Why you ask? Well, here's the long story.
I am part of a community advisory panel for a large pet supply retailer. Several months ago, they put out a survey for panel members interested in becoming, or already were, fish or reptile parents.
Their plan was to launch a fish / reptile parenting program, to gain insight into all the aspects of becoming a parent to one of these type of pets.
Having grown up in Las Vegas, with the surrounding desert as our playground, I am very familiar and comfortable with lizards. My brother and I would frequently catch horny toads and bring them home. I am so fond of the desert, and all its inhabitants, that I have a lizard tattooed on my ankle.
I filled out the reptile survey, answering all questions as honestly as I could. About a month later I received notification that I had been chosen to participate in this reptile program. While more detail was forthcoming, the bottom line was that I would be adopting, at the expense of the pet supply retailer, a reptile - including all necessary housing and care/feeding supplies.
My part of this program involves adopting and raising the lizard, journaling the experience - from day one through 3-4 months.
They provided a list of acceptable reptiles, most of which I eliminated immediately. Frogs, turtles, snakes ... no thanks! Of the Lizards, there were 6 options. I took them one by one, learning about their size, care/feeding requirements, housing needs, etc. I narrowed it down to the Leopard Gecko and the Bearded Dragon. Both said to be excellent choices for the first time reptile parent.
Pros for the Gecko included it's smaller size, and therefore smaller terrarium. This was also the one Con for the Dragon - it grows to about 2 feet, requiring a much larger house. The more I researched, the more instances I came across of the Gecko requiring much more attentive care, as it is a more fragile species compared to the Dragon.
And as you probably already know, I've decided on the Bearded Dragon. Fortunately, in my son's old room, I have a 4' long, narrow oak table where I can set up the Dragon's house. I'll have to move a few things around, but it shouldn't be much of an impact.
I am really excited about bringing a lizard, especially one of this size, into my home. The only aspect I'm a little nervous about is the feeding. Baby Dragon's mainly eat very small crickets, and salad on the side. Yes, crickets. Ick! That will be my biggest hurdle. As they get bigger, they eat more salad and less crickets, but the need will always be there. This is their main protein source. I'm still trying to understand all that is involved in sourcing crickets, keeping them ready for feeding, etc.
Hopefully by Friday afternoon, or Saturday morning, the Dragon will have joined our family!
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