TRYING to convince my parent to get me a Bearded Dragons?

Question

So I have a leopard gecko for a little over a 1 and a 1/2 now and I take care of her very well. But I would also like a little larger lizard as well so I said, after many hours of research, to parents "Do you think I can get a Chinese Bearded Dragon?" they said "We have no money and no room" Which is partially true, we are kind of low on money, bills and gas are taking a toll on this household, but I do have room in my room for large tank, but just to make sure what does the 50 gallon tanlk measure out to be be?? So then being very determined, I typed up a report and plan to print it out and put it under there pillows for them to read at night. I said in there info all about a BD and how I would take care of it and how ..... here just read it! =)

As you know I take very good care of my Leopard Gecko, Mojave. Feed her everyday, clean her cage monthly, make sure she is eating her food, checking that she poops normally and that the p**p is healthy, mist her most daily, check every part on her body after she sheds to make sure she has no extra skin left over and if she does, I get it off immediately so she does not lose that limb. I never once thought “Uh I have to go take care of Mojave now.” and I am heartbroken when I have to leave for any amount of time that includes someone else taking care off her.

I know another pet would a big responsibility, but, I believe that it would be a wonderful experience as well as a challenging one. I have been interested in the Chinese Bearded Dragon for awhile now. I have been researching on them since we have gotten the new computer, since I had no idea on how to really work the internet I thought a good point of interest would be good to research on. At this time I found out about the Chinese Bearded Dragon in detail and fell in love with this calm and slow moving creature.

The hatchling size is 3 ½ to 4 ½ inches. The adult size is 15-20 inches. Their life span is 7 to 10 years. Their diet is greens like lettuce and mealworms or crickets. The temperature needs to be any where from 75 to 85 F during the day and 65-70 F at night, which is very similar to Mojave. Bearded dragons require daily access to a UVB source, which can be provided by using a full spectrum bulb or tube that emits high levels of UVA and UVB. Substrates, which are used for the bottom of the cage, would be reptile carpet. Cage furniture should include a water bowl and a branch or rocks on which the dragon can climb. As I stated earlier they eat veggies, fruits and insects. I would have to also feed it calcium and multi-vitamin supplement like I do with Mojave. The health illness that it could get Metabolic Bone Disease, Mouth Rot, Respiratory infections, Mites, Parasites and many others. I would need a 50 or 55 gallon tank for when its older, but if I get it as a baby it would need a 20 gallon tank.

I know I would be able to take care of the Bearded Dragon as well as I do Mojave. They will both get my undivided attention. I would much rather you get me a bearded dragon then the Ipod dock, the Bearded Dragon would be so much more rewarding than and as an animal lover would really make me happy on Birthday. I also would be fine if the whole family put in money to buy the Bearded dragon for me, since the can get expensive. Don’t think that this won’t be “enough” to give to me on my Birthday from the whole family because it will be and yes, I am sure that I want to take on this commitment to this beautiful animal.

Please, Mom and Dad, consider this for me. I will do everything and anything for this animal. I am ready for this additional commitment, for it will teach me responsibility, how to even more mature, and take on the motherly act. I would take of it all by myself as I do with Mojave.

Answer 1

Sounds very convincing, however I did notice one thing that you said about your care of Mojave, that you mist the tank daily.  Since Movaje is a desert creature you might be increasing the humidity to much. I agree that the hide should be a moist hide (with some moss or something damp) but the rest of the tank should be not as humid.  Be careful also that the substrate doesn't retain too much water or you could have health problems. I had mushrooms grow in a tank once and lost poor little Sinatra (baby blue spiny lizard) to respiratory issues.

Answer 2

as a parrent (im 18) but w/e id say no get some real friend

j/k

idk

Answer 3

There's no such thing as a Chinese Bearded Dragon, you may have it confused with the Chinese Water Dragon :P

If you really want to convince your parents to let you get one, do what I did - drag your parents into the pet store!

Show your parents how cute and harmless they are in their tank at the pet store, that they are one of the most friendly pets you can have,  and that they are tank creatures, meaning they won't have to worry about it getting around the house. A pet store worker may be able to confirm this and back you up, lol.

You may want to wait till a birthday or something, it doesn't seem like your parents want to spend the money on it right now.

I did that and after a lot of bugging I convinced my mom to let me have it and she got the bearded dragon and the supplies as a birthday present for me.

Answer 4

Central Bearded dragons are a species from inland Australia, certainly not the chinease water dragons i think you were reffering to.

HOUSING:

Baby/Juvenile (0-12 months)

A Minimum of a 20 gallon long (30 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 12 3/4) tank is needed is achieve a reasonable gradient of temperatures. Aggressive tendencies, injuries and other complications such as the loss of limbs and tails and even death have been noted when attempting to house more than one dragon together.

Adult (12 months +)

A minimum size of 36" x 18" with 48" x 24" or larger being preferable, and a height between 18" and 24" is required to house one adult.



Bearded dragons are not social creatures by nature and only gather together for mating purposes. Aggressive tendencies, injuries and other complications have been noted when attempting to house more than one dragon together.

SUBSTRATES:

Substrates are a highly debated topic among experienced owners, keepers and breeders. Opinions vary with experience and skill.

With that said......babies are safely raised on a non particle substrate material such as reptile carpet, shelf liner, butcher paper, paper towels, or ceramic tiles. Non particle substrates hold no chance of contributing to impaction.

Adults may use any of the above mentioned substrates and can also safely live on sifted washed playsand purchased from your local retail store or hardware store. Avoid all pet store substrates.

When fed on particle substrates, the new owner should understand that the consumption of substrate material is possible and all live prey should be fed in a separate container.

FEEDING:

Baby/Juvenile

They should be fed a ratio of 80% protein and 20% greens. This breaks down to feeding a baby 2-3x a day as many crickets as they can eat in 10 minutes. The crickets should be no bigger than the space between a beardie's eyes. If feeding in the same tank as the beardie is living in, all uneaten crickets should be removed. Make sure that one feeding a day (6 days) is dusted with a calcium dust. This dust should have d3 and should be phosphorus free. On the 7th day make sure you dust one feeding of crickets with a multivitamin. Offer a fresh variety of greens daily. Examples of greens...dandelions, chicory, bok choy, swiss chard, escarole, there are many more. NO lettuce of any kind should be fed. Fruits can be given as a treat once a week. NO citric. It usually take a while for babies to adjust to greens, keep trying as they will eventually eat them.

Adult

Their ratio should be 80% greens 20% protein. This breaks down to about 15-25 crickets a week. You can feed them all in one day or broken up between a couple, whichever is better for the owner and dragon. Dust with calcium one week then dust with a multivitamin the next. Offer a fresh variety of greens. The same as above, but they should be eating much more. Make sure that there is enough greens for an adult beardie.

HYDRATION:

It is very important to keep your dragon well hydrated. This can be done in several ways. Dragons get a lot of their needed moisture through the foods they eat so it is a good idea to mist the greens and veggies that you feed your dragon. Some dragons will drink from a water bowl but many will not so it is up to the individual keeper to find out if their dragon will or not. Many dragons do just fine with no water bowl in their tank. Most keepers will bath or soak their dragons 3 or 4 times a week for about 15-20 minutes in water that is shoulder deep and between 90-100 degrees. Some like it a little cooler some a little hotter. The last method would be misting your dragon. Misting is of questionable benefit but dragons may l**k up water that is misted on their head and drips to their lips. Misting is probably most beneficial when the dragon is in shed and the mist will help moisten and loosen the shedding skin.

LIGHTING/HEAT/TEMPERATURES:

Baby/Juvenile

UVA lighting provides heat in the form of indoor flood lights, reptile bulbs or typical household bulbs. The wattage of the bulb required to reach proper basking temperatures of 110-115* (see Measuring Temps section below) for a baby depends on the size of the tank, the ambient temperature inside your house, cage decor and it's proximity to the basking site. Heat bulbs and UVB bulbs should be set up by a timer available at your local hardware store. They should be set for a basic 14/10 day. There should be a good gradient temp between the basking site and the cool end. The ambient temperature for the cool side should be 70-85F with the temp closer to 85F for a baby.

UVB lighting provides rays essential for good physical and mental health. UVB fixtures should be no less than 18 inches long and should be placed directly on top of the screen top so that the dragon can get within 6-8 inches of the light. Longer fixtures reaching the length of the tank will help ensure good exposure. Some fixtures come with a plastic lens over the bulb that should be removed before using.

Adult

UVA lighting provides heat in the form of indoor flood lights, reptile bulbs or typical household bulbs. The wattage of the bulb required to reach proper basking temperatures of 110-115* (see Measuring Temps section below) for a dragon depends on the size of the tank, the ambient temperature inside your house, cage decor and it's proximity to the basking site. Heat bulbs and UVB bulbs should be set up by a timer available at your local hardware store. They should be set for a basic 14/10 day. There should be a good gradient temp between the basking site and the cool end. The ambient temperature of the cool side should be 70-85F with the temp being closer to 80F for an adult.

UVB lighting provides rays essential for good physical and mental health. UVB fixtures should be no less than 18 inches long and should be placed directly on top of the screen top so that the dragon can get within 6-8 inches of the light. Longer fixtures reaching the length of the tank will help ensure good exposure. Some fixtures come with a plastic lens over the bulb that should be removed before using.

Night temps

Night time the dragon needs a cooling off period as well as complete darkness. As long as the temp does not drop below 60ºF no heat should be added to the enclosure. If temps do drop below 60ºF then a heat mat mounted to the side wall of the enclosure or a ceramic heat emitter can be used to raise the temps. Night glow or red lights should be avoided for night time heat.

Measuring Temps

There are two methods to measure basking surface temps. The first is with a digital thermometer with a probe. Using this method you place the probe of the digital thermometer directly on the hottest spot of the basking surface. Remember we are trying to read the surface temp not the air temp. Care must be taken to ensure the probe is in direct firm contact with the surface and that the thermometer has had long enough time to reach the maximum temp, this may take several minutes depending on the digital thermometer.

The second method is the best and fastest way. Using an infra red temp gun is more accurate and much faster. You simply point the temp gun at the basking surface and push the button. The temp gun gives you an instant and accurate reading of the surface temp of the basking area.

All temperatures should be accurately measured with a digital thermometer or temp gun. All other forms of measurement may be as much as 20 degrees off.

UVB LIGHTING SUGGESTIONS:

Repti Sun 10.0

Mercury Vapor Bulbs

Arcadia D3+ 12% Reptile

SUPPLEMENT SUGGESTIONS:

Calcium

Rep-cal Phosphate free w/d3

Absolute Calcium

Minerall

Calypso

Note: Dragon Dust is NOT a calcium supplement.

Multivitamin

Herptivite

Reptivite

Parasite control

Parazap1

--------------------------------------...

http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/

http://www.beardeddragoncaresheet.org/ca...

http://www.freewebs.com/kirbydragons/car...

a few of the best care sheets i have found.  here are links to the only appropriate lighting available in the us. do not trust any large petstore whatsoever. do all research on your own.

http://www.petmountain.com/product/fluor...

http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-sb-100-...

(the absolute best. i use this lamp)



they need a much more varied diet than just meal worms and lettuce. i recommend staples of super worms, crickets, silkworms, and tropical roaches. meal worms have zero nutritional value for dragons. secondly, they need a wide variety of dark leafy greens such as collard greens, endive, escarole, and mustard greens. here is a comprehensive feeding chart:

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...

good luck with your dragon :)

Answer 5

Well for starters, how about trying the following:

#1 Cleaning your room and making sure that it STAYS clean and tidy.

#2 Making sure that your homework is done and handed in on time.

#3 Sweep the floors in the living room and kitchen without your parents asking you to.

#4 Wash and/or dry the dishes.

#5 Do not fight and argue with your sisters & brothers.

#6 Eat what you are given and don't whine or make "yuck" faces when given it.

#7 Don't talk rudly to adults

#8 Always share with other kids.

#9 Go to bed when you are told to.

#10 Research the pet and breed you want to be 100% certain that it is the right one for you.

# 11 Ask them about getting this new pet in a nice way and don't beg and whine about it.

If 100% sure that if you give those a try, they will see that you are serious about wanting to add a this pet to your life and family. :)

Answer 6

dang i got blind while reading this...... but i say just act nice in front of parents and thell buy u it ...... well thats how my parents r and i hope u get the dragon

Answer 7

tell em there great and friendly animals and easy to take care of