raising two bearded dragons together

[tbrown23]

Hello I was wondering if I could raise two bearded dragons together in a 75 gallon tank from only a few months old and for the rest of their lives. I understand that it can be potentially harmful, but I know quite a few people who do it and have no problems whatsoever. I also plan to adopt two bearded from the same litter and raise them together. Do you think I will be fine?

 

[Tigg]

This is never a good idea.

It's true that there is a handful of beardie owners out there that have successfully housed 2 beardies... But there are countless beardie owners out there that have done so, only to come home to a injured, dismembered, very sick pet, or worse dead one day even though they SEEMED to be perfectly happy together.

The truth is, no owner has ever really had complete success with this... They may think they have... but in all actuality, there is underlying problems with at least one if not both of their pets. There may be stunted growth, MDB, or just plain un needed stress on their pets that they have failed to recognize.

People see hatchlings in pet stores all huddled in the corner, laying on top of each other and think it's so cute... Most times they are all from the same clutch, and this is a very early sign of dominance, and future problems to come. those little ones laying on the bottom, will be deprived of much needed UVB rays, most times not able to eat enough because the more dominant beardied will fight to eat first. It's simply survival of the fittest and it will happen in every single home.

As a pet owner, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure your pets are receiving the best quality of life possible... Offering them a lifestyle sub par to what they would have left alone in the wild in unaccecptable. You could kind of compare it to a human being locked in a jail cell with a big scary guy all day and night telling you what to do and when to do it... it's just not fair.

If you are worried that by only having 1 beardie it will become lonely? Lonliness is a warm blooded emotion.

Bearded dragons are solitary animals. They do not live in colonys as some will say. they live alone. They come together to mate, and the move on. In captivity they will be more happy not even knowing other beardies exist.

 

[tbrown23]

Thank you so much for that very informing response, I don't think I am going to get two now and I don't think my bearded dragon will be lonely because he will have me anyways. 75 gallons is so big though hehe, do you suppose he will be fine If I cannot immediately accommodate him with enough toys to fill the tank? Buying all the necessary equipment is going to cost me a lot, and aside from the basic needs of a tank(hide/basking spot/food and water bowls/all their lights and heaters) and I am not sure if I will have enough leftover to truly decorate his habitat.

 

[Lovethelife07]

for one beardie a 40 gal breeder tank is perfect its wide and long
thats what i have mine in...and yeah it does become expensive but its all worth it when you see ur little one so excited to get into a new place lol
lilly loves her new cage

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Great, I am happy to hear your decision not to put two clutchmates together. There are other issues that had not been addressed either.
You are not "guaranteed" of the sex when you purchase them initially. So, if you happen to get 2 males, that would never work, or if you got a male & a female you don't want inbreeding to occur. The only "acceptable" housing that I condone is 2 females. As stated above though, it really is not a good idea. Though, alot of breeders do house together to save space, etc. Personally, I just think there are too many accidents that happen & you have to constantly watch to make sure there are no dominance issues occurring which almost always do occur anyway. It is just how things are with them. Sibling rivalry, or whatever you want to compare it to. They want their own space & you can't really blame them.
A 75 gallon is an excellent size. As long as he has a nice basking spot, etc & a few other rocks & branches, keeping it simple is usually the best. He will be fine. You could get a nice little hammock too if you wanted, they usually like things like that to hang out in.

Good luck.

Tracie

 

[tbrown23]

I got a 75 gallon for an amazing price that I couldn't say no to. I am just in the process of saving up enough money to buy everything all at once I figure it will cost me at least about 200$ to get everything. But it's certainly going to be worth it. I am trying to find some really good deals on craigs list though hehe

 

[zebraflavencs]

Just a thought, with that same $200, you could... BUILD a really cool custom viv
Jus' saying lol
Janie.

 

[tbrown23]

gonna spend the 200 on lights and whatnot

 

[zebraflavencs]

Good heavens ! $200 on lights ? I think I spent around $70 on each mega, 4-6 more on the fixtures... what lights are you buying ?
Janie.

 

[tbrown23]

I mean on lights and the animals basic needs and food... lots of food...