A bearded dragon can make a great pet if you know how to care for it and how to find and buy the right one for you. Although you can get a lot of satisfaction out of owning a pet with a beard, you should make sure that you buy one that is free of health issues before you bring it home. Failing to do this could be a recipe for disaster! After all, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on a sick or malnourished new best friend. To avoid this, there are a few questions to ask your breeder before you buy, especially if you’re taking delivery of your dragon and haven’t been able to inspect it yourself.

1. Age? This is the first question you should ask yourself. It is significant because the age of the dragon will determine the equipment that will be required and what should be included in its diet. After all, you will need to be very well prepared before your bearded man arrives and you don’t want to catch him and find out that you have the wrong setup. It will also be an indication of possible problems you may encounter such as behavioral problems, eating habits, and social interaction, etc.

2. This leads me to the next question: eating habits? You will have to ask about his daily diet, how well and what he eats. This is to ensure that you are eating properly and will not be susceptible to nutritional disorders in the future. You want to make sure the dragon is eating a healthy mix of protein (insects) and fruits and vegetables.

3. Next, be sure to ask to see a picture of the bearded dragon. This way you can get an idea of ​​your health. Is it a good size? Not over or under weight? Do you have any unusual markings, coloring, or lumps and bumps? Do you hold your head up and keep your mouth shut? Do you have all the body parts attached? These are all things to keep in mind. And of course, an image is not the same as seeing the real thing, so it would be better if you could see a series of images showing all angles.

4. Because you may not meet your bearded dragon before it arrives, you’ll need to make sure the breeder has a warranty policy and check the terms and conditions. I’m sure you don’t want the nasty surprise of a sickly bearded man and then not being able to send him back. You basically need to cover all the bases and know what you’re getting into.

5. Finally check the price of the dragon. Yes, not all beardies cost the same. They can actually vary quite a bit depending on age, size, coloration, and species. The coloration is also known as a morph. Some morphs can be quite rare and there is a wide variety to choose from. Rare morphs will obviously cost a lot more than common colors, so it’s something to keep in mind. You may also want to shop around a bit to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
These are just some of the questions to ask yourself before you buy. Remember to stay informed and learn as much as you can about them before you take the plunge! Do this and you should enjoy a happy beard for a long time.