Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Top of the mornin! folks, may i ask a few novice type questions?
i am a snake guy , but have been interested in large lizards for
quite some time , i've read alittle here and there but have not
jumped yet..
how long do bearded dragons live? how large do they get? compared
to other pet's, is taking care of them properly expensive? and what about temperment? also do you recomend a good book on the subject?
Thanks a billion,
Dallas

-hiya, hope i can answer some of your questions......

how long do bearded dragons live?

-i think the longest a dragon lived in captivity was somewhere between 11 and 15 years but on average they can live 7-10 years with proper care a lot less with improper diet and husbandry.

how large do they get? compared
to other pet's,

-some dragons can get up to 24 inches long and maybe 700 grams, average is about 17-18 inches 350-450 grams (these are just guesses based on my dragons) i would think, not all of them get really big, some stay on the smaller side and then some of them really get large

is taking care of them properly expensive?

-taking care of them is moderatly expensive, one dragon wont put you in the poor house, but expect weekly expenses on greens and veggies as well as buying live feeders such as crickets or superworms or silkworms etc. There is also the extra cost of heating and UVB lighting, the initial set up will cost maybe 150 dollars depending if you build your own enclosure, buy one etc

and what about temperment?

-temperment does always depend on the individual animal but in general, dragons have excellent temperments, are easy to handle and are wonderful animals to watch, they have great behaviours.

also do you recomend a good book on the subject?

-a good book........im sure someone will be able to give you a good book, i cant remember the name, there are great websites out there as well that have great information, try this site, http://www.beautifuldragons.com/ she has a lot of info there, also you can search for care sheets on your search engine and read till your heart is content, there are a lot of care sheets out there, read and compare information and then ask all the questions you can think of! =E
Thanks a billion,
Dallas

beautiful dragons

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reiko
photos

Thanks, and also you can handle them? i handle my nice snakes daily ,is this possibal with a b.dragon?
Thanks again,
Dallas Wiebelhaus
also thanks for the links!

absolutly, they seem to love handling, mine come out in the garden with me while i work, they come to the beach, and love to go for car rides to the reptile store
-----
reiko
photos

Cool!!!!!
Thanks

I have a corn snake and love him to pieces. I also love my three beardies. I'll try to answer some of your questions....

>>"how long do bearded dragons live?">"how large do they get?">"is taking care of them properly expensive?">"what about temperment?">"also do you recomend a good book on the subject?"
Beautiful Dragons

Hello!

I had to chime in on this. I have a snake, Abigail. She was my first reptile, a juvinile ball python, and by far the easiest pet i have ever see! Feed her once a week, pooped once a month. Life was good...

Then i saw these little dragons and had to have one. Along comes BOO. He is the biggest pain in the butt! (totally joking) He is a lot more work than my snake, but they are very interactive. this makes the "work" enjoyable since there is something fun about watching them "hunt" crickets.

Even my cats get in on the action, they enjoy watching BOO-TV. Take the plunge, you'll enjoy beardies.

maxwells