Where to Get a Bearded Dragon

• Buy from a private breeder
• Buy from a vendor at a reptile expo
• Buy from a pet store
• Adopt from a shelter

Breeders

Finding a Breeder

Reptile Expos

These events are gat­h­er­ings of vendors selling reptiles and rel­ated supplies that take place in almost every state at various times throughout the year. At some of these shows, local herp societies and adoption agencies may have booths or tables at which you can purchase animals. Most shows allow a mix of captive-bred, farm-raised, and wild-caught reptiles.

 

Pet Stores

The majority of bearded dra­gon owners obtain their dragons at pet stores. A rep­ut­able pet store sells only healthy dragons and makes sure that all its animals receive proper care.

 

• Does the store sell a variety of reptiles or just dragons and one or two other species? Ideally, the store from which you buy should offer a number of well-cared-for reptiles.
• Are the dragons in clean, roomy cages with proper heating and lighting?
• Are there any dead dragons in the cage with live ones? If so, this is a very bad sign.
• Do the other animals sold at the store look healthy? Are they kept in clean and appropriate housing?
• Is the lighting poor, or does the store have a par­ticularly bad smell? Neither of these is indicative of a good pet store.
• Does the staff seem knowledgeable about bearded dragon care? Ask about the diet the dragons are eating, the temperature of the enclosure, how big they will grow, and any other questions you can think of to determine how well versed the employees are in dragon care.

Adoption

Bearded dragons are available for adoption through herp societies, animal shelters, or classified ads in newspapers. Some people who are giving up their dragons may also put up flyers at pet stores or veterinary offices. Before you adopt a bearded dragon, however, there are some factors to consider.

 

• Health: A dragon up for adoption may not be in the best of health. Depending on why it’s being given away, the dragon could be suffering from neglect, malnutrition, or illness. Before adopting a bearded dragon, make sure you have the time and resources it takes to nurse such an animal back to health.
• Socialization: If a bearded dragon’s previous owner neglected it, it’s not likely to be properly socialized to people. Most dragons with bad attitudes can be tamed with a little effort, but this is not always the case.

How to Select a Healthy Bearded Dragon

• Get a young dragon if possible: Most of the time, dragons sold in pet stores are babies. Ideally, you want a young dragon—about 2–3 months old—rather than a fresh hatchling. Bearded dragons are very hardy, but the hatchlings can be somewhat delicate.
• Check for a healthy appearance: You want a bearded dragon with bright, alert eyes—not eyes that are half or fully closed. Observe how the dragon moves and whether it’s favoring any of its limbs.
• Handle it: Handling your prospective pet will allow you to inspect it more closely. Most dragons will allow you to handle them with little fear or struggle. A dragon that struggles excessively or tries to bite may have an aggressive temperament.
• Check the mouth: To get a look at the inside of a dragon’s mouth, gently press your finger along the side of its mouth. It will eventually become annoyed and try to bite you. When it opens its mouth, check for sores, missing teeth, or cheesy-looking pus. If any of these symptoms is present, the dragon has health problems, and you should pick another one to purchase.
• Check its weight: A healthy bearded dragon has a good body weight. If it feels too light for its size, select a different one.
• Look for discharge: There should be no discharge from the nose or eyes. Also, there should be no feces or other material smeared or crusted around the vent.
• Examine the thighs: If a dragon’s thighs look too fat, very gently squeeze a thigh between your thumb and forefinger. If the thigh feels rather hard, not like soft muscle tissue, the dragon has metabolic bone disease, a common ailment among young dragons. (This disease can also cause swelling and deformity of the jaws, tail, and spine.) Don’t purchase a bearded dragon with this condition.