Very strong protective instinct with this baby: Normal?

[zeppy123]

I've only had Zalaika (often called Zee as a nickname) two days and I already feel as protective towards her as I do my dogs and cats. Maybe even a little more paranoid as she is so tiny and they are grown up and healthy. I really want to do everything righ this time. As my city lacks appropriate feeders for small dragons (a hit or miss with stores), I've just spent 85 on phoenix worms today ordering 500 of them. I love this little one so much and don't want anything to happen to her. I want her to recieve the same high standard of care that the family cat and dogs do. It looks like until this one grows, most of my free cash will be going to feeder insects as I want her to have the best chance at a healthy growth. I'm willing to invest anything I have available just to see her grow up healthy.I think with dragons, unlike cats and dogs who grow a bit more like toddlers developmentally, dragons remain cognitively at that young infant level so I always feel very maternal when holding one. I have Asperger's and although I'm in grad school, I still rely on my family for some things and do not know whether having human children will be a viable option. I'm 27 now. For Zalaika, I gave her a name I had invented for a potential future child, but that may be a bit too different for a human baby. I've been up all night working on a paper for uni and reading about bearded dragons. I'm going to finish my paper and get my animals breakfast and Zee's lights on before I go to bed.

 

[tf2185]

In my opinion, the protective instinct towards your dragon, beautiful name by the way, is perfectly normal. We currently have four dragons and I'm very protective of every one of them.

Just a tip, I don't know how much she eats but 500 Phoenix worms hardly lasted at my house even when it was just the one baby eating them. Your best bet if you want to save some money, establish a dubia colony. They are incredibly easy to set up but once it is you shouldn't have to buy feeders anymore.

Here's a link that will show you how if you are interested:
http://rae-rae-rae.hubpages.com/hub/Setting-up-a-roach-colony

 

[zeppy123]

Unfortunately, dubia are illegal in my country. I know she won't eat this excessively after the first few months as far as insects. I'd rather put out a couple hundred dollars a month towards feeding her for a few months and have her grow up healthy, even if some people think it's crazy. If those worms would last a week or so I'd be happy, but I'd buy them in a bigger order the next time as half the cost is shipping. Also just ordered a reptisun 10.0 and hood for it. It will be here in a week or so. I've heard I should leave the coil light off until then and supplement with D3.

 

[jovamabob]

Im the same I have mild to moderate autism and im protective of all my pets - mammal or reptile. Realistically, although im in and have had other long term relationships, i know kids are not in my future - i'd never cope. So i have my reptiles and although i deliberately don't treat or think of them as if they were my children, i go the extra mile for them - more so than is expected from the majority of pet owners. I like to read up on them, how to look after them, keep them healthy and enrich their lives more so than i've seen other pet owners do. In my view my pet only has me to look after it, so i want to give it everything it needs and care for it as best i can. It was entirely my decision to keep it, so i wanna do it properly - its only natural to be protective

 

[Momswims1]

Loved your post about your protective feelings towards your dragon. It is perfectly normal.
My son has aspergers and that is why we got him a dragon in the beginning. I thought it would be good for him and we ended up with three dragons because they are so awesome. He loves them and I am absolutely addicted to them.
These dragons have brought so much joy to us and have brought my son and I closer together. I can't say enough about them or how good they have been for all of us. Getting these dragons has been one of the best things we have ever done. Enjoy and protect your baby to your heart's content!!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It is very normal!
They are such wonderful souls & you will find yourself inlove with her already I am sure.
I am happy to hear you are enjoying your new dragon.

Tracie

 

[wolfysluv]

My son is autistic and his thing is ferrets. He was so protective that hed get irritated at how some people would joke around and say silly things about his baby. Hed tell them to knock it off and stop being "rude to the ferret." It was pretty extreme. As he got older he got more into the intellectual part with reading and knowing all the facts regarding ferret care and even rescued a poor soul. He is 20 now. I remember him just about tackling one once becauze it picked up a peice of food off the floor. He swiped the food out of its mouth and yelled no youll get germs. Lol. This was just a couple of years ago. Hes not into other an animals much oddly but if he is ever able to live alone he dreams of a dog (im allergic to them). I always thought it interesting he never got into reptiles much. I know autistics do well with them. They seem to understand and are so loving to these very misunderstood creatures. And what makes them great owners is the obsessive intellectual side of some of them ... they get real detailed and regimented in the care.