Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Mostly, because of the rash of questions I've seen from people that seem to be either breeding or setting up to do so.

I've had my beardie for almost a year. I am nowhere near knowledgeable enough to breed (I don't think...and I don't actually want to know...right now, one is enough!), but every day I see questions from people that are breeding or obviously preparing to do so and the questions seem so elementary to me.

They are asking questions that they should know the answers to just to keep ONE beardie, let alone raise dozens. It really makes me concerned about the well being of the beardies they have, and even more so, the babies they'll be needing to take care of.

Is it just me? I dunno, maybe I'm over-reacting, but it seems to me that people need to get to the point where they can quit asking elementary questions about how to care for one before they shoot for 25. Is it just the money, or what? What am I missing?

Steve

Yep. I personally breed bearded dragons, not for the money like most. Just to make the species better. Most do ask really elementary q's. They should do all the research before they go and buy their 2 bearded dragons. I have only bred for 1 year, but i researched for like 2 before even getting my first. Then I researched about breeding then got my second.

people dont know the first thing about any basic care and they are breeding, o well. guess the world is full or morons, just wish they would stay the heck away from animals.
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reiko
photos

NP
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Mystical Dragons

n/p
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TheClassyLizard

that's shocked occasionally. Maybe it's partially that this forum tends to be pretty mild mannered, so there is very little criticism...usually just pat answers to the same old questions. What I'm NOT seeing is the frustration of the posters providing the answers. From the responses to my first post I guess I can assume that I'm not the only person feeling it. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a caring, dedicated breeder that's reading some of this stuff. My hats off to all of you for biting your tongues.

of some people's husbandry practices I actually yell out loud.

I think some of the people understand mistakes and can tell when an individual is trying to do things right. Recognizing that is an important thing. As is biting your tongue when a clueless individual asks a basic question. Sometimes makes you wanna reach out and......nevermind. I'm just glad right now I'm not confident enough to post very many answers to questions yet.

The people on this forum are caring, patient, and people I would really like to meet some day. We need more like them everywhere.

Thanks to all of you for being such a great influence and help!!
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Rob

"The people on this forum are caring, patient, and people I would really like to meet some day. We need more like them everywhere.

Thanks to all of you for being such a great influence and help!!
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Rob"

I'll take the easy way out and just "ditto" those comments!

I agree that there have been alot of people lately asking basic beardie care questions when they have already put male and female dragons together and want to breed. I am also surprised how some people post questions about what they should do with the eggs their female (who is housed with their male) suddenly laid. Most people how are older than 6 understand where babies come from, why don't they put this same principle with their animals? Then they are ocmpletely confused as to why their female gets pregnant and lays a bunch of eggs.

To all those people out there who want to breed their dragons just because you think it would be cool to raise babies etc. Don't. 90% of people selling dragons don't make much if any money. The large breeders make money because they know what they are doing, producing healthy lines with very interesting colour morphs. These people know the ancestry of their dragons and how genetics work. Putting a brightly coloured dragon with another brightly coloured dragon isn't guarenteed to produce brightly coloured babies. Also, the bright colours may be selling well now, but next season, normal phase may suddenly become popular again. So if your 60 bright orange babies don't sell cause people suddenly want normal phase, what are you going to do?

I have considered breeding my dragon once she is old enough but decided against it for several reasons. One, I don't think their is high enough a demand for bearded dragons in my area, even if I do go through the trouble of shipping anywhere across Ontario etc. Two, I don't have the financies to house 60 babies for the length of time needed to give them a good start in life. Three, though right now I have the time to feed them three times a day, to meet number 2's needs, I wouldn't have the time anymore. Four: If I can't sell the babies, don't really have the money to build larger enclosures for unsold babies that reach adulthood. ANd finally Five: I am not quite ready for all the extra work needed for advertising and showing my dragons (ie at reptile shows) to ensure I can sell them all.

Finally, I love my dragon and care deeply for her health. I wouldn't want to breed her just for the sake of breeding her. She is perfectly fine without having babies or a mate. Though it is still possible she may lay infertile eggs, I already know what needs to be done once I realize she is gravid.