Two new Beardies

HoleeJuanCanoli":374ztozy said:

Hello to everyone.


I was curious as to what your thoughts are on Bearded Dragons glass surfing. I just recently acquired two Juvenile Bearded Dragons (not sure about the age of either. One is about 6 inches and the other is about 5.) that I plan on keeping in the same 40 gallon tank for as long as possible unless they both end up being males. Norbert doesn't usually stay in his basking area and hides in his little cave while Odahviing basks and runs around a lot. It's too early to determine the sex at the moment. As for eating schedule, Odahviing (who I've had for about 2 days) will scarf down some Dubia Roaches like there's no tomorrow, and Norbert (who I've had for about two weeks) is random. One day he will eat 40 crickets that day, and the next day he won't eat anything.


I've had Norbert longer than Odahviing, and although both of them look quite stressed probably because of relocation, Odahviing loves basking while Norbert usually stays on the cooler end of the tank glass surfing. Should Norbert's behavior be expected since he is probably still going through relocation stress and then was introduced to a new Beardie? I plan on keeping them both in the same enclosure unless they are both males.

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traildrifterphalanx":crk0jsoz said:

Norbert is glass surfing because he/she is uncomfortable with the other beardie in the enclosure.
I am repeating this to confirm it is necessary. They must be separated ASAP.

Even if physically there is nothing obvious, mentally it is damaging to them. They are not social creatures, and the only real encounters they have are for mating and then they leave. Please start looking into a second enclosure immediately. Please also keep in mind they both must have adequate room and proper lighting which may mean hefty totals, but it is required in order for them to live properly. A 40g enclosure is the bare minimum for 1 adult bearded dragon.

When you get the second setup, please move the more dominant dragon to the new home. The submissive one will be too scared and will stress a lot more

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kingofnobbys":2dgenje8 said:

HoleeJuanCanoli":2dgenje8 said:

Hello to everyone.


I was curious as to what your thoughts are on Bearded Dragons glass surfing. I just recently acquired two Juvenile Bearded Dragons (not sure about the age of either. One is about 6 inches and the other is about 5.) that I plan on keeping in the same 40 gallon tank for as long as possible unless they both end up being males. Norbert doesn't usually stay in his basking area and hides in his little cave while Odahviing basks and runs around a lot. It's too early to determine the sex at the moment. As for eating schedule, Odahviing (who I've had for about 2 days) will scarf down some Dubia Roaches like there's no tomorrow, and Norbert (who I've had for about two weeks) is random. One day he will eat 40 crickets that day, and the next day he won't eat anything.


I've had Norbert longer than Odahviing, and although both of them look quite stressed probably because of relocation, Odahviing loves basking while Norbert usually stays on the cooler end of the tank glass surfing. Should Norbert's behavior be expected since he is probably still going through relocation stress and then was introduced to a new Beardie? I plan on keeping them both in the same enclosure unless they are both males.

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Please separate the pair ASAP if not IMMEDIATELY - I can not stress the importance of this strongly enough.
It is very dangerous to keep two bearded dragons in the same small enclosure , even if a M & F or a F & F. Who ever told you this was a good idea was giving you very bad advise , if you are lucky you might get away with his arrangement for a few months without any attacks , but it is very unlikely.



Even as hatchlings , you can have domination issues and bullying especially when there is size difference or one is more outgoing and a more voracious feeder , resulting in the bullying victim (and it need not be physical bullying like biting or fighting) being under continual stress , not getting enough food , not getting sufficient access to heat or the best sleeping spot and failing to thrive while the over grows and thrives.
Inevitably the bullying becomes violent rather than body language , and one beardie winds up viciously attacked and horribly injured ( they are perfectly capable of ripping feet and hands off, ripping legs and arms off, biting tails off and even killing each other by crushing the skull , and it happens very often).

From your description of their behaviours , dominance issues are already in play, so time is of the essence in order to avoid things ending in tears.

If both are housed in their own rearing tanks , both will be stress free , and both will thrive and will be much happier.
Here is how I set up my rearing tubs for multiple young lizards viewtopic.php?f=34&t=233480 and I find stacking these types of tubs is very effective as they can't see each other.

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