You’re at the pet store, your nose pressed to the glass as you watch bearded dragons in their enclosure. You’ve always wanted one, but you’re concerned whether buying from a pet store is the right choice. While many people buy bearded dragons from stores like Petco and PetSmart without issues, many experienced reptile enthusiasts will recommend another route: buying from a breeder.
Breeders of bearded dragons prioritize the welfare of their animals over profits. You can connect with these professionals either online, in your community, or at reptile expos.
Many Pet Stores Don’t Properly Care for Beardies
Pet stores are a popular place to purchase bearded dragons and other reptiles. The reason? Convenience. It’s easy to walk into a pet store and walk out with a bearded dragon. What’s more, these pets are affordable, with PetSmart selling them at around $100. Yet, here are a few things to know:
- Many reptiles are sourced from farms. There’s a difference between a reptile breeder who genuinely cares about their pets versus a farm. Farms are focused on churning out as many reptiles as possible, then sourcing them to pet stores. Often, they don’t receive proper care, making them predisposed to common illnesses that affect bearded dragons.
- Pet stores usually aren’t staffed with reptile professionals. Most pet stores don’t have experienced reptile carers on staff. This means that bearded dragons can be subject to malnutrition, mites, and other problems while in the store’s care.
- Stores aren’t connected to the reptile-keeping community. Buying from a breeder is more than making a purchase; it’s about connecting with somebody in the reptile community who can refer you to trustworthy exotic veterinarians and other resources.
Breeders Are Personally Invested in Reptiles’ Care
There are dozens of reptile keepers who focus on breeding healthy bearded dragons—many of whom you can find online. A reputable breeder will have all the information on hand about their bearded dragons, including their parentage and whether they were screened for genetic health issues. They would also have no problem showing you the enclosures where they raise bearded dragons and answering questions about their nutrition, eating habits, and temperament. They would also take back any beardies that don’t thrive or fit into your lifestyle.
Note that just like there are backyard breeders in the dog world, there are also some in the reptile world. An inexperienced or unethical bearded dragon breeder would have dozens and dozens of specimens, making it impossible to care for each one’s individual needs. They may have many uncommon morphs (or colorations) that you could purchase on demand. An ethical breeder doesn’t breed for appearance; they breed for health and temperament. Having many rare morphs could mean that the reptiles are inbred, and therefore more likely to suffer issues down the road.
Reptile Expos Are Great Places to Buy Beardies
Every year, some major cities (and not-so-major ones), host reptile conventions and expos. At these events, vendors in the reptile-keeping world come together and share information, resources, and personal experiences about keeping scaly pets. Often, breeders come with reptiles for sale. Here, you could find a bearded dragon and also learn a thing or two about their care.
A word of advice: you should never feel pressured to purchase a reptile, whether from a private breeder’s home or in a convention center. If you’re on the fence about a purchase at a convention, step away for a moment and see if there are any reviews online for that particular seller. Often, vendors at reptile expos own businesses and have received feedback from customers. Your findings may inform your decision.
How to Find the Best Bearded Dragon Breeder
The best bearded dragon breeder for your situation depends on many factors, including where you live, your budget, and what morph you’re looking to purchase. You can connect with an experienced breeder by:
- Posting to online forums. Reddit and reptile-specific message boards are a great way to learn about bearded dragon breeders. You can also read about the positive and negative experiences others have had.
- Going to reptile events. You don’t have to purchase a bearded dragon at a reptile expo. Instead, you can get information from other enthusiasts at the event. Never underestimate the power of word of mouth!
- Reaching out to online publications. If you’ve done research about bearded dragons online, you may have a favorite author or prefer a certain website. Reach out to the authors of articles or websites and ask questions. Just like you, many of these individuals also want to connect with other reptile lovers.
What You Must Buy for a Bearded Dragon
We’ve established that you can buy a bearded dragon at a pet store, from a breeder, or at a reptile convention. Yet, while bearded dragons are great lizards for beginners, they need a few things to really thrive. After all, they’re not like cats and dogs that can free roam!
Bearded dragons need tanks relative to their stage of development. While juveniles can comfortably occupy a 20-gallon tank, adults need at least 40-gallon tanks. You’ll also need to purchase a hygrometer to measure the tank’s humidity levels, UVB lighting to regulate your beardie’s metabolism, and a thermometer. Bearded dragons need varying temperatures throughout their enclosures, with 104 degrees Fahrenheit for their basking area and at least 71 degrees Fahrenheit for their cooling area.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous and enjoy live crickets, mealworms, and kingworms. They also enjoy vegetables like pepper and sweet potatoes. To keep your dragon’s enclosure tidy, get a water dish and food bowl. This will prevent them from messing up their space.
There are many other supplies you’ll need to make your bearded dragon comfortable. However, with proper care, they can live for 20 years in captivity!
