Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All!
I've been thinking about getting a Beardie and was wondering about a couple of things. I currently have a Uromastyx and one of the reasons I like them so much is that they are predominantly vegetarian. I know that BD's need insects when they are babies, but has anyone had any success keeping them mainly vegetarian as juveniles and adults? How affectionate are they as pets-- what type of socializing are they capable of? Are some variations differently tempered than others? Is it important to start with a small terrarium and gradually increase the size? I know these are fairly standard questions but I would like to hear some different points of view, especially as concerns the socialization aspect.
Thanks so much for your advice,
maggie.

I might be able to answer some questions. If you check out www.vandivers.com, they have tips on weaning bearded dragons off of crickets and onto a pellet/veggie diet. Of course occassional supplementation with crickets would still be beneficial.

I just got several. I use small rubbermaid containers for when they're babies. As they get older, they'll be moved into larger enclosures. Males are recommended to be housed alone. Females can be housed together provided they get along. Paper towels are usually recommended as substrate for juveniles and babies. When young, their diet mainly consists of crickets.

Otherwise, I'd say they're similar. Just larger and more omnivorous. Usually a 55 gallon is recommended for one and 75 gallons for 2. The bare minimum would be a 40 gallon breeder aquarium and that usually works with smaller dragons.

beardies need the protein that insects provide. however, some of them will eat dead crickets (ask beginnerbasics, i dont know how she tricked em into it but i can vouch that my boy really does eat prekilled) or you can give them isnects that are less annoying than crickets. housing wise, you can increase size overtime, but thats mroe expensive in the long run. the big problem is some enclosures, like a 10 gal tank, are too small to allow the temperature gradient they need (having the whole thing in the upper 90s is no good heh).
i think personality is pretty much an individual thing. my little girl runs and gapes when i try to pick her up, and she even bites sometimes (hoping she'll grow out of that). she likse to jump off me when im holding her. even so, it doesnt compare to a iguana that hasnt been tamed or many monitors. as unfriendly as she is, its not painful or anything and may go away as she learns to trust me more. my new boy, who's older andb igger than her, seems to lvoe nothing more than being held or rubbed...he even closes his eyes as though he's super content. so its largely luck of the draw.

and thats abotu as much as i can comment, being nowhere near the expert many of the other people here are
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.0.0 leopard gecko (sebastian),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.0 bearded dragon (kaipo and dulce), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)

As far as behavior goes bearded dragons are VERY friendly (most of the time). I have 2 dragons, I have never been bit by either of them! At first a hatchling will be skitish but with handling say 1-2 times a day you can get your dragon to sit on your shoulder lol. I think dragons are very nice as far as personality goes. but thats just my thoughts. =)

i agree they generally have good personalities, and i even expect mine to eventually calm down. but as with any species, theres individual differences
although, a 7 inch dragon who is convinced shes intimidating is pretty amusing
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python (mr snake),0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake (CK),1.0.0 leopard gecko (sebastian),0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa (luce),1.1.0 bearded dragon (kaipo and dulce), 1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (adam and eve)