Reptile & Amphibian Forums

our kilo died on monday. we got him from my son's teacher who didnt take care of him the way he should have. he got sick 6 months ago and we took him to the vet. he got him though it although the vet said because of his previous owner he might not live long. he got to the point that he wouldnt eat so i had to syringe him baby food. i took him back to the vet and he said there was nothing else i could do. so, finally on monday he passed away. the loss is more than i or my daughter can handle. i want to get her another one but i dont know where is the best place to look. they had them at the pet store, but i hesitated to buy one there. not to mention they were 70.00. is there a cheaper and safer way to go?? we already have to cage and lighting.....just no dragon. (she already has the name picked out) haha

Don't get them at pet stores, your right, they are way to expensive and they aren't the healthiest out there. I would either buy it from a breeder, and there are a lot on this forum, or look up a reptile show that might be coming up in your area. I've bought all my lizards from reptile shows. I liek it because they have good prices and good health. Plus, if you need to pick up anymore supplies, or even just backup bulbs, they have awesome prices there too. Good luck on your search, and I'm sorry for your loss.
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Julie

you will most likely be setting yourself up for another heartbreak. Babies are fragile the first few months and those poor things have already spent days traveling across the country, in warehouses and then trucked to the store, some even come in from another country and spent even more time without proper care. Then they are put in a store on display, most do not survive the stress.

Many of the Pet Store chains carried them from breeder mills that have a long history of disease and infections..... but they still continue to by from the same place and resel them.

Check with breeders online, there are some good ones and you can always ask others who they recommend.

Buy a baby that had the best of start in live with love for the animal, not the love of the price of the sale.

agreed, dont buy from a petstore, there are so many breeders that sponsor this forum or that post at the classifieds that sell beautiful healthy dragons and that do a lot of work to have these healthy babies

www.sundialreptile.com
www.jerseydragons.com
www.beginnersbasics.com
www.dragonsbynature.com
www.satyrdayreptile.com
www.dachiu.com

and there are a ton more (sorry if i missed anyone, always hard ttrying to remember all the sites)
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reiko
photos

Hi
first sorry to lose you lost the beardie.
i would also look for a good breeder and not a petshop.
i also would check the set up what you have
tel us so much as you can maybe whe see some thing you can improve for youre next beardie.
whats youre set up?
how big whas his cage?
how hot whas the hotspot?
uvb/uva lighting?
do you suplement you cricks with calsium and vitamines powders?
what kind salad you made for him
byeeeeeeee
http://www.run.to/b22

The cage is a 33long aquarium. I have uvb and uva lighting. i have a under tank heater also. In the cooler side the temp is 85.....basking light is 110 and the rest of cage is around 90-100. At night it goes to 80-85. I feed mealworms, crickets dusted with vitamins and fed gut load. Soaked in water once a day. When he started not eating on his own i syringed him baby food. (green beans, peas, and carrots) his substrate was play sand. Does all that sound right? Now for a baby what do I need to change? thanks for replying.

Thank you to all that replied. i appreciated the advice and sympathy.