The difference between a known bred dragon and chain store

[Dubah]

So excited, after the last beardie I had died of cancer I so wanted to try again, so I found a breeder, and I already knew what I wanted, the problem was finding it. Luckily the breeder I saw today had exactly what I wanted.

So I bought another beardie! No idea if it's male or female, we tried to check but it won't stay still, so for now it's name is just beardie. Well anyways, I got her home and the difference between this beardie, purchased from a breeder, and my last beardie, purchased from petsmart is insanely different. This beardie is so much more active and always looking around, my last beardie literaly just stayed in her basking spot all day, except to eat her 3 crickets a day (Was her choice, not mine she died of cancer, which pushed into her stomach causing her to feel full even tho she wasn't). This beardie has been at my house for about 4 hours, and her first feeding ate about 20 crickets, and she just destroyed them all, like they didn't even stand a chance, i dropped 5 more in her cage but she ignored them so I took them back out after about 10-20 minutes.

The new beardie is also very friendly, letting me hold it, even tho I wasn't expecting it would let me hold it, but I put my hand in the cage and it walked right on, although it didn't like it when I moved, but that's ok.

So, I was just simply coming here to share my experience, I've learned my lesson, don't buy from petsmart. Good luck to everyone I will still be cruising around here and posting some fun stuff as I start my journey with my new beardie...

Here's a pic of the new one, it is 9 weeks old tomorrow and already a good size.

 

[kingofnobbys]

.... looking great ....

I suggest start keeping a record of his weight , I weigh all mine on Saturdays.

I also suggest setting up a log book to keep track of his feeding, shedding, toileting, behavior and observed changes in behavior, tied in with very brief weather observations (you'd be surprised how this kind of detail data can be help if something goes wrong or he gets ill , as you wont be relying only on your memory ( I've a great memory , even I get hazy about details a few days after the event....).

You see , go to a local breeder if you can , visit, see the parents (if they are in prime condition and happy it's a good sign) , check out the hatchlings, likely they are quite accustomed to regular human interaction and so not "essentially" wild and terrified of humans and anything else that's bigger than they are.

Pet shop lizards, left to essentially die while on display (in the hope some sucker will see one and on an impulse want it , with out knowing squat about the care of the new "cool" and strange pet. Usually very poorly fed , kept under very much less than good conditions (often without heat or adequate UV .... these cost money to buy setup and run and that cuts into the profit margin).

 

[kingofnobbys]

So excited, after the last beardie I had died of cancer I so wanted to try again, so I found a breeder, and I already knew what I wanted, the problem was finding it. Luckily the breeder I saw today had exactly what I wanted.

So I bought another beardie! No idea if it's male or female, we tried to check but it won't stay still, so for now it's name is just beardie. Well anyways, I got her home and the difference between this beardie, purchased from a breeder, and my last beardie, purchased from petsmart is insanely different. This beardie is so much more active and always looking around, my last beardie literaly just stayed in her basking spot all day, except to eat her 3 crickets a day (Was her choice, not mine she died of cancer, which pushed into her stomach causing her to feel full even tho she wasn't). This beardie has been at my house for about 4 hours, and her first feeding ate about 20 crickets, and she just destroyed them all, like they didn't even stand a chance, i dropped 5 more in her cage but she ignored them so I took them back out after about 10-20 minutes.
<<<< great feeder, if he/she keeps that up , you'll soon be complaining that he/she's sending you broke ...
One word = variety ....
I recommend some silkworms (maybe small size (1.5 inches long) + phoenix worms + the crickets so you can mix and match insects in each live feeding.

The new beardie is also very friendly, letting me hold it, even tho I wasn't expecting it would let me hold it, but I put my hand in the cage and it walked right on, although it didn't like it when I moved, but that's ok.
<<< wont be long and he/she will be happy to handsurf.

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