New Beardie and New User

[MalarieAnn]

Ugghhh. I wrote something so long that I can't possibly do a better introduction after it just deleted cause I left the page

I adopted my first rescue Beardie this summer. He is a rescue who was not getting cared for or fed. His name is Oey and he is nice plump and a happy member of our family now. We recently adopted a female Beardie 2 days ago who was in worse condition then him. She was even skinner then the picture 2 weeks ago when I first met her and fell in love with her. Her name is Emma she is gaining weight and is so happy at home with us now. These are my first Beardies and I'm wondering if anyone can help me on regards to introducing them. They were together twice for short times. The second time his beard turned black and I got nervous and took him out in case he didn't like her I just moved their tanks side to side today to get them use to each other.

Also I have no idea why she is all black and I don't see many like that. The pet shop owner said it was cause she was sick and not fed.

Today Oey flared his beard and bobbed his head at me, I gave him a slow head nod and an arm wave, so he knows he's the boss. If that's even possible with human and Beardie interactions?

I love them soooooo much and I won't them to be friends but I won't at all put either one at risk if they will fight. Any suggestions?

I'm going to add a picture hopefully it works ! Thanks in advance! http://m.imgur.com/gallery/U9QirKb

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Beardies are territorial. They do not like being around other beardies. I have 3 and they have their own cages in their own rooms. They do not like being around each other at all. Congratulations on the new addition too the family

 

[MalarieAnn]

Hi. Beardies are territorial. They do not like being around other beardies. I have 3 and they have their own cages in their own rooms. They do not like being around each other at all. Congratulations on the new addition too the family

Even though she is a female ? The pet store owners owners said id be able to have them together in a 40 gal tank one day. And he just did some jerky bobs towards her tank, I'm hoping that a good sign ! It seriously looks like they are flirting and playing hard to get at this moment , so adorable <3

 

[destiny1998]

Please do not put them together. A 40 gallon is a minimum for ONE adult. They will fight and injure each other or worse. Cage mates bite off tails, toes, feet ect... if you need proof look up cohabitation in bearded dragons. One of mine if she is even in the same room and I have let them out together attacked my other one luckily I was right there. Lesson learned for sure. They are every quick and in the blink of an eye they will attack.

 

[destiny1998]

I forgot to say males can and will mate the female to death. Plus you need to have a lay box ready for eggs and laying is very stressful on the females. Especially if she is constantly being bred she will end up with health issues, do to all of the physical stress.

 

[MalarieAnn]

Please do not put them together. A 40 gallon is a minimum for ONE adult. They will fight and injure each other or worse. Cage mates bite off tails, toes, feet ect... if you need proof look up cohabitation in bearded dragons. One of mine if she is even in the same room and I have let them out together attacked my other one luckily I was right there. Lesson learned for sure. They are every quick and in the blink of an eye they will attack.

They aren't full grown adults yet, but I wasn't planning on keeping them in the same cage at all times, neither of my beardies are aggressive either. At the reptile shop they also have about 5 or 6 females in the same tank, the tank is huge but they aren't ever aggressive or get hurt. Maybe yours are aggressive? Cause what your saying isn't true for all Bearded Dragons. I've only owned them for short time but I am constantly doing my research.

 

[Varalidaine]

It is generally accepted that Bearded Dragons should not be housed together. They are housed together in pet stores because it's a business. They aren't going to buy a tank for each baby they are trying to sell. Baby dragons can be somewhat social, but as they get older they more territorial. In large scale breeding operations, females of the same size and docile temperament can be successfully housed together. But it will never be advised to house a male and female together. He will become aggressive during mating seasons when he comes of age. Whether he tries to attack her or mate with her, she could be injured. Even breeding can result in injuries. They also seem to be a very different size, so he will likely bully her as she is much smaller.

I also don't suggest housing together or introducing them as you just got her and you should have gone through a quarantine process. She could very well be carrying coccidia, pinworms, ADV, Yellow Fungus, or various other diseases and parasites that are easily transferable. She should be kept separated for one month from him, preferably in a different room, and hands should be washed between handling of each dragon. I would not consider introducing them until she has a clean bill of health from a reptile vet and a clear fecal and negative ADV result.

Seeing other dragons, especially a larger one, can be stressing her out, causing her dark coloring. The dark coloring is because she unhappy and stressed, or sick. Another reason to keep them separate.

Potentially, in the future, they could have supervised outside time together, if they both prove to be docile, but even then, you should never house them together. Especially not in something as small as a 40gal.

 

[MalarieAnn]

She's been black longer then I've had her , I met her two weeks before adopting her and she hadn't met my other dragon yet. I agree about thier size, I withstand leave them in a tank alone Jay like I wouldn't leave my baby pit bull with a full grown pit bull. Once again they have their own tanks and I'm not planning on housing them together , just having them be friends since we let them have so much room to run around, digging box, and other fun things. She had a clean bill of health , I wasnt allowed to adopt her for the 2 weeks until she was healthy again.

I understand the concern with beardies, i also understand that it is optimal for them to live alone, but they can live together. The reptile ship shop I go to is not just a business that will just sell anything n to anyone, the animals are loved, taken care of and most of the reptiles and other animals have their own cages. Besides new hatchlings and the group of females I mentioned earlier.

I really do understand the concern, BUT tonight they really started to make progress with a slow introduction and a little time around each other (I l didn't want to let her run free towards him, so I held onto her) It was great to see them trying to get each others attention, you can tell they wanted to see each other. Afterwards they glass surfed daytheyon each side towards eachother wit no signs of aggression I mentioned on the first day they met.

If anyone had successfully introduced their beardies please let me know how. AND thank you everybody for the precautions !

 

[Varalidaine]

You could check out gina's post under Photo Expressions. She has one thats been going for a few years and it details her journey of adopting more dragons. She started with one male and acquired 3 more females and eventually another male. I know she has had great success with allowing them to run about the house together. Her topic is Pookies Minions. Her two dragons Pookie and Digi seemed to get along quite well.

But this is only for during the day play time and she is always there when multiple dragons are out. Having time like that every day is perfectly fine if they aren't aggressive and you watch the male to prevent any breeding. Maybe they could be friends and have successful "out time" every day. I think we all thought you were planning on housing them together permanently.

 

[destiny1998]

I just wanted to say. Mine are very mellow by themselves. However it's the instincts that you need to worry about. I mean just be cause they seem to get along right now doesn't mean that there will be no fighting or attacking. It's in their genes. Like circus anmials. Just cuz they are domesticated doesn't mean that they wont turn on the trainor or other animals. Just watch very closely especially during mating season. The males go crazy when they see a female( again natural instinct). You can't change that. :wink: :wink:

 

[Tylerman]

Glad that you adopted them both! I recently rescued a six year old male. I agree with the others, please please please, DO NOT house together. They can have playtime together as long as you are paying attention to them. For instance, I have also a 3 year old female and I will let her run around when I'm doing homework (I'm home schooled ) or when I play guitar, etc... Can you provide pictures on your set up, the beardies, and the lighting?

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[MalarieAnn]

Thanks everybody , once again I was never planning on housing together. As an update after a week of their tanks side by side and some playtime and they are doing well.