Heya, potential beginner here!

[Beezelburg]

Hello folks, I've been considering buying a beardie in the near future and have began to count the moths in my wallet (harhar). I have been doing my homework but some things haven't been clarified in my studies, I've also been keeping track of this forum for a few days now and you all seem to be friendly bunch (and in some cases) almost as insane as I am, always a good start! ^^

Being a student I live in rented accommodation during term time, this always raises the issue if I can get accommodation that allow pets for a start and I would hardly think it fair to dump such a specialist animal on my mum as she is already a slave to many rabbits, guinnea pigs, a dog and horses.. I know beardies can have settling related stress, but is that normally just after purchase, getting used to their new owner or after moving accommodation, or does it depend entirely on the beardie? Living all the way over in Scotland, the weather is hardly appropriate conditions for the beardie to be exposed to while moving, being between 21-74ºF season dependant.. time to snuggle up under blankets? The distance between my term address and my parent's house isn't all too far, a hour in the car or so traffic dependant. But in no way, shape or form do I want to be putting a beardie under any unnecessary stress!

Next week I plan to tread in dangerous territory and take a visit to a local pet store and see the beardies they have in stock.. If things continue the way they are going, I may end up having one of my very own within the next few months.

Stu.

On a side note- I've been looking at all the pictures of your beardies, their all so adorable! I really envy you all.

 

[renich]

Hi, Stu and welcome! Hats off to you for doing your homework before making a bearded dragon one of your family members.

Relo stress. It really is different between each dragon. I'll give you the synopsis of what can occur. Yes, it can occur when you bring your beardie home. Yes, it can occur when you change vivs. Yes, it can occur with each new move that happens. This could potentially involve changing your own living arrangements. What I mean is buying a new sofa and getting rid of the old. If your beardie has that sofa as part of his living quarters (viewable from the viv), it could stress him out. This is obviously an extreme case, but I've heard of it happening before.

I've also known someone who took their dragon on vacation. The dragon did just fine. So, you just never know.

An hour commute is doable. You can always crank the heat up in the car. And get glove warmers. Not sure if you have them over there, but they sell them at sporting good stores in the US. They are little packs that you place in your gloves to keep your hands warm while outdoors.

Hope this helps!

 

[staylor]

As Renee said, relo stress depends on the dragons. When I bought my baby, he did not eat for almost a week and did not get his full appitie back for about 3 weeks, a little on the extreme side from what I have seen from others on here(((there were also other issues with him when I got him))). When I bought my adult, the relo stress lasted about 2 hours. I just moved to a new house and was worried how this would affect them, both took about 30 minuets to settle into the new house, it was as if we never moved.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Aloha and welcome

 

[Pogie]

Hi and welcome,

My BD suffered from initial relo stress when I got her, but it was a long ride over, but since then I have changed her VIV 3x and nothing with the changes, she was fine. Also took her to the vet one time (1.5 hours away) and she did fine also. It depends I guess, they all have different personalities.

 

[Craiger]

Hello folks, I've been considering buying a beardie in the near future and have began to count the moths in my wallet (harhar). I have been doing my homework....

THIS is awesome! Wish more people would.

I've also been keeping track of this forum for a few days now and you all seem to be friendly bunch (and in some cases) almost as insane as I am, always a good start! ^^

Friendly? Yeah, you could say that.
Insane? *chuckle* In the bestest way possible! LOL!

I think you'd fit right in....as there are a couple really weird ones around these parts. I won't mention any names (*cough* Janie *cough*)....so you'll be on your own to figure this out. ;D

Being a student...

Ah....thus the "homework". Now I get it.

I live in rented accommodation during term time, this always raises the issue if I can get accommodation that allow pets for a start and I would hardly think it fair to dump such a specialist animal on my mum as she is already a slave to many rabbits, guinnea pigs, a dog and horses.

Eh....what's one more animal when she's already taking care of so many? LOL!

I know beardies can have settling related stress, but is that normally just after purchase, getting used to their new owner or after moving accommodation, or does it depend entirely on the beardie?

Just after purchase? yes
Getting used to their new owner? yes
After moving accommodation? yes
Does it depend entirely on the beardie? yes

They can and do get stressed over these things, but it's usually not for real long. A week (give or take a couple days) is usually all it is. During this time, it's best not to handle the beardie much while they're settling in. It'll reduce the amount of stress they're going through.

Have you read the care sheet? If not, you can find it here. There's LOTS of good information to be found on this site.

Living all the way over in Scotland,...

Oh...I can already tell you and I are going to get along just fine! My last name is Wallace. My ancestors are from Scotland...and my lineage is supposed to be traced back to the big guy himself. Sir William, that is.

...the weather is hardly appropriate conditions for the beardie to be exposed to while moving, being between 21-74ºF season dependant.. time to snuggle up under blankets? The distance between my term address and my parent's house isn't all too far, a hour in the car or so traffic dependant. But in no way, shape or form do I want to be putting a beardie under any unnecessary stress!

Doesn't sound all that different from where I'm from. In fact, our temps range from -5 degrees F to 105 degrees F, season dependant, of course.

Next week I plan to tread in dangerous territory and take a visit to a local pet store and see the beardies they have in stock.. If things continue the way they are going, I may end up having one of my very own within the next few months.

Stu.

On a side note- I've been looking at all the pictures of your beardies, their all so adorable! I really envy you all.

Good luck on your adventure. If my gut feel is correct, you'll be posting pics of that little guy in no time. ;D

Welcome aboard, Stu! Glad to have you here.

 

[Beezelburg]

Thanks for the replies and lovely warm welcome, much appreciated! Guess the best thing I can probably do is just plan everything out, make a list of everything I need and maybe even plan out a layout for a viv, try find rented accomidation that allows pets, and just wait and see how things turn out. This almost reminds me of my childhood, I was obsessed with reptiles for years and I was so close to getting a beardie.. and then I discovered chinchillas. I can only hope some unforseen circumstance won't prevent me or distract me from getting one this time. Now even my future flatmate is goading me to get one, so the pressure is on!

And interesting Craiger, our ancestors must had fought side by side in that case all those many years ago.

 

[Beezelburg]

Oh, I have another few small questions- If kept pretty clean, does the beardie/beardie's viv smell? If they get regular baths, can they still be pretty unhygienic? Is there any way I can try and avoid keeping krickets on a more preminant basis (ie, their very own tank)? Or anything else I should know that may affect keeping them in rented accomidation? Just a couple of things I need to bare in mind for when trying to convince landlords to letting me keep a beardie on premises.

 

[Pogie]

Oh, I have another few small questions- If kept pretty clean, does the beardie/beardie's viv smell

I spot clean daily, rinse/wash weekly, and remove everything and sterilize monthly.
Pogies viv doesn't smell at all. Except right after a poop, which I immediately clean up.

If they get regular baths, can they still be pretty unhygienic?

Daily to weekly baths are advisable, but its main reason is for rehydration and to help with shedding, and pooping problems. ANd the Beardies love it. It is said to wash your hands before and after handling your beardie to prevent parasite/germ carry over. Other than that the beardies don't smell bad either.

Is there any way I can try and avoid keeping crickets on a more preminant basis (ie, their very own tank)?

I keep mine in their own cricket keeper and clean regularly, so they don't smell. The adults in my breeding tank (I breed my own) put up a racket, but the 1/2 inch and smaller ones hardly make a noise. You may also consider 2 alternates if noise/chirping levels are an issue like some roach types dont make a noise, and silkworms. Both can be used as staples instead of crickets.

The other alternative if you want to use crickets is buying smaller amounts more often, but it is costly.

 

[Craiger]

Thanks for the replies and lovely warm welcome, much appreciated! Guess the best thing I can probably do is just plan everything out, make a list of everything I need and maybe even plan out a layout for a viv, try find rented accomidation that allows pets, and just wait and see how things turn out. This almost reminds me of my childhood, I was obsessed with reptiles for years and I was so close to getting a beardie.. and then I discovered chinchillas. I can only hope some unforseen circumstance won't prevent me or distract me from getting one this time. Now even my future flatmate is goading me to get one, so the pressure is on!

That's a great plan! And is definitely the best thing you could do....

And interesting Craiger, our ancestors must had fought side by side in that case all those many years ago.

Cool! 8)

Oh....and the part I mentioned about the weird ones on this site? There are some that'll come along and claim that I'm the weirdest of all. Whatever you do, don't listen to them! It's a plot, I tell you! I'm probably the most upstanding, conservative, will-never-tell-a-joke, way too serious, doesn't laugh, sorry-face you'll ever meet! LOL!

And that's the TRUTH!!! ;D

*chuckles....then puts on flame retardant suit*

 

[Craiger]

You also might want to check out the habitat forum....for some great ideas on vivariums. I've got a couple threads on some I've built....but likely way too big for an apartment. Might give you some ideas, though.

 

[Pogie]

You also might want to check out the habitat forum....for some great ideas on vivariums. I've got a couple threads on some I've built....but likely way too big for an apartment. Might give you some ideas, though.

Yeah, I saw one once made out of an old TV cabinet. They put the VIV on top and kept all the beardie goodies like crickets/calcium etc... inside behind the doors. So it was basically a One in all type thingy, neat and tidy

 

[Beezelburg]

Well, I went to scout that pet shop I had mentioned previously and I was relieved to see the beardies are being kept in excellent conditions, all the beardies were bright eyed (the ones that weren't half asleep while basking anyway) and no signs of fighting or infection. There were a couple of adults in another two vivs, one of which had been seperated (a male I'd presume). But there is nothing quite like looking in to see a dozen or so mini beardies stare back curiously, I can't ever recall ever seeing one face to face before but they way they move and act is just so amusing to watch. One of them had the courage to come right up to the glass and eye me up and down, it was so cute! x.x

I've definately fallen for the little blighters, better start trying to hoard the £300 ($430) or so together to get all the hardware and the pooper itself. I have my 20th coming up in July, but I was really hoping to get rid of my current student debts with that.. but may just get a little beardie instead! I have a whole 2 more years to try avoid letting it pile up any more.. and with those years I could spend with my little own beardie! xD

So yeah, no beardies yet.. but I'm all the more determined now!

PS- Thanks for all the great replies, it really is helping.. thanks a bunch!

 

[Craiger]

Great to hear! Not sure I should congratulate you or apologize that you've been bitten by the beardie bug. I mean, it's certainly not a cheap hobby.

Keep us posted....you're going about this the right way! 8)