going on holiday

[unreadjewel]

when going on holiday what to others do I have some one comming to feed animals etc but the house will be empty largely I don't want to leave heat lamp on for the whole time Im away. happy to leave the pad on but the lamp worries me.
I could get a timer but I wonder if maybe I should just leave it off for the 5days. she was with out it for the first3wks as it was ordered in. the main differnce since having it is she is more active. she wont be getting out time and will be getting feed and watered but thats it so I guess if she go back to being less active it may be better.
Would love to have a pet sitter who is live in and happy to handle her but sadly cant find one

[Adalon]

We have a local reptile store that pet sits exotics for a couple bucks, though I'm not sure how common that is to find.

My only worry would be during the winter when temps can drop dangerously low and if there is a power failure or equipment failure it could be fatal.

During the summer though, temps indoors stay above 70 and with a timer on the basking lamp and a good meal before I left I'd feel comfortable to vacation for 5 days.

Really as long as your house stays above 60F-65F at all times there should be no worries for just 5 days. Many people only feed once a week so 5 days without food won't hurt your skink and as long as he has a clean water source and doesn't poop in it (maybe 2 water dishes?) then you'll be fine.

[critterguy]

I'd go ahead and actually stop feeding him a week before you leave. That way he's pretty cleaned out and won't go poo and soil the cage/waterbowl while you are gone...and heating won't be much of an issue. I would fill the water dish and ensure he gets a good drink before you leave.

That's one great thing about reptiles and vacations. When I went away for the summer I had my roomate ensure that my eggeating snake got water at least once per week. He was instructed NOT to feed her unless he wanted to clean the cage. She pooped only once during the 3 months without food and actually grew quite a bit larger!

[Nae]

That's one great thing about reptiles and vacations. When I went away for the summer I had my roomate ensure that my eggeating snake got water at least once per week. He was instructed NOT to feed her unless he wanted to clean the cage. She pooped only once during the 3 months without food and actually grew quite a bit larger!

Haha, thats like a reverse threat - normally it would be something a long the lines of feed the pet or you have to clean the cage. Sorry...It made me giggle..

[unreadjewel]

so if I turn the light off to drop the temp cut back her feeds before... water and poop cleaning can be arranged pet care will do that just doesn't wanta touch her.. she will probaly sleep most of the time away??

[Fatal_S]

If you're going to feed her, she'll need heat to digest. A timer is the best IMO in this case.

If you just want to forget about her for a while, stop feeding at least a week before and she'll be fine without someone looking after her for a while.

[unreadjewel]

if I turn pad and lamp both of temp will drop as low as 5c if i leave pad running temp will get down to maybe 17c and 30c in mild weather but with the frost etc and no heating on in house probably wont get that high. with light temps get to 41c. it would be too cold to turn pad of as well? lady will be coming to feed other animlas so water can be change an she can check for any poops but it sounds like she wont do any if lizzy goes to sleep of abit. Then when I come back is if fine just to switch everything on to wake her??

[critterguy]

Sounds like you should leave the pad on.

Nae: Everyone wants to feed animals-no one wants to clean up after em!

[Spindown]

lol thats not true, i'd love to reptile sit for people, even if it was cleaning cages
Too bad no-one close to me needs my help...i wish i could drive long distances lol.