DO BEARDED DRAGONS GET LONELY?

Bearded dragons are different from humans, as all reptiles are. Most mammals have a part of their brain that rewards them for social interaction and forming trust in groups. Reptiles just don’t have that going for them. In general, reptiles lack the developed parts of the brain present in mammals that allow for tribe-like behavior. Therefore, they don’t need to form bonds because they so well adapted for survival alone.

Do bearded dragons get lonely? No, bearded dragons do not get lonely. Wild bearded dragons are solitary creatures that enjoy going about their daily business by themselves. Likewise, they don’t need or crave interaction with others to be content and healthy. Because being alone is natural for bearded dragons. Hence, they fare better when they don’t share their enclosures with anyone else. In summary, your bearded dragon won’t be lonely and upset if he doesn’t have a friend, so throw that worry out the window.

Below are some of the important information on bearded dragons getting lonely:

Ways of Bonding with your Bearded Dragons

Handle your Pet   

Have you ever seen a pet snake be taken out of his enclosure? “He’ll twist around your arm. It’s like they enjoy your body heat and like being outside. Not cooped up in a tank,” she says.

Bearded dragons are another species that enjoy people holding them. They are usually fun and interactive and enjoy sitting on your shoulder, according to Tibbetts.

And many turtles love it when humans rub or scratch their shells, she says. In fact, many turtles will actually push into your hand if you are petting them. They may also like it when humans stroke their heads or chins.

But remember: Like humans, every pet will have his or her own personality. Make sure you are cautious when handling or caring for your reptile.

Likewise, make sure that you are aware of behaviors signaling aggression or fear in your pets. Also, wash your hands very well before and after handling your pet reptile.

In occasions, reptiles can be carriers of Salmonella, a bacteria which can spread to humans.

Create an Interesting Habitat

Spend extra time setting up reptile habitats. “A tank with a bowl inside is not enough,” says Tibbetts. You need to give them

  • things to do
  • places to hide, and
  • things to lean against.

That way, even if your reptile doesn’t want you to hold it or handle it. “You’ll enjoy watching them explore their environment and take pride in caring for something beautiful in your home,” says Tibbetts.

That’s a special kind of bond in and of itself. Remove them from their Enclosure

You can also take some reptiles outside. As long as you watch them and make sure they can’t get lost. “Many turtles and tortoises love going outside. They like digging.” 

Consequences of Keeping Bearded Dragons in a Shared Enclosure

  • the bearded dragons tolerate each other. And spend the rest of their days competing for the hottest spot on their rock.

While oftentimes having to give up food to their cage mate to prevent erupting fight through provocation.

  • the bearded dragons, if male and female respectively, will breed. This is fine if you are trying to breed bearded dragons, but after breeding, you need to separate them.
  • If you leave your male and female adult bearded dragons together, there is a very high probability that the male will overbreed the female.

Until she is malnourished from too much egg production and incredibly stressed. Likely we know that stress can be detrimental to reptile health, so this is a bad situation to have your dragons in.

  • Your bearded dragons will fight one another to death, either as soon as you introduce them, or over a long period of time.

This is most often the case when you house two males together. But females can be as aggressive as males in some cases, especially when stressed.

Bearded Dragons are Territorial Creatures

Bearded dragons can have intense territorial streaks, particularly the males. As a result, do not keep a pair of two male bearded dragons in the same enclosure. However, a pair of two females might work. Likewise, a male and a female together might work too. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the probable possibility of reproduction. Meanwhile, if male bearded dragons live together, they could partake in

  • In aggressive, and
  • territory-fueled battles, which always end in physical harm.

You can have a group of mere females, or a group of perhaps two females and one male. Just make sure that two boys are never, ever close to one another.

Paying Attention to Size among Bearded Dragons

Do not allow two bearded dragons to live together if they differ so much in the size department. Otherwise, it could end up being a major risk to the smaller individual.

Also, if a sizable adult bearded dragon shares living quarters with a younger and tinier beardie, it could end in the death of the little guy. Likewise, the bigger and more powerful bearded dragon could also snatch up all of the food. Which could bring upon starvation of his roommate.

Thus, if you make the decision to let your bearded dragons live together, supervise them with care. Also, if you spot any hint of fierce behavior, whether biting or anything else, separate them with immediate effect.

Keeping Two Male Bearded Dragons Together

Keeping female bearded dragons in the same tank is fine, but it’s not a good idea to keep two male bearded dragons in the same tank.

On the contrary, males have very intense territorial streaks, which can lead to aggressive behaviour and physical harm. Always avoid housing male bearded dragons together.

Keeping Male and Female Bearded Dragon Together

You can keep male and female bearded dragons together as long as there is only one male in the tank.

However, you should not house a female bearded dragon with a male bearded dragon until she is at least two years old.

Just remember that if you don’t want your bearded dragons to reproduce, don’t keep males and females in the same vivarium.

Ways of Protecting your Bearded Dragon Outside of its Habitat

  • It is best to let bearded dragons roam around in a controlled environment. Of course, if there are places to hide they will find it (for example, behind the TV, under the couch, etc.).
  • Avoid letting bearded dragons run around carpeted rooms. Most carpets contain almost invisible strands that can get around their limbs and toes. These strands can cut off circulation and cause the toe or limb to eventually fall off. Hence, hardwood or concrete floors are best.
  • Make sure the area is free of other pets that can attack your bearded dragons, such as cats or dogs.
  • It is a very good idea to allow your bearded dragon to roam around some after it has gone to the potty. You don’t want to clean poop up off your beautiful floors (or off yourself).
  • Make sure to always wash your hands well with a good hand sanitizer after handling any reptile.
  • Always supervise your bearded dragon while it is roaming around. Never leave it in a room alone.

How to Introduce New Bearded Dragons

  • Consider the sex of the two animals. Males and females can live together until sexual maturity. But mating efforts on the part of the male will make this arrangement stressful after that time. In addition, two adult males will constantly fight for dominance and territory. On the contrary, females can be kept together without incident in most cases.
  • Keep the new bearded dragon in a separate environment for at least 30 days to ensure it is in good health. And does not carry dangerous parasites or disease. This keeps your other pet safe.
  • Place the new dragon in the enclosure with your current pet only after you are certain it is healthy. Likewise, watch the two animals carefully for signs of aggression like
  • puffed-up beards
  • hissing and
  • bobbing heads.
  • Increase the duration of each encounter in slow succession until it is safe for you to leave the two dragons in the same enclosure.

The environment that may Support Keeping Bearded Dragons Together

  • Keeping them in a large enclosure.
  • Sufficient basking spots for each bearded dragon to bask without competing.
  • Ensure that there is not competition for food. Or, at least if there is, that feeding time enables all to receive sufficient food. And no one is in danger for the duration.

Also, spread the food out allowing them to eat in different spots if needed.