more than one bearded dragon

[hopelesslyhopeful121]

I wasn't really sure where to post this...but to the folks that keep more than one bearded dragon (housed separately) do you find it difficult to give them all the same amount of attention? Also, do they socialize outside of the viv together at all without issues? I'm new to owning a bearded dragon and have fallen in love with these sweet animals. I'd love another, but I don't want to take the attention away from the sweet boy I already have...any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[destiny1998]

Hi.i have 3 and all get the same amount of lovin. Outside of their tanks at once is very hard now that spring is here. My males have to be in separate rooms or else one will see the other and run right over and jump on the other back and bite.

 

[SDragon]

Females may tolerate each other out of their vivs with supervision. Males should be kept away from others.

 

[Heyimbrit]

I have 2, a sub-adult and an adult, and as much as I hate to admit it I give my adult more attention than my little one. I guess it's because I'm waiting for my little one to get bigger so she won't get into the small spaces in my room that my big guy can't fit in. She also likes to run after a few minutes of being held so I don't hold her for too long at a time. I try to give her the same amount of attention that I give him but sometimes it's hard when it's so easy to let him run around and be held and go places with me knowing that she can't do any of that yet. I know someday when she's big enough she'll get the same amount but for now, they don't get equal attention.

Maybe it will be easier for you if you get them around the same age so you don't have the problem that I'm having. I will say though, having 2 is so much better than just having 1. Good luck!

 

[SDragon]

Truth be told a lot of the attention people give their lizards is for their own benefit imo. Providing they are fed, kept clean and given large, good quality, enriching enclosures it doesn't matter if one is given more attention.

 

[JFleegs]

I was thinking the same thing, I have had Dorito for almost a year now. I always wanted to add another, but afraid I wouldnt give each the attention required for both! But today I finally ended up getting a little female hyp trans leatherback. I couldnt help myself when I saw her haha. I think owning 2 now will def be more fun!

 

[Heyimbrit]

Pictures?

 

[JFleegs]

Pictures?

Me? I posted a thread introductions titled New Girl (hypo trans leatherback), if you want to check her out!

 

[kingofnobbys]

Had 5,
two beardies (brother (Puff) and sister (Rex), 3 and bit years old, kept separate, rarely out together (only for joint dad time),
two bluetongue skinks (brother (George) and sister (Mildred) , about 4 years old, again kept separate.
The beardies and bluetongues are buddies (in that I let them roam about freerange inside together as beardie-bt pairs and they sometimes share greens and veg/salad together (2 at a time).
one water skink (Wriggles) about 5 - 6 years old (can't remember - might be older), she doesn't get to go on the floor, too little and too curious and likely to go exploring and disappear under the furniture or a door.
Recently lost Puff.

Now have 6:
three beardies = Rex and two very little 2.5 mnth old hatchlings (Peppa and her brother Toothless , named by our 5 year old grandson).
Still have the 2 BTS and the Water Skink.

I don't want my BTs getting up to mischief (mating) so they weren't allowed together, same applied with the big beardies (much to Puff's frustration in his 1st and 2nd springs - did some very naughty things to the carpet / lino interface ridge....).

Rex gets very jealous of Wriggles and the new hatchlings when she's out for and I'm nursing them or feeding them.
The 2 BTs are much more accepting so long as they get to have their snuggles too.

While the two hatchlings are so young and doppy, I'll not let Rex or the BTs near them, there is a risk (even if it's remote with my very well fed big girl and the 2 BTs) they might become snacks. NEVER let little hatchlings be near a larger lizard (even of the same species) !

I'm retired so I get to spend a lot of time interacting and being with (sharing time) with my lizards, so they are uber spoilt.

Rex , Wriggles , George , Milldred (and especially Puff , really miss him) all love snuggles and get as much loving off my wife and me as they want, yes they do seek you out and "ask" you pick them up and they do really enjoy it.

More than one lizard, gives you a chance to see their interlizard behaviours (body language) and enriches the experience for you and the lizards.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Truth be told a lot of the attention people give their lizards is for their own benefit imo. Providing they are fed, kept clean and given large, good quality, enriching enclosures it doesn't matter if one is given more attention.

Sorry , but only to an limited extent, a lot more goes on in their heads than most give them credit for. Personal observation over many years, and also born out in scientific literature (google and yee shall find many citations).



Lizards (dragons , skinks and some geckos) can be quite inquisitive and very interactive and definitely very affectionate and come to crave contact with their special human (or humans) , everybit as much as a cat, mouse or rat will.
They even invent games , and do things because it is "fun" or makes a nice sound (to them), Puff played with his pendulum style CFB UV fitting / reflector, Rex likes making things crackle or go ding, Wriggles loves paw boxing with my finger (gives me a high or low five) and tells me to change sides when I'm tickling her under the chin pushing my finger over to the overside and turning her head just so . Also loves me talking to her , comes up real close and stares into my eyes while I'm doing so.
They all also have fav TV programs , and know the difference between the show and the following show, immediately loose interest and go to bed or turn away from the TV.

The more time you spend with them the more they surprise you.

They need to get out of their enclosures (even big elaborate ones) , and really enjoy being out of their enclosures and interacting with their people and sometimes even visitors, it's enriching for them and great exercise for them too.

If you want an animal that's just a display animal (live furniture) buy a fish, a crab, or a venomous snake, or a spider or scorpion, or a pet rock.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I was thinking the same thing, I have had Dorito for almost a year now. I always wanted to add another, but afraid I wouldnt give each the attention required for both! But today I finally ended up getting a little female hyp trans leatherback. I couldnt help myself when I saw her haha. I think owning 2 now will def be more fun!

And you'll be able to watch the new hatchling growing up and it's funny and unique antics as it learns how to manipulate you and it's personality develops.

I'm really enjoying raising Toothless and Peppa (our 2 new hatchlings) and getting to know them and letting them get to know me and my wife. Hatchlings are great fun , AND A LOT OF WORK too BUT worth it. Been 3 years since we had hatchlings in the house (Puff and Rex).

 

[jenh010112]

Hello! I'm going to chime in here. Apologies for the long story.. I had 2 girls. Raised together, lived together, very seldom did anything other than lay around. 1 passed away and then there was 1. My sister asked if I wanted another and I said no. Then, the Good Lord sent a bearded dragon running through my husband's construction site. No surrounding houses and all my husband could think was this lizard is gonna be bird food. He got a bucket and put the dragon in it and brought it home.

This dragon is nothing like my female. They both have personalities, but he (he is a he) is rambunctious. Very active, loves to eat a variety of things. She is a picky eater, moves on occasion, much bigger than my male.

The thing is, now that I have 2 very different dragons, it's really neat seeing that. It's been a challenge getting the new dragon to settle, but he finally is! Every time he sees her, he head bobs like crazy! I won't put them together right now at all. She could care less about him. But since he is so active and seems like he enjoys the attention, I'm getting him a harness and tether, so he can be out more. She enjoys being talked to and patted, but she is also happy basking and chilling. Yesterday, Jack, watched 2 hours of tv with us just sitting on his rock. I was overjoyed with him being chill! I would give a time report .. wow! 5 mins still, 30 mins still, holy crap it's been over an hour. OMG 2 hours!!! My husband was like ok, I get it. The thing is, he was dominating his reflection. I was so nervous he would either not get over it, or get hurt in the process. Settling down was such an accomplishment! I was sooo happy.

So, the bottom line, the dragons are all different. You will give the same love to them. Some require more attention, some enjoy different things, but you will love each one and care for each one in the same manner.