5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping For Bearded Dragons For Sale

The prevalence of pet scams is at an all-time high, according to Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Some pet scammers steal your money by posting fake photos of animals they purportedly sell. These frauds will entice you with gorgeous pictures of your favorite furry, feathery, or scaly friend; only to vanish into thin air the moment you complete the transaction.

However, there’s an even more dangerous category of pet scammers – those that steal your immediate payments as well as credit card information.

Since fraudsters are constantly honing their skills, prospective pet parents must equally proceed with extra caution while scouting for a seller. This post explores the five costly mistakes to avoid when shopping for a bearded dragon.

1. Falling For Looks Alone

The adage looks can be deceiving isn’t exclusive to humans. It applies to animals too.

It’s understandable that you want the most gorgeous, bearded dragons for sale. However, selecting a pet merely based on its physical appearance can prove costly.

For starters, several reptiles resemble the bearded dragon. Examples include the blue-tongued skinks and crested geckos.

Before you go shopping for a bearded dragon, research the animal’s phenotypic features carefully. This will prevent you from falling for similar reptiles.

Another danger with being fixated on looks is that you might miss obvious signs of disease in a bearded dragon. That’s especially if the animal suffers from mental health conditions like anxiety, which typically present behavioral rather than physical symptoms.

Finally, note that there are at least eight officially identified bearded dragon species. While all species sport the iconic spiky beards underneath their chins, they’re subtly different from each other.

The Rankin’s dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) and the Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) are the most commonly kept bearded dragon species. If you’re new to bearded dragons, it’s best to search based on these scientific names.

2. Not Researching a Breeder Carefully

A quick online search for the key phrase “bearded dragon breeder near me” will turn up dozens of breeders purportedly based in your location. However, not every seller is legitimate. Head to the company’s homepage and look for obvious red flags.

A legitimate bearded dragon breeder wouldn’t focus on hyping their pets. They’ll also maintain a blog that informs their readers and potential clients on the basic facts about these animals, from their physical characteristics to personality traits and even common health issues.

A credible bearded dragon breeder would also be happy to list their contact information on their website.

Head to the company’s ‘Contact Us’ page and check for a mobile phone number, email address, and physical address.

More importantly, validate the authenticity of these details by calling the listed number or visiting the physical location. Any inconsistency is an indication that you’re probably dealing with a scammer.

3. Not Meeting a Breeder Physically

Most pet searches begin online. So, it’s unsurprising that the internet provides the perfect breeding ground for pet scammers.

A common rookie mistake when searching for a bearded dragon is failing to meet a breeder in person.

After getting mesmerized by beautiful online pictures of a bearded dragon, many people would readily pay for the pet and hope the seller delivers as promised. However, experts recommend meeting a bearded dragon breeder physically before making any payments.

A great meet-up point would be at the company’s local breeding facility. Establish that the real bearded dragon is consistent with the online photos, paying particular attention to the animal’s size and distinct appearance.

Utilize the opportunity to also examine the general conditions at the breeder’s facilities. Is the company maintaining basic pet hygiene? Are their pets caged or free-range? Do they have a robust vaccination schedule?

4. Skimping On Health Conditions

Bearded dragons are active and alert. Like most lizards, these gentle reptiles have incredible situational awareness. Ensure the animal you’re about to purchase meets these basic criteria.

To gauge your bearded dragon’s alertness, check for the movement of its front legs as you draw nearer to it. Their front legs are constantly thrusting their chest and head upright, as if to scan their surroundings for danger.

Inactiveness and lethargy are reliable evidence that a bearded dragon isn’t in the best shape.

Besides their alert personality, healthy bearded dragons should sport a smooth, intact skin. Avoid reptiles with loose skin.

Skinny dragons with sunken eyes must also be avoided at all costs.

5. Using the Wrong Payment Methods

The worst experience when shopping for a bearded dragon is to realize that you’ve been scammed but you cannot recover your money.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, insist on safe online payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as PayPal.

Besides, select payment systems that offer escrow services. In this arrangement, a third-party holds your funds until you verify that your orders have been fulfilled to your satisfaction.

Most scammers will insist on cryptocurrency payments. While this method relies on the safer and more transparent blockchain technology, the fact that it leaves close to zero digital footprint can provide fraudsters with a significant head start.

If possible, buy a bearded dragon physically from a local breeder.

Final Word

Losing your hard-earned money to a bearded dragon scammer is devastating enough. Yet, it doesn’t compare to the harrowing experience of having your credit card information slip into a fraudster’s hands.

If you’ve purposed to own a bearded dragon, implementing these pointers can help you find a reputable breeder. It saves you from getting scammed and ensures you get the right pet.