Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two BD's. I'm not positive but I think I have a male and female. I got them tegether as juvies and they were around the same size. they both ate fine too. since then, the bigger one (i think this one is the male) is an aggressive eater. he'll dash across the enclosure to pick up a cricket then dash back to the other side and get another one.

now my problem is with the smaller BD. she'll (maybe a he) just kick back all day and sleep in the hiding spot. Usually I have to take her out of there into the open and then she'll eat. most of the time, she'll only eat if a cricket walks by her face and the bigger one doesn't get to the cricket first. Sometimes, she gets a little more aggressive and be more like the bigger BD and chase the crickets around. also, the larger one has a better appetite for greens whereas the little guy really doesn't (just takes a few bites).

I'm just concerned because one is really outgrowing the other and they were both bought young and around 7". now the bigger one is like 14". and the smaller one is like 10" - 11". also, the bigger guy has a very square head. smaller guy has a very streamlined head (almost juvenile like). thanks in advance.

i really wouldn't be worried, just as long as you take th etime to make sure th esmaller one is eating enough. How big a tank do you have them in? Are you suppling enough basking spots? the more dominant lizard will take the higher spot, but others need to bask too! i wouldn't separate them unless they become 5-7inches differnet by (sub)adulthood or you see a change in the smaller one's health. Hope this helpS!

-Sara

I'm of a differing oppinion than the previous poster. It sounds to me as if the smaller BD is being intimidated by the larger and staying hidden/not coming out to eat. It also sounds like a more laid back feeder and needs to be fed seperately so it doesn't have to compete for the crickets against the larger hunter. I would plan on seperating these 2 and housing them seperately.

JMO

-Bonnie

I also suggest you separate the dragons. The smaller one is obviously not getting enough food and intimidated by the larger one. Also, if you feel one is female, the other male, the male will try and breed your female, most likely long before she should be bred. This puts more stress on her, first from constant badgering by the male and if she does become gravid, the extra strain of producing eggs. IF both are male then additional risk of them fighthing as soon as one or both mature.
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PHLdyPayne

Separate them. You're just asking for trouble.

This is a perfect example of why beardies shouldn't be housed together. I would seperate them immediately and get fecals run at your vet for both of them. The stress of the other beardie has probably caused parasites in the smaller one. Beardies get intimidated by the presence of a more dominant one and its typical for one to not eat as well, not grow as fast and if they are not seperated the smaller one will wither and die.
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

ok, that makes sense. but How exactly does the smaller beardie get parasites because of the more dominating beardie? how do i check for the parasites and what do i do if they're there?

also, they've been together since they came from the breeder. They sleep together and they lick each other like trying to smell or detect something (they do that sometimes on the substrate or food dishes). The smaller beardie doesn't really act strange. just lazy. once the hiding spot is removed, she'll act more lively and eat fine i noticed. she'll even get on top of the other beardie sometimes when they're basking. i do not see a sign of the smaller beardie being intimidated. like i said, she acts lazy and rather be in the shade.

BD's can become easily stressed, which can up their parasite load. Basically, you'd have to bring a fecal sample in to the vet and if parasites were found, they would prescribe a treatment.
-Nicky
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We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight...
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
-Alice In Chains-
1.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah

Parasites are always present in reptiles, when they become stressed (like when they are housed with a more dominant beardie) the parasites take advantage of the weakened immune system and multiply. I would seperate the two and bring a fecal sample from both to a good reptile vet.

As far as their behavior together one of the big problems with reptile owners is they tend to personalize their animals. Or humanize them. Beardies do not "make friends" or "like each other" for the most part. With the exception of breeding pairs...but the "emotions" are not present, only the need to breed. Beardies pile on top of each other because they are either dominating one another, collecting heat from the other, or taking the best basking spot from the other, not beause they enjoy the other beardie. Licking each other is probably a way of identifying by tongue tasting.

Trust me, if you get a fecal screen done and clear up any parasites that may be present in the smaller beardie and keep them seperated im sure you will see a huge growth increase in the smaller one
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats