Bearded dragons

[Ocean Lover]

OMG...Katie Blue, I just got a x-mas mag in the mail today and they were selling these little guys!!!!!! wow!!! I think I wanted some when I was little!!! everything old is new again!! ;-)

I always wanted them when I was little too. A few years ago we visited the Tennesee Aquarium (probably real close to the Otters) and bought some Sea Monkeys in the gift shop. Oh they were a delight...dancing, doing tricks, swimming about gleefully wearing their little crowns...NOT. Seriously, I think they were little plankton floating in the water.

 

[Ocean Lover]

My son had a bearded dragon for several years. She just died a year or so ago. He did have to feed her mealworms and crickets and he had her in an aquarium with a special light. He was totally responsible for her, feeding and cleaning of the cage. He is now 15, at the time, he was about 10 or 11. Her name was "Beardie" (how original!!) and was an excellent pet. She could be handled easily, never biting. My son learned responsibility from that little dragon! Oh, by the way, he also has a corn snake and a rare turtle. My other son has a hamster, talk about dirty, eek, he's funny but his cage has to be cleaned alot. I actually think reptiles are fairly clean for an indoor pet. My son has had alot of them. He also has hermit crabs that he has had for about 5 years!

Thanks for your post. I'm thinking if we wait another year or so he will be more responsible and it won't be left up to me so much. Yes, we always had original names for our pets too. Goldie the goldfish, Cuddles the dwarf hamster and Nibbles the other dwarf hamster. I've found that the corn cob bedding for hamsters is the best way to keep it smelling clean and fresh. I only needed to clean the cage maybe once a month. You should try it!

 

[alic65]

Thanks for your post. I'm thinking if we wait another year or so he will be more responsible and it won't be left up to me so much. Yes, we always had original names for our pets too. Goldie the goldfish, Cuddles the dwarf hamster and Nibbles the other dwarf hamster. I've found that the corn cob bedding for hamsters is the best way to keep it smelling clean and fresh. I only needed to clean the cage maybe once a month. You should try it!

Corn Cob bedding huh??? Thanks for the info., I'll try it for sure. This little fellow pees in his exercise wheel all the time and stinks up his cage.....Maybe he just can't control his bladder!!! His name is Napoleon, so cute and fun to watch!!

 

[katie blue]

...Oh they were a delight...dancing, doing tricks, swimming about gleefully wearing their little crowns...NOT. Seriously, I think they were little plankton floating in the water.

Yup, brine shrimp. no crowns, no smirky expressions, nothin'! i got some as a gag gift not too long ago. wish they'd gotten me the X-RAY SPECS instead! ;-)

 

[seagrovelover]

x-ray specs!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mermaid]

My daughter has our little poodle and I think my son feels left out. I already drew the line with no rats, mice or snakes in the house. I think I could handle a lizard. It's the feeding part I'm having a problem with! The more I read the more I think it may not be the right time...I know I would end up doing most of the feeding, maintenance etc..

I think I'd go for another poodle before getting something revolting like a lizard. Ewwwwwww. (You can tell I go for soft and cuddly! )

 

[katie blue]

If the dragon would outlive the years your son will be at home, then you might have a valid case for denial...

 

[peapod1980]

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.

Is there a salmonella risk with bearded dragons? I always vetoed reptiles in our house because of this, but I don't know if it applies to bearded dragons. They're pretty cute, though!

 

[Ocean Lover]

Is there a salmonella risk with bearded dragons? I always vetoed reptiles in our house because of this, but I don't know if it applies to bearded dragons. They're pretty cute, though!

I don't think so but not totally sure.

 

[Ocean Lover]

If the dragon would outlive the years your son will be at home, then you might have a valid case for denial...

Hmmm, you may have something there...I read that they live for approx. 10 years.