How'd you get into beardies?

[NickAVD]

It's dumbbells like that spreading misinformation that causes a lot of the neglect we see.

Yes, ignorance is very dangerous. Unfortunately, it happens that ignorance penetrates very deeply, even on the packaging of terrarium equipment. Not to mention social networks.

 

[ChileanTaco]

They said there: "You can't organize any hides in the terrarium, because the dragon will constantly use it and will not get the UV it needs. In the wild, bearded dragons do not live in burrows and do not use them! Do not put branches in the terrarium. Where have you seen an dragon climb trees?"
I had to deal with such misconceptions. I know very well how agamas live in Australia and it always amused me.

Yes...
Then, if not climbing, why their hind feet look like they do? The shape of the toes, even with the thumb being the outer toe, are a sign of semi-arboreal life. And even reptiles who don't have these "climber feet" are, then more slowly, going up branches a bit.
Also, how would they survive nights and brumation (uh, what's that?!) without seeking shelter?
(Rhetorical question from my side.)

Maybe, maaaybe, if their dragons aren't coming out of hides, they (humans) are doing something wrong in the setup?! Maybe terrarium so small that not much more than a hide fits in, or you're just behaving too scary? Maybe?
(Also rhetorical question. Can think of causes for this misconception.)

Both of that, and especially the thing with the hides, would be for me very much common sense - even if not knowing what a "bearded dragon" is it should be obvious that this animal, as it's a reptile and thus ectothermic, sleeps somewhere hidden to not be an easy prey.

It reminds me very much of: "Don't use more than 1 inch of substrate in your hermit crab tank, as otherwise you won't see them for weeks to months when they molt!" (I've really read this often. Yes, might give a constantly visible crab for some months or a year if the little body can postpone it that long - until... "help my crab does surface molting and is drying out!")

 

[NickAVD]

Yes...
Then, if not climbing, why their hind feet look like they do? The shape of the toes, even with the thumb being the outer toe, are a sign of semi-arboreal life. And even reptiles who don't have these "climber feet" are, then more slowly, going up branches a bit.
Also, how would they survive nights and brumation (uh, what's that?!) without seeking shelter?
(Rhetorical question from my side.)

Maybe, maaaybe, if their dragons aren't coming out of hides, they (humans) are doing something wrong in the setup?! Maybe terrarium so small that not much more than a hide fits in, or you're just behaving too scary? Maybe?
(Also rhetorical question. Can think of causes for this misconception.)

Both of that, and especially the thing with the hides, would be for me very much common sense - even if not knowing what a "bearded dragon" is it should be obvious that this animal, as it's a reptile and thus ectothermic, sleeps somewhere hidden to not be an easy prey.

It reminds me very much of: "Don't use more than 1 inch of substrate in your hermit crab tank, as otherwise you won't see them for weeks to months when they molt!" (I've really read this often. Yes, might give a constantly visible crab for some months or a year if the little body can postpone it that long - until... "help my crab does surface molting and is drying out!")

I completely agree with you. I already wrote above, it's all because of ignorance and unwillingness to learn. In addition, it can be difficult to convince such people with logical arguments based on physiology and environmental conditions. It's the same as arguing with a person who believes that our planet is flat.

 

[ChileanTaco]

In addition, it can be difficult to convince such people with logical arguments based on physiology and environmental conditions. It's the same as arguing with a person who believes that our planet is flat.

I then also would guess they have nothing to do with such as hiking, gardening, even visiting a nature center or zoo? (Otherwise it might have been visible that e.g. a lizard runs away when startled and seeks shelter under something, or one might find reptiles being still stiff when turning a stone in the morning.)

But yes, the ignorance... also saw this with "animals have no emotions!"
Not understanding that instincts alone won't help the survival of especially a more complex animal that has to find a place to lay eggs, depending on species has to care for their young, has to avoid different predators, food might be hard to get by... and that emotions are especially important when cognition/ intelligence is there but not at a very advanced level, so one has to go more by remembering situations and the emotions felt when they happened to guide you in new situations.
I've got the most weird answers avoiding "emotions" when just asking the question: Why are animals avoiding vs. doing certain things? And can learn to do it differently? Why is a brain scan giving similar reactions to one done for a human, especially about emotions?
Sometimes I even had the impression that people want to talk it up (I mean: to say something to mostly themselves to feel less guilty). Hides and branches are bad - no need to buy, no need to clean. No emotions - animal won't care.

 

[xp29]

I completely agree with you. I already wrote above, it's all because of ignorance and unwillingness to learn. In addition, it can be difficult to convince such people with logical arguments based on physiology and environmental conditions. It's the same as arguing with a person who believes that our planet is flat.

One of my favorite sayings is (and when I actually say it to someone, it's mean to be insulting) If you lie to me your just a liar, if you lie to yourself your a damned fool. It's people like you just mentioned I'm usually saying to to.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

They said there: "You can't organize any hides in the terrarium, because the dragon will constantly use it and will not get the UV it needs. In the wild, bearded dragons do not live in burrows and do not use them! Do not put branches in the terrarium. Where have you seen an dragon climb trees?"
I had to deal with such misconceptions. I know very well how agamas live in Australia and it always amused me.

Watched this the other day and having a back and forth with Rob in the comments about it lol
Always cool to see them in the wild.

 

[IAmAMirage]

Our first Beardie Mr Wigglesworth was my wife's sister hospitals pet. The hospital had a roof leak that caused a lot of damage and got shut down for awhile. Wiggles was cared for while there, but after my wife took over she realized he was a bit of an expense to have employees taking care of him on the clock, bulbs, food etc... So they started talking about rehoming him. We had known him a long time and when nobody else stepped up (people that worked with him every day were given first chance) we took him in.

After he passed we got Alex, admittedly a bit too soon lol. He passed on a Thursday IIRC and we were planning on taking him to the reptile expo that weekend. Wife and kiddo still went with the intent to check out local breeders etc.... Midway through work I get a single picture that says "Alex" I assumed they were sending me pics of dragons there and Alex was the name on the tank of a cute one. I expected more pics but figured they were busy. I get home and she's sitting on a stick being all cute
Kiddo fell in love and named her Alex because Alex is a girl and has orange hair (Minecraft fan) She's locally bred from white hot dragons. They offer boarding (for a reasonable fee) for dragons which is nice.

Alex is such a cute name! As a Minecraft fan, I approve!!!

 

[Rocky2022]

Here is am....so I saw Rocky one day and fell in love. I didn't know what it was. I was no p not into reptiles. I already had a name but I went home and did so much research. I then said if I went back he was mine. He was 6 months and I was terrified. I wore gloves, I was scared to touch him, take him out of his enclosure. I was a mess. I was in this site daily.

Then with Ruby. I saw him and fell in love. He was red and I wanted a red beadie. I stalked Ruby every day. I called to check on him, I inquired here about getting him. I got him.

Best decisions ever. I have learned patience, OK let me stop lying here.

From a dog to a reptile parent, I'm glad I took the chance. Brumation is for the pits, that's when I miss dogs but I'll get through it.

I love them so much

Getting Rocky during the pandemic, we grew a bond. I had to learn so much but we spent every waking moment together. This was when I got over my fear.

I became obsessed as did something that can't talk, he can tell me everything he wants. He will take hugs from me, refuse his enclosure and when he walked with his left instead of his right foot, omg he became the smartest beardie in the world lol

Each day I love them more and more.

Ruby is a fraud and a devil but when I see how he's grown, I'm so proud. He hates me but I'm determined to win him over. He's so soft compared to Rocky but Rocky is the cuddler..

 

[xp29]

Here is am....so I saw Rocky one day and fell in love. I didn't know what it was. I was no p not into reptiles. I already had a name but I went home and did so much research. I then said if I went back he was mine. He was 6 months and I was terrified. I wore gloves, I was scared to touch him, take him out of his enclosure. I was a mess. I was in this site daily.

Then with Ruby. I saw him and fell in love. He was red and I wanted a red beadie. I stalked Ruby every day. I called to check on him, I inquired here about getting him. I got him.

Best decisions ever. I have learned patience, OK let me stop lying here.

From a dog to a reptile parent, I'm glad I took the chance. Brumation is for the pits, that's when I miss dogs but I'll get through it.

I love them so much

Getting Rocky during the pandemic, we grew a bond. I had to learn so much but we spent every waking moment together. This was when I got over my fear.

I became obsessed as did something that can't talk, he can tell me everything he wants. He will take hugs from me, refuse his enclosure and when he walked with his left instead of his right foot, omg he became the smartest beardie in the world lol

Each day I love them more and more.

Ruby is a fraud and a devil but when I see how he's grown, I'm so proud. He hates me but I'm determined to win him over. He's so soft compared to Rocky but Rocky is the cuddler..

I remember those days

 

[IAmAMirage]

Here is am....so I saw Rocky one day and fell in love. I didn't know what it was. I was no p not into reptiles. I already had a name but I went home and did so much research. I then said if I went back he was mine. He was 6 months and I was terrified. I wore gloves, I was scared to touch him, take him out of his enclosure. I was a mess. I was in this site daily.

Then with Ruby. I saw him and fell in love. He was red and I wanted a red beadie. I stalked Ruby every day. I called to check on him, I inquired here about getting him. I got him.

Best decisions ever. I have learned patience, OK let me stop lying here.

From a dog to a reptile parent, I'm glad I took the chance. Brumation is for the pits, that's when I miss dogs but I'll get through it.

I love them so much

Getting Rocky during the pandemic, we grew a bond. I had to learn so much but we spent every waking moment together. This was when I got over my fear.

I became obsessed as did something that can't talk, he can tell me everything he wants. He will take hugs from me, refuse his enclosure and when he walked with his left instead of his right foot, omg he became the smartest beardie in the world lol

Each day I love them more and more.

Ruby is a fraud and a devil but when I see how he's grown, I'm so proud. He hates me but I'm determined to win him over. He's so soft compared to Rocky but Rocky is the cuddler..

Thats so cute! Thank you for sharing!!! I'm sure you'll win Ruby over! Just keep trying!

 

[IAmAMirage]

So, quick follow up question...
How do you guys bond with your beardies? Mirage is my little guy, but all of my family (save my mother) spends time with him. Lately he has been taking a liking to my sister and my father. I have to admit it's making me a bit jealous. Not sure what else to do! I'm only a couple years from moving out and I'm hoping that having more 1 on 1 time with him will help. Any advice?
@Rocky2022 @xp29 @ChileanTaco @NickAVD

(p.s. sorry for calling on you guys so specifically, so often! you all have been a huge source of knowledge for me! I really love talking to experienced beardie owners! Thank you! If you would like me not to call on you specifically let me know and I'll stop!)

 

[ChileanTaco]

How do you guys bond with your beardies?

What worked and works well for us:
In the beginning, just sitting there. Then petting my dragon (starting gently, in the beginning just touching a leg for a second), hand feeding. Later, and currently, also: Letting him observe me doing things while he is out. Like for example when I cam back from traveling for over a week, I let Taco out while I unpacked the suitcase, and he was sitting on my arm while I did this. He stayed there for an hour!
I also have him around when I do other things that are safe for him and where "something interesting happens", which for him is e.g. me unpacking groceries, me sorting the laundry, me doing certain crafts (no small objects, no sharp tools of course). Also letting him watch me doing other things from his enclosure, including the things that would be unsafe.

 

[IAmAMirage]

What worked and works well for us:
In the beginning, just sitting there. Then petting my dragon (starting gently, in the beginning just touching a leg for a second), hand feeding. Later, and currently, also: Letting him observe me doing things while he is out. Like for example when I cam back from traveling for over a week, I let Taco out while I unpacked the suitcase, and he was sitting on my arm while I did this. He stayed there for an hour!
I also have him around when I do other things that are safe for him and where "something interesting happens", which for him is e.g. me unpacking groceries, me sorting the laundry, me doing certain crafts (no small objects, no sharp tools of course). Also letting him watch me doing other things from his enclosure, including the things that would be unsafe.

Thanks for the help! I'll have to try some of those! Mirage already loves being pet and loves just chilling on your chest/shoulder/arm so I think I'm good there!

 

[BPSabelhaus]

So, quick follow up question...
How do you guys bond with your beardies? Mirage is my little guy, but all of my family (save my mother) spends time with him. Lately he has been taking a liking to my sister and my father. I have to admit it's making me a bit jealous. Not sure what else to do! I'm only a couple years from moving out and I'm hoping that having more 1 on 1 time with him will help. Any advice?
@Rocky2022 @xp29 @ChileanTaco @NickAVD

(p.s. sorry for calling on you guys so specifically, so often! you all have been a huge source of knowledge for me! I really love talking to experienced beardie owners! Thank you! If you would like me not to call on you specifically let me know and I'll stop!)

I think multiple bonds is a good thing. It's not like they won't visit in the future. When Alex is with me she's always on the move. Hand, arm, shoulder, head, down to the chest lol But with the wife she just snuggles up and frequently falls asleep on her. She also has bonds with the cats and dogs. Nothing to be jealous over. They have their time doing what they do. I'm sure he appreciates all the attention just the same

Or maybe you taste weird lol

 

[IAmAMirage]

I think multiple bonds is a good thing. It's not like they won't visit in the future. When Alex is with me she's always on the move. Hand, arm, shoulder, head, down to the chest lol But with the wife she just snuggles up and frequently falls asleep on her. She also has bonds with the cats and dogs. Nothing to be jealous over. They have their time doing what they do. I'm sure he appreciates all the attention just the same

Or maybe you taste weird lol

I see...I just feel pouty I guess lol. He only seems to pay attention to me when I'm giving him bugs...I'm glad he likes being around my family though! Thanks for the input!

Also...pretty sure he likes the way I taste lol! Every morning and every time I get him out or put him back in his tank, he licks my hand. Specifically my right index finger. Always the right index finger. Never the left, never any other finger.

On another note... I just bought a breeding pair of dubias. Any advice?