I feel more than a few hours research is needed to learn all you can about any pet, not just reptiles. With all the resources available, you have to spend some time comparing facts from old fiction. You can't just rely on one or two sources for information. There is a reason alot of information about the care and requirements of a reptile conflict. With reptiles that have been around for a long time in the pet trade, what was thought to be tried and true 10 years ago has turned out to be false. Even data from 3 years ago could be incorrect or no longer the best information.
Before I purchased my first reptile, I took the time to learn about it. Intially I wanted to get myself a green iguana. These reptiles always looked cool to me and were in just about every petstore in my area. After about two to three months research online,I learned many facts I didn't know before. I learned they eat nothing but greens, grow up to 5' or more, for males. They required special lighting and large enclosures They also lived 20 years or more with proper care. Males could develop prostrate cancer and neutering them was often recommended. I have since learned this isn't always the best way to go due the risks of anesthesia on reptiles. I also learned green iguanas can be housed trained and allowed to free roam in the house if proper basking spots are set up.
I still find green iguanas interesting however have decided against them for my first reptile due to their more demanding requirements. It was during my research of green iguanas that I came across a species of lizard called bearded dragons. Having always liked dragons (the mythological kind) all my life, the name caught my attention and I had to learn more about them. I did searches on the web for bearded dragons, found the bearded dragon breeders and suppliers network, some local breeders' websites, caresheets and even this forum. I read about the horrors of crushed walnut shells, calci-sand and hot rocks from this forum and other areas, the requirements of proper lighting, heating and size of foods as well as expectant lifespand and size of bearded dragons. I also learned they were one of the most docile lizards out there, content to be held in your hands or sitting on your lap.
I must have spent a good 9 months reading everything I could about bearded dragons, picking up not just one but 4 books about bearded dragons, read numerous caresheets and several pages worth of past posts on this very forum before even posting. I felt very prepared when I finally went out and bought my first reptile ever, a normal phase bearded dragon. I had her for nearly two years without any health problems or issues. I could have simply been lucky in the time I had her (had to find her a new home unfortunately when I found work in another city and spend several weeks between apartments and thus, couldn't bring any of my pets along).
I very strongly agree that anybody and everybody should take the time to research animals before buying them. Another poster mentioned having boys begging for a reptile pet. This is a perfect example of why you should NOT rush to buy an animal. If any parent's children want a reptile pet, encourage them to research the animal before hand. Take them to your local library and research various possibilities. Make a check list for them to fill out or both of you to fill out. Figure out how much time the kids are willing to spend with their pet and how much work. Also figure out how much you can afford to spend on the animal, it's cage and necessary husbandry needs and possible vet trips. Get them past the coolness factor and into the practical factor so the pet doesn't wind up at a shelter or worse, because it grew too big or it's needs couldn't be met. Spending quality time with children to learn about what that special pet they want needs is the best thing to do. Sure kids get impatient and want it now, but stay firm and if they are not willing to spend the time (even a half hour a day) to do research, then they won't have the time to take care of the pet.
Anything thing to keep in mind, don't take one or two people's suggestions for granted. Petstore employees and even reptile breeders at expos, do have one thing in common, they want to sell their product. The more honest and moral breeders will take the time to either print out care sheets of their animals to include with each purchase or explain the proper care requirements. Don't be afraid to contridict what they say or ask questions. This is one reason why it's good to learn as much as possible about the animal before buying it. If you had already read about walnut shells being dangerous for reptiles, you could have brought that up to see what the breeder had to say. They may have been using it for years with no apparent problems, using that substrate doens't guarentee the animal will get impacted, have it's bowels torn or otherwise suffer from being on it, but it increases the risk of such things happening.
