Introduction to Buying a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are among the most popular pet reptiles in the world, which isn’t surprising considering that once you have the correct setup, they are relatively easy to care for. It’s estimated that over 1.7 million households in the United States own bearded dragons. They make great pets for beginners and experts alike, even if you haven’t owned reptiles before. If you’re considering buying a bearded dragon, this article will provide all the information to assist you in finding a healthy pet.
The first thing to consider when buying a bearded dragon is where you buy them from. There are four main options, including a reputable breeder, rescue center, pet store, or online retailer. Some options are more recommended than others due to their reputation for quality and responsible breeding practices. Knowing the pros and cons of each option is essential for making an informed decision, and this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Buying a Bearded Dragon From a Reputable Breeder (Recommended)
Purchasing a bearded dragon from a reputable breeder is highly recommended for various reasons.
Characteristics of a Good Breeder
Reputable breeders prioritize the health and welfare of their breeding stocks. They don’t just breed for quantity and financial gain, so more time and effort is put into responsible breeding practices. Backyard breeders, on the other hand, do not have the required knowledge and resources to breed responsibly and usually care more about profit than the health of their animals. They may inadvertently breed bearded dragons with poor genetics, which makes the offspring more likely to have genetic defects or health problems.
Reputable breeders are highly knowledgeable about bearded dragons and have expert-level knowledge of ethical breeding practices. They are familiar with the specific care requirements for bearded dragons and can provide proper housing, diets, and handling techniques. Reputable breeders work closely with reptile-savvy veterinarians who conduct health checks and genetic screening to ensure that the bearded dragons are healthy and free from genetic issues that could be passed to their offspring.
Although there are many pros to buying a bearded dragon from a reputable breeder, there are some disadvantages to consider, too. Reputable breeders invest in the health, care, welfare, and genetics of their bearded dragons, so it’s understandable why they usually cost more. Some breeders charge a few hundred to thousand, but this is a worthwhile investment considering you will have a healthy and well-bred bearded dragon prone to fewer health problems or genetic defects.
Finding a Breeder
You can find a reputable breeder online or through social media, directories, or reptile expos. Choosing a breeder with proper licenses or certifications and a reputation for ethical breeding practices is essential. They should ideally be part of associations or clubs such as the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK), North American Reptile Breeders Conference (NARBC), International Herpetological Society (IHC), or any local or national clubs.
A good breeder will be transparent about their husbandry practices and the health and temperament of their breeding stock. They should be willing to answer your questions and provide expert advice to prove their understanding. Also, they should be able to guarantee the health of their bearded dragons and whether they do vet checkups or genetic screening.
Buying a Bearded Dragon from a Rescue (Recommended)
Adopting a rescue bearded dragon is the next best option because it’s one of the more rewarding and affordable options.
Why We Recommend Adopting a Rescue Bearded Dragon
One of the most noteworthy benefits of adoption is that you will be giving a bearded dragon a loving home and a second chance at life. Most bearded dragons who end up at rescue centers have a background of neglect or may have been abandoned by their previous owners. By adopting them, you give them the loving home they deserve and support the rescue center and other animals in their care. Furthermore, you generally only need to pay an adoption fee, which could be less than buying from a breeder or pet store.
Some rescues might be able to provide background information on the bearded dragon’s health and temperament. However, this isn’t always possible, but it still doesn’t mean they won’t make good pets. Rescue bearded dragons tend to become more friendly and interactive once they settle in their new home, but some can be skittish due to previous neglect or mistreatment. But that doesn’t mean they won’t warm up to you once you start taming and socializing with them.
Although there’s no guarantee on the bearded dragons health, some rescue centers will conduct health checks, including behavioral traits or health needs.
Finding a Rescue
The best way to find a rescue that has bearded dragons up for adoption or rehoming is by searching online for reputable reptile rescue organizations, such as the Bearded Dragon Foundation. Even if the rescue doesn’t specify that they have reptiles up for adoption, it’s still worth asking if they do. You can also try searching on social media, forums, or local reptile community sites. It’s also worth visiting local rescue centers or shelters to see if they have any bearded dragons up for adoption.
Buying a Bearded Dragon from a Pet Store (Be Cautious)
Buying bearded dragons from pet stores is a common option, but it usually isn’t recommended.
Potential Concerns
Some people have an issue with buying from a pet store because they consider it unethical. This is because pet stores are known for poor breeding and husbandry practices. Little thought is given to the individual needs and health of bearded dragons, so you might buy one with health problems or hereditary conditions due to poor breeding.
Some pet stores stock their bearded dragons from commercial reptile breeding mills, which are facilities that prioritize profit over the animal’s welfare. The animals are usually raised in unsuitable conditions, and little thought is given to their health and well-being. Their goal is to produce as many animals as possible in poor conditions to maximize profit, which then gets supplied to various pet stores. Not only do you risk getting an unhealthy bearded dragon when you choose to buy from a pet store, but you also inadvertently support reptile breeding mills and their unethical practices.
In some cases, these breeding mills capture wild reptiles for the reptile trade to supply to pet stores. This practice is incredibly stressful for the animals, which can make them more prone to illness or serious health problems.
Of course, not all reptile breeding mills are unethical. Some local small-scale reptile breeding facilities follow ethical breeding practices and care about the animal’s welfare. However, they care more about the quality of the animal rather than maximizing profit and demand, so they typically charge more to stock their animals.
Signs of a Quality Pet Store
If you choose to buy a bearded dragon from a pet store, it’s essential to ensure that you support one that cares for their animals properly and where they are sourced. A quality pet store will be clean and well-maintained, with friendly and knowledgeable staff educated on the animals’ individual care needs. The enclosures should be clean and stocked with the appropriate substrate, food, and water. The bearded dragon’s enclosure should be set up correctly with basking lamps and UVB lighting.
A quality pet store will be transparent and honest about where their animals are sourced from. They should use reputable reptile breeding facilities rather than unethical breeding mills. They should have no issue providing you with contact details and information about where they source their animals. This allows you to research whether it’s reputable or not and gives you peace of mind about the health of the animals you’re considering bringing home.
Buying a Bearded Dragon From an Online Retailer (Not Recommended)
The last option we will discuss is buying from an online retailer, which isn’t generally recommended for several reasons.
Reasons to Avoid Buying Online
Buying online can be risky, primarily because it’s challenging to check the health and environment of the bearded dragon without seeing it in person. There’s also the risk of poor handling, long shipping times, and lack of legal regulation.
Without seeing the bearded dragon in person, you won’t be able to see if they have any health issues. It’s difficult to determine their health from a photo or video, especially if it was taken before they became unhealthy. This means you could end up with a sick bearded dragon needing ongoing veterinary care or treatment. It also increases their risk of dying during shipping or arriving in bad condition.
Furthermore, online sellers might be unable to provide detailed information on the bearded dragon’s health, history, and temperament. The online seller could be breeding animals unethically or capturing them from the wild for the pet trade.
There’s a risk of falling victim to scams. The online seller might not deliver the bearded dragon or lie about its health or morph. Some sellers prey on new buyers or first-time bearded dragon keepers who won’t know the difference between different morphs. They could claim to sell you a rare morph that costs you a lot of money. This could be a scam where they send you no reptile or a different morph than the one you originally paid for.
Also, shipping is stressful for any animal, and it’s common for bearded dragons to become sick or even die from long shipping times. This is especially true if they travel without food or water and are exposed to extremely cold or hot temperatures.
Warning Signs of an Untrustworthy Online Seller
If you choose to buy a bearded dragon online, make sure that you do plenty of research on the seller and ensure that they are trustworthy. An untrustworthy online seller will always have a lot of negative reviews, so make sure you thoroughly search the retailer before committing to buy.
Furthermore, avoid any online sellers that make claims that seem too good to be true, such as selling you a rare morph for less than the average market price. A trustworthy online seller should accept payment through secure and reputable third-party platforms rather than asking for direct payment information.
Final Tips for Buying a Bearded Dragon
What to Look For When Buying a Bearded Dragon
These are signs that you would be bringing home a healthy and well-cared-for pet.
- Bright, Clear Eyes: Their eyes should be clear and bright, without squinting, swelling, or discoloration. Avoid buying them if their eyes are sunken or they struggle to open one or both eyes, which could indicate an injury or infection.
- Alert and Active: It’s a good idea to watch their behavior for a few minutes. They should be active and moving around rather than acting lethargic. Ensure that they respond to being handled by you or the staff rather than seeming limp or lethargic. Check to see if they eat or drink, bask, or move around without limping or difficulty.
- Healthy Weight: The bearded dragon should appear to be a healthy weight for their age and size. Their body shouldn’t be sunken and their skin loose, nor should they have visible bulging sides or be overweight.
- Healthy Skin: Their skin should be clear and shiny without discolored patches, injuries, parasites, or signs of infection.
Questions to Ask
Whether you adopt or buy a bearded dragon from a breeder, here is a list of questions for the seller. They should be comfortable to answer the questions correctly and provide you with information on the bearded dragon’s care, health, behavior, and diet.
- What is the age and gender of the bearded dragon?
- Does it have any previous or existing health issues?
- What kind of diet has the bearded dragon been fed?
- What is the bearded dragon’s history or background information? (For rescues)
- Can you describe the enclosure and habitat conditions?
- How often is the bearded dragon handled?
- What is their behavior and temperament like?
- Can you provide care instructions or recommendations?
- Do you have any licenses or certifications to be breeding? (For breeders)
- Where are your bearded dragons sourced from? (For pet stores and online retailers)
Important Care Considerations
Before buying a bearded dragon, you must ensure that you can provide them with proper care. Bearded dragons are a 10 to 15-year commitment and need proper care to thrive and live a long, healthy life. They need an appropriate enclosure setup, a balanced diet, and the correct heating and lighting. You also need to consider the cost of ongoing care, such as substrate, food, enrichment, and veterinary checkups. You can browse the website for more detailed advice on bearded dragon care.
Conclusion
Buying a bearded dragon is a rewarding and exciting experience but requires careful consideration. Buying bearded dragons from a reputable breeder or rescue center is recommended rather than from pet stores or online retailers. You should research where you want to buy your bearded dragon to determine which option works best for you. Ideally, you want to choose one that prioritizes the health and well-being of the animal so that you know you will be bringing home a healthy pet.
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