Travelling to England with Bearded Dragon

Question
Hello,

I am Sabrina, an 18 year old student. I have recently found this very useful page and was wondering if you could help me. I am a student living in Liverpool, England at the moment, I am from Belfast, Ireland. My bearded dragon is called MJ, and is being looked after by a close friend while I am gone for the year. I am really hoping to bring him back to England with me, I cannot find it in me to sell him as I adore him, it would break my heart! MJ will be 2 and a half by the time I bring him to uni with me in September 2012. I am looking for advice on how I will be able to bring him over by boat, the boat journey from Ireland to England is a very long 8 hours, what type of carriers should I use? Which type of bedding, how will I keep him warm/comfortable through his journey? Please e-mail me back using my email address (), if you can it would be GREATLY appreciated as I would really love to bring him with me.

Thank you,
Sabrina

Answer
I think the safest way you can probably take him along on such a long trip would be to pack him as though he were going to be shipped.  You can purchase styrofoam-insulated shipping boxes, 24 hour heat packs, and large deli-style cups at reptile shipping suppliers online.  By packing him in this fashion, he will be in a dark enclosed space (which is less stressful for a reptile), the heat pack and insulation will keep him warm, and he will be safe.  I recommend not feeding him the day before the trip, but offering a dish of water.