Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I'm mostly a chameleon breeder. But I helped a friend out with breeding and incubating his bearded eggs and I'm considering giving it a try.

I have a male bearded dragon that I bought from Peter Weis about 6.5 years ago. I live in the same town as Peter and know him fairly well, so I got to hand pick him for his white color from Peter's stock. I'm pretty sure he's considered a hypo-pastel with clear nails based on pictures, and from what I can tell, a pretty good one. If you know who Peter Weis is, you know its probably some good genes.

So I want to find a female for him, but I'm wondering if he'll know what to do. I mean, he's been all alone for 6.5 years. Think I'll be able to breed him? I've seen male chameleons who couldn't quite figure out how to do the deed.

Also, how clear is a "clear" nail? Clear like ice? Clear like quartz? Clear like weak tea? Can't seem to figure that out from looking around.

Thanks,

Steve

I think your male will figure it out. I'm not sure I would house them together though. You may have to brumate him first also. Best in my opinion would be to house them separate and then introduce them in a large neutral place like the floor. Mating usually takes very little time to happen if it will.

Hypomelanistic dragons with clear nails have nails that are cloudy clear is my best description. Mine has no darkness at all so definately not like weak tea. But I'm sure there can be many different grades.

I'd give a lot of thought to the cost of the babies and how you will find them good homes. Is more expensive and difficult then most people think. Getting then to breed, lay eggs, and incubate them is by far the easiest part.

6.5 years old is rather old to start breeding a male bearded dragon. Definitely it would be too old to breed a female if she was the one that age.

Unless you bought a full grown female now to get ready to start breeding in the coming season, after brumating both (and after she has been in quarantine at least a month) he will most likely be 7 years old. He may figure it out but he may also just be too old. I do not know how long bearded dragon males carry viable sperm into old age.

You can certainly give it a try but I would definitely make sure your male was in perfect health, don't house him in with the female (he could kill himself trying to breed her all the time) and let him copulate a couple times then separate for a week, maybe put them together again for a few more matings. then separate. If he has viable sperm than she will lay eggs fairly quickly after that (1-3 weeks later).

Personally I think it would be better to start with a younger pair of dragons. Less chance of any problems with the male.

As for the clear nails..normal bearded dragon claws have a dark brown to black line running along the top surface of the claw which sort of washes into the sides of the claw and end in some shade of off white. Clear nailed dragons lack that dark line..though the claw itself can still be off white, translucent or solid looking.
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PHLdyPayne