looking for a new beardie

[boomer2000]

hi,
i am looking for a young bearded dragon. the local pet co has some for the time being but im not sure if they still will when i get the cage all set up. I got my last beardie (rip) air mail from a breeder in Washington state (cant remember name). should i go with the pet store or online again? who are some good breeders? I live in IL so someone close would be nice to find...

 

[beardie parents]

Most people who order beardies to be sent through the mail don't have any problems with them. Some have a scary time with shipping but I remember reading one person that wasn't home when the mail came and the beardie suffered a lot of stress and ended up dying in a short period of time. This is the only beardie shippin problem I remember reading about that ended badly. However, I still don't really want to buy a beardie unless I can hold him/her and decide if it will work for us, personality wise, or not. This is just my opinion, tho. Others have problems with getting a healthy beardie from the petstores. I haven't had any problems that way. We got a care sheet from our vet's office and what they said the vet looks for in a healthy beardie is: Alert attitude, willingness to bask, clean vent, upright posture, well filled out belly, absence of swellings in oes or tail.

I hope this helps you to decide where to get your next beardie.

 

[underoath7896]

pet stores like pet co and petsmart are not good places to get reptiles i prefer going to reptile conventions and getting them dare cause u can hold them and check them and they usually have realy good breeders from ur area

 

[irwin'smom]

I have ordered many dragons and sent them by mail. They all did fine. Its up to you. If there is a healthy looking dragon in a store that you love then buy it. Check and see if you will have a local reptile show anytime soon and also craigslist is a great place to find homeless dragons.
Here are a few of my favorite breeders
http://www.bayoucitydragons.com
http://www.sunshinedragons.com
http://www.calientedragons.com
http://www.thedragonhut.com
http://www.a1reptiles.net
http://www.alphadragonz.com
oh, and last but not least a board member here too http://www.annapolisbeardeddragons.com
I trust all the above to have healthy dragons and packaged properly for a safe trip.