Hi! I'm new to beardie keeping as well, and my story is actually pretty similar to yours. I was in PetSmart looking around for supplies to set up a decorative hermit crabitat when I was approached by an employee that asked if I'd ever considered lizards. Well, considering that I had my brother's green anole detach his tail in my hand over a decade ago, I was completely turned off by reptiles (turtles not included), but this chick picked up a baby beardie and plopped him down in my hand. I was so fascinated with how chill they are, and researched for 6 months before finally buying a translucent red leather back. I feel pretty confident in my husbandry because of my obsessive research, but I know I have a lot to learn about her specifically. For example, she's shedding for the first time in my home, and she does NOT like to come out of her tank to 'hang' with mom! She scratched my face today on accident trying to get back down lol She's a cranky little monster right now.
