Should I get a Beardie?

I have a ball python, and I am new to lizards. Should I get a Bearded Dragon, or get something else?

It's all personal preference. I was very excited to get a baby bearded dragon in August. I researched, spent a lot of money on equipment and got everything set up for her. I just wasn't anticipating how much work she was. She pooped multiple times a day and made a huge mess of her cage every day. She had food issues and I didn't enjoy interacting with her at all. After only a few months I ended up rehoming her and she's now in a really good home with someone who adores her. I found out through the experience that I'm not a lizard person and I am happy with my snakes. But a lot of people like beardies... It just depends on you.

I agree that beardies are a lot more work than ball pythons. Do your research before getting one. They require a more expensive set up (uvb lighting that needs to be replaced every 6 months to a year depending on what type you go with, etc.), their diet is quite a bit more involved vs. a ball Python's diet (greens daily, crickets several times a day when they are babies, calcium and multivitamin supplements, etc.). They are not as much work as adults, but babies are definitely pretty high maintenance. They're not for everyone, but I do enjoy mine :)

What are you looking for in a lizard?

I just got my bearded dragon and I just love her. She is very personable and fun to be around. She is a lot of work though. She's not a small baby but is still young and eats A LOT. I like to feed her a lot of variety so it's fun for me to shop for veggies she may like.

Lizards are always a ton more work compared to snakes, just the need for daily feeding can be a huge increase in the workload. If you want to try one out though, a beardie is definitely a good choice for a first. Another good choice would be a leopard gecko, as the setup and feeding is a lot simpler.

I have 2 leopard geckos and 1 bearded dragon. Personality wise, bearded dragon wins hands down. Care wise, leopard geckos are way easier. Just depends on what you are looking for.

My dad bought me a beardie when I was 8, and it's been a while since I had him (I gave him to my cousin when I was 14). They are more work than snakes, but it's not ridiculously hard work, I was able to take care of him myself, with supervision at first of course. But in the end my cousin who had a female and wanted to breed was a better choice for his owner, I don't think I'd jump into lizard ownership anytime soon, but that is my preference. If you don't mind the work, beardie make great lizards for starters.


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My oldest kid has a bearded dragon. The upkeep is more than what you'd be used to with a BP. They poop a lot, they eat frequently, and the food requires more prep work if you're not being a slacker about it. If you're really good with the maintenance, you'll be rewarded with one of the most chillaxed lizards you could ever desire. They do like to cling on to the front of your shirt and just go on walkabout.

I think any lizard is going to be more work than a snake. But to be honest, I think bearded dragons are more work than most lizards. Since they are omnivores (with a heavy bias towards veggies), you have to chop up a nice salad for them every day. That's a bit more than dusting some crickets and tossing them in.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have crested geckos. Their food is basically powder + water. The downside? They are nocturnal, and not as cool to handle.

Leopard geckos and fat tailed geckos are somewhere in-between in terms of being easy maintenance and chill personalities for handling.

Ball pythons are THE least maintenance animal I have ever owned. Lizards as a whole especially are messy, and maintenance level is similar to caring for rats (in my opinion).
All necessary animal care and maintenance is worth it if you have a passion for the animal though, whatever it is.

Actually... I think tarantulas are even lower maintenance than ball pythons.