Beardie hormones - When do they strike?

[bltkpo]

So, Bindy's about 8-9 months old now. He never went into early brumation, or really changed his temperament at all. I've been anticipating the angry teenaged years of blackbearding and headbobbing that seems to come with male dragons his age, but he's just as chill as ever. He eats well, sleeps well, and is really just mild-tempered and content. Could this mean he really is a girl!? LOL. We've been on the fence about his gender - sometimes we swear we see the two bumps under his tail, other days they're not there. I've been anticipating the head-bobbing hormones to kick in but they haven't. I mean, we can wait to see if he (ever) lays eggs, but I am wondering if it's only males that hit these hormones, and that this means Bindy is really a girl?

 

[RioReptiles]

Hormones for males can kick in as early as 6 months, but you may not see the behavior without another dragon present. Maybe try showing him some videos of of other dragons online or try the mirror to see if you get a reaction. Honestly, in my experience of identifying males, when the bumps are hard to distinguish or if they seem like they are there sometimes, it ends up being a female. I've bought 3 males that were females, and they all seemed kind of wimpy for boys personality wise.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Rio's right - my friend Brett in Australia is irritated that his big male is too laid back!
A mirror often catches their attention, but you may not get a reaction - he might well be a very chilled little dragon.

 

[bltkpo]

Oh I had never thought about another reptile. As he is an only child atm haha, he hasn't had much need for showing dominance. He doesn't even flinch at his own reflection. The only thing that has ever bothered him was a snake (we took him to the local pet store to visit, he caught sight of this snake and flared up) ...

I wouldn't be surprised if he was a girl tbh, or heart broken haha I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something with his personality.

He is super laid back for that fact.

Thanks guys!

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

*grins* Most dragons are instinctively terrified of snakes - Tsammy in my signature (about a year old) is husking wildly at a snake in a tank.

Dragons are like people, they're incredibly varied personality wise.
Currently I've got Hyphen stood on my arm - he's a curious little dragon, but as thick as a brick, dumb as a plum. Sweet natured though. *sighs* He just fell off. Genius.
Tsam's my alpha male - he'll tell EVERYONE that this is HIS land.
Sandy is my wise older girl, deeply independent and worries when you pick her up. She keeps the younger ones in line.
Mocha is quiet, meek, quirky and sweet with a taste for blueberries - but only the squishy ones and Jam is fiesty, licky, huggy and very very bright.