Travelling with Beardies Advice needed

[Stacy07]

Hi I have recently taken in 3 Adult Beardies in addition to the 5 month old male I already had. The Adults were living in less than adequate conditions. The 2 females were sharing a 20 gallon long tank and the male was living in a 10 gallon aquarium. I am keeping the male but my adult daughter and her friend are taking the females they will be separated and will each have much larger tanks. I am taking the females to them this coming weekend and was wondering the best way to make this 10 hour car trip comfortable with as little stress as possible. I am so exited these girls are getting their forever homes and will each have their own space sometimes they nip at one another. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Canicke]

Good for you !! I have a place in my heart for rescues. If the females have been together i would keep them together for now - avoid too many changes all at once. where are you? i'm thinking about outside temps. your car will probably be heated, but they may benefit from another heat source - like a hot water bottle or a couple of the instant hot packs you can get from sporting goods stores. be sure to cover the heat packs with a towel or t-shirt to avoid direct skin contact. if you have something which you can put in their tank now to get them used to it, that would be a good idea. maybe even something you can cut in 2 when you get to your destination (since they will be separated they can each get a portion of it) i would probably avoid feeding them before you leave - digestion requires a higher heat than you will be able to provide them while in the car. I picked up a cat carrier for when i need to transport my kids, but - really, any covered box will work. please dont let them out of the box while you are driving - they (and you) are safer when restrained (like a kid) GOOD LUCK

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yea for rescuing them!! Sounds like they will all be getting great new homes and the care and love they deserve!!
Ya Canicke made good points and I was going to suggest keeping them together until the split, something for them to lay on snuggle into like a soft blanket towel etc during transit, the heat packs are a GREAT idea but yes put them in towels that they can't burrow into and burn themselves.. Cardboard will hold heat in better than glass, or plastic.. I agree don't feed them prior to transit and try to get them to poop before transit..

 

[Stacy07]

I didn't think about not feeding them! If I am leaving on the 26th when should I feed them last? We are traveling from KC, Missouri to Louisiana so the temps outside are not terribly bad. I had thought about hot packs and I also have a regular plug in my car so I considered a heating pad under the box I will have them in for travel. I will be taking their cage decor to their new homes so they will have a familiar smell when they get to their new homes.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Well the females are adults then if you know how often they are pooping (mine goes every day) then leave enough time under their lights for them to digest what's in their bellies. (I would think feeding them the 25th in the am and before you leave the 26 give them a warm bath see if they will poop before you leave?) Usually adults have good fat reserves for when food is scarce.. they should be ok..

 

[PatsyB]

I like the bath idea too before you leave to make sure they poop. Do it early enough so that they can sit under their lights to dry off real good before you move them. If you use a cardboard box, that they can't get out of, once they get covered up they will probably sleep the whole way.

 

[Stacy07]

Thank ya'll so much for your input! I will keep you updated on how the trip went! Merry Christmas!

 

[PatsyB]

Merry Christmas! Hopefully the storms have passed and you will have a smooth drive sunny drive.

 

[Stacy07]

So I made the trip successfull with both girls and they are settling in nicely to their new homes. I appreciate all the advice prior to making the trip.

 

[PatsyB]

Glad you made it!