What got you into bearded dragons?

[Pushkin]

Just curious as no one else I know has one (aside from a few people at Petsmart) and most of my friends/family are nervous to even touch Pushkin!

So just out of curiosity, how did YOU get into these awesomely cute pets?

A friend of mine bought Pushkin as an impulse buy at Petco, and later asked if I wanted him. I can't believe how lucky I got - a free dragon, and he's perfect, despite being from Petco! I've always wanted a lizard of some kind, but really knew nothing about them. Now I'm obsessed!

What's your story?

 

[CooperDragon]

Good thread =).
Went to Petco because I liked looking at the lizards (anoles were my favorite after chasing them in the keys as a kid). Walked by the tank and one put his hands up on the glass and followed us back and forth. Clearly watching us. That was our best bud cooper. I dug out some of the newt accessories I had as a kid and dove in, brought him home. Raised him from my "teeny little super guy" until he was fully grown. Had no idea how interactive they were. Fell in love and in my opinion they are the best animals/pets/friends. I had no idea what I was getting in to and will never turn back now. Was devastated when Coop died of a tumor and it took a dragon who had no hope (Dundee) to get be back into it. I'll do anything to keep these amazing animals happy and healthy.

 

[BabySkales]

I've always had furry four legged pets growing up and even now I have 3 dogs :] around the time of my birthday my coworker/friend took me to a reptile store and I fell in love with a baby boa... After having her for about a month I realized she was a really aggressive eater and would strike at me... I freaked out and he took her in... He has like 8 snakes.. Went back to the reptile store with my boyfriend and saw Bella the Baby BD! I took her home and since then I am up to 4 BDs! They are almost like dogs realized I am much more comfortable with 4 legged species! Now I can't wait to get home from work with to feed them n play with them :] I would do anything for these little guys... Even breed roaches :shock:

 

[destiny1998]

I had a friend that brought her beardie to work a couple of times. I thought he was so cool just hanging out. So about four years ago my daugher wanted a pet well do to our allergies we decided lets get a beardie. We ended up going to petco and she picked out our Daizy. Of course we ended up making a few trips to get the correct supplies after doing more research. Now we have 3 and I'm definitely a beardie addict . Even my husband who didn't want Daizy in the first place fell in love and that's his baby now. He even tells everyone "Best pets he's ever had" and he had dogs and cats growing up.

 

[CinnamonYoshi]

When I was about 16 I babysat for this family who bought their 4y/o son a baby beardie it was the cutest little thing. I babysat for them every so often and at the time I didn't know much about bearded dragons so I thought they all behaved this way: when you walked in front of her viv she would scratch the glass and hiss and her beard would go puffy and black so I was a little scared to be honest. But I started seeing different beardies more more and realized that her behaviour was off . After two years that they had her and didn't pick her up ever, also had her on 80% cricket and 20%lettuce diet they gave her to me and now she's the sweetest thing ! I got obsessed so now I have two and a third coming soon!

 

[jenn4turtles]

My son wanted to buy a reptile with his graduation money, but was leaning more towards getting a snake. As the months went by leading up to his graduation, we went to pet stores and researched online in preparation. While I didn't mind the snake itself, I wasn't comfortable with frozen (or worse, live!) mice, and Eric wanted an animal he could handle easily. I just couldn't see him taking out what would turn into a 4 - 6 foot snake and playing with it. So we bought a Bd instead, and we both just adore him, always fighting over holding him and taking him out or putting him to sleep. I am surprised by how much personality they have!

 

[Elmontare]

My friends lost interest in having a dragon in favor of getting a second dog and asked if i wanted her and her set up for free (i found out later it was all junk). At the time i didnt exactly want a pet but figured id help them out and i did have plenty of time to take care of her. When she got settled in after about a month i realized that a bearded dragon was a perfect pet for someone like me. When i move next summer i plan on getting another one...or maybe two more lol.

 

[Pushkin]

So fun to hear everyone's stories, and how everyone seems to have found their love for dragons a bit unexpectedly! I had actually wanted to get a gecko for 5+ years - that's how my friend knew I was into reptiles. Now I couldn't care less about geckos, I just want dragons!

 

[Esther19]

I'll try to make a long story short. A neighbor found a tree frog and brought him to my 5 year old son as a pet. I guess she didn't think 2 dogs were enough. Next day at Petco, I was informed that the frog would only live in captivity for a few days. We realized we would have to return the frog to his former habitat. Unable to leave the store without a substitute pet, we finally decided on a dragon. Almost 9 years later, I now have 4 (2 of which are rescues). At the time I swore I would buy play-doh for my neighbor's kids whenever they came along, but dragons have become such a wonderful part of my life I have not done so. :wink:

 

[writejenn]

My sister has had one for years, when I found an ad on facebook for tail nipped babies. I told my sister and she prodded me to pick one up saying the sweet ones were the ones who got nipped by their bossy brothers and sisters. I have had Liz for almost a year now and she is doing gloriously, now my sister is moving into a condo that won't allow reptiles so I will be getting her sweet Joe this sunday. I am setting up their terrariums across the room from one another so they can admire each other from afar. Hopefully the cats will be as disinterested in Joe as they are Liz, fingers crossed!

 

[CalBeardie]

So fun to hear everyone's stories, and how everyone seems to be haven found their love for dragons a bit unexpectedly! I had actually wanted to get a gecko for 5+ years - that's how my friend knew I was into reptiles. Now I couldn't care less about geckos, I just want dragons!

You could get the best of both worlds

 

[vycine]

I wanted another species for my high school biology classroom. Since we had a snake, I really wanted a lizard. I started looking at the local pet stores after remembering seeing a bearded dragon once when I subbed. Also, petsmArt had it listed as a good beginner lizard.

Long story short, bought a crappy kit and a great baby bearded. Went home and did research and bought the right things for him. Fell so in love and realized I wouldn't be able to give him the correct care at school, and i would miss him, so he has place of pride in my living room.

This year I'm setting up a classroom viv so Einstein can visit my classroom for the day. Then he'll go back home with me where he belongs

Cheers!
Jessi

 

[jenn4turtles]

I wanted another species for my high school biology classroom. Since we had a snake, I really wanted a lizard. I started looking at the local pet stores after remembering seeing a bearded dragon once when I subbed. Also, petsmArt had it listed as a good beginner lizard.

Long story short, bought a crappy kit and a great baby bearded. Went home and did research and bought the right things for him. Fell so in love and realized I wouldn't be able to give him the correct care at school, and i would miss him, so he has place of pride in my living room.

This year I'm setting up a classroom viv so Einstein can visit my classroom for the day. Then he'll go back home with me where he belongs

Cheers!
Jessi

I believe that I bought that same crappy kit, and then had to purchase new stuff, too. Lol.

I think that taking him home was the best for him! I bet he's much happier there!

 

[vycine]

I believe that I bought that same crappy kit, and then had to purchase new stuff, too. Lol.

I think that taking him home was the best for him! I bet he's much happier there!

Well he never actually made it to school in the first place. I told the kids I'd bring him when he was a little bigger....but then I realized how social they are with their people. He's my buddy he will go visit this year, starting with the first day...or maybe I just want a reason to hang out with him at work lol!

 

[CooperDragon]

I wanted another species for my high school biology classroom. Since we had a snake, I really wanted a lizard. I started looking at the local pet stores after remembering seeing a bearded dragon once when I subbed. Also, petsmArt had it listed as a good beginner lizard.

Long story short, bought a crappy kit and a great baby bearded. Went home and did research and bought the right things for him. Fell so in love and realized I wouldn't be able to give him the correct care at school, and i would miss him, so he has place of pride in my living room.

This year I'm setting up a classroom viv so Einstein can visit my classroom for the day. Then he'll go back home with me where he belongs

Cheers!
Jessi

That's a great idea to build a second setup. They travel pretty well based on my experience.