Are dragons really beginner reptiles?

[Loz333]

I've had my 2 beardies for about two months now and they have managed to cost me more in that two months than my 3 cats in years!! That wouldn't be the case if I had had proper information in the beginning...every time I read something, I would read something else that contradicted it. I ended up having to buy a whole new set up as I was keeping them together and then I learnt this was a bad idea. I also had to replace all the lights I was using and the substrate.
I've already had to take one of my beardies to the vet when she got something in her eye and couldn't open it (she's ok now).
There's also the time factor involved with bathing them and making fresh salads three times a day...and I was totally unprepared for how much they eat. My largest dragon eats over 100 phoenix worms a day!! This can be fairly costly, having them shipped from California. I'm currently trying to raise my own Dubias and phoenix worms to save some money.
They are the greatest beardies ever and I love having them, but I definitely wouldn't recommend them as beginner pets.

 

[Siren]

I think the whole idea of "beginner" anything can be misleading. Working in the pet field for a long time, I have seen many "beginner" pets ruined by people who assumed "beginner=stupid easy, no need to read a thing, the animal will do fine by me just guessing what to do/feed/exercise/house/etc". Dog wise, I have seen great "beginner" breeds like goldens, pugs, mutts, etc, ruined by ignorance. Be it poor diet, no vet care, and/or no training of any kind. I have seen some mean goldens and many a dog with horrible health issues. As a groomer I have had people come in and complain about the smell of their dog, and before I even look in their ears, I can smell the infection. I tell them they are infected and their reply, "Oh, I just thought it was dirt and have been cleaning it out by running their ears under the water faucet."

But you CAN fix stupid. If you read, research, and talk to experts, almost any pet could be a good "beginner". The idea is not just expecting it to be some robot and be able to take care of itself. Bettas, hermit crabs, goldfish, hamsters, corn snakes, parakeets, beardies...all of these are pushed out by pet stores saying, "great beginner pets" but yet time after time, I hear people tell me how these pets did not reach their full lifespan. Did not thrive. Became aggressive. Etc.

Pet stores, pet owners, etc, need to stop using the "beginner pet" as a means to say, "it's easy". Those little care sheets only are the tip of the iceberg. People need to be encouraged to buy a book, or read online. I can't tell you how many pets I use to want, then read about them, and said forget it. Chinchillas, dalmations, for instance. I use to want them, but after researching them, figured they were not what I expected. So much better than dropping the cash for them and finding out 6 months down the line and having to rehome or worse, dig a grave.