Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to travel with a bearded dragon

Bearded dragons make fun, interesting, and loyal pets, but they do require special care. While it might make you nervous the first time, you shouldn’t have to worry about traveling with a bearded dragon, provided you prepare properly. Any pet takes careful consideration before a move or trip, and we hope your reptile will adjust perfectly to his new home. If you’re just taking him to the vet, a few easy prep tips and a spot in your lap will do the trick. Otherwise, take these preparations to move your pet from place to place.

Woman holds her bearded dragon
Yama Zsuzsanna Márkus/Pixabay.com

Get travel supplies

Things will go easier for you both with a travel tank, which lets you maintain some familiarity by bringing his accessories along for the ride, such as his favorite rock or toy. However, a quick trip to the vet means you’ll probably be okay with just a harness and leash. For longer trips, pack a thermometer and heat lamp to ensure that your beardie stays comfortable.

Related Videos

Keep him warm

Bearded dragons like it hot, and they will need to stay nice and cozy on your trip, especially if you live in a cool climate or travel during winter. The first step is to turn the heat on in your car, which will probably be higher than you enjoy (he likes it, though). Quick excursions mean blankets and a plug-in heating pad. For longer trips, you’ll need to bring his lamps, though you can certainly get one that travels well.

Adjust his feeding schedule

It sounds strange, but we encourage you to skip a meal or two when taking your pet on a longer journey. Any time you make that kind of change to your pet’s feeding schedule, you should give your vet a call to get it just right for him. But the temperature fluctuation can impact your lizard’s digestive system and lead to problems with his tummy (trust us, you don’t want that). Reptiles adjust pretty well to the occasional lack of food, so most likely, he’ll be just fine if a little extra voracious the next time you feed him.

Hold on tight

Don’t let your beardie wind up on the floor if you have to slam on the brakes. It’s best to have his travel case or harness strapped in with a buckle. You might think you have a good grip on him, but you never know what’ll happen when you’re jostled by a quick swerve. Let the seat belt do all the work so you can concentrate on driving slowly.

Check on him

Even if he’s sitting next to you, you’ll need to keep a sharp eye on your reptile. Unlike some furry pets who love the car, most lizards struggle with transportation. Watch for signs that he’s not doing well, like shaking or jerking, having diarrhea, or getting a dizzy look in his eyes. These all might mean he needs emergency help. Find a safe space to park as soon as you can and give him a once-over while calling an expert.

Bearded dragon sits on a log in his tank
Enrique Grisales/Pexels.com

Maintain his habitat

If you’re moving permanently or taking your bearded dragon on an extended vacation, make sure he gets back into a familiar habitat as quickly as possible. Take pictures of his decor before you move and try to match it as best you can after the move. That helps eliminate his stress, gets him back on a proper feeding schedule, and allows him to stay at a good body temperature. It’s helpful to you, too, since you won’t have to watch him so closely. No matter what, he’ll certainly need a few days to recuperate. Be prepared for some sluggishness, though a bearded dragon who stops moving entirely needs medical attention.

Traveling with any pet takes some work; there’s no doubt about it. By figuring out how to travel with a bearded dragon and taking a few preparations, both of you will have a great trip. We’ll be honest: Your beardie will never get used to getting into a car, but we hope to get him to a place where he accepts it. Throw him a few extra crickets or mealworms when he gets back home to his terrarium to show him it’s all okay.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Can snakes swim? Here’s what you need to know about how these legless creatures move through water
Yes, all snakes can swim — here's how they do it
Water snake swimming through seaweed

Love snakes or hate them, they're fascinating creatures. Unlike other reptiles, snakes don't have arms or legs. Yet, even without appendages, these slitherers can move across many different types of terrain, often very quickly. They can make their way up mountainsides and climb to the tops of trees. Some even leap and glide from branch to branch!

But have you ever wondered, "Can snakes swim?" -- and which snakes can swim? Well, the answer, interestingly, is all of them.

Read more
Aquatic turtles: Care and feeding basics every Testudine enthusiast needs to know
The fundamentals of aquatic turtle care and feeding
Turtle walking on a table

Did you know the difference between turtles and tortoises is that turtles live at least partially in the water, while tortoises live exclusively on land? Both types make great pets, but caring for them can be a time-intensive task. If you’re considering buying an aquatic turtle, you should first know how to best take care of one. You certainly don't want to bring a new turtle home and realize you're in way over your head. Read on to learn the fundamentals of aquatic turtle care.

What is the water vs. land ratio?
Most turtles spend some time on land; even sea turtles venture to dry ground to lay their eggs. Turtles do not need and should not have enclosures full of water. Small floating platforms that turtles can climb onto should suffice for turtles that spend most of their time underwater. However, some aquatic turtles enjoy exploring the land and need more of a dry area. Research the particular species of aquatic turtle you’re interested in to find out how much time they spend in the water compared to on land.

Read more
5 fantastic ways pets in a classroom benefit kids (and the best pets to get)
Learn which are the best pets for classrooms
Leopard gecko with smiling face

Gus, Copper, and Oliver-Clyde live busy lives at the Beck International Academy in Greenville, SC. When they aren’t playing in their enclosure the guinea pigs are hanging out with students at their desks or visiting other classrooms. In addition to spreading joy, middle school teacher Alexandra Jackson says that the guinea pigs have been an incredible source of growth and learning for her students.

Jackson acquired two of her school guinea pigs with help from The Pet Care Trust’s Pets in the Classroom grant program. These grants provide financial support to teachers for the adoption or purchase and maintenance of small animals in Pre-K through Grade 9 classes. Since its inception in 2010, the program has impacted more than 8.1 million students across the U.S. and Canada.

Read more