I'm fairly new here on this forum, and fairly new at keeping bearded dragons, but have extensive experience keeping other herps. My large adult male BD arrived UPS in May '08 when my son left for overseas deployment in the Army. Hans is a fairly plain looking but thoroughly lovable beardie. He has been a joy, but is now brumating and not much fun at the moment.
I became so enamored of Hans that I acquired 2 new tiny red babies, from separate breeders and bloodlines, for pets and for future breeding. They are Flora and Porky (for now, I change their names often, but at 1 year old the names will stick), now 5 and 6 months old.
It's been fun watching these babies grow and mature. For those who research here to decide whether a BD is for you, understand that they are a lot of work and expensive to maintain, especially the babies. Please do not take on this responsibility lightly. The bearded dragon is an intelligent, loving and noble animal who deserves only the best.
Individual enclosures of at least 2' x 4' x 24"H are expensive to build or acquire. Lighting for proper basking temps, UVB lights (new every 6 months), temp gun, digital probe thermometers - costs add up. Young dragons eat a lot of live food - raising 2 babies has rivaled my own grocery bill. Calcium and vitamin supplements aren't cheap. Dark leafy greens must be provided every day, and they rot before all used up unless the house humans eat them along with the dragons. If you cannot afford the occasional visit to a reptile vet, reconsider this pet. Time must be invested in cleaning enclosures (daily in my case), bathing the dragons, hands-on bonding time, caring for the live feeders, researching BDs and their care.
This is a pet who needs constant care and a sizable $ budget. It's not that difficult to do it right. It just takes commitment and resources on your part. Please do your research, and only buy your pet when you are certain that you have the time and the money to properly care for this special creature.
Please do not buy your dragon until you have the proper enclosure, UVB, basking temps - all set up according to the wisdom that you will find on these pages. Husbandry first, dragon second. Add up the costs (both time and money) and make sure they will fit within your budget before committing to a bearded dragon.
Experienced beardie owners - please add to this thread any other considerations that prospective owners should take into account before jumping into the hobby. There are too many miserable BD's out there waiting for a rescue. Thanks.
Dan
I became so enamored of Hans that I acquired 2 new tiny red babies, from separate breeders and bloodlines, for pets and for future breeding. They are Flora and Porky (for now, I change their names often, but at 1 year old the names will stick), now 5 and 6 months old.
It's been fun watching these babies grow and mature. For those who research here to decide whether a BD is for you, understand that they are a lot of work and expensive to maintain, especially the babies. Please do not take on this responsibility lightly. The bearded dragon is an intelligent, loving and noble animal who deserves only the best.
Individual enclosures of at least 2' x 4' x 24"H are expensive to build or acquire. Lighting for proper basking temps, UVB lights (new every 6 months), temp gun, digital probe thermometers - costs add up. Young dragons eat a lot of live food - raising 2 babies has rivaled my own grocery bill. Calcium and vitamin supplements aren't cheap. Dark leafy greens must be provided every day, and they rot before all used up unless the house humans eat them along with the dragons. If you cannot afford the occasional visit to a reptile vet, reconsider this pet. Time must be invested in cleaning enclosures (daily in my case), bathing the dragons, hands-on bonding time, caring for the live feeders, researching BDs and their care.
This is a pet who needs constant care and a sizable $ budget. It's not that difficult to do it right. It just takes commitment and resources on your part. Please do your research, and only buy your pet when you are certain that you have the time and the money to properly care for this special creature.
Please do not buy your dragon until you have the proper enclosure, UVB, basking temps - all set up according to the wisdom that you will find on these pages. Husbandry first, dragon second. Add up the costs (both time and money) and make sure they will fit within your budget before committing to a bearded dragon.
Experienced beardie owners - please add to this thread any other considerations that prospective owners should take into account before jumping into the hobby. There are too many miserable BD's out there waiting for a rescue. Thanks.
Dan
