Beardies & Friendship/leos & friendship

[Kirsty&jon]

hi all. about 3 months ago i was offered a bearded dragon and leo with vivariums as friends 'son' no longer wanted or looked after them. i was a little reluctant to have them but after seeing the terrible enclosures and hearing of the awful diets they were on i couldnt leave them. i have since brought bigger and better vivariums and have consulted a vet for health checks, but apart from being under weight he could see no illness. i have changed their diets to the best of my knowledge and are now both looking in fantastic health.
I have been wondering and reading up on leopard geckos living with one or more but would like some one with experience to give me there views. the one i have is 9years old and she has lived alone her whole life. please send views wether you think she needs a partner.
i also have a 4year old male beardie, he has lived with females before but not for a year or two, do you think it would be wise for me to think about company for him.
I will not be introducing any animal to them for 3 months or so yet as i want them as healthy as possible first. but i would like to quarantine any new comer for 3 months to ensure they are not ill themselves. sorry for the long thread wont happen again. Cheers KJ

[cracksolja]

Neither need partners to be honest its optional but never 2 males and always 3 females per male if you got to breeding stage to prevent stress

Originally Posted by Kirsty&jon

hi all. about 3 months ago i was offered a bearded dragon and leo with vivariums as friends 'son' no longer wanted or looked after them. i was a little reluctant to have them but after seeing the terrible enclosures and hearing of the awful diets they were on i couldnt leave them. i have since brought bigger and better vivariums and have consulted a vet for health checks, but apart from being under weight he could see no illness. i have changed their diets to the best of my knowledge and are now both looking in fantastic health.
I have been wondering and reading up on leopard geckos living with one or more but would like some one with experience to give me there views. the one i have is 9years old and she has lived alone her whole life. please send views wether you think she needs a partner.
i also have a 4year old male beardie, he has lived with females before but not for a year or two, do you think it would be wise for me to think about company for him.
I will not be introducing any animal to them for 3 months or so yet as i want them as healthy as possible first. but i would like to quarantine any new comer for 3 months to ensure they are not ill themselves. sorry for the long thread wont happen again. Cheers KJ

[Catherine896]

I wouldnt introduce another leo. I think it would stress her too much as she has been alone for so long.
The beardie doesnt need friends either, adding females will just cause stress when they lay eggs for you etc.
Congrats on helping them. If you need any advice just ask!

[serz]

i agree with catherine. with the leo being on her own for so long i think she would prob be stressed out and maybe come terratorial.
as for the beardie you have got to take into account that you would end up breading and the female laying eggs.
You have to ask yourself could you incubate the eggs and deal with the stress of incubating them. then if they didnt get on could you afford and have room for another set-up and also the babies if the eggs htch.

If i was you then i think that i would just stick to the ones you have for now till you have gained a bit more experience

Hope my reply hasnt offeneded you

[DeanThorpe]

Well assuming Kirsty&jon are able to handle the stress.....[nice eh?]

Then..Personally Im not sure about the 9 year old leo...although he potentially still has 10 years or so of life left so maybe he can co exist with a older female [you may be able to get an ex breeder from a leo breeder for a good pcrice]

With most lizards though you have to be able to seperate them if they do not get along.
When it comes to breeding its best to have 2 or more females to one male.. I dontthink this will be an issue with a 9 year old male but im not ceetain.


As for the beardie...
he is still totally within breedable age, so you could pair him up with a female for mating but they may not get along long term and may need seperating.
Likelyhood of co existing all year round long term are increased as said before buy haveing 2 or more females to that one male.

However you may also have issues with one female not getting along with another.

[RedGex]

Hi,
I have an old male leo, last year (when he was 11) I got 2 females for him. He rattled his tail a bit at first (probably didn't know what they were lol) then settled down. He actually seemed to improve in health as he was starting to look a bit old and 'gnarly' bless him! He put on weight and went all manly!, but unfortunately ate all the food available and took over the nest box to slob out in. Needless to say no babies... Hes on his own again now and considering getting him a new pal as he lost that spark again.
May be different for a female, but I reckon if introduced carefully could be a good thing? Down to the individual at the end of the day, and as long as you are prepared to house them separately if necessary??

[Kirsty&jon]

to be honest it was the answer i was hoping for. i really dont want them breeding. so as long as they are happy on there own and in no real need of a mate then i will probably keep them seperate with me as there companythanks alot guys