Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello there, I'm a new user, and novice with beardies. I have a couple beardies (Ricky and Lucy) that I got at a reptile show back in July. A couple weeks ago during a feeding, the male accidentally grabbed my female's front foot. She scooted off and since there was no broken skin, I didn't think much of it. Now however, she is not climbing, the foot has turned a bit grey in color, and she doesnt appear to be able to bend her toes. She has become more lethargic, but still eats. She hangs out in the cooler end of the terrarium, huddled in the corner. Any suggestions on how to help her out? Any input would be appreciated.

Also, and idea how I can include a picture of the foot?

I just was inspecting her a bit closer and noticed that her long toe on her back foot was also looking a bit lame. Is it possible that the male is causing this damage? I'm really worried about her. Being new to beardies, I'm afraid that my lack of knowledge is going to lead to a dead lizard...

i am new too with beardies, but from what i've read on here maybe you should separate them until someone with good advice can help you out.

Sure your male can be hurting her.. Males can be rather territorial and dominant over cage mates. Not only is he nipping her it sounds like he's causing a lot of stress keeping her huddled in the corner, and away from the prime basking spots.. Sounds like she is being stressed, and is scared. She will, and they can go downhill fast in a situation like this. I would separate them as soon as possible. They do much better alone then in pairs. Eventually when they get to breeding age, and this happens usually before the female is ready you could end up with some severe problems keeping those to together. The only time I put my males with another dragon is during breeding season, and then I constantly monitor them until breeding takes place then I separate her from him.
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Mystical-Dragons Web Site
Webshots photos

If it were me, and I were as concerned as you are, I'd take my bearded to the vet for an X-Ray. She could have a broken foot(just my opinion, i'm not a professional).

I also suggest seperating them until they are ready to breed, and if you don't want to breed them then just keep them seperated.
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2 mali uro's-Ares and Apollo
2 saharan uro's-Orion and Iris
2 bearded dragon-Hades and Draco
1 leo gecko-Kalypso
1 tokaye gecko-Sid Vicious
1 tarantula-Peter Parker
1 dog-cheeka
1 zebra finch-beeps
1 african gray parrot-keya
1 red headed parrot-pancho
And some fish

thanks for all the responses. i just put in a divider in my aquarium. hopefully that will be enough to give her some space. i have a friend who may be able to let me borrow another aquarium if needed. also bought another uv light to put on the other side of the divider. i sure hope that helps her. she was limping pretty badly when i got home today, obviously very uncomfortable. if she did break her foot, is that something that she will be able to adapt to later after it heals up?

amazingly enough, when i got the two of them i asked the breeder if it was okay to keep both of them together. im sure you could guess the answer. more money to be made selling two than one i guess...i've since emailed the breeder to ask some questions, but have gotten no response. guess once the money was exchanged that was the end of that relationship. ah well. glad i found this forum to get some honest info. thanks again!

Separate the dragons immediately. The injured female should be taken to a vet to check that injury. If it's turning grey, swollen and not being used it could mean it is broken, infected or otherwise impared. A qualified reptile vet will be able to treat it.

Also, with a male and female together all the time it is very possible your male is trying to mate with the female if they are 6 months old or older. Get the female to a vet, and set up a separate cage for her to recoperate in.
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PHLdyPayne