Hi. About 5 months ago I bought 2 baby basilisks (plurifrons). Recently I moved them into a bigger/better cage and have spent time watching their behaviour. Originally named Romeo and Juliette, I'm afraid Juliette may actually be "Julien"! J is chasing R around the cage using head bobbing and tail whipping motions. R is now spending most of his time hiding in vegetation. Both are developing bulges on their heads - but I can't yet tell their sexes (although I am beginning to suspect they are both males). What should I do? Separate them? Try to swap one for a female? If so, how old can the female be so as to be compatible with a 6 month old male. Should I keep the dominant one (who has already bitten me once) or should I keep the one being chased all around the cage. Thanks for your advice.
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My 2 green basilisks are fighting! Need advice.
Replies (3)
They need to be separated at least until you can determine their sexes. Even if you have a pair they shouldn't be living together, because the male will breed with the female before she is ready. Once your female (if you have one) is an adult, you could put them together for breeding purposes, but if they don't get along you will have to keep them apart.
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Basillsk are very teritorial. I personally don't think it's a good idea to keep them together even if they are a pair, because they may fight all the time and if they are two males they will actually have large battles (sometimes to the death) until one is removed. I would recommend putting the smaller one (if there is one) in the old cage until you can get another suitable cage for him (or her). As long as they aren't attacking each they may be okay for a little while in the same cage, but they won't be as happy. And If you want to breed them, then I would swap one for a female, in my opinion keep the less domineering one, because I'd worrying that the dominant one might actually do damage to the female. But that's just me, I'm a new owner. I've just started doing a ton of research though. lol
Thanks. I'll probably separate them and, as you suggest, keep the slightly smaller one in the old cage.
