Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a ten month old luecistic and he is going at my sunburst female. the female is 12 months old but is full size and doesnt seem to be getting any bigger. is it ok to let them breed or should i seperate them just to be safe.? i cant wait to see what their babies look like.

I would seperate.
Beardies seem to grow in length the first year, but then start adding weight from there on. Growing lenghtwise after one year isn't unheard of either.
I'm sure you want her to be in optimum condition before producing eggs, it takes alot out of them.
TheClassyLizard

Actually they should have been seperated months ago.....some males mature as early as 5 months and shouldn't be kept with females that aren't of breeding age and your isn't.....give her the other 6 months she needs......

np

It is absolutly fine for her to breed at that age. The only reason I would seperate(after they have bred) is so there is less stress and competition for food. I keep all my dragons separate and put them together only to breed. My females breed at 10-12 months.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
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n/p

It doesn't make it wrong either. I have no problem getting my dragons to breeding size in 10-12 months. Maybe with your husbandry practices they take a little longer to grow. You know there is more than one way to approach breeding. Just because your way works for you doesn't that should be the standard for everyone. Of course waiting isn't going to hurt the dragon. They asked if it is ok to breed her. In my experience, I would have to say yes. They said it is full size. Are you assuming they don't know what full size is?
-Bill
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

It may work for you, only time will tell about the dragons. I will agree some may be completely ready at 12 months, and may be done growing fully. But, alot of dragons keep growing, or keep developing. Whether it is bone structure that is still growing, or actual size, you may not even know that your dragon is still developing. Especially when the calcium that the female needs for bone growth is being used for egg development. Not to mention the other side effects that CAN be associated with early breeding. And the other side can be harm/abnormalities with the young dragons and eggs. Again, if that calcium isnt there because the female needs it, or deosnt have it........you can lead to further problems with babies as they develop and dont have the calcium/vitamins they need. Not arguing, just showing maybe why it is better to wait, or to give the advice to wait till the female is a bit older. Chris

How much time do you suppose I will need to tell? I've been breeding dragons for 10 years.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

Every Dragon book I've read by experts in the field say to wait until at least after the first brumation, and that they should be "adult" dragons of a healthy weight and size. Optimum egg production is during 2cnd, 3rd and 4th year. Breeding too young can shorten the lifespan of the female and also the hatchlings.
I guess you would have to follow the lives of all dragons involved to know what damage 10 yrs of breeding sub-adults has done.

Yeah, I don't want to argue either. I just seems that the original poster was being made to feel like they were doing something completly wrong. I don't feel they were. Anyway, there was a similar argument on the Rhac forum several weeks ago. It spiraled out of control until a large breeder and top authority chimed in with his experiences. Everyones got there own way of getting to the same point I guess.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

If you breed all your females at 10-12 months, how do you know they reached their full potential.....breeding early could easily stunt their development as it takes so many calories and calcium to produce eggs. I have been raising beardies for quite awhile and breeding for about 7 years, I have many females and though most have reached their potential length or about that at 12 months .....they continue to broaden and get larger bodies throughout the year following.

Females under 18 months have more complications from egg laying than do those over 18 months. Early egg laying can shorten there lifespans as well and cause other health problems. Why would you rish any of these consequences for your pets? Even it business, it makes good sense to protect your assets not abuse them. Just food for thought.

I would wait untill she is 18 m onths or older before you breed her just to be safe
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-Lauren

groups.yahoo.com/group/LaurensLizards