Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I have a pair of banded siblings of which we were never sure of the sexes though now it's becoming more apparent that we have a male (he was a scrawny thing and in the last two months has really filled out and grown) and a female. They are just about a year and a half old now and in a 55 gal tank together. He spends most of his time in the hide and she spends most of it out near the basking light. They used to sleep together in the hide but now they stay separate 90% of the time...him staying in the hide, her staying out. They maybe sit together in the basking spot on average for an hour or two a day and get along just fine. They've been raised together with not a single issue but tonight I noticed alot of rustling in the cage and turned around to see my male chasing the female and biting her at the base of her tail. I have her out now but I have a sinking feeling this is going to mean separating them permanently. If that's the case, one of them will have to go. These are pets and I have no desire to get and keep two separate enclosures...I also don't want to risk either of their lives by keeping them together.

I had a pair of females for 7 years (mali's) and have never had a single issue with aggression so I'm not experienced in handling it. I was hoping with these two raised together that no matter the sex, they would be ok.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!!
Molly

Unfortunately, aggression can start up between uros who have lived peaceably together for years. Their sex doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it, either. Sadly, you're probably right - they need to be separated permanently.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.2 Saharan Uros (Joe, Arthur, and Hitch)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.3 Collared Lizards (Ripcord, Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin)
1.0 Green Anoles (Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Thank you for the information. That was exactly what I was afraid of. I spoke with my daughter tonight about what she wanted to do and at this point I think it's best to sell them both but not as a pair since co-habitating is going to be dangerous for them=(.

There could be a way of keeping them together if your viv is large enough and you can be around to watch,i am currently using this method with great success,firstly add another basking spot but make sure its out of site of the other,i was using a 100 watt spot lamp but now use two 60 watt spots,you can raise there basking stone higher if needs be but make sure they can't come into contact with it,if they can use a guard!secondly try rearanging there set up move the old decor around abit just to take away the dominance from your male.last make sure there is a cooler end or deepish cave they can retreat to.This is only a last resort tip which may not work in which case you will have no option but to split them,but i was having similar problems with mine and tried this with upto now great success,hope it works out for you.