Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently I have seen a lot of unusual behavior from my adult female beardie. She has been very dominate, head bobbing and biting the back of the males neck...they have been together for 3 years now and this is the first I have ever seen this. Usually she has been a very calm, no aggressive behavior at all but within the last 2 weeks she decided she wants to be the boss. Anyone have any thoughts on what is going on with them? She has been a great breeder but this year she is totally different, even with a different male the same age. Any help would be great

Jamie

A good start would be to separate her before some serious injury occurs, in case you haven't already done so.

Hi!

I have a female that is doing that right now too.. She is running around "being the male". As the season progresses I'm sure she'll mellow out and be a "good girl". (If I remember correctly this/my female did this in the spring last year too... and she had lots of babies!) As long as there is no blood being drawn I would leave them alone. Sometimes us girls have to out the boys in their place.

On the other hand, I always recommend housing the males by themselves and letting the girls live together. It lessens the stress level (especially when the girls are gravid!).

If you are planning on keeping them all together I would not separate them unless you had too... Once you take him away and then put him back (unless for breeding sessions) they might fight to re-establish the dominance heirarchy... It might make things worse.

So.. to sum up this rambling. It's probably normal, don't worry unless there is blood... Oh, and really consider housing the boys by themselves...

Good Luck!!
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Kelly Affonce
DeKeaff Exotics

AIM: DekeaffGrrl

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with this post... Waiting until serious damage occurs before separating them is, in my humble opinion, NOT the way to go! Quite the contrary. Letting a male and a female live together all the time is never advised, because of stress/continuous breeding attempts, and possible fighting. Therefore, separation is, once again in my opinion, the only responsible solution.

>>I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with this post... Waiting until serious damage occurs before separating them is, in my humble opinion, NOT the way to go! Quite the contrary. Letting a male and a female live together all the time is never advised, because of stress/continuous breeding attempts, and possible fighting. Therefore, separation is, once again in my opinion, the only responsible solution.

There seems to be an increasing opinion that males and females can be housed together. I'm I missing something here or is that still a very frowned upon practice that just seems to be understated lately?
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Rob Talkington

Is there a possibility that the female is rejecting the male due to health reasons. If so this would call for separation also if it is anything catching. I would separte and either take the male into the Vet or watch them both very carefully.

I don't think there is any reason for seperation...it is no worse than what she goes though with the male when he is in the mood to breed...I don't see any injury coming from this. I have them in my room and I am always watching them, it is not a constant attitude but I was just curious as I have been breeding this pair for about 3 years now and this is the first i have ever seen this.

You have the right to disagree with me... But I think you read my post too quickly. I advised separating them (2nd paragraph), BUT if they plan to continue housing them together then I think they should give them every chance to work it out. If you keep upsetting them by removing the dominating lizard and then replacing him/her then they are just going to keep fighting. The lizard I spoke of (that I own) lives in a all girl tank and is "being the male" with the other girls. As I said, I always advise housing the males separately...

Most of the time these scuffles dont result in anything other than hurt pride. MOST OF THE TIME. There are rare occasions where the fighting gets severe and I'm counting on it that this person (who has had them for several years) will know the difference.

Perfect situation: House everyone alone
Real Life: Not always perfect

Keep in mind it's 2:00am while I'm writing this!!
THANKS!
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Kelly Affonce
DeKeaff Exotics

AIM: DekeaffGrrl

I thought you were not supposed to keep adult males together or they will fight? Or is that only when they are with other females?

Males can't live with other males, they will fight, but it is possible to keep them with females... it just causes them all more stress than if the boys lived alone. (Girls can live in groups)
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Kelly Affonce
DeKeaff Exotics

AIM: DekeaffGrrl