Are Bearded Dragons good reptile pet?

[Tim Winegard]

Hi, Everyone

I was wondering how a could convince my parents on why I should have a bearded dragon? I would like to know if you can handle them frequently?
Pls post replys!!

[crimsonking]

Tim, it is my opinion that beardeds are the ideal "pet" reptile. You can interract with them much more than most others too. Read all you can about their natural history, care, and maintenance. Join a herp club if there's one near you. I'm certain that there are people here much more knowledgable on the subject that will chime in and help you. Good luck. If your parents see that you are sincere about taking good care of a pet and keep him in good health, you'll have a dragon soon. Keep us advised.
Mark

[Tim Winegard]

Thanks Mark
I will read as much as possible about Bearded Dragons I have wanted one for quite some while and have done quite abit of research. In my reading I have never really seen a cage requirement. Im probably thinking 50 gal. what do you think?
Thanks again

[eyespy]

If you can, building a wooden cage rather than buying a glass one will save a lot of electricity and give you a better "floor plan" for a beardie. Their tails are somewhat inflexible at the base, and they can grow to 24 inches long (and maybe longer if German Giant!) so a tank should ideally be 24 inches deep to give them good turning room.

An excellent cage size is 4'x2'x2'. If you are going with a glass aquarium, a 40 gallon breeder is actually a better floor plan than a 55 gallon standard. Breeders are sometimes hard to find in pet stores but they could order one in for you pretty quickly.

I agree with Mark, beardies make excellent pets! I now have 5 and keep wanting more.

[silke]

i'm a firm believer in bigger is better as you will see more personality that way
I started my Dexter out in a 55 gal which is about 3ft long x 18 x 18
he is just over a year old now and he is in a gorgeous 6ft long x 2 x 2 and he makes full use of the space
I have logs and branches all over and he's climbing all day long
the enclosure takes up a good chunk of the living room
he is very sociable...for a lizard
i do recommend that you get a fecal done as my beardie had coccidia
you need to keep that in check
he also brumated at about 6 months (last winter) and scared the crap outa me so you need to be preapred for that and need to make sure he is in optimal health before this happens (ie no parasites)

[Uffern]

Cage size has been discussed already. Regardless of the size of the cage, I would recommend that you give the lizard plenty of run-around time. It will keep him in good shape, and help to better socialize him.

The way to convince your parents to let you have one is to learn as much about Bds as possible. If you have a definitive answer for any question they ask about dragons, it will go a long way. It will also help if you are able to pay for the lizard yourself. By this I mean the lizard, the caging, supplies, food, etc. You will want to explain to them the benefits and risks, being honest on both counts. If you present it in a mature manner, and make it so that the dragon is your responibility, not thiers, then I can't see a reason why they would not let you get one.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Tim Winegard]

Thank you guys for all your replys you have been extremely helpfull. It sounds like you are all extremely pleased with your Bearded Dragons, and that is good to know.
The only other question I have at this point is if you know of any Bearded Dragon breeders in Canada? or if anyone has good sites on info.
Thanks again everyone!!