Mum wont let me get a beardy!

[JamesT]

I have been visiting Tropical world in leeds for a media project, where i came across a beautiful bearded dragon called Penelepe, its so friendly and it hooked me! But unfortunatly, my Mum hates the idea. She is petrified of snakes, and has the idea that all reptiles are like snakes, and says Beardys are ugly I tried explaining how friendly and cool they can be, and what awesome pets they can make, but she woudnt listen. Im 16 at the moment, so moving out is out of the question, any ideas?

Thanks,
James

 

[Dogitude]

What i did was beg and try to be persuasive tell her you need s pet so you can have more fun and that if she gets you a pet you'll ask less of her about party's and getting rides to different places.If you aren't getting A's ans B's tell her you will get all As or something just be ccreative

 

[beardedwizard]

I have been visiting Tropical world in leeds for a media project, where i came across a beautiful bearded dragon called Penelepe, its so friendly and it hooked me! But unfortunatly, my Mum hates the idea. She is petrified of snakes, and has the idea that all reptiles are like snakes, and says Beardys are ugly I tried explaining how friendly and cool they can be, and what awesome pets they can make, but she woudnt listen. Im 16 at the moment, so moving out is out of the question, any ideas?

Thanks,
James

Just keep pushing the subject and bugging your mum, and she will give in eventually. Or what you should do is pay a friend money to buy you one on your Birthday and that way it's a gift! :lol:

 

[Catalyst]

I would suggest doing your research and a lot of it - then you can go to your mom and show her exactly what you need for a dragon, how much it'll cost, what you'll be feeding it, what you'll be doing every day to take care of it, etc. This will help to show that you're serious about this idea and that you know what you're getting into - sometimes this can help to overcome certain "squeamish" tendancies. And at the very least, when you're older and are able to bring the dragon into a place of your own, you'll be all set.

 

[JamesT]

I guess ill carry on nagging her then. So beardies make great pets? The one i held seemed really friendly and cling really tight to my top, ive read a lot on these forums and they seem to be really awesome, are they really as good as everyone makes out?

James

 

[KingGheedorah]

Bearded Dragons are certainly hardy lil guys and manageable to take care of, but I would reccommend trying a leopard gecko if this is your first herp. You can tell her that it doesn't get as big... that it takes up less space... and that its still a great way for you to learn some responsibility.

1. It's a compromise which may increase your chances.

2. Emphasize to your mom that taking care of another living creature will teach you great lessons in responsibility, attention, and care-giving. Its completely true, having another being in your care 'nomatter how small', especially a rep like a leopard gecko, will thrive from your reliable care-- but won't need you to love and attend to it like a dog would. Tell her its a perfect first pet. If your head-is-set on the beardie, good luck! These guys are cute too, check out my pics here

http://community.webshots.com/user/lucasdigia

 

[JamesT]

So whats a leapard gecko like? can i play with it? im more than willing to put time into him, just want a pet to love and someone like this is a but more unusual than a dog or cat

James

 

[KingGheedorah]

Whats a leopard Gecko like... In my experience they do not like to be handled. However... I received mine as an adult that had not been socialized (or rather, socialized to fear people). I have heard though, from others that handled their Leopard Gecko's often that they 'enjoy' being handled as adults. In either case, they are (in my experience) slower-reacting than beardies and can easily be distracted with worms if you want to play with them. All around they are more manageable and easier to please. Sometimes a dragon gets sick or acts in odd ways and you don't know why (kinda like a real baby?), but Leopards are known for being super hardy and will be happy if you provide the essentials.

 

[NintendoVixen79]

Do you have a job yet?
I ask b/c beardies ARE expensive pets. It will cost a few hundred for the initial fee of a proper set-up (the large tank itself, good lighting, digital thermometers, accessories, etc.)
You need to find a good reptile vet- NOT a typical cat & dog vet...; you need a vet that specifically studied reptiles b/c they need certain care, and some medications that an unknowledgeable vet may give are lethal. Beardies (and reptiles in general) are prone to parasites so need regular fecal checks, and they need medicine if they get parasites. Ridley's typical vet visit costs over $100 just for the office visit and handing them a bag of poop.
They eat ALOT. As babies you'll go through possibly 50 or more crickets a day, and they need to be gutloaded and dusted with proper vitamin supplements. And they need specific veggies.

So make sure you DO research alot before convincing your mom to let you get one.
It took me 27 years to get a beardie lol.
But yes, it was a costly pet to get into, and he has had parasites even though I give him the absolute best care so he has given me a few vet bills. But I love him immensely and wouldnt trade him for the universe.
BUT if I was young and didn't have a job where I could afford his care, I could never afford a reptile b/c my parents would have to be responsible for all the costs.

A reptile isn't a pet you should beg for without really knowing what you are getting into. When my mom finally agreed to a reptile in the house, I researched beardies for around 6+ months and got everything set-up ahead of time.
And now she is in absolute love with my little dragon

 

[rocketbat]

I have been visiting Tropical world in leeds for a media project, where i came across a beautiful bearded dragon called Penelepe, its so friendly and it hooked me! But unfortunatly, my Mum hates the idea. She is petrified of snakes, and has the idea that all reptiles are like snakes, and says Beardys are ugly I tried explaining how friendly and cool they can be, and what awesome pets they can make, but she woudnt listen. Im 16 at the moment, so moving out is out of the question, any ideas?

Thanks,
James

prety much the same as my story, i had a big factor that my very old hampster had died the next day my mum and dad (who said , maybe when you go to university) agreed, if i built a full vivarium myself they would get me a dragon. when they went to look at one my mum tried to have second thaughts, so i drilled and drilled! i repeatedly got my mum to go th the pet shop ( for fish tank bits and so on) she eventualy liked the little guys! . so dril!!!