Cage mates for life?

[popsickle18]

Someone who I know also has some bearded dragons. From what I understand she used to have two tanks with two bearded dragons each in them. One passed away of natural causes in one of the tanks. Someone told her that the cage mate will die too because of loneliness from no longer having the other one. Now all three of them are in one tank, she says it is a very large one.

I tried to tell her that having two together is not reccomended, let alone three of them. I also told her that I have never heard of such a thing as the other cage mate dying because of loneliness for the other one that had already died. The exchanges between bearded dragons are that of dominance over one another. It only takes one time for one of them to be seriously hurt or worse.

I felt kind of preachy telling her this but my bearded dragon has lost 6 toes and the end of his tail due to someone housing two dragons together before I adopted him. I don't want that to happen to another dragon if I can help it.

Has anyone ever heard anything about the other cage mate dying thing that she was talking about?

 

[BlueMorpho]

Yes, but in birds, not dragons. Dragons don't get "lonely" without a tank mate.
You're absolutely right in that they should be separated. Unfortunately, it is difficult to convince someone to change their opinion.
Maybe you could encourage her to join the forum? Explain to her that just because they're fine now doesn't mean they always will be?
If they're not all female there are dangers with mating, too. Being overly aggressive, mating too frequently, egg binding, so on.
All you can do is be an encouraging friend.
Try not to over pressure her, as that will put a strain on your friendship, but let her know that you truly do care for her beardies welfare and want to see them living the best lives they can.
Best of luck!