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You guys were such great help a couple of weeks ago in helping get us on the right track with caring for our first beardie...

Here's our problem-

We are leaving on a week's trip. Our friends who were going to take care of spike, our baby beardie, called today to say they are suddenly going to the mountains for a day. If they care for him, he will go 36 hours without attention. If we take him with us, he will be subject to an 8 hour car ride. While this will be from Southern Ca. to Arizona in the daytime, I won't have a way to control his temperatures which would probably fall to 65 or so. Also, I am considering the trama of a long time in the car. I would not want to keep him in his tank while traveling, perhaps a carboard box. We have taken our corn snake this way with him none the worse for wear but don't quite know if this would be ok for a dragon.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

Well I have gone of vacations before and had someone come over everyother day and feed Gandolf. Have his lights on a timer so for him everything seems normal except for he loses one day of feeding. If you leave him a home with a timer for his lights he will be fine for that day he is left alone.

how old? what size?
what is the current feeding (1 a day, 2 times? 3times)
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It is about 3 months I think? Have had it for 3 weeks. It eats 2x a day, mainly crickets with wax worms every few days. Will not touch greens so far.

Size- head to tip of tail is about 8 inches.

Thanks.

I would say that, because he is that young, that he should be fed everyday. Maybe you can have those people care for him, but also have someone come over ONCE the day that the caretakers are gone and care for him. That would be IDEAL. Subjecting him to a car ride after only 3 weeks in his permanent home would put undue amounts of stress on him, something he doesnt need as he is still getting used to his surroundings as it is. Although he wouldnt DIE if he wasnt fed one day, it would be unhealthy for the little guy. Because of the high metabolism of young dragons, they require more feedings.

Let us know what you decide. Two sitters would be ideal. Good luck!
David - KDRKreatures
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KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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The car ride would be too stressful. Is there anyone who can stop by once that day they are gone? I would also start offering pellets so that if this situation comes up again you have something they can leave in the cage for 24 hours. I leave pellets in my baby's (four months old) cage all the time so she can munch in between meals if she wants.
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Stacey