Is a Bearded Dragon a good pet for me?

[TheReptile838]

Hi,
I just want to cover this before I get my Bearded Dragon in August.

I have done all my research, literally everything. I know exactly how to give the correct care to a Beardie. If he is a boy, I would call him Milo, but if she is a girl, I will call her Mojo.
I'm saving up for my Beardie, hence why I chose August to buy him/her, so that I can save up for all the right things. I also chose August because I won't have school for 6 weeks as it will be the Summer Holidays, so this means that I can spend time with him/her and tame it without school or homework being in the way for my first weeks with him/her.

I'm 12 years old and I was thinking the best age Bearded Dragon should be maybe a year old for me? I'm not sure.
I am completely fine with handling insects and keeping them to feed to my Dragon, no problem at all with that.
I haven't had any reptiles before. This Bearded Dragon would be my complete responsibility. When I was 8 I had a Hamster that lived 2 happy years (RIP) which was my complete responsibility. I have had 2 gerbils, but 1 of them died recently. The 1 gerbil I have now is quite old. I have a couple of fish which are quite old. I have 2 rabbits that are 3 years old. The other pets, apart from my hamster, aren't my complete responsibility as they are all pets for the family.
I have two dog, one calm 6 year old Springer Spaniel called Alfie, who loves to eat, cuddle and play and wouldn't hurt a fly, but the other one, Scampey, who is a 7 year old Jack Russel, loves to chase animals and is always exploring when ever they go out for a walk, so I'd have to keep him out of my room (Where my Beardie would be), but I'm not sure if he would recognise a Dragon as a prey to him as I have already got the vivarium and it is going to be empty for months, so he might just think it will always be empty and also Beardies aren't constantly moving every second, a they just bask, so he might be alright, but Alfie just wouldn't care.
So basically I have had plenty of experience with different animals and absolutely love spending time and spoiling them, but have never had a reptile. I have done all my research so I do know how to look after a Bearded Dragon. The only experience is that I have held 2 Bearded Dragons at different times in a Reptile Shop nearby. I also held a Gecko (can't remember the name) and stroked a Royal Python.

I have worked out that I will have enough time for my Beardie, so I have time to chop up the greens every weekend and then have a weeks worth ready, and feed insects and bath him/her and the other stuff.

I have loved lizards ever since I went on holiday abroad for the first time when I was 5 and could literally watch them all day long. In August 2013 I saw them when buying fish food and fell in love and started looking into them to see what they were like. I've been researching them and loving them since.

So I just want to know from you people who have lots of experience with Bearded Dragons, do you think I am ready for a Bearded Dragon? Of course I still have to save up, but I've got lots of ways in mind on how to save up so I know that I will be able to save up by August.
But yeah, do you think a Bearded Dragon is a good pet for me?

Thanks,
~Abi

 

[Taterbug]

Hi Abi! I think you have a handle on care and are already involved in this forum as a go to for info. Reptiles are challenging pets because they are so different in their needs than most common pets if you satisfy their needs they are very rewarding.

To answer your question, yourJack Russell will eventually notice the dragon and may be interested in it. Terriers are bred to hunt little critters, he probably won't make an exception. Unless they are unsupervised or he is very determined and breaks the viv the lizard should be ok.

As far as age, older ones are more established and hardy. They eat less bugs and more greens as you know so its a good choice in a lot of respects. Be prepared in case the shop has new, younger lizards by the time you are ready to buy. You could try calling them to find out who the breeder is as well, some times they sell adults, but pet stores are more likely to keep babies in stock, since they sell better.

One thing you will want to consider is veterinary care. Will you have access to and funds for vet visits? Routine trips for checkup can be expensive, as can fecal tests and treatments. If I remember there isn't a big reptile community near you, will you be able to find a vet for an emergency (and get there) if something happens?

My last one is a stretch, and not totally a reason not to get a dragon but.... Keep in mind your dragon may live 10+ years. It's very far away about but try think about what will happen to the dragon as you get older, I'm thinking college in particular.

 

[chromesaurus]

I'm in the exact same boat as you! I too am 12, going to get a beardie in August, and saving up for it. The above reply describes most of it, but we're in for quite a ride, eh?

 

[TheReptile838]

Haha, good luck with your future Beardie, Chromesaurus!

Thanks, Taterbug. With keeping my dogs, I won't leave them in the room unsupervised. Although Alfie wouldn't care about the Bearded Dragon, I still won't leave him alone with it though, just incase anything did happen.

I think that the reptile shop breeds their own reptiles.
The owner of the shop offered me everything (including the dragon) for £150. The only things i need to get that the reptile shop don't have is a timer and the slate tiles and I want to get some small pots and things for certain things. I've been finding the different prices and things which I will finish today.

Every weekend I can go out and buy a new lots of locusts and morio worms from a pet supply shop (i will be buying proper things to keep them in by the way). The shop is opposite the super market where i can buy te greens. It is only 5 minute walk so it is all close by.

As for the vet, the owner of the reptile shop recomended a vet that he goes to and apparently lots of people recomended that vet to him. The only thing is os that the vet is a 40 minute drive from us, but if I keep my dragon healthy and he only needs to go in for check ups, it won't be a long drive almost all the time. That would also mean not as much paying for the vet, but I will always be prepared. I get £20 at the end of every month.

 

[jarich]

Haha, good luck with your future Beardie, Chromesaurus!

Thanks, Taterbug. With keeping my dogs, I won't leave them in the room unsupervised. Although Alfie wouldn't care about the Bearded Dragon, I still won't leave him alone with it though, just incase anything did happen.

I think that the reptile shop breeds their own reptiles.
The owner of the shop offered me everything (including the dragon) for £150. The only things i need to get that the reptile shop don't have is a timer and the slate tiles and I want to get some small pots and things for certain things. I've been finding the different prices and things which I will finish today.

Every weekend I can go out and buy a new lots of locusts and morio worms from a pet supply shop (i will be buying proper things to keep them in by the way). The shop is opposite the super market where i can buy te greens. It is only 5 minute walk so it is all close by.

As for the vet, the owner of the reptile shop recomended a vet that he goes to and apparently lots of people recomended that vet to him. The only thing is os that the vet is a 40 minute drive from us, but if I keep my dragon healthy and he only needs to go in for check ups, it won't be a long drive almost all the time. That would also mean not as much paying for the vet, but I will always be prepared. I get £20 at the end of every month.

Sounds like youve done a good bit of research and have thought this out well. If only all adults would do so too! Its great to see you coming on to ask advice before you get it as well. Shows a maturity and thoughtfulness that makes me think you will be a good keeper.

Id agree with Taterbug in that an adult or sub adult will usually be easier for a first time keeper. They are also a little more calm to handle and work with. Thats great that you have a breeder close by and also a vet. It can be difficult to find a reptile specialist in some areas.

When you mentioned the person will sell you the dragon and enclosure for 150 quid, my first thought was what all that got you. Did they give you a list of what you would get for that? Sometimes they sell those dragon all-in-one kits that dont provide you with the best individual parts. You often end up having to replace the lighting right away, or the cage isnt big enough for an adult, etc. If you put up a list we can give you an idea of the quality of each item and make sure its worth your money.

 

[TheReptile838]

Thanks Jarich
I know that all the stuff I will be buying is good quality as I went round the shop with them and looked at all the different things. He wrote it down on the list and said that he would sell everything for £150. I already have the vivarium from someone my parents know that keeps reptiles and had some spare vivariums. It is a 3ft by 2ft.