Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading a care sheet on BDs on a different site when i noticed that it recommended buying a BD no less than 6 inches because it is more likly that they could be sick or have other problems if they are that small or young, is this true?

Thanks!

Yep. Hatchlings are very vulnerable those first few weeks of life, and should remain in the care of the breeder until they are feeding well and given a good start. Moving from one place to another can cause any beardie no matter what age to become stressed, and possibly go off food for a few days to a week. Doing that to a young baby who has just barely started getting the hang of eating and hunting in the first place, isn't good.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)

0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
0.0.1 tarantula (Otto)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

'likly that they could be sick or have other problems if they are that small or young, is this true?'

Not really. I don't recomend beginners buying small babies (under 6 weeks/6 inches) because they are more fragile than older animals. It doesn't mean that they are sick though. People that are experienced with beardies and the special needs of babies should be fine, they're just not a good choice for beginners.

Sean
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Heart Mountain Herps

Even as an experienced keeper I think it's better to buy dragons that are older/more established. This is especially true if you are shipping them. 4" / 5" dragons only have a week or two of solid meals under their belt before you ship them out to not eat and with no basking heat for at least 14 - 24 hours. Baby dragons easily eat 2 - 3 times per day in that first six week period which allows them thems to build up fat stores when grown out to 6 inches.

... course you have to be able to feed them for that long and my personal opinion is that a lot of people did not plan for their offspring properly and are just dumping them as soon as possible to lower their food bills (as happens every year at this time).
Scales - Premium Exotic Reptiles

Dragons under 6 weeks and 6 inches are fragile. Even experienced keepers may have problems with them adjusting to their new environment, especially if shipping them is added.

Mortality rate under 8 weeks is the highest, add to that the stress of environmental change and shipping and that rate climbs even more.

I also agree that many are dumped on the market this time of year at bargain prices and too young of an age. A sad fact of the business.....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