Bearded Dragon = Cat??

[Jared2608]

I've always loved snakes, but to be honest I've never really been interested in lizards as pets. Having said that, I have a friend that keeps bearded dragons and leopard geckos. She has quite a few, and she's always told me how tame they are, and the other day I went over and she had a bearded dragon out cleaning it's enclosure, and it could just as well have been a cat!!

It was on her shoulder, then on her arm, then on a desk, but it wasn't running all over the show like I thought it would, it was actually totally tame? She says it's like that all the time! Now I know that if you tried to put a snake on a table whilst you cleaned out it's house, it'd be gone in a flash, but this dragon seemed like escape was the last thing on it's mind. She even has a harness for it so that she can take it. Apparently it's gone to the shops with her on several occasions, and instead of the owner/manager chasing her out with a reptile, it rides on her shoulder and get's given fruit and veg!!!

Are all bearded dragons so tame, or is it the luck of the draw? I really know nothing about keeping lizards other than they need special care that snakes don't....

[Skittles1101]

I don't keep bearded dragons but I know people who do. Most are very tame and calm and I suppose like a cat...but like any other animal it depends on their personality and level of handling. I've seen some that are very flighty and just don't want to stop moving and some that will just hang with you all day, so it depends on the bearded dragon I suppose. Either way, they are very cool pets and have awesome facial expressions and personalities.

[Jared2608]

Ya, I figure it's all down to the one you get, and how you raise them, but they sure do have some funny expressions. If I wasn't so set on a BP I might consider a beardie, but the lights and stuff are pretty expensive here, so a BP is just easier, and I think cooler!!!

[Skittles1101]

Yeah they are cool little critters, I have a friend who breeds them and I've gotten the chance to handle quite a few. 90% of the ones I've handled were all for just chilling on my shoulder lol.

[rperry03]

I had mine for almost a month now and he is awesome! When I need to clean or move something in his cage I place in somewhere and he most likely will be there or nearby when I get back to him.

I take him outside on my shoulder and place him on my trucks mirror for some sun and he will sit there for hours soaking it up. I will also throw the tennis ball for my dog and he will just stay there.

I once had to do some errands all day and brought him with me. He stayed on the center console or passenger seat the whole day.

If you have the time they are great pets with lots of personality. My biggest issue is that this guy eats like us. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and it takes me a few minutes to prepare when I leave for work in the morning at 6a and he is almost asleep when I get home at 7p.

[Jared2608]

Ja my friend makes hers salads, and then there's crickets, and some white powder that goes into them, meal worms, and on the right day it gets flying ants when they hatch out, and apparently it loves them, I know my Oscar fish loved them when I had him!!!

[DC Reptiles]

when I use to breed them, I would be messing with them right out of the egg. Getting them use to you and not afraid of you. I have owned some really mean dragons but they were few and far between. They really are great pets, if you can get past the lighting and feeding expense. Also you will need a descent size enclosure when your dragon is full grown.

[flyingsqueak]

I bred beardies throughout high school. They were always very tame and yes, somewhat cat-like. Some of the younger ones were flighty, but they always calmed with age. I converted my bathroom into a habitat for my adult pair. On stressful days I would go in there and lie on the floor. Raf (my male) would always climb all over me and "cuddle"--and unlike my ball python, Raf never pooped on me!

They make wonderful pets, but they require a lot of space. Also, there are just some mornings when things don't go as planned and taking the time to make their salads is more strain than it should be. They take a lot of space and a lot of work.

BPs are better

[Inknsteel]

I got my dragon as a rescue from someone who didn't know how old he was, but had him for 2 years before I picked him up. He lived with me for over 8 years before he died about 2 years ago. Beardies are AWESOME lizards. They have a ton of personality, and the calmness comes with frequent handling. They do require a lot more care than a bp or any other reptile I've owned, but they're one of the most rewarding too. I miss Eddie and will probably get another beardie at some point when I have the time and space for another...

[mhd730399]

i have a bearded dragon. he is completly tame. only time he has bitten me was when i was cleaning his cage and he was on the floor he ran at my toes thinking they were crickets. they are really cute and basicly bearded dragons and blue toung skinks are the only two reptiles that want attention and i completly belive in that. when i walk in the room he climbs up on the glass and dances trying to get my attition. deffinatly a good pet. but i have to say 100% harderd to learn to take care of over a snake of any sort. they are sold i pet stores and often die from bad care as they need uvb light A good on and a diet containg a good bit of certien veggies daily. also heat is a big thing. ive herd my dragon isnt eating so many time and it ends up being because the tanks only 70 degrees when in reality they need at keast 85 cool side. not the easiest pet as many think but deffinatly worth it.