What age bearded dragon should I get?

[Gyro]

Hello! Just as the title states, would it be better to get a young bearded dragon (5 or 6 months old) or a more grown up one (11+ months)? My local store has some beautiful morphs that are still young, so they are cheaper. I was wondering how hard it really is to raise a bearded dragon that age? I know I would have to feed it mainly insects and have the tank a little hotter. Or would it be easier to just get an adult beardie? This will be my first one, but I have done extensive, almost exhaustive, research. Thank you!

 

[AHBD]

If you have the extra money for more food and a little more time to spend get the younger one if you want. If you like the older, go with them. It depends on what you want. Just pick a healthy looking dragon. Sounds like you'll be a good beardie owner.

 

[JessPets]

That really depends on how much time, money, and work you want to spend. If have plenty of all three of those, then go for a baby. They will be more skittish and need to be feed multiple times a day, and will eat LOTS of insects. Adults are (usually) more laid back and eat more veggies, but might (might is they key word here) be harder to bond with. It is really up to you

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Everyone's opinions are right on. In the end, it really is your decision.
I do agree though, a lot of times it's easier to bond with a youngster, but that's not saying you can't bond with a little older one because you certainly can.
There's something special about raising them, watching them grow, etc. If you can afford to feed the appropriate amount of food, then you can definitely consider a youngster as well as a juvenile.
Either way, you will love them just the same.


Tracie

 

[kingofnobbys]

I'd recommend a hatchling about 4 - 8 weeks old. Less chance of getting lizard who has developed health issues because the vendor hasn't cared for it properly.

 

[Varalidaine]

I recommend getting an older one. Many dragons are now infected with ADV and are most likely to die from it before they are 2 months old, so hatchlings will be the most at risk. At least if a dragon is older, you know it is less likely is has detrimental health problems. And I suppose people like seeing a baby grow, but they grow so quickly you don't really get to have them small for long anyway. And babies patterns and colors change so much as they get older, so if you're looking specifically at color, I would get one that already has a developed color that you like. Plus feeding a baby can be very costly. I don't think you'll have any problem bonding with a dragon at any age. I know many people who have gotten them when the dragons were well over a year old and I even bonded with their dragons haha. They are easy to fall in love with and I think older dragons are easier to care for since they wont be as finicky trying to get them to eat greens. Though at 11 months, they would still be eating a lot of insects anyway.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I recommend getting an older one. Many dragons are now infected with ADV <<<< not an issue outside the USA, in any case a good breeder will not allow beardies who have ADV to breed
and are most likely to die from it before they are 2 months old, so hatchlings will be the most at risk. At least if a dragon is older, you know it is less likely is has detrimental health problems. And I suppose people like seeing a baby grow, but they grow so quickly you don't really get to have them small for long anyway. And babies patterns and colors change so much as they get older, so if you're looking specifically at color, I would get one that already has a developed color that you like. Plus feeding a baby can be very costly. I don't think you'll have any problem bonding with a dragon at any age. I know many people who have gotten them when the dragons were well over a year old and I even bonded with their dragons haha. They are easy to fall in love with and I think older dragons are easier to care for since they wont be as finicky trying to get them to eat greens. Though at 11 months, they would still be eating a lot of insects anyway.

 

[Varalidaine]

I recommend getting an older one. Many dragons are now infected with ADV <<<< not an issue outside the USA, in any case a good breeder will not allow beardies who have ADV to breed
and are most likely to die from it before they are 2 months old, so hatchlings will be the most at risk. At least if a dragon is older, you know it is less likely is has detrimental health problems. And I suppose people like seeing a baby grow, but they grow so quickly you don't really get to have them small for long anyway. And babies patterns and colors change so much as they get older, so if you're looking specifically at color, I would get one that already has a developed color that you like. Plus feeding a baby can be very costly. I don't think you'll have any problem bonding with a dragon at any age. I know many people who have gotten them when the dragons were well over a year old and I even bonded with their dragons haha. They are easy to fall in love with and I think older dragons are easier to care for since they wont be as finicky trying to get them to eat greens. Though at 11 months, they would still be eating a lot of insects anyway.

The poster did not state where they are from and they said "store" not "my local private breeder" therefore I put the information out there based on the information we were given by the OP. And there are plenty of people who are new to the hobby and would consider people like LLL Reptile or Dachiu to be a "good breeder" and yet we all know Dachiu knowingly breeds dragons with ADV and LLL is a garbage establishment riddled with animal cruelty. There is only one openly ADV free breeding colony that I know of (there are probably others, but none that I know of that have announced it) and she is in Canada. I got my dragon from an excellent breeder who had tested some of their breeders, which is more than what MOST breeders do, and he still is ADV positive. So it's definitely something to consider no matter what part of the world you are in, considering how often animals change hands.

 

[Gyro]

When I said store I didn't mean like petsmart. It's a little reptile shop who deals with a very wide selection of reptiles. What would you guys suggest as being reliable online breeders where the juvenile would come with little problems? I dont really think I want to get a baby, but not really an adult. Like a good 7 or 8 months old would be fine I'm sorry for all of the questions, I just want to be as informed as possible before I get my bearded dragon. The notes on my phone is all just like "bearded dragon schedule", "feeders to get", "good brand lights", "how to disinfect driftwood from the beach", "how to build a custom viv" and so on. It's crazy. haha

 

[SDragons]

Ours was 14 weeks old when we got him. It's has been fun for my son and the whole family watching his grow bigger and big and seeing his personality.

I think the biggest thing is to pick an animal that is very heathy and is friendly.

 

[Gyro]

Does anyone know if HereBDragons is reliable? And also for my first bearded dragon should i just get a "normal" one? Or is it the same as if I get a hypo or trans? I love the coloration on some of those.

 

[AHBD]

One of the mods. here [ either Diamc or Goonie ] got one from herebedragons and she highly recommends them. You might want to get a normal or a het, [ het. for hypo or trans. means it carries the genes but doesn't show the trait visually ] those may be healthier as far as lineage, but not a definite conclusion.

 

[Gyro]

One of the mods. here [ either Diamc or Goonie ] got one from herebedragons and she highly recommends them. You might want to get a normal or a het, [ het. for hypo or trans. means it carries the genes but doesn't show the trait visually ] those may be healthier as far as lineage, but not a definite conclusion.

Okay cool! Thank you so much for the answer! I just love their prices and the free shipping helps haha. This is the specific dragon I was looking at, het for both hypo and trans but still look beautiful to me. http://www.herebdragons.com/available/male-het-hypo-het-trans plus he's a good length for his age

 

[Gyro]

Actually, I think if this guy is still available when I get my financial aid return, i'll get him since he's older. http://www.herebdragons.com/available/male-leatherback-dunner-het-hypo-het-trans