Female attacking the male

[Osgoodsgrandad]

I have a male beardie aged 9 months and recently(about 3 weeks ago) bought a female who is about 11 months. Everything was fine but in the last few days she has been attacking him blackbeard and everything.He has been waving in submission but the aggression continues. I am at my wits end and have now seperated them and it seems my only course of action is to return the female. Anyone out there know what I should do for the best. Joe

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello and Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, beardies should not be housed together. They are solitary and territorial creatures. As you have witnessed one usually becomes dominant, in your case it is the female. Keeping them together would not be in the best interest of either of them. Please keep them separated or the outcome could be very unpleasant.

At this point your only alternative is to return the female, as you mentioned, or get another enclosure for her. The decision is up to you.

Dawn

 

[Osgoodsgrandad]

Thanks Dawn, its actually my sons problem. He bought Osgood 3 months ago and is his pride and joy. Ciara joined recently and her aggression after being ok for a few weeks has really upset Joe. He loves them both but Osgood is his"first born" and no woman will ever take precidence. The pet shop say they will refund his money but we are choked for him. He has worked so hard and loves them to bits. How do they breed if this is the case and will a female as dominant as this one ever allow it? Thanks for your time.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I'm so sorry your son is having to deal with this dillema.

Typically, the males and females are only housed together during the actual act itself and then immediately separated. In fact, in the wild they live in solitude and only come together for mating and then go their own ways.

Honestly, I have never bred beardies, so I cannot answer your question about your female.

Could your son possibly get another enclosure and keep both beardies?

 

[GoFast]

I agree with dawn. Try to find a way to get another. There are many DIY plans available and it may even be a good father-son project. You can build a custom tank for $50-$150 depending on your available resources.

 

[Osgoodsgrandad]

Thanks to Dawn and gofast. Its something to consider I will talk to him when he gets home, Im Ossiesitting at the moment Hes in a little enclosure with a light on watching tv with me. Im not an animal lover but I am a son lover. Whatever he wants to do is ok by me and the wife! I will get him to post his thoughts and thanks when he gets in. Im new to this but so impressed with you loy and the help youre offering. Hands across the sea, Thanks from me in London.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

You are quite welcome!

That is sweet of you to look after your son's beardie while he is not home. I assume he is in school. Beardies are wonderful creatures and make great pets. My beardie Rex(who is actually my 12 yr old sons) is a joy to have. We have had her for almost 6 years now and I have grown quite attached to her.

Good luck with whatever decision you or your son make.

Dawn

 

[UTreptiles]

Are you sure of the sex of the new dragon? With this nonstop aggression you could have 2 males. Just something else to reverify.

 

[Osgoodsgrandad]

Youre not the first person to suggest that and its a good point, either way if what Dawn says is correct(and Im pretty sure she is) then we have to seperate them regardless. However, I will be a bit miffed with the pet shop if it is. cHEERS FOR THAT

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

This could be very true...they both could be male. That is not to say that it would not occur between female and male, because it most certainly does. Yes, they do still need to be separated.

 

[Buggsy]

If you do decide to go ahead and build one, there are some of us from the UK that have done it, for about £50-60 and a B&Q trip!

If you need some continental advice we would love to help!

So sorry you have had difficulties so far, but as every one here will tell you they are truly wounderful little things!

 

[Osgoodsgrandad]

Hi folks, just to let you know that Joe has this evening taken Ciara back to the pet shop where he got her. Whilst Joe wants to have another to add to Osgood we arent equipped right now to do this safely and Osgood would have been hurt or worse,which would have devastated him. Thank you so much for all your concern and advice.