Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've decided to try to keep my dragon outside. I need an advice from someone with expirience of doing this, maybe from my area. I live in S. Florida. So the temps are in 90s during the day now. So I've been using a heat light to up it to 105. The place where cage is only getting sun late afternoon for about 3 hours. But two layers of screen are separating him from direct sunlight.
1. Do I need an UVB light in that situation or thats enough natural sun he's getting?
2. What do you guys do during the winter, especially nights.

Thanks. Irina

I would strongly reconsider keeping your beardie outside. They do need UV light. They can become very stressed in large enclosures (like outside). They also would run more of a risk of being attacked by other animals and could run across insects or bugs that could carry diseases or parisites.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Just to clarify, his enclosure is 4:2:2, and set up on the screened balcony, so there is no animals, bugs, etc. The reason being he seems to enjoy loking out( it's second floor and he's got a nice view). The cage is aluminum screen/wood that I've built. One of the reasons for it being outside is to achive some entertainment for him when we are not around. Like I said, my concern is the sun that is filtered thru 2 screens, so I guess an UVB is in order? Does anyone uses MEga ray with external ballance? How much heat that light gives out? Is it as good as they say it is UVB-wise? Can it double for a heat bulb?

I live in S Florida too and I have HUNDREDS of reptiles outside, many year round. There does need to be a lot of thought in setting up. I had one of my wolves break into a tort pen and help himself to a couple of chew toys. After a vet visit, I installed electric fencing and never had a problem again. I use aluminum screening, PVC, chicken wire, hardware cloth and other heavy materials now to reduce the risk but that risk is always there. I once found my Tegus trying to eat a 4 foot black racer.

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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

Thanks. Very nice dragons. I like your set ups too. Very impressive. What do you do in winter? Are they still outside? Your enclosures do not look like they can be moved from place to place... Do you use any additional heat at night, especially on the cold ones- 55-60 F and below?
Irina

All the racks are on wheels so they can roll under cover when it is nasty. During winter they will roll into a garage on nights with temps below 65. They will get a ceramic heater to keep the ambient air temp up. The Rhinos and torts all have huts with heaters so they stay out year round and the Tegus brumate so they dig a deep hole and disappear for 3-4 months.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange