Convincing Parents to Upgrade Enclosure Size

[Mealworm]

I kind of feel bad for Oscar, in his 40 gallon (though he seems pretty content with it) and would like to upgrade him to a 75 gallon plywood vivarium. Before anyone posts rude comments, know that 1-I didn't ask my parents yet, 2-I will be paying for it all, as I do with anything related to my pets, and 3-I would be building and going to the store to get the supplies on my own, and 4-No means no, don't tell me to give false information just so I can go through with this. I want to be able to have a solid case before I go and ask my mom if I can undertake a project like this. Is there anything I could say that might sway her? (She probably won't care about my lizards feelings or desires, so anything like, "He would be so much happier would most likely not work."
Thanks a ton guys

 

[Stres]

Well from everything iv read adult dragons need a minimum 4ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium. (I'd go for 5ft minimum, personally I still think my guy needs more space as I'm at work most of the day)

Anything smaller than this size will have negative effects on their health, both physically and mentally and could be considered as animal cruelty.

I'd start with that, surely your parents want you to be able to give the proper care needed for your pet, and doing so shows your willing to sacrifice the time and money needed and shows that you are a responsible young adult.

Good luck

 

[Mealworm]

Well from everything iv read adult dragons need a minimum 4ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium. (I'd go for 5ft minimum, personally I still think my guy needs more space as I'm at work most of the day)

Anything smaller than this size will have negative effects on their health, both physically and mentally and could be considered as animal cruelty.

I'd start with that, surely your parents want you to be able to give the proper care needed for your pet, and doing so shows your willing to sacrifice the time and money needed and shows that you are a responsible young adult.

Good luck

Thanks. I try to let him roam for an hour or two every day in my room, sucks that it is to cold up here in PA to take him outside right now.
I never knew that a 4 foot by 2 foot was the minimum...the more you know. Sadly my parents think that its "just a lizard" and that I'm spoiling it, after I spent all my snow shoveling money on getting him better UV bulbs lol :lol:
I have only had Oscar for a few months, he was a rescue, hence the improper tank size (he came with the tank) If I had gotten him from a baby he would have a 4 by 2/75 gallon.
Could you maybe list some possible mental and physical health defects, so I have some evidence backing up my case.

 

[Stres]

My knowledge is very limited I'm just coming to the end of my first year of keeping a beardie so have little experience to draw from, and have not seen the effects from keeping them in an enclosure that's not large enough.

Hopefully someone with more experience can jump in and explain as to why they need the space.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, having a proper sized enclosure is simply the humane thing to do but in reality having the tank 6" longer on ether end is not going to make his life really any different. There are no physical/mental problems that come from a slightly below the recommended size [ which by the way is just a random number floating around out there ] Of course the bigger the tank the better,
but his comfort relies on other factors including proper cage temps, decor, etc. And you taking him out is a good thing. Even in a large enough tank a beardie may exhibit very restless or very lethargic behavior.

But for your parents ,you might put it this way....if he's going to be in jail all his life, at least give him a deluxe cell. It's nice that you want to give your boy a deluxe cell.