Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My son has just purchased a pair of Sunfire Bearded dragons and we would really appreciate some advice. They supposedly are 7 months old. They both measure approx 6" in body length and approx 12" to the tips of their tails. One's head is slightly bigger than the other which is supposed to be the male. They are currently both in the same cage and get along very well. They take turns occasionally laying on top of each other but don't really pay much attention to each other. Do these sound like they are opposite sexes and 7 months old? I have recently read that pairs should not be kept together for mating/health risk reasons but these two don't seem to be very interested in each other at all. Is it easy to determine the sex of a Bearded Dragon? Is there a website that shows the differences? They are both very friendly and really seem to enjoy being handled. We have never seen them puff up under the chin or run away from us when we reach in to pick them up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we are happy to have found such an informative forum with experienced breeders/owners posting. I am sure we will have many other questions as we are new to beardies and are really enjoying them.
Thanks in advance for your replies!

To determine sex look at the dragon from behind, arch up the tail and look for the bulges on the tail after teh vent. Two bulges with a dimple in the middle is male. One central bulge is female. The male may also have enlarged pores on the inside of his thighs. It sounds like you may have an M/F pair from the head sizes but thats just a probability.

If they are 6 months old or older, they should be separated ASAP. If they came as a pair there is a very good chance they are siblings. If you have a M/F pair, then the male is probably already in the mood to breed, and your female is way too young to breed, never mind the genetic isues of 'incest'.

The only pair you may house together is F/F, and even then not always with success. If its M/M pairing, they will soon be dueling over dominance, and one of your dragons could get very badly injured.

This is a situation where you really do not want to take the risk of co-habitation, unless you are 100% certain of F/F.
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Ross

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Fuego)
2.1 Roommates (require more cleaning up after than the dragon)

I agree with Ross, you should separate them. You don't know what sex they are yet so you don't know what can happen. If it is two males they can start a fight any day even if they seem friendly now. If it is a male and a female they can mate and they are far to young to do that (they shall be at least 18 months). Two females usually go well together - but not always - when they are adults.

You can read more about his at my site:
http://www.morion.com/teo/english/experience/frame.html
Look for "one or two dragons" and "sexing" at the left frameborder. There I have pictures of how to sex a dragon.

Good luck!
/Gunilla
One or two dragons / Sexing

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n/p
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Ross

1.0 Bearded Dragon (Fuego)
2.1 Roommates (require more cleaning up after than the dragon)