Is it time?

[bambichik39]

So, I haven't been on this site for what feels like forever. I moved about a year ago down south from the midwest and brought my dogs and lizards along with me. Long story short my beardie, Pablo, died during an exploratory surgery performed by the only reptile vet down here in MT Pleasant,SC. He was really a she who had a cyst rupture on an ovary making her septic. Surgery went well- until "she" didn't wake up Anyways... I've moved from my apartment into a house recently and have this huge 4x2x2 custom made enclosure taking up space in the spare bedroom. I'm so on the fence about getting another. I had convinced myself I was done with lizards (besides my Leo who keeps trucking on 10+ years old) and put the enclosure up for sale. I had many offers to come get it but when it came time I couldn't part with it. The cage is just SO big for this 1150 sq ft house. How did you all know it was time for another beardie? At times I really miss having one, but then I think of what a mess it was when Pablo got sick emotionally and financially (1200$ surgery and she didn't survive...). Do you all think a beardie would really need that huge a cage? I hate having a lizard in a spare room I hardly ever go into. If I could just go back to a 40 breeder I could fit it somewhere else easier. What if I get another and it doesn't like to be held or snuggle like my old Pablo did? Another part of me knows that tank was Pablos (it has "her" name on the top) and I hate to try and replace him. Anyone have some advice? My moms coming to visit for Thanksgiving and if I get another we'll go pick another one out then so I'm trying to figure it all out. I should mention the screen name is deceiving- I'm 26 and a home owner- so I'm not taking this decision lightly as I know the commitment after going through it with my previous Beardie. Another thought someone had was to get a Uromastyx and be done with live food- no experience with these guys though.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm sorry to hear about Pablo. I know how tough it is to lose a dragon. It's not easy to determine when it's right to get a new friend. I've found that an opportunity will present itself and it just kind of happens after a while. I found it very fulfilling to give an injured/mistreated dragon a new home. Since you're experienced with dragons and have a very good enclosure ready (4x2x2 is standard for an adult - I'd hang onto it) you may want to keep an eye out for dragons in your area who need a happy home. You may find one around Charleston. I've seen a handful in the Atlanta area (if you're up for a road trip). It may take some time for the right opportunity to present itself, but it's worth waiting for absolutely.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Bambi....I'm also very sorry to hear about Pablo. Very sad to go through that, and then have a huge bill of top of it. If you decide on another dragon you might be on the lookout for a large juvie male or subadult male so you know you won't have to deal with any egg issues [ although a male can get sick, too ]

As for uro's, they can be sweet but as far as I know they don't develop quite the personality as a beardie, but you could do more research with known breeders like Lindsay Pike [ urotopia ] or Deer Fern Farms.

Another lizard I'd recommend is a fire skink for sheer ease of care [ can go months without uvb ] they eat any bug including nightcrawlers and can even eat scrambled egg. They are super easy to care for and don't get sick easily and are also beautiful. Some are tamed pretty easily, others stay quite squiggly, so not the same as a beardie but are just all around great lizards for the reasons I mentioned.

 

[DaisyDragon123]

I kept my first dragon's cage for years after her death. I have a new dragon with a new cage but I still have the old cage. FYI, I think I'm using the same vet as you in Mt Pleasant. My current dragon is female and if I ever get another it will have to be a male. You can always wait until you are ready. I'm sorry for your loss. You will know when it's time to get another, don't rush it.