head movements from both dragons

[Monk21]

So, the male dragon (they are both 2 years old and they already mated and had 3-4 clutches with the old owner) is moving his head up and down with power even if he looks at the female or even if he is looking at the opposite direction. Now, the female most of the times responds by doing the same movement but in a very slower tempo.

Anyone can tell me what they are doing?

PS. 5 minutes ago the male rushed on the female with power but second later the female overpowered him and got on him.

Thanks

 

[Lenewen]

Head bobbing, stomping, beard puffing and the darkening of the beard all indicate aggression and displays of dominance.

Slow headbobbing and waving are signs of submission.

It's very stressful on the female to be caged with him all the time. The male will consistently pester the female in this manner asserting his masculinity and the two will always compete for dominance. I'd probably consider caging them apart. The only time 2 or more dragons coexist well, I find, is when they are all females. Even then, there can be trouble.

 

[Monk21]

Head bobbing, stomping, beard puffing and the darkening of the beard all indicate aggression and displays of dominance.

Slow headbobbing and waving are signs of submission.

It's very stressful on the female to be caged with him all the time. The male will consistently pester the female in this manner asserting his masculinity and the two will always compete for dominance. I'd probably consider caging them apart. The only time 2 or more dragons coexist well, I find, is when they are all females. Even then, there can be trouble.

They are together since they were young and they have mated several times. Also, most of the day they are very well with each other

 

[destiny1998]

Just because they've been together for a long time doesn't mean they can continue cohabitation. Why are you on here asking for advice then acting like the people on here no nothing? Like your other thread about lights you have been given good advice. I just hope you take it. There are links on here about cohabitation.

 

[w0554096]

Hello,
I have also posted on your other thread, but I thought it best to keep the two issues seperate.
I fully agree with what the previous poster has said.
In case you haven't seen it before, here is a very informative post on cohabitation.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=154908

If you are planning to breed these two, it is still only reccomended to have them together for short periods of times. Once the mating has occured, it is best to seperate them back into their individual enclosures.
The female will have enough stress on her body to produce eggs, lay eggs, and recover from laying eggs (which could happen for months on end, even from just one mating). She should not have to deal with that as well as constant domination, or 'fights' for domination.
They may not always be physically fighting, but living in the constant presence of another dragon is an on going battle for dominance. This is very stressful on both of the dragons, and apart from the risk of injury, there is also usually negative results on one or both dragons health wise.

I know that it can be overwhelming, especially when you obtain two dragons that have been housed together their whole lives, and the previous owner (or petstore) assures you that they will be fine. Unfortunately there is alot of misinformation out there, and by default alot of misinformed people.
This forum is here to help people ensure that their dragons live the happiest, healthiest lives possible. We are not critiquing you, just trying to pass on what we, as a community have found to produce the best results in our bearded dragons.

 

[Lenewen]

w0554096-you put that very well.

I have housed dragons together and separately and find in my experience they flourish much more without the stress of a cagemate. How would you feel if I locked you in a 40 gallon tank with a cagemate who was always trying to be the boss. While not usually life threatening, it still take a toll on them and their well being suffers for it. As well, excessive breeding CAN be life threatening and caging them together typically leads to issues due to that.

 

[Monk21]

w0554096-you put that very well.

I have housed dragons together and separately and find in my experience they flourish much more without the stress of a cagemate. How would you feel if I locked you in a 40 gallon tank with a cagemate who was always trying to be the boss. While not usually life threatening, it still take a toll on them and their well being suffers for it. As well, excessive breeding CAN be life threatening and caging them together typically leads to issues due to that.

Hello,
I have also posted on your other thread, but I thought it best to keep the two issues seperate.
I fully agree with what the previous poster has said.
In case you haven't seen it before, here is a very informative post on cohabitation.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=154908

If you are planning to breed these two, it is still only reccomended to have them together for short periods of times. Once the mating has occured, it is best to seperate them back into their individual enclosures.
The female will have enough stress on her body to produce eggs, lay eggs, and recover from laying eggs (which could happen for months on end, even from just one mating). She should not have to deal with that as well as constant domination, or 'fights' for domination.
They may not always be physically fighting, but living in the constant presence of another dragon is an on going battle for dominance. This is very stressful on both of the dragons, and apart from the risk of injury, there is also usually negative results on one or both dragons health wise.

I know that it can be overwhelming, especially when you obtain two dragons that have been housed together their whole lives, and the previous owner (or petstore) assures you that they will be fine. Unfortunately there is alot of misinformation out there, and by default alot of misinformed people.
This forum is here to help people ensure that their dragons live the happiest, healthiest lives possible. We are not critiquing you, just trying to pass on what we, as a community have found to produce the best results in our bearded dragons.

Thank you for the answers.

I only have the dragons for 3 days and they seem to get along great. It goes without say that if I see problems arising, I will consider separating them.

 

[w0554096]

Hello,
I just wanted to clarify. You won't always 'see' any major issues with housing together. Sometimes you don't notice how truly unhappy your dragons were until they are seperated and allowed to flourish.

Think of it as an abusive relationship that they can't escape from. Sometimes it is the male that is constantly bossing the female around, taking the best UVB and heat spot so she doesn't get enough, eating the most food, or even physically abusing her.
If you think about it in that respect, not everyone that's in abusive relationships show bruises.

If you are planning to keep them together, I would reccomend researching all of the signs of domination, so that you'll know what you're seeing. It would also be good to feed them both seperately, so you can make sure that they're both getting enough food.
The female will most likely always need a great deal more food than he will due to egg production, and I would reccomend getting some liquid calcium for her.

I would also reccomend having a lay bin ready. If you're not planning to incubate the eggs, then I find potting soil works best. It's not as heavy as sand when wet and she can dig in it much easier. Here's a tutorial for egg laying:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=166108

 

[Monk21]

thanks for the answer.

I am in the process of reading everything online about cohabitation and seriously thinking of separating them. This is sad though as I cannot afford to keep them both. Also, do me a favour, I will now post a pic of my female so you can tell me if she is pregnant, fat or normal.

 

[Monk21]

So, any thoughts if she is pregnant? Also, in the last pic, what can this "mark" on her head be?

 

[herpgirl2510]

I am sorry but you should not just be considering. That poor female is afraid being in the same cage. I Maine if someone was always domi acting and mating with you. Beardies should never be housed together. If you cannot afford a separate enclosure for one you need to rehome one of them. It is not fair for a dragon to live that way.

 

[Monk21]

I am sorry but you should not just be considering. That poor female is afraid being in the same cage. I Maine if someone was always domi acting and mating with you. Beardies should never be housed together.

Guys, take it easy. I am doing the best I can. My only option is give them back to the guy that gave them to me and he will again house them together. I am really trying to find the best solution. That is why I am in here

 

[herpgirl2510]

I am sorry but you should not just be considering. That poor female is afraid being in the same cage. I Maine if someone was always domi acting and mating with you. Beardies should never be housed together.

Guys, take it easy. I am doing the best I can. My only option is give them back to the guy that gave them to me and he will again house them together. I am really trying to find the best solution. That is why I am in here

I am just being honest with you. You asked people's option that is mine it is nothing personal. Most people will say exactly what I am saying.

 

[Monk21]

I am sorry but you should not just be considering. That poor female is afraid being in the same cage. I Maine if someone was always domi acting and mating with you. Beardies should never be housed together.

Guys, take it easy. I am doing the best I can. My only option is give them back to the guy that gave them to me and he will again house them together. I am really trying to find the best solution. That is why I am in here

I am just being honest with you.

And I appreciate it. That is why I am trying to do the best I can.

 

[herpgirl2510]

They are having a $1 a gallon sale at petco. Sorry I am a more short to the point poster I am kind of lazy that way. :mrgreen: