Beardies

[Donna408]

My daughters got a beardie each for Christmas from their dad - I knew they were coming but I'm constantly wondering if Im doing things right! Tango goes really black every morning - I've been told it might be the temp so I've been leaving heat lamp on. They live together and I've been told they might fight - their coming up five months so I will get them sexed soon. They head bob and wave at each other occassionly which I find really worrying! One other thing I found really strange is that Spike can puff up like a balloon and not just his beard his whole body!? What is that about?? I've been reading lots but any help or advice would be much appreciated!!

[liz200898]

They are obviously showing agression to each other which is worrying. The puffing up of the whole body is to make it look as big as possible its a deffence pose you need to have them seperated as soon as you can to avoid the inevitable im afraid.

[jools]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Firstly don't leave a light on all night as this will completely disrupt them. They will be cool and so, often black in a morning but this should go within a short while of turning the lights / heat on. They need a temperature drop at night and a period of dark.
As far as the bobbing / waving is concerned then it is time that things were sorted out. It should be possible to sex them at this age. If you are unsure then post pics on here. Take the photos of their rear ends - sit them on your hand and just raise the tail. I fyou have 2 males then I am sure you know they can't be kept together. If you have a male and a female then they are too young to be kept together. If you have 2 females then it is possible that they MAY be able to be together but please bear in mind: Beardies are naturally solitary and teritorial animals. At best they only tolerate each other. If there is any discrepancy in size or temperament there will be dominance / bullying / fighting issues. IMO all beardies are better and happier kept on their own. You may well have to get another viv.

[Aunty_Lizard]

I agree with jools.. There are a lot of things going on here. 5 months is really when male beardies become sexually active, sometimes sooner, sometimes later but, the issue is already showing.

If you can post pictures of the vent area like this



We can probably tell you what sex they are.

Turn their lights off at night try having 12 hrs on 12 hrs off so they get to know the difference between day and night.

Liz

[Donna408]

Thanks for all your advice! I can't get photos my cameras broke and mobile would'nt send pics by email. Will post some as soon as. Judging by the photos posted I have a boy and girl - brother and sister. Tango def has two lumps and Spike one. Maybe need to revise names! Lol! Need another vivarium! I've been told I can leave them together til around eight mths - is that right? Also, can you give them a swim in bath? Not to deep I know but I bn told they need this around once a mth. I tried it once and they seemed really stressed by the experience so I've taken to spraying them instead. Is this ok? I have so many questions!!

[jools]

I would separate them as soon as possible. Males mature earlier than females normally and he could stress her with his demands. It is not essential to bath beardies but most seem to enjoy it and it is useful for keeping them hydrated. If you bath them and they get stressed try using a washing-up bowl or similar. Just put in an inch of water til they are used to it and hold them gently and securely. If they don't like it then misting on their heads is fine or you could put a few drops of water on their snout to lick. If they are eating plenty of veggies/salad yet then they will get most of theri water from this.