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Anonymous
dear /an/

In about a month or so im going to be getting a pet lizard. I dont know what kind yet but i was thinking a bearded dragon. Is this a good beginner reptile? also what would i need in the tank, like how strong a lightbulb and if i have one will i need a heating pad and what size tank should i get
>> Anonymous
All this can be answered with google.
>> Anonymous
>>166511
Everything on /an/ could be answered using google, most anything anywhere can be answered using google. But the internet is for lazy people.
>> Anonymous
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Bearded dragons make excellent pet lizards if you're a beginner. They're sturdy and don't need ridiculous amounts of care, and they're very attentive and don't mind being handled. Make sure you research the species first, and ask the people who work at the pet store what they recommend you do.

As for what you need in the cage, make sure that you have 2 types of light (you can get them in one bulb, though). A UV light (they replicate sunlgiht and help the lizard digest) and a heat lamp, (not sure specifically how many watts, though), but remember that beardies are desert lizards so you don't want yours to get cold. They just need rocks/logs and stuff to climb on or bask on, and a little bowl with water. Heat pads can be nice but aren't necessary, but be careful cause they can get too hot and burn the lizard or even ignite fires. Get a big tank, because bearded dragons may start out only a few inches long but can grow almost up to two feet.

Feeding the lizard is another thing to be concerned with, though. You can buy bearded dragon dry pellets, and they're fine, but they're not that healthy compared to other otions. It's better if you can feed your lizard live crickets, mealworms, and fresh greens. You can buy crickets at any pet store, and just cut up regular lettuce to make a salad.

If you end up getting a bearded dragon, good luck!
>> Anonymous
Don't get a heat rock either.
>> Anonymous
Bearded dragons are not for beginners. They get two feet long, so they need a huge tank. They also need veggies, which many beginners find hard to do correctly e.g.>>166517"just cut up regular lettuce to make a salad." The lighting requirements will also cost a bit if done properly. If not done properly it will be a slow road to m.b.d. for the bearded dragon. Bearded dragons also need calcium and d3 supplements.
You aren't just going to be able to go to a pet store and have them tell you all the right things to get, and unless you're a genius a book won't impress upon you all the important factors even though it tells you so.

Just get yourself a couple anoles, or forest armadillo lizards. Don't buy your reptiles from pet stores either. Check out kingsnake.com classifieds, or some place like that.
>> Anonymous
>>166524
Anoles. LOL.

Bearded dragons aren't incredibly hard to take care of. As long as you research on it. But then again, you should do that with every animal.
>> Anonymous
>>166524

This depends on how you define "beginner."

If beginner = a first-time lizard owner who is willing to do research, talk to a few folks who actually raise or at least work with beardies, and shell out some serious money to do things the right way the first time... then, yes, a bearded is a GREAT reptile for a beginner.

If, on the other hand, beginner = lol retard who expects to get a cheap herp set-up and a hand-hold from the pet store folks, then, no. It's not a great beginner lizard. In fact, you shouldn't have any pets at all, ever.
>> Anonymous
>>166542
I define a beginner as a cross of the two. They usually don't expect it to be cheap, but they don't really grasp what the full price would be. Even if they do research they aren't going to fully get everything. Much of the info varies a bit, and some things will impress upon them more than others as to their importance. I imagine that less than one in twenty beginning lizard owners would make a good setup for a bearded dragon on their first try.

This is what I usually see with "good" beginners, and I've seen more than a few. A medium sized cage, about 36"-48". A uva heat lamp, and a heat rock. Feeding crickets and lettuce, perhaps with calcium supplement. Sometimes a small container of bearded dragon food. Sand and rocks in the cage.
All that would probably sound great to a beginner, and nothing would seem obviously wrong with to them.
>> Anonymous
bearded dragons definitely look the coolest
>> Anonymous
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>>166562
To an idiot maybe!
>> Anonymous
Get a Tegu. They're adorable.
>> Anonymous
>>166583oh yeah or a tokay gecko. fucking sexy.
>> Anonymous
>>166524
This anon knows what he's talking about, at least for the most part. What he says about the dragons is true, but he also assumes that the OP is incapable at keeping a healthy bearded dragon as a first pet reptile, when in reality, if the OP researchs enough and is willing to commit, beardies are as easy a beginner pet as any other reptile. He also fails for assuming that>>166517is a beginner, because he has no idea what he's talking about.

Also, see if you can find a vet that specializes in reptiles, because that's always helpful.
>> Anonymous
>>166654
I didn't assume that>>166517was a beginner. He obviously knows a couple things, and must have some experience with reptiles. He just gave dumb advice e.g. heat pads, bearded dragon pellets, regular lettuce, meal worms. That's all the amateur stuff I would expect. Not horrible stuff, just not quite right. You can learn all kinds of stuff through reading, and talking to people. Learning and knowing are two different things though. It's not impossible for a beginner to get it all right. I just know that it's very unlikely that something won't be missing in the care of a lizard like a bearded dragon by a noob.
>> Anonymous
how can you suggest an anole instead of a beardie? anoles are actually harder to properly care for, and have a much higher mortality in the hands of novice reptile keepers than beardies. a pet store should be able to tell everything you need to know about keeping your reptile if their's are in good shape. i'm the reptile CAS at the petco i work at, i take care of all the reptiles/amphibs and make sure that nobody leaves my store without everything they'll need as well as the knowledge to keep their pet healthy.


the beginner reptiles i usually recommend are either leopard geckos, armadillo lizards, and beardies (and two feet is not that big, most of the commonly available lizards will reach 18inches plus)

the ones i tell people to steer away from are iguanas, monitors, and the more agressive tropical arboreal geckos (skunks, tokays) unless they like something with an aggressive personality
>> Anonymous
>>166667

Personally, I would recommend anoles for beginners. They are cheap (US $10), shitty lizards, so you can feel free to fuck up and learn all you want with them before moving on to a herp that is actually worth the time, money, and effort (like a beardie). All you will be out is ten bucks instead of sixty or more, and it's not like anyone ever really feels bad about accidentally killing a fucking anole through improper care.
>> Anonymous
cage- 4x2x2

uvb lighting

uva lighting

calcium

d3 supplement

gutload for the bugs

crickets, phoenix worms, butter worms, silk worms, roach's, horn worms

collared greens, carrot tops, romain lettuce, beans, kale, and various fruits

two thermometers, high range

hygrometer

substrate calcium sand for adults cage carpet for juveniles
>> Anonymous
>>166678
Bearded dragons are about as good for beginners as
a water dragon, monitor lizard, iguana, or uromastyx. Which is to say not at all really.
>> Anonymous
>>166679

Iguanas and monitors are the worst fucking lizards for beginners. EVER.
>> Anonymous
>>166694
Agreed.
>> Kotone !bQXLaktCGc
>>166696
So what's a good starter? An anole? Lol.
>> Anonymous
>>166697
Bearded dragons, gay ass leopard geckos, blue tongue skinks, armadillo lizards, etc.
>> Anonymous
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I had a dragon once but I pickled it.
>> gizmogal !MmLOyiCYJs
I have a friend who has one of those. It's very good when handled, but it doesn't... do much.
>> Anonymous
>>167067
I know! All my pickled pets become so passive. Please help, /an/
>> Anonymous
Get a crocodile monitor. Much friendlier than Beardies.