Like most of the other pets, you don’t expect their prices to be uniform. A bearded dragon can go for little as $25 or as high as $5000. Factors that will influence their cost include the following:
1. Traits and features
Selective breeding by expert breeders and hobbyists has led to the emergence of various bearded dragon morphs ranging from standard ones to those that cute, fancy, and rare.
These morphs come in various colors such as white, red, yellow, citrus, tangerine, golden, purple, blue, orange, brown, just but to list. Each of these colors goes for different prices.
Also, there are the standard (regular or normal) translucent (trans), leatherbacks, silkbacks, zeros, hypomelanistic (hypos), German giants, witblits, Wero, Dunner, Tigers, paradox, genetically stripped, and so on.
Finally, it is possible to find morphs that may have several of the above traits, such as hypo citrus, hypo trans, and so on.
All these traits affect their prices with those that are fancy-looking or rare going at higher rates as opposed to standard ones that may fetch anything from $100-$250.
2. Pedigreed or proven
For similar features, the pedigreed and proven ones (have had offspring with certain traits) cost more than unproven or those not pedigreed.
3. Where you buy them
Various places have different selling prices, and this cost may be higher if there are shipping costs included.
Where to get bearded dragon on sale
With an idea of what it costs to buy one, the next step is to hunt or look for ones for sale. Besides asking your herps vet, friends, and family, popular places you can buy these reptiles include:
1. Online morph markets
Morph markets are the most popular place where you may find almost any type of beardie morph. There are many online places which include the following:
a). The MorphMarket USA
The Morph Market USA is an online market place with a vast inventory of these lizards and is one place you are likely to get even the fanciest or rarest bearded dragons. Many vendors and breeders list their beardies in this market place.
They have Hypos, citrus, genetic stripes, standard, paradox, red, tiger, white, yellow/citrus, Dunner, purple, orange, translucent, among others.
b). Dachiu bearded dragons
These family team of breeders (wife and husband) who have red, orange, and yellow-colored morphs as well as the leatherbacks, Witblits, Dunner, genetic stripes, paradox, translucent, hypo translucent, hypomelanistic based in Pennsylvania.
To make inquiries, kindly call them on 570.462.2196 or 570.900.4277 for more details.
c). Rainbow
Based in the southwestern parts of Missouri, the Rainbow bearded dragons have witblits, hypos, paradox, reds, oranges, and hets.
d). Gumtree
If you live in the UK, Gumtree has a large inventory of beardies on sale. Just browse and pick on the one that you like.
e). Others places to get them online
The list of where to buy bearded dragon is endless. All you need to do is to look for locations that are near. This will depend on whether you are in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, or Asia.
Common places include:
- Atomic Lizard Ranch
- CBreptiles.com
- Fire and Ice Dragons
- Reptile City
- Backwater Reptiles
- Sandfiredragonranch.com
- Spicedragons.com
- Carolinaclassicdragons.com
- A-1 Reptiles
- Delta Dragons
- Gemstone Dragons
- Dragon Morphs
2. Pet stores and shops near you
There are many pet stores and shops that sell these pets, including Petco and PetSmart, who only sell them inhouse and not online. However, stores like Pet at Home, Chewy, Etsy, don’t sell them
In pet stores, you will find a wide variety, and their price will start at about as little as $25 juvenile or baby beardie and adults $100-$250 for ordinary ones with rare or fancy ones will go for a lot more.
Finally, unless in a reputed place like Petco and PetSmart, pet stores are not the ideal place to buy them. While some store owners breed and care for them well, others may not. Also, they are prone to health problems and other conditions.
3. Bearded dragon breeders
Buying from breeders is a smarter choice if you go to reputed ones as they have healthier beardies. Their prices will be slightly lower in most cases. On average, expect to spend 10-15% less the pet store price.
To get breeders, search for them in areas near, including online. Some advertise themselves online or have websites where you can get more information.
4. Pet shows in your area
At pet shows, you will find a variety. However, their prices will be a little higher than those of pet stores. Many shows occur all-over the country. All you need to know is when your area will hold one.
Being a show, you will get almost all varieties and expect the rare morphs to cost you a lot more than any other place.
5. Check on classified ads like Craigslist
It is possible to find them advertised on classified ads like Craigslist, on Facebook groups, sites like News Now in the UK, Pets4Home, among other places. Prices will significantly vary with some cheaper than those on pet stores, while others will be more expensive.
However, you need to be very careful as some people may be disposing of their beardies due to health or behavioral issues. Buying such may later attract high vet bills.
6. Rescue centers
Check at rescue centers to see if you can find any. Many owners take them there when they don’t need them or can’t keep them anymore, including the neglected ones.
Most rescue centers have vets who will check them to see if they are in perfect health, and their health shouldn’t be an issue.
In most instances, they are free, or you may pay a small adoption fee followed by a no flipping agreement, i.e., you are not buying them to resale on profit. Always return it if you are unable to care for them well.
Caution on cheap or bearded dragons for free
If you don’t want to spend money on these pets, you can get free ones at the rescue centers, from your family members and friends. Also, some genuine vendors are willing to sell their bearded dragons much cheaper and may even offer free shipping. Such will be fine.
However, avoid cheap or free ones from people you don’t know together with those on classified ads. Such may have medical issues, especially if they live under poor husbandry.
Finally, if you are willing to incur the cost of keeping a beardie, you shouldn’t go for free ones unless you know they are in good condition. Otherwise, you may end up spending so much money trying to treat them as opposed to buying them from a reputed vendor or breeder.