be trustworthy enough to leave him alone in. What do other folks do to give their beardies real sunlight?

(Just to let you know, when he's in the house or in his aquarium, he's very well behaved...)
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David Leary
Durham, NC

I've used 3 methods:

sit with beardie and don't do anything else

garden with beardie (on leash) tethered to my ankle (makes for interesting comments from the neighbors)

reptarium

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Des
http://www.beachy-iguana.com
http://www.herpvetconnection.com (find/recommend a vet!)
http://www.baskingspot.com (daily updated herp news and links)

Generally when taking a beardie out for some real sun, you would have them in a cage. This is where the reptariums or screen type cages come in VERY handy.

I would not suggest tying him to anything, nor would I let him wander the yard. He could escape, get into poisions, eat bugs that have gotten into poisons, or worse yet....... get picked up by a prey bird.

Better to be safe than sorry and have him contained in a screen cage.

>>Does anyone ever take their BD's outside for some real sunlight? I've tried it, and every time I take Rexie out and put him in the grass, the "darker" side of his personality comes out. He'll sit there for a few minutes and then decides to "run for it," obviously hoping for freedom. Then when I go to gather him up, he gets mad. Sometimes he'll try to run for it (and he can run surprisingly fast!). Once he knows he's got to give up, he distends his beard, the beard turns black, he opens his mouth as if to bite, and he whips his tail around when picked up, as if throwing a temper tantrum!
>>
>>Do other beardies act this way, or is Rexie just more ornery than most when he "gets back to nature"?
>>
>>I'd love a way to tie him up and let him roam around the back yard, but don't know if there are lizard leashes that would be trustworthy enough to leave him alone in. What do other folks do to give their beardies real sunlight?
>>
>>Just to let you know, when he's in the house or in his aquarium, he's very well behaved...)
>>-----
>>David Leary
>>Durham, NC
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Lisa
www.beginnersbasics.com

This is fairly common for most lizards.Iguanas can become really nasty after a little time in the sun.I think direct sunlight just gets their natural chemistry going and they revert back to acting like wild lizards again.There are definite benefits to the natural sunlight but I would recommend using some type of cage instead of just sitting them on the ground.Too many exotic lizards have made it into the outdoors of the US because somebody did not expect this change in willpower.

My Beardies love to get in a small baby pool with a little bit of water in it and sit in the sun, but I am right next to them at all times. When I first started taking them outside I just carried them on my shoulder and walked around to get them used to the sunlight and how good it feels.

I take about 100 babies outside for sun and a bath every day. never saw a change in their personalities. most of them love it. every once in a while some of them will try to make a break for it.

When you go to pick them up dont reach down from above them. get in front of them and put your hand at their eye level so they don't think you are a preditor. My adult breeders go out for sun too. they are not prone to try and make a break but they do display their beards if you reach down to pick them up. once held they are fine. My tegus live outside and love the sun. Some of them also love to swim in the pool with the family. I dont use a leash and they have never made a break for it.

I wouldn't trust all of my lizards without a leash. My rhino Iguana never goes out without a leash and even then I dont trust him. He will fight and roll until he escapes it but it takes him a minute. That gives me time to grab him and stop him.

I take a lot of time getting to know my animals before trusting them without a leash. Even then there are still surprises.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Out of 9 of my dragons 2 really get freaked out when outside. When I do take these 2 out, I use repateriums for them. With the screened cages they seem to do so much better. I guess they feel more secure this way being enclosed. Now this is my 23 inch 760 gram male wimp Foster No he's the best dragon really, just scared. The others I can put out on my patio, but I would never leave any unattended, or not protected from prey that might come by. Cats,dogs,birds or any animal could do major damage within minutes to a beardie if not watched, or protected by a screened cage or repaterium. The two that get freaked out like you described are terrified of any birds, or sun shinning through trees in the wind set them off with the same reaction as yours. The flattening out, running with beards extended, and mouths open,lol. Funny because all my dragons are the most docile dragons I've ever seen. Totally not afraid of handling or people, actually if anything they enjoy their times out in the house, and on my chest watching TV. Try short times at a time, and keep him contained so he can't get away, or if he gets vicious you can get him inside without getting bitten. If you enclose him in anything outside for any periods of time make sure they have a shaded spot and some water. I definitely suggest buying a digital thermometer with a probe if you want to bring them outside. You would not believe how hot surface temps can be sometimes. In a matter of minutes on a sunny day the bottom of a Rubbermaid reached way over 150 degrees in minutes, and this is New Jersey sunshine. I never tried using them again. Always a screened cage for basking outside.
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Mystical Dragons

I guess my Loki is a bit more even tempered. I usually let him out for a while after his cricket genocide when I get home from work and he never runs for it. He is quite content to just explore, eat weeds, maybe take a swim or whatever. He's always quite calm on his little walkabouts and seems to enjoy himself.

QB

I guess my Loki is a bit more even tempered. I usually let him out for a while after his cricket genocide when I get home from work and he never runs for it. He is quite content to just explore, eat weeds, maybe take a swim or whatever. He's always quite calm on his little walkabouts and seems to enjoy himself.

QB