Mating desire or just an angry grump due to new home?

[AwsmEmily]

Hello

First time poster here, and first time beardie owners, so be gentle lol

About 2 days ago, I purchased two beardies, a male (Bowser) and a female (Charmander), both around two years old. The previous owner had them together since they were about 8 months and said she has never laid any eggs. Both are *very* tame and don't mind being held or pet and don't even mind my dog whining in front of their tank!

Yesterday, once they were back in the tank after handling them outside of the it for about 10 minutes, Bowser started to puff out his blackbeard and started bobbing his head. I put this off to maybe him being upset about being out and still not 100% used to me. He kept doing that though later on in the day, but he is not hissing or opening his mouth. In the evening, he did it randomly again but this time I saw Charmander do a slow bob back and wave her leg at him.

This morning, Bowser went on the same routine but Charmander didn't reciprocate. Even when he is all blackbeardy, he allows me to pet him and doesn't freak out when I have my hand in the tank or above him.

I am wondering if this is a sign of him wanting to mate? Or if he is just a grumpybutt due to a new environment? Also, is it possible that since they have been together so long that the interest in mating is lower than usual? I do not want him to harass her and he hasn't gone after her, but I do not want babies. I already plan on separating them as the 40g tank is not proper for both of them to live in, but it might take a month or so before that is set up.

Help is greatly appreciated! I just want my babes to be happy

 

[magick288]

I'm a newbie too, I've only had Lu for about a year and I still don't actually know what sex he or she is but im going through a similar thing. Lately Lu gets a black beard and opens her mouth at me but is still fine being handled. However lately when I let her out to explore, she's been scratching at the walls of my house and I don't know if that's something you've been going through but I've been chalking that up to breeding stress since he did just wake up from brumation a few weeks ago.