Properly caring for a pet bearded dragon (genus Pogona) requires a lot of lifestyle considerations, whether they pertain to lighting needs, daily menus or even possible "roommates." Although bearded dragons that inhabit their native environments generally live independently, some captive specimens do well in the company of others. Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards that hail from Australia. They're usually yellow or beige.
Living Alone is Optimal
Wild bearded dragons are solitary creatures that typically go about their daily business by themselves. They don't need or crave interaction with others to be content and healthy. Because being alone is natural for bearded dragons, they generally fare better when they don't share their enclosures with anyone else. Your bearded dragon won't be lonely and upset if he doesn't have a friend, so throw that worry out the window.
Living Together
While the solo lifestyle is ideal for bearded dragons, it also isn't unheard of for them to manage fine living with others of the same species, as long as the groups are tiny, the enclosures are spacious and all of the lizards are equipped with their own personal necessities, including hiding spots and branches. Units of two bearded dragons sometimes can have success. They sometimes can even do well in groups of three specimens. Large groups, however, are a definite no-no.
Territorial Creatures
Bearded dragons can have intense territorial streaks, particularly the males. Never keep a pair of two male bearded dragons in the same enclosure. A pair of two females might work, however. A male and a female together might work, too, but it's important to be aware of the likely possibility of reproduction. If male bearded dragons live together, they could partake in aggressive, territory-fueled battles which frequently end in physical harm. You can have a group of strictly females, or a group of perhaps two females and one male. Just make sure that two boys are never, ever close to one another, period.
Pay Attention to Size
Don't allow two bearded dragons to live together if they differ greatly in the size department. That could end up being a major risk to the smaller individual. If a sizable adult bearded dragon shares living quarters with a younger and tinier beardie, it could end in the death of little guy. The bigger and more powerful bearded dragon could also snatch up all of the food, which could bring upon starvation of his roommate. If you make the decision to let your beardies live together, supervise them carefully. If you spot any hint of fierce behavior, whether biting or anything else, separate them immediately.
References
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Bearded Dragon
- ReptileChannel.com: Herp Habitats - Bearded Dragon
- Lizards; Peter Heathcote
- Long Island Herpetological Society: Bearded Dragon
- ReptileChannel.com: Bearded Dragon Care Sheet
- Bearded Dragons; Philip Purser
- Behavior of Exotic Pets; Valarie V. Tynes
Photo Credits
-
BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images