Bearded dragons

[Ocean Lover]

My son has wanted a bearded dragon (lizard) for over a year now. I've heard it is probably the best reptilian pet you can have. They never bite and are family friendly. I don't take pet ownership lightly so if we do decide to do this we will do it right. I'm just not sure I want to make salad for the thing and buy crickets etc. all the time. Does anyone out there have one? I ran into a friend that has eight babies and she's looking for homes. Christmas is around the corner and I know Dylan would love one for Christmas. I just don't know if I'm ready yet. He's had hermit crabs before and they just totally grossed me out. One left it's shell, kicked another out of it's shell and never found the right fit with another and just stayed out of it's shell and eventually ended up dying. Eeew. Will the bearded dragons do something that will gross me out too? It's hard to get attached to something that gives you the willies.

 

[Sheila]

My son has wanted a bearded dragon (lizard) for over a year now. I've heard it is probably the best reptilian pet you can have. They never bite and are family friendly. I don't take pet ownership lightly so if we do decide to do this we will do it right. I'm just not sure I want to make salad for the thing and buy crickets etc. all the time. Does anyone out there have one? I ran into a friend that has eight babies and she's looking for homes. Christmas is around the corner and I know Dylan would love one for Christmas. I just don't know if I'm ready yet. He's had hermit crabs before and they just totally grossed me out. One left it's shell, kicked another out of it's shell and never found the right fit with another and just stayed out of it's shell and eventually ended up dying. Eeew. Will the bearded dragons do something that will gross me out too? It's hard to get attached to something that gives you the willies.

Never had one but this looks like some interesting info regarding the little creatins.

http://www.beardeddragonsecrets.com/

 

[Ocean Lover]

Never had one but this looks like some interesting info regarding the little creatins.

http://www.beardeddragonsecrets.com/

Thanks, I saw this too...it's an ad to buy some guys book...20 bucks. Looks good but I'm looking for free advice. Off to surf some more. If meal worms need to be a staple in the diet then I probably can't do it. I hate those things.

 

[Sheila]

Thanks, I saw this too...it's an ad to buy some guys book...20 bucks. Looks good but I'm looking for free advice. Off to surf some more. If meal worms need to be a staple in the diet then I probably can't do it. I hate those things.

I don't blame you for that! Good luck.

 

[OhioBeachBum]

Some other links with "free" information:

http://www.dachiu.com/care/abeard.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/gladescs/bearded/
http://www.lizardheaven.com/bearded.htm
http://users.erols.com/ziring/dragon.html
http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDcare.html

 

[Jdarg]

Thanks, I saw this too...it's an ad to buy some guys book...20 bucks. Looks good but I'm looking for free advice. Off to surf some more. If meal worms need to be a staple in the diet then I probably can't do it. I hate those things.

Meal worms are a pain. They have to live in the fridge. In the spring/early summer, we have containers of them in the fridge to feed the bluebirds. I love my bluebirds, but yyyuuuuukkkkk- worms in the fridge.

 

[OhioBeachBum]

Meal worms are a pain. They have to live in the fridge. In the spring/early summer, we have containers of them in the fridge to feed the bluebirds. I love my bluebirds, but yyyuuuuukkkkk- worms in the fridge.

Probably not a big deal unless you're reaching into the fridge for that leftover chicken fried rice and get the wrong container.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Some other links with "free" information:

http://www.dachiu.com/care/abeard.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/gladescs/bearded/
http://www.lizardheaven.com/bearded.htm
http://users.erols.com/ziring/dragon.html
http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDcare.html

Thanks! Some good info.

This sounds like a lot of work to me. Gutloading? never heard of it...I can't believe you have to feed the food before you feed the dragon. Jeesh.

Gutloading - Crickets and mealworms are readily available at most pet shops. These crickets and mealies are generally not high in nutrients directly from the pet shop and will need to be fed well (GutLoad, baby cereal, fresh fruit & veggies) before being offered to your Dragon. This is called 'gutloading'. I recommend 'gutloading' crickets for 24 hours before feeding. I use an orange, carrot and a potato for moisture, and a mixture of baby cereal and Gutload for nutrients.

 

[Jdarg]

Probably not a big deal unless you're reaching into the fridge for that leftover chicken fried rice and get the wrong container.

God help me if I have had so much wine that I didn't notice my "rice" wiggling around on my plate. Unfortunately, it takes a few minutes for the little boogers to warm up and start moving.

 

[Miss Kitty]

You are a nice mom....my son asked for reptiles a few times over the years. I always told him..."No, you can have all you want when you have your own place!" I would have run away from home if anything like that got loose in the house!