Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchased two new dragons, and when they arrived they were 4 1/4 inches in total length, how old is that??
Looks like a hatchling to me. I was told they were 6 weeks old. I am glad I bought them and not some little kid, that is so scary! Why are people selling there babies so young and small?

Not sure about the age as you cant really know for sure unless you hatched them yourself.. As for your question some people dont think of the hazards of shipping some small animals.. Its a risk they are willing to take for the money and i guess some people just dont care about the age :/

Best of luck

Joey
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Joey And His Bro. , Beardie Br0thaz

Mine were that big out of the egg. At 6 weeks, they should be at least 6" or longer.
Unless they weren't fed properly and were very small to begin with, I'd say you've been fibbed to.
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www.classylizard.com

I think a lot has to do with what they were fed also. I have a clutch of 5 week olds about that size right now (4 1/2 to 5 inches). They are cricket free and have been fed repcal and salad. I knew when I decided to try this that other people had experienced slower growth at first on this diet, but they do catch up. Other than the slower growth rate at first compared to cricket fed they are all healthy and happy and I am very pleased with this diet so far.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

I agree if pellet and greens diet with no bugs they do grow slower at first.....the standard is 6 week and 6" before selling, but many sell younger and smaller.....I personally won't ship mine at that age or size....I wait until 8 weeks and 7 inches and at least 12-15 grams in weight, but that's just my personal preference....
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Tracey
Tracey's Beardies
www.beardiecrazy.com
"Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous.
It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood" ~Maya Angelou

Just curious how you came up with those numbers and are those numbers just for shipping or babies for local sale also.

From what other breeders told me, I was going by 8 weeks for shipping, especially in harsher temps to make sure they would be strong enough to makle it. I also want to make sure they are harty enough once they arrive that if they dont eat for a few days they have a fat reserve. For local sales to newbie owners I am using the 6 week/6" rule.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

The 8 weeks, 7 inches, and 12-15 grams is for shipping.....I tend to still even sell locally at 8 weeks.....unless they are experienced with dragons.....I feel when they get in the 12 grams and up range, they aren't set back if they don't eat for a day or two when shipped....but that's just my opinion.
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Tracey
Tracey's Beardies
www.beardiecrazy.com
"Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous.
It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood" ~Maya Angelou

Thanks, I respect your opinion and experience
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Thanks Bennett.....I just do things the way I'm most comfortable as far as size and age and I want new owners to have a good experience, I know others have great success doing it their way as well.....
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Tracey
Tracey's Beardies
www.beardiecrazy.com
"Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous.
It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood" ~Maya Angelou

When I got Jess I was shocked. She was my first dragon and I had no idea how small she was going to be when I got her. She was raised as a cricket free beardie and still is. I got her at exactly 1 month old-dob 11-15-03 and got her on 12-15-03- and she was 4 1/2 inches. Right now she is 4 months old and doing well but I think next time I buy another baby I would want them a little bigger or older than that.

Gabby

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1.1 Bearded Dragons-Jessie and "Goldberg"
1.0 Geo 4yr orange munchkin
0.2 Dogs- Wendy 7yr Lab/Tori 4 yr Boxer
4.1 Kids plus Hubby

now she is 11 inches and about 65 grams Just wanted to share!

Gabby
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1.1 Bearded Dragons-Jessie and "Goldberg"
1.0 Geo 4yr orange munchkin
0.2 Dogs- Wendy 7yr Lab/Tori 4 yr Boxer
4.1 Kids plus Hubby

n/p
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Tracey
Tracey's Beardies
www.beardiecrazy.com
"Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous.
It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood" ~Maya Angelou