Why are Bearded Dragons In Bad Shape in the Hobby

Hey Everyone, welcome back to my channel. So I've been so bothered by the constant rehoming and mistreatment of bearded dragons that I wanted to make a video addressing some of the things I think WE are doing to cause harm to these AMAZING animals. Let me know what you think in the comments.
As always thank you so much for supporting the channel and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter. I hope you all have an amazing week and I'll see you next week.
Don't miss out on the SHOWIN' LOVE BIG BREEDER GIVEAWAY I currently running on Instagram as Ive teamed up with 9 other amazing breeders to bring a ton giveaway goodies to the community. So make sure you are following there and don't miss out on the fun.
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[@jdttp]

You hit it right on the head. They are easily "accessible". The concept of the 25 cent goldfish of the reptile world. They can be dirt cheap at Reptile Shows at a "cute size" and everyone is in awe when they see the guy walking around with a beardie on his body on a leash. Lot's of people get them for their "kid". All it takes is one bite for a kid to get discouraged and not want it anymore. Their lights are expensive and people don't realize it until it goes out and they have to go out and buy a new one. Feeding them can take a bit more effort then just taking the cup-scooper and into the dish for their dog/cat. List can go on and on. Great video!

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

It really circles back to people doing proper research first and breeders/sellers making sure people are prepared for the animal they are taking home. We have to start taking the extra steps to pick up the slack where we see it so these animals don't end up suffering so we can make a buck. I can't imagine not being able to keep an animal as amazing as a bearded dragon but if we can't do better as human beings for these defenseless animals than we don't deserve them. Thanks so much for you input on the situation and watching the video.

[@andreapowell5517]

Great video on bringing to light a glaring problem in the reptile keeping community. The pet stores are also pumping them out in huge numbers and young children talk their parents into getting one not knowing the care requirements and upfront costs. Many smaller communities don’t even have an exotic vet people can go to to seek care, which is also a huge problem for many.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

That a whole nothee topic too. The fact that soooo many people that keep these animals get into them assuming vet care isn't as important or even needed for these animals. It's heart breaking. Especially an animal like this that will survive most horrible keeping practices and has such a will to live even in the worst circumstances.

[@lazuliartz1296]

I was always under the assumption that bearded dragons are super easy to care for, and don't need an absolute ton of space. That is, until I started researching them because I wanted to get a reptile and realized that proper care involves so much more than I thought. They need really high basking temps, and terrariums in a size that it much more expensive than I can currently afford, edit: and a highly varied diet. After a lot of research, I went with the easier gargoyle gecko instead (although those have their own challenges as well!) It's very similar with hamsters in the rodent world. They're always treated like these super easy pets that need practically no space and have no special requirements, but it turns out they need REALLY DEEP bedding, sand baths, a ton of room (200 sq in at the absolute minimum, but ideally so much more), and are really bad for general handling especially from kids who might not realize how delicate they are or how easily they get stressed. We really need to do a better job of getting people to research animals before they buy them. Every animal has it's own unique challenges. There really aren't any pets that can be put into a tiny box and be perfectly fine (except like, isopods and millipedes I guess).

[@SeverusSnape12345]

This is a great topic and people need to keep this information in mind, no matter what the animal is. I am getting a beardie soon and am so excited! I have wanted one for years.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

They are such amazing animals. I'm excited for you❤

[@SeverusSnape12345]

@@southerngurlexotics7764 thank you! :D He is a zero morph and is only 1 year old! :D

[@eriksreptilechannel3898]

I did over a months research before getting first Bearded Dragon , over 2 years later of owning Bearded Dragons , I'm still learning. I was never told that they were beginner reptiles .But it was the first type of lizard that I adopted , Research is key.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Good on you for doing the necessary research. Theres many reasons these poor animals are struggling but ultimately if everyone understood that NO matter what type of animal it is , it REQUIRES research and proper planning then they'd all be in such better situations

[@mick1535]

HI great vid as an ancient Aussie, love that your pointing out the downside of Bearded Dragons not many, I kept snakes and lizards from the 60s till 82 then life got in the way, moving around etc never kept a Beardie prefered to look at them. At the time up till 76 all animals were wild caught. my favourites that I kept at the time outdoors 2 big enclosures Sand monitor 7yrs , Eastern Water Dragon 12yrs Female fully grown when caught, and some skinks, all rehomed with friends. Now I keep up with the hobby on youtube how it has grown. love your passion, now I move Beardies off the road. Cheers

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Yall have all the best animals in Australia!! I'd love to visit especially since exporting those amazing animals from there has been halted. Unfortunately it's gross for any country of "animal Lovers " to make the effort to export and establish a foreign species into our country only to abuse the privilege of having them for our own self gain😢

[@AlexP1-y4g]

I'm in the UK, and there is a reptile shop here, that has now stopped selling Beardies for the exact reasons you mention. They do appear to be the lizard equivalent of Corn Snakes, and how that part of the hobby ended up.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

If everyone did a little something for their part on these issues they wouldn't be issues. My daughter I think offended a breeder the other day at a show bc she told them " my mom won't breed these bc they are so mistreated"and I think they took it as I looked down in bearded breeders and I don't at all. But I do look down in people that are pushing them on people without the proper information being given. And anytime we have saturated markets we ALL need to consider that and slow the production of them (any species being oversaturated)..

[@wilsoncaban1580]

Great topic love the way you explain everything you spoke about facts I continued to learn. N

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Thank you for watching ❤❤

[@sparklesanddaisies6832]

Your channel is so refreshing. Thank you for sharing.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Aww I love this comment.. Thank you so much!!❤❤

[@Shaymarie456]

Absolutely loved the video, very informative definitely subscribing 😊

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Thank you so much for kind words and subscribing. ❤❤ I really appreciate the love❤

[@marjoleinvnoort6961]

I hate when people say, a 100 cm x50 cm x50 cm terrarium is good for a bearded dragon. I have my bearded dragon in a terrarium 200 cm x 120 cm x 120 cm so it can run and climb and hunt the insects it gets twice a week. Rest is greens except Sunday than they fast.

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Too small enclosures seems to be a huge problem across all species unfortunately. People become obsessed with growing their collections instead of focusing on better the environments and lives of the animals they have. And it's heart wrenching to see it be done but especially too the puppy dogs of the reptile world (Beardies)..

[@FlawlessCrestedGeckos]

Looking great sis! -A ❤

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

Thanks Boo-Boo!! I appreciate you❤❤

[@jayblueeyez76]

marketing of bearded dragon kits that are 20- 40 gallons and people aren't told that that is not big enough for a full grown dragon... a proper setup is not going to fit just anywhere... also lack of info for beginners about brumation and females laying clutches of infertile eggs ...

[@southerngurlexotics7764]

There's Unfortunately SOOOO much that both purposely and carelessly gets left out. And it's always the animals that suffer.

[@kated3165]

Its like with rabbit hutches. For so long they were sold as that box rabbits can supposedly spend their whole lives in...