Arak-Nafein2
New member
Hey guys, my name is Jamie. Just got myself a baby beardie 3 days ago. He's real active and skittish. Bright eyed and jumpy. Coolest reptile I've ever owned. My family has owned several pythons, boas, iguanas, and monitors. This little guy is by far the most unique and interactive of them all.
I haven't given him a name yet, actually, I don't even know if it is a "he" yet. He is only 4" long right now, which leads me to believe he is very young and can't be sexed yet. I hope the breeder didn't send him to the pet shop early....That's just motivation for me to take extra special care for him. I had to have him, the pet store conditions weren't ideal.... sand substrate, a heat rock, and I'm almost positive there was no UV, he was in there with his 2 siblings, and a uromastyx. The first sibling had his tail bitten? off, and the other was lethargic and sleepy... even while he was in my hand. The Uro was busy trying to dig his fatt self outta the bottom of the cage in the corner. (All the other beardies in the other pet stores were the same dark colored, uphappy looking lizards, this was the third pet store I had been to looking for a suitable friend. This was a birthday present to me from my girlfriend.) But this little guy, he was up front and center. Watching my every move. Very smart fellow. He was unique from the other two in that he was a lighter color, and the markings on his head are a reddish-orange color. Almost like the color of rust. When I asked to inpsect him, and the lady reached her hand in, he immediatly became the biggest, meanest, scariest thing on the block. He opened his mouth and told us to back off. Cutest little thing.
Then the bad news hit.... the lady at the store said that this little guy was already sold. She said she'd give me a deal on the other two, since they were either missing a tail, or half-dead-looking. I felt so bad for those other two... I didn't feel much better for this little guy, he was apparently purchased for a little boy's birthday... I'd hate to see what that kid would do to him....torture. So, I told the lady that he was the only one, and I would not settle for less(I drove for an hour to get to this pet store) and then I started to walk out. She totally buckled, she said that the breeder was coming tomorrow with another batch of lighter colored beardies(Like the one I wanted) And that she could sell me this one. Booyah! It was meant to be, my long quest was finally over. After weeks of research, and long trips to far away pet stores, I had found my friend.
So, I haven't named him/her yet. I'm kinda waiting for him to get older and show some personality before I name him. Besides, I'd hate to give him a male name, only to find out he's female later. :?
So, without further ado, here is my new baby beardie. The pictures are a bit decieving because he was basking/jus got done basking and he and turned dark from it. Normally he is a lighter color, and the markings on his head are that rust-looking red-orange. His stomach goes from white-with-black-markings to black-with-white-markings when he is basking.
Sorry about the grainy images, I forgot I had the camera set to ISO400.
Hopefully I can recover him from whatever harm might have been done in that horrid place.(The pet shop wasn't actually all that bad, they had a nice selection of critters, it's just that their conditions weren't what I'd call "ideal" for reptiles) He's already starting to repsond to me. He's also taken a few crickets from my hand.Smart little fellow, I tell ya!
***Edit, there should be 5 images, but imageshack is acting weird. Reload till you can see all***
I haven't given him a name yet, actually, I don't even know if it is a "he" yet. He is only 4" long right now, which leads me to believe he is very young and can't be sexed yet. I hope the breeder didn't send him to the pet shop early....That's just motivation for me to take extra special care for him. I had to have him, the pet store conditions weren't ideal.... sand substrate, a heat rock, and I'm almost positive there was no UV, he was in there with his 2 siblings, and a uromastyx. The first sibling had his tail bitten? off, and the other was lethargic and sleepy... even while he was in my hand. The Uro was busy trying to dig his fatt self outta the bottom of the cage in the corner. (All the other beardies in the other pet stores were the same dark colored, uphappy looking lizards, this was the third pet store I had been to looking for a suitable friend. This was a birthday present to me from my girlfriend.) But this little guy, he was up front and center. Watching my every move. Very smart fellow. He was unique from the other two in that he was a lighter color, and the markings on his head are a reddish-orange color. Almost like the color of rust. When I asked to inpsect him, and the lady reached her hand in, he immediatly became the biggest, meanest, scariest thing on the block. He opened his mouth and told us to back off. Cutest little thing.
Then the bad news hit.... the lady at the store said that this little guy was already sold. She said she'd give me a deal on the other two, since they were either missing a tail, or half-dead-looking. I felt so bad for those other two... I didn't feel much better for this little guy, he was apparently purchased for a little boy's birthday... I'd hate to see what that kid would do to him....torture. So, I told the lady that he was the only one, and I would not settle for less(I drove for an hour to get to this pet store) and then I started to walk out. She totally buckled, she said that the breeder was coming tomorrow with another batch of lighter colored beardies(Like the one I wanted) And that she could sell me this one. Booyah! It was meant to be, my long quest was finally over. After weeks of research, and long trips to far away pet stores, I had found my friend.
So, I haven't named him/her yet. I'm kinda waiting for him to get older and show some personality before I name him. Besides, I'd hate to give him a male name, only to find out he's female later. :?
So, without further ado, here is my new baby beardie. The pictures are a bit decieving because he was basking/jus got done basking and he and turned dark from it. Normally he is a lighter color, and the markings on his head are that rust-looking red-orange. His stomach goes from white-with-black-markings to black-with-white-markings when he is basking.
Sorry about the grainy images, I forgot I had the camera set to ISO400.
Hopefully I can recover him from whatever harm might have been done in that horrid place.(The pet shop wasn't actually all that bad, they had a nice selection of critters, it's just that their conditions weren't what I'd call "ideal" for reptiles) He's already starting to repsond to me. He's also taken a few crickets from my hand.Smart little fellow, I tell ya!
***Edit, there should be 5 images, but imageshack is acting weird. Reload till you can see all***
And yes, unfortunately the breeder did send him to the store too early if he's only 4 inches long. Dragon babies shouldn't be sold unless they are six weeks old and six inches long. Just means you'll have to be extra careful to make sure he gets everything he needs. At that size you'll need to offer him live food 3-4 times a day, as many crickets (or whatever bug you use) as he'll eat in 10 minutes per feeding. You'll also want to give him regular baths/soakings in warm water to make sure he stays well 
