Reptile & Amphibian Forums

right now i am thinking about buying a bearded dragon and i went to the local pet store should i by from there or from a breader.

thanks alot tim

If you do a search in either this forum or the leopard gecko forum for petco you will see several threads discussing the quality of petco animals.

Basically it comes down to this personally i would get one from a breeder, especially if it is your first. Petco tends to sell their animals when they are way too small, especially beardies. Beardies are best when they are sold over 6inches, this gives them a chance to be established eaters and they are hardier at this age also. Petco lizards tend to have parasites as well. Also, their beardies are waaaaaay overpriced.

On the other hand one thing i will say about petco is there is a 15day guanentee. If you buy an animal from them take them to the vet within the 15days, get a fecal done at least. If there are parasites i would return it or make petco pay for the meds, which they will.

The only time i would buy a beardie from petco is if it is over 6inches and you take it right to a vet. Problem is, when they sell beardies that big they are 150$. That is a ridiculous price.
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

I wouldn't trust Petsmart or Petco. They both, EVERYTIME I WENT, had their beardies in TERRIBLE shape. Not once, but TWICE, they have had dead beardies in the same cage as the babies. What the hell kind of store is that. I suggest Fireandicedragons.com, or a popular breeder. Prices may be higher, but with the breeders, you get what you pay for!
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Rebel, my bearded dragon has been confirmed as a female. We all thought she was male Anyways, I couldn't be prouder....

thanks alot for the imput guys i think i will by from a breader. can u guys recomend any places that have good prices and nice morphs. i am thinking about getting a snow or a green colored dragon.