by Scot Johnson

Created on: June 08, 2008

Today, you will learn the reasons you should not buy a bearded dragon from a pet store. When you are in the market for a bearded dragon your first instinct may be to go to your local pet store. This is not always the best place to go. Why, you ask. The answer is very simple. Most pet stores buy their bearded dragons from a wholesaler. A wholesaler is someone that buys large quantities from several breeders than sells them to the stores at wholesale. The majority of these animals have disease and health problems because they don't discern from good breeders and bad ones. When they get these lizards they just group them up and diseases spread. When they get to the pet store they're stressed which can make them sicker. Most pet stores can't afford to have a vet check them and medicate if needed.

So, if you are a person who does not care about all that. There are a few things you can look for to determine if the reptile is in good health. 1. Is the color bright and vibrant? 2. Are the eyes glossy and clear? 3. When you hold the reptile is it wheezing? 4. Is the animal alert and responsive to you when being held, or is it just sitting or lying there? 5. Is the skin tight or is it hanging off? You can also ask the store when it was last fed. You may even request them to feed it for you while you're there to see if it takes the food. Ask them how long they have had it, how old is it.

Ok, so now you bought your reptile and have it at home. If you have other reptiles of the same species DO NOT put them together. You need to quarantine your new pet from all others. Most young reptiles like puppies have worms, go online and buy some Parazap. This will remove them and even help your bearded dragon with other problems that you may not see. After you have quarantined the reptile for about a month and have not seen or noticed any health problems then you are in the clear.

As one of the more popular lizard breeds taken in as pets, the bearded dragon lizard is actually quite easy to look after. They require minimum fuss and maintenance except for the staple care and supplies of the general reptile breed as a whole. There is no recommended age for the bearded dragon to be bought as a pet. Unlike other animals that develop bonds with their caretakers during childhood and become tamer as they spend more time with humans, bearded dragons are independent creatures. They fend for themselves and even those adopted during adulthood can develop strong relations with their owners.

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