Thinking about a bearded dragon...
- Thread starter mc9423
- Start date
So I've heard! I actually tried a while back with my first bearded dragon (my first reptile ever...), but once I heard he would need 80-100 crickets a day (very young dragon from PetSmart), I got a little weary. Had to take him back, and went the leopard gecko route instead. I'm thinking I can handle it now, though! 
I did really want an adult, but my budget's a bit limited and the cheapest on Craigslist (with the tank and everything) is $150... not something I can afford and still ensure I have money for any emergency expenses that might pop up quickly, unfortunately. So a youngin' will have to do!
Yeah... sorry for the rambling xD
I did really want an adult, but my budget's a bit limited and the cheapest on Craigslist (with the tank and everything) is $150... not something I can afford and still ensure I have money for any emergency expenses that might pop up quickly, unfortunately. So a youngin' will have to do!Yeah... sorry for the rambling xD
LOL, pinheads maybe. Petsmart just arn't!
This was actually info from a bearded dragon forum!
PetSmart only sold me the dragon; I didn't really take any advice from them, thankfully x.x
jojackson
New Member
Thats even worse! A specialist forum ought to be more accurate. Nobody feeds a dragon that size, pinheads anyway, even smaller than small, they wont eat 80-100 a day.
Keeping them too hot and pumping them with food might be common practice over there, but its bad practice.
Best wishes with your new Dragon.
Keeping them too hot and pumping them with food might be common practice over there, but its bad practice.
Best wishes with your new Dragon.
jojackson
New Member
You'll be fine, there's a world of information available to those that look for it.
Never rely on one source of information, there is no 'one right way' to do things, but plenty of wrong ways.
Fortunately beardy's are the worlds most commonly kept lizard, it wont be hard to find information, the hard part is decideing what makes sense and what is bunkum.
Conflicting information is the bugbear of the internet.
A breeder or keeper is a better direct source of information than a site where folk 'heard this or that said' and accept it without question.
There are folk here who keep beardys too, and though each will have worked out what works best for them personally, based on experience, and therefor accounts may differ, its a matter of interpretation and thinking for yourself.
They will be a far better source of info if you ask them personally, than wading through mountains of conflicting info on a forum.
Not everyone on a forum is an expert. How do you tell somebody who got their first dragon last week and parrots the info of others, from somebody who actually knows, from personal experience, trial and error.
Best wishes, go confidently, many have gone there before you!
Never rely on one source of information, there is no 'one right way' to do things, but plenty of wrong ways.
Fortunately beardy's are the worlds most commonly kept lizard, it wont be hard to find information, the hard part is decideing what makes sense and what is bunkum.
Conflicting information is the bugbear of the internet.
A breeder or keeper is a better direct source of information than a site where folk 'heard this or that said' and accept it without question.
There are folk here who keep beardys too, and though each will have worked out what works best for them personally, based on experience, and therefor accounts may differ, its a matter of interpretation and thinking for yourself.
They will be a far better source of info if you ask them personally, than wading through mountains of conflicting info on a forum.
Not everyone on a forum is an expert. How do you tell somebody who got their first dragon last week and parrots the info of others, from somebody who actually knows, from personal experience, trial and error.
Best wishes, go confidently, many have gone there before you!
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Definately check out reputable breeder care-sheets. Sandfire Ranch and Georgia Bearded Dragons are two to name a few. Follow what they suggest and it will be easy as pie. My roommates have 5 between them and they really aren't that difficult to care for. A 40 gal isn't all that big really, and what's good is that Target sells a little $20 table that's exactly that size so you have something to put it on.
My roommates give their beardies no more than 10 appropiately sized insects a day, along with their veggies. I forget if younger beardies eat more, but it was deffinately never 100!
My roommates give their beardies no more than 10 appropiately sized insects a day, along with their veggies. I forget if younger beardies eat more, but it was deffinately never 100!
PantherVeileD
Avid Member
maybe it was 100 weekly?
If you want it I say go for it! I personally love em!
If you want it I say go for it! I personally love em!
JAdams
New Member
I have 2 beardeds, And pet wise id say go for it, they are amazing!
As far as price, thats a little steep still because the 20 gal will only work for a 2-4 month age dragon.Any older will need a larger enclosure, that will have to be purchased or built.I got my baby "citris" male at Repticon for 30$ from a breeder.The one pictured isnt a normal color either. So thats a plus.
A 16"t 48"w 20"d enclosure will hold one adult male bearded ok (a little larger would be better) but that will do.
At that age/size it shouldnt be fed anything larger than 1/2" crix. it will probably eat 6-10 once around lunch time. Usually their schedule is: wake up, bask, eat, bask move around a bit, then sleep.
Mealworms shouldnt be fed very often at this age, and superworms of corse shouldnt be fed at all until adult.(others will say a juvi can eat supers, I say no)thats your call. Vgtables and fruits should be added as well of a fair size. and should be increased with age.
I also use the zoomed juvi beardie pellets. But ive never seen a dragon that small eat it.
As far as the sand issue, that substrate in the pic is definetly unsuitable. Unless you like taking risks(or if its fed in a seperate container)But i still wouldnt use it.
If you just want sub.The best to Use is exo-terra riverbed sand for turtles, It is the absolute smallest grain avalable. I have researched this. If this is used, pay close attention to feeding time in the beginning. Some dragons are accurate and others are not. If you notice its getting sand when he eats..Remove it!
Or hand feed or use a seperate container.
They are very personable if you Make an effort to tame it. the more handled, at a younger age the better.Getting a younger dragon will make you way closer to it. I wanted an adult in the beginning too, Now i will never get a adult unless its a rescue.
The main thing is Remember that any Info(including from myself) are Personal views unless info is sited, and can be "tweaked" to fit your liking.
Not to brag, But i can answer ANY questions you may have(if you have any) in every aspect or in all views of the question(seems that there is dominate views of All main questions like substrate, feeders, lightbulbs, taming ect.)
I have super researched these animals.
As stated above, Georgia bearded dragons care sheet is great i baught my female BD from them.
Sorry for long post..Hope it helps
Here is a pic of myne at almost 11months old.
As far as price, thats a little steep still because the 20 gal will only work for a 2-4 month age dragon.Any older will need a larger enclosure, that will have to be purchased or built.I got my baby "citris" male at Repticon for 30$ from a breeder.The one pictured isnt a normal color either. So thats a plus.
A 16"t 48"w 20"d enclosure will hold one adult male bearded ok (a little larger would be better) but that will do.
At that age/size it shouldnt be fed anything larger than 1/2" crix. it will probably eat 6-10 once around lunch time. Usually their schedule is: wake up, bask, eat, bask move around a bit, then sleep.
Mealworms shouldnt be fed very often at this age, and superworms of corse shouldnt be fed at all until adult.(others will say a juvi can eat supers, I say no)thats your call. Vgtables and fruits should be added as well of a fair size. and should be increased with age.
I also use the zoomed juvi beardie pellets. But ive never seen a dragon that small eat it.
As far as the sand issue, that substrate in the pic is definetly unsuitable. Unless you like taking risks(or if its fed in a seperate container)But i still wouldnt use it.
If you just want sub.The best to Use is exo-terra riverbed sand for turtles, It is the absolute smallest grain avalable. I have researched this. If this is used, pay close attention to feeding time in the beginning. Some dragons are accurate and others are not. If you notice its getting sand when he eats..Remove it!
Or hand feed or use a seperate container.
They are very personable if you Make an effort to tame it. the more handled, at a younger age the better.Getting a younger dragon will make you way closer to it. I wanted an adult in the beginning too, Now i will never get a adult unless its a rescue.
The main thing is Remember that any Info(including from myself) are Personal views unless info is sited, and can be "tweaked" to fit your liking.
Not to brag, But i can answer ANY questions you may have(if you have any) in every aspect or in all views of the question(seems that there is dominate views of All main questions like substrate, feeders, lightbulbs, taming ect.)
I have super researched these animals.
As stated above, Georgia bearded dragons care sheet is great i baught my female BD from them.
Sorry for long post..Hope it helps
Here is a pic of myne at almost 11months old.
