Book reliability.

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So, I am going to get a beardie, and I read a book called the Bearded Dragon Manual (2nd edition) and some of the information is not correct according to people owned a beardie (it says that beardies only 7-8 years, and theirs lived 19. Is this book reliable?

 

[CooperDragon]

I haven't read that book but if I can find it I will and report back. In the meantime if you have any specific (or general) questions about dragon care please feel free to ask us in this forum. We will be happy to help you out as much as we can based on our experience.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I have the book and in general it's good as a guide. But pretty light on indepth details IMO.

 

[JessPets]

I have read that book, and it probably the most accurate one about beardies out there. You also have to remember that info is constantly being updated and changed though. 6 months ago, the ReptiSun 10.0 t8 was considered the perfect bulb, but now the t5 has taken it's place.

And a note to the age thing: 7-8+ is the average age for a beardie. Of course, there are exceptions, but that is the generally accepted

 

[kingofnobbys]

So, I am going to get a beardie, and I read a book called the Bearded Dragon Manual (2nd edition) and some of the information is not correct according to people owned a beardie (it says that beardies only 7-8 years, and theirs lived 19. Is this book reliable?

Very few seem to get to 7-8 years old, and occasionally some will live even past 20 years old.

I think the limiting factors have more to do genetics inherited from their parents as in most most countries most the breeding stock is very highly inbred and prone to genetic issues that tend to cause them to die younger than they might have had they been decided directly from wild parents who have better genetic diversity. And specimens who would never live very long in the wild are reaching mature adulthood as pets and in breeding programs , especially hatchling farms , and being bred to produce even weaker specimens.

 

[Taterbug]

As others mentioned info get out dated and books and websites both are subject to this. Even this site has a lot of outof date info - don't make it bad persay just not the latest. Read as much as you can from as many sources as you can and even ones not exactly about beardies and you'll have more chance at getting a complete picture.

As far as lifespan... remember health and husbandry have a lot to do with it. Genetics plays a role sure, but keep in mind the wide range of care try get. Many dragons on this board suffer from or die from husbandry problems : MBD, gout, obesity, egg binding, infections, impaction, dehydration... Etc. things like MBD are chronic even when the mistakes are fixed and that can have an impact on life span.