Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone,

I am Grant, (I own 5 leos so reptiles are nothing new to me) and I am considering getting a bearded dragon sometime next year. I was wondering if anyone could give me some general tips and advice for owning a beardie. Here are my questions: 1) What is the best age to get a bearded at? I was planning on getting a sub-adult(12 or so inches). Also, what is the best way to socialize a beardie? I hear that they are by nature tame, but just how tame can they become? Also, is it true that they will sit on your shoulder and just sit there without trying to really jump off or anything like that? I am doing alot of research before I will decide if I will get one, so I may ask more questions in the future. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot!
Grant
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1.0 Cresteds- R.I.P Bandit~2005
1.2 Leos Rex,Fredrica,Sam
www.freewebs.com/leogecko/-UNDER CONSTRUCTION-Now named "Landmark Reptiles"Text here

1) What is the best age to get a bearded at? I was planning on getting a sub-adult(12 or so inches).
i think a baby is very easy to raise. I woundn't buy one over 7 inches. And here is my reason....You are also interested in the tameness and the fact that they do sit on your shoulder.....well if you get an older one chances are it has not been treated to well (i could be wrong here, but it's a consideration). Beardies need lots of attention to be really friendly. all of my dragons are extremely tame.

Also, what is the best way to socialize a beardie?
pour out a fine glass of wine and discuss politics..LOL
really tho....just feed them and you are their god!

I hear that they are by nature tame, but just how tame can they become?
i'd say there are about as tame as cats are

Also, is it true that they will sit on your shoulder and just sit there without trying to really jump off or anything like that?
yeah, they'll sit there until they eventually fall asleep

well, keep reading! there is a lot of information out there so read all of it....once you start to notice people all saying the same thing you'll realize what the facts are. And, as always you can ask questions here and someone should get back to you in a hour or two

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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

If it were me, I would get a baby. At least 8 weeks old though. Only because I love watching them grow up. Espaically if you get one with some color in it. Every shed is exciting.
And yes beardies are very tame. The majorty of mine will not sit still for long. They would rather explore. But I imagine if I were to handle them more often they would. But they are definitly not mean. My friend only has one beardie and he is very spoiled and will sit on your lap for hours. My friend auctully has a blanket for her beardie that he sleeps in when she has him out. I really do love my beardies(hence the name).
I have had other reptiles in the past. Beardies are by far my favorite.
Cara

Thanks for the help! Right now I am getting all the costs figrued out for the enclosure itself(I plan on a 40 gallon) If anyon doesn't mind posting their setups I'd really appreciate it. Thanks,

Grant
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1.0 Cresteds- R.I.P Bandit~2005
1.2 Leos Rex,Fredrica,Sam
www.freewebs.com/leogecko/-UNDER CONSTRUCTION-Now named "Landmark Reptiles"Text here

here are two cages that i built. The blue one is meant to house my male as it is smaller than the white one, which will hold my two females. I use shelf liner on to bottom of the cage. I suggest you get some mercury vapor bulbs for their much needed UVB light (yes, they really need it).

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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

Thanks for posting! Where would I find a murcury vapor bulb?
I have seen a UV Heat bulb all in one bulb at petco for $80.00 and dont worry, I was plannining on getting my dragon from a breeder, alhthough the petco by me has some healthy beardies and a local pet shop also has some orange ones that are being well cared for.
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1.0 Cresteds- R.I.P Bandit~2005
1.2 Leos Rex,Fredrica,Sam
www.freewebs.com/leogecko/-UNDER CONSTRUCTION-Now named "Landmark Reptiles"Text here

just search the internet for the best price you can find....i wouldn't pay more than $45 a bulb. Depending on what type of cage you use will depend on whether to get the 100W versus the 160W. In those pictures i posted...the blue cage is 18" tall and i have a 100Watt in that one...the white cage is 24" tall and i put 160W in them....

one thing you can't do with the mercury vapor that you can do with other incandescent bulbs is have a resistor switch on it to control the temperature. So you have to simply adjust the distance of the light bulb to the basking spot.

don't buy anything from petco...go to the local pet store....well i guess that if the local pet store is run by nazis then petco would work...
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a free range dragon is a happy dragon

How are the new dragons doing? Any updated pics?

peace,
nate

Nathan,
Hi. Thanks for asking. They are doing great eating like pigs and growing fast. I am auctully reall excited about one of them. It was the least colorful and the smallest. Now he he is twice the size of the others and is getting great color.
Yah I do have new pics but I am pretty much computer stupid so I am waiting for mom to help me download them. I'll get on her so I can post some updates.
Also just had babies that started hatching where I work. I love it, it's been a long time so I forgot how exciting it was!!
Cara

mine stays on my shoulder depending on the time of day noon or earlyer he wants to run and play but afternoon its naptime. and he is by far the tamest lizard i have had