The decision has been made....

[Rell18]

I've been doing research on leos for months. I think they're adorable, great geckos however, I've decided I no longer want a Leo. I've made the decision to get a Bearded Dragon.

The reason why I've decided to get a BD is because I want something that's more laid back and tolerates handling more. I've been doing research on beardies for a couple days now and it seems I've fallen in love.

I'll be getting $300 next month to get all of it's supplies and I have $40 put up just in case I have to make a vet visit.

I appreciate all of the help I've received from everyone on the care of leos. I'm not leaving the forums or anything xD, I just wanted to share my new pet reptile decision.

I plan on owning a leo in the future, but for right now, I want a beardie

 

[prettyinpink]

Good job on doing your research and choosing a pet that's right for you. There's a bearded section on the forum here if you have any beardie questions you need help with. There's a lot of us here that own beardies

Good luck!

 

[lovelovelove135]

That's great! I was trying to make a decision between a bearded dragon and a leo as well, but I ended up going with a leo because I just didn't have the room for a beardie and I didn't want to spend that much money. But anyways, good luck and have fun!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

A lot of our leo keepers also have other herps, check out the other forum sections and you'll see some of the same folks. Beardies are fantastic pets and if I had the space, one would have come home with me recently Good luck with your new friend

 

[tlbowling]

Im not trying to change your mind...just wanted to tell you I have both, and some of my leos are just as calm and laid back as my beardie.

 

[Jordan]

im also not trying to change your mind but i also have both, and a baby beardie is better to handle than a baby leo, HOWEVER all babies become adults one day, and an adult leo is a lot more tame and easier to handle than an adult beardie. Adult beardies can scratch you (accidentally though) , and run off (really fast) in a second, leo's dont do that.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

I don't think that any of you have actually gave the biggest draw back to a Bearded Dragon. The amount of money it takes to maintain one as compared to a Leopard Gecko. $40 isn't nearly enough to hold back for any vet visit as well. I would suggest doing more research. Remember you need to buy FRESH greens and fruits, the Pellets, the LIVE feeders. ALSO you have to buy new UV lights every 6 months to maintain that your BD is getting the correct amount of UV needed to help grow and digest its food. They also take up to roughly 10 times the amount of space that a leo does. Oh and egg bind really easily.

 

[RyuuKirin]

im also not trying to change your mind but i also have both, and a baby beardie is better to handle than a baby leo, HOWEVER all babies become adults one day, and an adult leo is a lot more tame and easier to handle than an adult beardie. Adult beardies can scratch you (accidentally though) , and run off (really fast) in a second, leo's dont do that.

I don't 100% agree to the fact that beardies run off... mine is 2 1/2 and as chilled out as can be. She loves to just sit and be a lump. They also don't scratch if you trim their nails and/or keep them on a tile substrate that files down their nails

 

[Rell18]

I've done my research but yeah, choosing between a beardie or leo is very hard. I'm still doing my research though. I am getting drawn to leos again so more than likely, that's probably what I'm going to get.

I really like beardies and I would love to own one but I kinda forgot the UVB lights have to be replaced every six months which is $60 out of my pocket twice a year.

It's a really hard decision because I really love both but I've been doing research on leos for a very long time so yeah .....

 

[Jordan]

I don't 100% agree to the fact that beardies run off... mine is 2 1/2 and as chilled out as can be. She loves to just sit and be a lump. They also don't scratch if you trim their nails and/or keep them on a tile substrate that files down their nails

yeh ive owned two beardies and one has been really relaxed but the one i have at the moment, seems to just flip and run off. in terms of the nails, i find they scratch no matter what length, but i normally wear short sleeved t shirts so its always gonna hurt on my arms lol.
however relaxed the beardie is though id still say that an adult leo is easier to handle and more chilled.

 

[BrilliantEraser]

I own both, and I would definitely say to stick with a leo as a first reptile pet. Bearded Dragons cost a LOT of money for upkeep, especially if you need vet visits. They also can eat in excess of 50 crickets a day. I've owned Garrus since July, and he's cost me *easily* more than $700 (it hurts to write that number down!!!) in that time. My leopard gecko, on the other hand, has cost maybe 1/10th of that.

 

[RyuuKirin]

I own both, and I would definitely say to stick with a leo as a first reptile pet. Bearded Dragons cost a LOT of money for upkeep, especially if you need vet visits. They also can eat in excess of 50 crickets a day. I've owned Garrus since July, and he's cost me *easily* more than $700 (it hurts to write that number down!!!) in that time. My leopard gecko, on the other hand, has cost maybe 1/10th of that.

Egads, it hurts to read that number! But you're right, beardies do cost a lot more...

 

[Rell18]

Wow. When I made the decision to get a beardie, the thing I really thought the most about was the cost of supplies and feeders. I didn't really realize it would be that much to keep a beardie. I was drawn to them because a lot of people say they are a great beginner reptile but after reading that, I'm definitely sticking with leos.

 

[Jordan]

Wow. When I made the decision to get a beardie, the thing I really thought the most about was the cost of supplies and feeders. I didn't really realize it would be that much to keep a beardie. I was drawn to them because a lot of people say they are a great beginner reptile but after reading that, I'm definitely sticking with leos.

NOW the decision has been made then. lol.

 

[RyuuKirin]

they are great beginner reptiles, provided the person does their research.... wouldn't it be nice if money weren't an object sometimes?

 

[prettyinpink]

Wow. When I made the decision to get a beardie, the thing I really thought the most about was the cost of supplies and feeders. I didn't really realize it would be that much to keep a beardie. I was drawn to them because a lot of people say they are a great beginner reptile but after reading that, I'm definitely sticking with leos.

They will run you clean if you don't breed your own feeders. If you still want a beardie but don't want to spend that much on feeders I suggest getting an adult. They go to 75% veggies when they reach adult, and are NOT suppose to have as much meat as when they were younger.

 

[RyuuKirin]

now, if only mine would EAT her veggies instead of playing with them ... =P

 

[ajveachster]

Either way you go, I would suggest setting about $100 aside for any vet visits, or contact your local herp vet to see what they charge for an office visit. Mine charges about $60 for the visit, but of course anything else costs extra. I got a tiny bottle of eye drops once, and that ran $40.

 

[Rell18]

Either way you go, I would suggest setting about $100 aside for any vet visits, or contact your local herp vet to see what they charge for an office visit. Mine charges about $60 for the visit, but of course anything else costs extra. I got a tiny bottle of eye drops once, and that ran $40.

I think the exotic vets on our area don't charge much but I am gonna put up an extra $60 just like you said. The supplies and leo or beardie should run me at a maximum of $280.

It's a really difficult decision to make because I really like both but I do understand beardies need extra care which is fine by me.

Whether I get a beardie or leo, it's still gonna get the care it needs and deserves

Gotta say it again, it's a really difficult decision

 

[Kristi23]

now, if only mine would EAT her veggies instead of playing with them ... =P

Mine, too. He's an adult and isn't a big fan of his veggies.


As for the leo vs bearded dragon. My bearded dragon isn't laid back at all and we've handled him since he was a baby. He likes to run off and climb all over. I have a lot of geckos that will just lay around on me. The cost difference is huge, too. I would love to have a second bearded dragon, but they take up a lot of room and money.