Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I was on these fourms a few months ago and the people here gave me some really great advise so now I would like to ask for some more.

The beardie that I have is about 7 -8 months old and is growing at a steady rate, sheding about 1-2 times at most a month, and eats like a starved elephant.
I cant get him to eat veggies, he did when he was younger but now he wont eat much at all and I know that its very important that he gets his greens, what can I do?

Also he has only puffed his neck out once maybe twice since I got him is this normal or is he just happy?

Do beardies like to be petted, or lightly scratched? he really seems to like getting petted under his chin and lightly scratched on his back, he lays really flat closes his eyes and every once in awhile he opens his mouth a bit, once again is this normal and ok to do?

when would be a good time to interduce another beardie into his enclouser? we really want to get another but I am affraid they will fight or one will take over the other. what is a good way to prevent that?

Thank you for all your help again.

"I cant get him to eat veggies, he did when he was younger but now he wont eat much at all and I know that its very important that he gets his greens, what can I do?"

- What does his diet consist of? If he is feeding primarily on insects, he will not be interested in the greens. Offer just greens in the mornings and crickets in the afternoon. That usually helps quite a bit.

"Also he has only puffed his neck out once maybe twice since I got him is this normal or is he just happy?"

- He is fine...and happy with his suuroundings.

"Do beardies like to be petted, or lightly scratched?"

- Beardies tolerate handling better than every other reptile I have come to know, however, do they like it? Hard to say. However, if they do not like something they will let you know!

"when would be a good time to interduce another beardie into his enclouser?"

- If you have a male you need to go with a female or there will be natural dominance. A male will dominate a female for sure and breeding will result whether you like it or not. If you have a male the answer is if you need to set-ups.

One side note. Is that a picture of your beardie? How recent is it? What is his weight? From that angle he looks light. You sound like an owner that truly cares and has the animals best interest at heart. On behalf of your lizard, thanks for caring.
J Marchon Reptiles

Thank you for your help,

That pic I took was about 3-4 weeks after I got him and he was about a month old when I got him. I have no idea about his weight because I dont have anything to weigh him with. He eats all the time and is growing very fast. I will try to get a more updated pic of him up here along with his new cage.

At the age your dragon is, he should be getting two feedings of insects a day. To help get him to eat greens, try dropping silkworms or crickets right onto his greens. With finely chopped greens, it will be hard for your dragon not to eat greens along with the insects.

Bearded dragons do enjoy being scratched on their chins and neck area and from how yours is responding, he is enjoying it. It is perfectly normal for them not to flare up often, the fact he isn't indicates he trusts you.

It never really is a good time to introduce new dragons into an already established dragon's cage. Though dragons can get along, there is always a possibility they will not and fighting/domination will occur, stressing one or both dragons. As yours is male, he pretty much has to be alone for his entire life. It is fine to get another dragon but best to house it separate. Later if you decide to breed your dragons, you can introduce a female in with your male long enough for them to mate, then separate again. Females should be at least 15 months old before you try and breed her. The male should be at least a year old and about the same size as the female.
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PHLdyPayne