Could Use Some Advice for Getting a Beardie

[Shard]

There's a few things I'm wondering about to make sure that if I get a bearded dragon, it will be very happy and healthy.

Just a heads up for climate/law/etc. reasons, I live in New York, specifically Long Island.

Where should I purchase a beardie?
There are a few things I could think of, I don't know which is the best.
-Going to a breeder (I don't know if it would be cheaper or more pricey)
-Shipped from a breeder (Although I would rather see if the dragon is healthy in person)
-From a pet store (I know of 3 places nearby. Petco (5 years ago a hermit crab I got there died 2 days after I got it), Some store I forgot the name of (poorly kept, 5 gallon tank with thin beardies LITERALLY stacked on top of each other like pancakes in a cake box), and Petland (I once got a beardie here, it was really young and was missing a toe).)

What age should I get the dragon at?
I think understand the insect:veggie ratio for babies (4:1?) and adults (1:4?), but I don't know what really is the best age to get one at.

Buy a vivarium or build one?
I have a 4'x2' table that I can use, and I'd prefer a side-loading (messing with lamps on top was annoying). I probably wouldn't want to get something too pricey (I'm 15 and don't have a job), and glass (obviously) can break.

Crickets or Dubias (or something else), and buy or raise?
I honestly don't know what's the best and easiest to obtain in New York. I would probably have to keep the container/tank of feeders in my own room. Space isn't a problem, but smell and price is. I already know the dangers of mealworms. My previous beardie got impaction and paralysis in her back legs from those.

Will my beardie be okay during winter at night?
In fact, right now it's 51 degrees (F) outside, and it's spring (at night). At it's very worst in winter it can be -13(F). I already know heat pads/rocks are bad, so those are out of the question. How do I keep my future dragon warm without burning its belly?

Is it actually possible make safe, fake rocks with styrofoam?
I've seen a method using styrofoam, 3 coats of grout, acrylic paint, a bit of sand (for traction), and 3 coats of waterproof sealant. Is this actually safe for dragons?

Is there anything else that I should ask that I forgot for some reason?
Sometimes I get so caught up in writing about one thing that I forget everything else! Oops!


Any advice/tips would be VERY helpful! Thank you in advance!

 

[DaisyDragon123]

Are you planning on housing your bearded dragon outside? You are giving night temps of 51 deg. And under.

Most of the answers to your questions can be found in the caresheets on the home page of the forum.

 

[HKzForDayz]

Buy from a breeder. The hardships the animals endure to make it to a retail environment are horrible, not to mention the the two national chains you mentioned are known for both practicing and promoting improper husbandry, petco being the worse of the two. Buying from a reputable breeder both ensures you get a healthy dragon, and is one less sale that would further enable cruel practices. Whether you buy from a local breeder or one through the mail is your perogative. I have always bought from breeders in other states and never had a problem with an unhealthy dragon arriving. The key is buying from a reputable breeder with a good health guarantee.

Most breeders wait till their dragons are at least 4 weeks in age, i have found this to be a good age, although they are much hardier animals the older they get.

If you are a handy person , building your own enclosure is def an option , there are plenty of guides out there to walk you through it as well, just make sure all your materials are safe.

IMO, Dubia are the superior feeder for Bearded Dragons. They are nutritious, dragons love them, and they are stupid easy to breed. A caveman could do it. If cavemen had sterilite tubs and heat pads.


As long as the temp in the room you are housing your beardie in stay 65 degrees F or above, no nighttime heat is needed. If not , a simple ceramic heat emitter will do the trick.

It is very possible to build safe false rock decor for our dragons, and you can find a guide on this forum.

If you have any questions while building your enclosuee, dont hesitate one bit to ask. It is very important to use safe materials and for both the UVB gradient and heat gradient to be proper in order for your bearded dragon to thrive.

 

[AHBD]

There are reptile expos in Long Island as well as White Plains, the next one is actually tomorrow in White Plains. just Google + you'll probably find very good breeders on the vendor lists. There will also be all the equipment and feeder insects you'd need.

 

[Shard]

Sorry about not replying to any of you yet! I'm really bad at replying. ^^;

Thank you for the advice though, all of you.

Also, I do not intend on housing my beardie outside. Although natural sunlight is good for any animal, it gets too cold here (and foxes might try to eat the poor thing). I gave outside temperatures because I don't know how cold it gets indoors in winter. I'll probably need to get a ceramic heat emitter.

I couldn't go to the expo yesterday because it's over an hour away, which I would've needed to plan ahead with my parents. Maybe next time, though!

Again, thank you for the advice! (Also, sorry for putting spaces between everything.)

 

[HKzForDayz]

Sorry about not replying to any of you yet! I'm really bad at replying. ^^;

Thank you for the advice though, all of you.

Also, I do not intend on housing my beardie outside. Although natural sunlight is good for any animal, it gets too cold here (and foxes might try to eat the poor thing). I gave outside temperatures because I don't know how cold it gets indoors in winter. I'll probably need to get a ceramic heat emitter.

I couldn't go to the expo yesterday because it's over an hour away, which I would've needed to plan ahead with my parents. Maybe next time, though!

Again, thank you for the advice! (Also, sorry for putting spaces between everything.)

If you need help choosing a breeder, PM me. I just recently got back into dragons, and I am preparing for a breeding op a couple years down the road,so I have done TONS of research lately.