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Breeding Beardeds for Newbie

VaranusAqua Jun 25, 2006 09:14 PM

Hey everybody-almost my whole life iv had reptiles of all different kinds-then for about the past 2 years i had none until i got a water monitor a week ago. Well it sparked my enthusiasm all over again and i was thinking of getting a few dragons(i've owned a few in the past) always been my favorite lizards. But right now the water monitor is the only reptile i want as a PET. Attempting to tame that thing takes hours out of the day. And rather then buying a few bearded hatchlings like before i'm thinkng about get two adult trios.(2:1 female to male ratio) and experimenting with breeding and crossing color morphs. Theres a few questions i have that i couldn't find the specifics to-help would be appreciated.

BRUMATION PERIOD:How long, What temp(Fer), How much to feed.
FERTILIZATION: How long till eggs are laid. How long till they hatch.
INCUBATOR: Was is a good incubator for a reasonable price.
INCUBATION TEMPERATURE: Some reptiles are sexed based on the temperature they are incubated at-is this true with beardeds. What temps for male and female.
COLOR MORPHS: Alot of breeders are disinclined to sell any of there proven breeders-does anyone know of adult color morph dragons for sale. I hate to bombarden people with all the newbie questions and am very greatful to those who can help. Thanks

Replies (2)

PHLdyPayne Jun 26, 2006 05:46 PM

Will answer the questions you ask that I can:

BRUMATION PERIOD:How long, What temp(Fer), How much to feed.

Though not always necessary to induce breeding, brumation can be anywhere between 2-4 months. Best to stop feeding your dragons a few days before lowering the basking/ambient temperatures and reducing amount of light (reduce from 14-12 hours to 10 hours daylight, about half hour a week works fine). reduce basking temp by about 5 degrees per week as well, till you just leave the basking bulb off. Let night time temps drop below 70F (but not below 60F). Daytime temps can be whatever your room temp is but should be a bit warmer than night time temps. During this cooling down period and after your dragons go into brumation, just provide fresh water. For the most part yu can leave the lights off during the times they are brumating but at times they do come out for a day and will bask. At this time you can offer a few greens and soft skin insects (ie silkworms) but keep the meal small, as there is a godo chance they will go down again. When near to 2 or 4 months, start increasing temperatures and amount of daylight in reverse order till all temps and lights are back up to normal. Start feeding normally all the dragons want to eat, both greens and some insects. The females can get extra feedings of insects. Once they are eating normally and are fully awake, you can intrudce the male to the female(s) for mating.

FERTILIZATION: How long till eggs are laid. How long till they hatch.

Gestation typically is 3-6 weeks after the first mating. After the first clutch, expect eggs 2-4 weeks later and after every other clutch after the first.

INCUBATOR: Was is a good incubator for a reasonable price.

most people use home made incubators, some use those hovabators (or however it's spelled) for dragons.

INCUBATION TEMPERATURE: Some reptiles are sexed based on the temperature they are incubated at-is this true with beardeds. What temps for male and female.

Ideal incubation temps for bearded dragons is 82-85F. I do not think bearded dragons are temperature dependant for sex determination.

COLOR MORPHS: Alot of breeders are disinclined to sell any of there proven breeders-does anyone know of adult color morph dragons for sale. I hate to bombarden people with all the newbie questions and am very greatful to those who can help. Thanks

For adult color morphs, well most breeders don't want to sell their adult breeders who give them nice babies to sell. However, some do sell hold backs from the previous year (not quite a year old but well established anyway) finding they no longer have room or change their mind or get more dragons from elsewhere or whatever reason. Just have to watch the classifieds and wait till you see something about hold backs being for sale. It also doesn't hurt to send emails to breeders and asking if they have older dragons or unwanted hold backs they are willing to sell. Some may not have time to put them up for sale or may be waiting till all their babies are gone first.
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PHLdyPayne

VaranusAqua Jun 26, 2006 07:48 PM

Thanke you very much you don't know how helpful you've been.

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