How to Pick Bearded Dragons

Series Summary

Bearded dragons are native to Australia, but are popular exotic pets in many places. Known for their friendly, calm nature, bearded dragons can reach 18 to 24 inches and live for 8 to 15 years. They range in color from light tan to dark brown and are usually more terrestrial, though some will climb trees. As pets, bearded dragons are known to be docile and trusting, as well as very comfortable with human contact, which is why bearded dragons can make great pets for children.

In this free video series, our expert will show you how to care for bearded dragons. You will learn how to pick a healthy bearded dragon from the pet store and set up a cage. You will also learn how to properly light and heat the cage for your bearded dragon, and how to pick the best light bulbs for the job. Get tips on bearded dragon diets, general health and behavior characteristics. Finally, learn how to handle your bearded dragon and read general body language cues. If you are looking for a fun and easy reptile for your next pet, let our expert show you everything you need to know about bearded dragons.

Video Transcript

"The first thing we're going to talk about today is how to properly pick the right Bearded Dragon. Most people are going to go to a pet store, and they're going to look, and they're going to try to find the right Bearded Dragon for them. Most people are also going to go ahead and pick one out on color, or grab which ever one they think is the cutest. Probably not the best way to pick one out, though you can use those as well to attribute which one you want. The first thing you want to watch for is activity. Is the Bearded Dragon moving around? Is he active? Are his eyes open and bright? Does it seem attentive, inquisitive? A baby Bearded Dragon, if you are buying a baby, should be an active little guy. They should look they are investigating the world for the first time. Also, you want to make sure that they have a little bit of a chubby belly, OK, but you don't want an overly fat belly either. Alright? Also, get the lizard out, or have the pet store employee get the lizard out, and take a close look at his vent. You went to make sure that it is clean and clear, and it doesn't have any strange bulges, or coloration. What you're looking for is to make sure basically, that he is defecating properly. Also, you're going to want to get a close look at the mouth. Is the mouth hanging open? Does it have any strange discolorations or growths on it? Is it closing properly? Are his nostrils clean and clear? These are all things to take in to consideration. They can be signs of a illness, respiratory infections, over feeding, dehydration, and other various problems that you could be having with a Bearded Dragon. And if you see more than one Bearded Dragon that shows these signs in a pet store, I suggest that you move on to a different pet store. Also, make sure that you're checking the enclosure. Make sure it's clean and clear of uneaten food."