Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have four beardeds that I keep in my class plus other reptiles. I have had them for about 15 months and I'm still learning the ins and outs of these wonderful animals. Here is my problem: I have caged two together(1 male and 1 female) for the last year(I had a third female in the tank and removed her a few months ago). I am working for one tank per animal by the end of the year(space and money. I have the two in a small tank at home for the holidays. My male started to mate with the female (something he really doesn't do)and now something is wrong. I can't see he underside fully(it looks swollen) but it is like his lower half of his body is not working. He drags it around. He also looked like he was humping one the basking rocks. If I had to guess, he wasn't finished and my girl got away from him. Is this normal? Are there things I should check? I have no clue and would appreciate any help.

Brian

Excuse me for a minute while I curse and rant....

Ok back now,

FIND A VET IF YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!
Please start fast....

you may have a simple of a very bad problem that no one can really diagnose over a msg. board.

call any pet stores that may be open, look in the phone book etc...

if the male was trying to breed and the femail was not ready he may have injured his hemi-penis.
if paralized he may have had other injurys to his spine.

find a vet ....
-----
This space reserved for future use...

My male started to mate with the female (something he really doesn't do)

Why would you think this is something a 15 month old male doesn't do when put in with a female?

Anyway, sounds like he has strained himself and needs medical attention ASAP, also sounds like he is in a lot of pain.
-----
www.reptilerooms.com

Thanks for your thoughts - Will gladly accept others. I made the comment amount mating because he has always been housed with the female and never really tried anything, the only time he ever showed any mating tendancies occurred when I let him run around my class on the open floor(yes, I know I am not with them 24/7 - but I am with them enough) I also have another male when he gets within several feet of my females, he goes crazy and tries to mate. The local vet was closed(the one I use to check stool), so I went to a local reptile store I have been in a lot and they gave me the following possibilities: The male was marking the tank and other areas ( he had nothing protruding and he now is walking normally). The female went poop and left a blood looking fluid on the paper towel. They thought that this could of been a result of mating. As I sit here and type my male tried to mate the female again and when she got away he started the same behaviors(almost looks like a dog humping something). He did it for a minute or two and now looks normal. I think it is time for another tank. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Its time for alot more than just another tank. In about 3-5 weeks your female will have eggs. So you need to make sure she is getting extra protein and calcium (as well as vitamin d3). Feed her more insects (crickets, roaches, silkworms or butterworms) that are dusted than normal (insects once a day, greens available every day as well, dust insects once every other day). Get them both a vet check as soon as possible to ensure both are as healthy as can be and separate the male into another cage.

Read back posts on how to incubate bearded dragon eggs, what equipment you will need for them. Where to buy or how to build an incubator. Egg laying medium as well as incubation medium for the eggs. Don't wait till the last minute as often the dragons don't always decide to lay eggs (or eggs to hatch) when its convenient for you. Have the soil and vermiculite ready as well as the egg laying box in the next couple weeks, so all you need to do, when your bearded dragon is frantically scratching about her cage looking for a good place to lay eggs, you just have to mix the soil/vermiculite/water and fill the eggy laying container.

know that you will have more than one clutch, most likely 2-4 clutches, each spaced about 2-4 weeks apart, even if you don't put the male back in with the female after she lays her first clutch. Female bearded dragons can retain sperm.
-----
PHLdyPayne