Help picking a beardie?

[graceface]

So I've been doing a lot of research over the past year, and I've finally decided I'm ready to take on a beardie. I'm familiar with the care, the definite dos and don'ts, and the like. Now I just need to find where to get my beardie. So I'm torn - to get a baby, or to adopt an adult?
I definitely won't go through a pet store... Don't want to endorse them, eh? :lol:
I'm considering either going through a professional (yet expensive) breeder and hopefully getting a red beardie baby, or going through craigslist and "rescuing" an adult. A lot of people seem to just be giving them away, probably because they got in over their heads. Most of the pictures show the beardies in sand, on a heated rock, with an overhead lamp, in a 10 gallon tank. Eep...
So? Will an adult beardie not bond with me as much as a baby? Oh, I already know the added expense and care required for a baby, so no need to warn me there. :wink:
Also, what's a morph? Just random question.
Thanks guys!

 

[Taterbug]

My two cents as I've done both... Get a healthy animal from a reputable breeder. I'm glad you are choosing to avoid pet stores!
Adults can still bond but a rescue animal may need more rehab than a little baby.

Craigslist lizards
You will likely have no idea the history or treatment, and no real communication from the previous owner if it's a rescue. If you feel up to a rescue I commend and encourage you. It may take a steep learning curve and high vet bills. Lizards are hard to know if they are sick and you can do them more harm sometimes if you aren't prepared. There are countless beardies needing good loving homes, just make sure you are ready for what that might mean.

Breeder lizards
You should be able to talk with the breeder and ask as many questions as you need. My breeder even answers any post purchase questions as part of her business. I am really happy I got my baby from a breeder and recommend it. He is bright red and cost about the same as my local pet store sells their normals. Good breeders also socialize their babies and handle them so they can be more tame when you get them.

Morphs
There are two identifiers for dragon appearance. Color and morph. Morphs are genetic anomalies that can be passed down to the babies. Common ones effect scale pattern and size, others are the amount of certain pigments. Colors are selectively bred.

 

[graceface]

Wow thank you so much! I've found a breeder who seems very reputable, many people gush her name and say that she helps them pick the beardies and also offers them help afterwards.
What do you think about silk worms as a staple for a baby? I unfortunately hate bugs, and crickets are loud and smell and get everywhere. I've heard that they grow fast and are expensive. I figure I'll find them locally and just buy a few days worth at a time so they don't get too big. How many do you think a baby would eat per day?

 

[Taterbug]

Babies eat a lot. Like a crazy astounding lot, for the first few months. Pepper slowed down around 6-7 months but the 50-100 bugs a day people report is not really exaggerated.

Silks do tend to be expensive, but if you can find a good deal locally go for it. I like to feed as much variety as I can, I really liked silks the best of the worms and my staple bugs are dubia roaches. Though not always easy for the feint of heart, they aren't as bad as cockroach reputation makes them out to be. They don't have the draw backs of crickets, they are usually well liked by dragons and if you have a colony they are a renewing resource. There are feeding tongs and some tricks to avoid touching them if that's the problem.

 

[graceface]

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say I have a phobia of roaches... So that might not do. :shock:
Do silk worms have less calcium than crickets? Should I gut load them with calcium?
Also, should I get male or a female? I don't want to breed them, and I only want one at a time. Are there health risks with females? Do they lay infertile eggs even if not bred? Are males more aggressive?

 

[Taterbug]

I love my roach colony, so I talk em up any chance I get. I totally understand they aren't for everyone. Silks cannot be gut loaded with calcium as far as I know. They will only eat mulberry leaves or commercial chow. They should be dusted with calcium powder.

Both of mine have been males. They aren't aggressive but some do have an attitude. Males can have a sort of "spring fever" if you know what I mean . Females can develop and lay infertile eggs without being bred, usually around their first or second year. If not provided a place to lay they can become egg bound and die from it. It's not too hard to provide a lay box and you shouldn't have a problem with binding if you pay attention. I prefer males because I already over worry

 

[graceface]

Okay! I'll probably go with a male then. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Teage29]

You could even adopt a bearded dragon that isn't a rescue if you what i mean. The beardie i got all he needed was more attention. He was well fed, had a great tank setup, and everything was great other than he needed attention and was already 5 years old. You could also adopt a beardie from the Free forums on the menus. It's other members who are looking to adopt their dragons for many different reasons. Hope this helps a little and it's not to late. Also please keep us updated on your choice.

 

[graceface]

I have to wait a bit for a paycheck big enough to get all the stuff I need, but I've already found a 75 gal tank in my area for 30$! I'll keep everyone updated!

 

[Taterbug]

Teage has a Great point, not all the beardies looking for new homes are ill. I see too many that are though, it makes me so sad.

We look forward to meeting your new little one!

 

[BrianB]

I've bought beardies as babies of varying ages, bred them and raised them from the egg up, and rescued one adult dragon. That two year old rescue was kept in an opaque Rubbermaid tub and paranoid and skittish as all get out when we took him in. He was a biter. After we tamed him down and properly caged him (in a cage with a view!), he became one of the sweetest dragons we've ever owned.

So, yeah, adults can bond with you. =)

Also: Less annoying, chirping little demons in the house! (Aka: Crickets)

 

[animalhouse32]

My first dragon was from a Petstore (Where I do events for the dog rescue I help run) And it was a "Spur of the moment" But, I had been researching dragons for a while. He was BEAUTIFUL! He was maybe 4-5 mo old. He is AMAZING dragon!
We got a Baby from a breeder that we had to return because the baby was not adjusting to us at all. And wanted nothing to be held. Then we came across a "Rescue" dragon. I was told he was 1.5-2. But, I think may be older. Both my dragons are calm, Passive boys (In different tanks of course). I prefer the older calmer dragons now that I had the bad luck with the baby dragon. lol I Do therapy with the boys, they go to nursing homes, Schools and hospitals because they are so calm
So, I prefer adult/Juvi dragons