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Bearded Dragons Live Together [loneliness, friends, methods]

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Bearded Dragons Live Together [loneliness, friends, methods]

Do Bearded Dragons Need a Friend?

In this essay we explore research and anecdotal evidence on whether bearded dragons need friends and living together.

As humans that thrive on friendships and supportive family units it is easy to see how we may also believe bearded dragons get lonely and need friends to live with. Whether bearded dragons live together successfully is dependent on numerous factors.

Research on the social aggregation of squamate reptiles has been conducted on less than 1% of all species (Gardner et al, cited Bull et al, 2017). This is mainly due to the long held belief that they have simple social systems (Chapple and Keogh, 2006).

Can Bearded Dragons Live Together Contents
  1. Do Bearded Dragons Need a Friend?
  2. So Can Bearded Dragon Live Together as Friends?
  3. Bearded Dragons Live Together Conclusion
  4. More Bearded Dragon Posts
  5. References

Social Networks and Behaviors in Lizards

Bearded dragons live on their own in the wild coming into contact to mate, take on a rivals territory and other interactions. A male holds a large territory that multiple females (who have smaller territories) live within (Wotherspoon, 2007).

Bearded dragons do not live together in the wild, nor do we know them to congregate and socialise in groups in the wild. However, it is possible that they have a social network in the wild and that meeting up may not be accidental.

Ballen et al (2014) conducted a study investigating why social behaviour in reptiles is rare and found this is not necessarily the case at all. Observing the sleepy lizard they found that lizards do not contact each other randomly. They were aware of their neighbours territories and would deliberately socialise with or avoid a particular neighbour. In addition, the individual lizards behaviors played different roles within the social network.

Two eastern bearded dragon males testing each others dominance posted by Rev. Heng Sure.

Socialisation Starts at Hatching

We know that bearded dragons hatch into a world without parental care. Hatchlings will disperse from the nest some point after birth, they do not stay in a family unit. However, the time between hatching and dispersing may actually be significant to the bearded dragons well being in the long term and influence how well it interacts with others.

The social lives of reptiles are far more complex than previously thought. Research by Ballen, Shine and Solsson (2014) found that Chameleon’s, also solitary lizards, was able to demonstrate that even brief early life interaction can impact behaviours later in life.

Ballen et al (2014) found that significant differences in the behaviours of those hatched separately than those hatched in groups. Chameleon’s were hatched in isolation and months later introduced to others. Those hatched in isolation were more submissive, would flee, didn’t adopt the same colour changes and were slower at seizing crickets.

Riley et al (2017) did a similar experiment with the tree skink (Egernia striolata) and found that both social interaction and the nature of those interactions have the potential to mold future behaviors. Unlike the chameleon’s, isolating the tree skinks was more likely beneficial with better growth. When kept in pairs one would become dominant. The subordinate lizard was more likely to lose its tail and be less sociable than those reared on their own. Subordinate skinks were more aggressive over time.

Whether the interaction provides positive results as it did for Chameleons or negatives results as with tree skinks, it is clear that the conditions a breeder provides for hatchling has the potential to impact its behavior significantly either short or long term.

Bearded Dragons Living Together

Some of the communications between bearded dragons are difficult for humans to pick up on. We are wired to pick up on cues such as facial expressions, hand gestures and tone of voice. The cryptic and covert communication of reptiles is what makes it difficult to study (Bels and Russell, 2019).

Communication between bearded dragons is something we tend only to pick up on when it becomes obvious such as a black beard or waving. This means bearded dragons could be signalling to each other, a subtle eye movement or chemical signature left by femoral secretions, but we humans will miss it.

Since we cannot detect these subtle and vital clues, we cannot be confident we can assess whether bearded dragons living together is going well. With little room to move away from a cage mate, disaster can all too quickly occur.

Natosha, female bearded dragon, was kept with her mate. Their owner reported that the two bearded dragons lived together tremendously well for many many years. One day Natosha’s owner came home from work to find blood around the tank and her foot dangling. The male bearded dragon had attacked the female with no prior warning of the relationship being problematic. Natosha’s foot was amputated.

Bearded dragon companion attacked biting foot
Female bearded dragon attacked by male mate after living together for years in harmony. Foot was found dangling and was amputated by vet. (Natosha).

Keeping Hatchlings and Juveniles Together

Rearing juveniles together impacts their growth rate and behavior (Riley et al, 2017). Dominance is typically established by size and is common where individuals in clutches are hatching at different times (asynchronously) (Riley et al, 2017) as bearded dragons do.

There is plenty of evidence amongst bearded dragon pet owners that keeping juvenile bearded dragons together will result in one outgrowing the other, at least in small enclosures. Cute gestures of cuddling are more likely signs of dominating the basking resources.

Katniss and Primrose (below) are two juvenile bearded dragons kept together of the very same age. Katniss quickly outgrew Primrose until there was a significant difference in size between them.

Brought up together from baby bearded dragons to juveniles
Katniss and Primrose are the same age. They were brought up together from baby bearded dragons to juveniles. Notice the massive difference in size between them. (Haylee)

Their owner reported that these two bearded dragons got along so well together, did everything together. This is normal for juveniles. However, as they grow, behaviors change as with many creatures going through the path to adulthood.

One day, seemingly out of the blue, the largest bearded dragon (Katniss) attacked the smallest, Primrose. Primrose had a broken jaw which could not be set by the vet due to her age (bone density), eye damage was unknown and significant bruising from internal damage.

juvenile bearded dragon attacked
Pair of juvenile bearded dragons kept together. One outgrew the other significantly and attacked its cage mate. (Hayley)

Outside of the physical and psychological stress that an attacked juvenile will experience, there is also the added issue of how the keeper now feels about the aggressor. Keeping bearded dragons together in situations that can turn disastrous also have an impact on the aggressor who may now be seen unfavourably and potentially be out of a home.

In another event, one member described how they took their two bearded dragons into the living room. Each was with a handler and they went opposite sides of the room. No sooner had they relaxed their grip when one raced over to the other and immediately attacked. That is an indication of just how fast they can be when they feel the need to deal with another.

Four bearded dragons kept together since hatching in a small glass tank bit off the tails of each other to a point where one was little more than a stump. Eventually rescued by Tiffany and given their own homes. The unnecessary pain and suffering these bearded dragons were put through is distressing to see.

Keeping bearded dragons together can be cruel
These four bearded dragons were kept together since hatchlings in a single small housing. Growth rates varied. Everyone of them had their tails bitten by one of the others. Eventually rescued by Tiffany and given separate homes.

These sort of events are not isolated, they are repeated again and again. Bearded dragons with missing toes and tails is ridiculously common, much of the time is from a cage mate and is really quite unnecessary.

The Bondi Vet (video below) set up a camera to see how this little bearded dragons tail started getting shorter. Can you guess what was doing it?

Curious Case Of A Shrinking Lizard | Bondi Vet

Dangers of Keeping Bearded Dragons Together

It is common to hear of a bearded dragon causing serious injury or even death to companions with no warning. 3 serious consequences of keeping bearded dragons together in inadequate conditions are:

  1. Stress. Stress is a health issue, it causes disease (i.e. a stress is considered to be a trigger for coccidia, see the post on coccidiosis).
  2. Loss of body parts. In many instances tails, toes, feet, legs, eyes or worse are missing or damaged.
  3. Death, killing their cage mate.
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So Can Bearded Dragon Live Together as Friends?

Bearded dragons can live together successfully given the right conditions. Zoos and wildlife parks are great examples of how to successfully keep bearded dragons together. One of the major differences between pet owners and zoos is the size of the enclosures.

There are some benefits in keeping some bearded dragons close to each other. It may not be far fetched that bearded dragons need friends, even if from afar.

Reproductive disorders are common in reptiles. Keeping a male and female within visual distance of each other, may help prevent preovulatory stasis which can occur whether the female is intended to be mated or not. One likely cause of preovulatory stasis is the lack of cues for stimulating ovulation (Knotek et al, 2017). Other causes include poor husbandry practices such as inadequate lighting and insufficient calcium to develop ova.

6 Golden Rules to Protecting Bearded Dragons Living Together

Monitoring and watching for behaviours that may indicate the friendship is not going well is not sufficient to protect bearded dragons living together. Even under observation an event can occur quicker than we can respond.

For the best chance of success, some basics need to be applied. Here are 6 golden rules to improve the likelihood of success keeping bearded dragons together:

  1. Never house males together. Male bearded dragons are more territorial in summer and autumn when they are protecting their breeding rights (Wotherspoon, 2007). Baby or young juvenile bearded dragons reared together or siblings will become rivals as they grow and likely before they hit adulthood. The time to separate is based on size more than calendar age.
  2. Separate different sized bearded dragons. Smaller bearded dragons are not faring well and need their own resources. Smaller are also likely to suffer far more damage from an attack.
  3. Keep bearded dragons in large enclosures. Provide large indoor and outdoor enclosures. Four foot tanks are insufficient for one bearded dragon and cannot house more. Young bearded dragons are naturally very active, providing a large enclosure will support natural behaviors. Large bearded dragon housing provides more opportunities to find respite when in danger, lots of basking areas and hiding spots. DIY may be cheaper and provide better results than tanks.
  4. Provide multiple basking spots and surface area that eradicates the need to compete with each other. Reptiles can notice subtle differences of height and placement of rocks and branches, access to a basking spot that elevates over the others that would escape our attention. Provide multiple basing spots with varying height will allow them to adjust themselves at different heights without competing.
  5. Provide refuge. Multiple burrows, nooks and crevices with both an inlet and outlet will provide for a hiding place and an exit to prevent being trapped. Hiding places can be made with branches, rocks, vegetation, and so on.
  6. Prevent competition for food by setting up a feeding program that does not trigger competition for food. Spread the food out allowing them to eat in different spots if needed.
Large habitats with multiple basking spots at varying heights reduces the need for competing
Large habitats with multiple basking spots at varying heights reduces the need for competing and provides opportunities to escape if feeling threatened.

Can Bearded Dragons Live with other Reptiles?

Bearded dragons are best kept on their own are at least only with their own species. Reptiles have very specific environmental requirements and that can result in an inadequate housing setup, temperatures, lighting and humidity for both species.

In addition, bearded dragons can defend their territory and may attack other reptiles or the other reptiles may attack.

Bearded Dragons Live Together Conclusion

Whether a bearded dragon needs a friend or not is difficult to prove scientifically. Much of our knowledge on the subject is based on research with other lizards, behaviors known in the wild and anecdotal evidence.

Social behaviors and interactions are impacted by many factors including diet, incubation temperatures, predation and early social interactions (Riley et al, 2017). These factors also influence bearded dragons, potential friendliness to others or level of aggression.

Although we often see bearded dragons live together, or in close proximity to each, as pets it is not known to be normal in the wild.

In zoos, bearded dragons live together successfully where the environments provided are typically large and well setup with multiple basking and hiding opportunities.

In captivity bearded dragons being kept together in the wrong conditions causes stress and inequitable use of resources such as heating and UVB. This becomes quite apparent as one bearded dragon rapidly outgrows the other.

There are plenty of recounts of stories on how attacks occur between bearded dragons kept together once thought to be friends.

Bearded dragons can live together however, some rules and management are applied to cohabitate safely. Zoos and reptile parks generally offer good models to replicate even if scaled down for domestic situation.

You may be right that your bearded dragon needs a friend. Bearded dragons are sentient beings as are we and we really do not understand their social network nor its impact to their emotional wellbeing. However, unless the necessary conditions for success can be provided, it may not turn out favourably.

Rather than provide a friend, consider that you are your bearded dragons friend. Provide more interaction. Spend time in the sun. Introduce other fun activities such as pools and toys.

References

  1. Ballen, C., Shine, R., and Olsson, M. (2014) Effects of early social isolation on the behaviour and performance of juvenile lizards, Chamaeleo calyptratus. Animal Behaviour. Vol 88: 1-6
  2. Bells, V., and Russell, A. (2019) Behavior of Lizards: Evolutionary and Mechanistic Perspectives. CRC Press
  3. Bull, C., Gardner, M., Sih, A., and Spiegel, O., Godfrey, S., and Leu, S. (2017). Why Is Social Behavior Rare in Reptiles? Lessons From Sleepy Lizards. Advances in the Study of Behavior.
  4. Chapple, D. G., and Keogh, J. S. (2006). Group Structure and Stability in Social Aggregations of White’s Skink, Egernia whitii. Ethology. 112: 247-256
  5. Knotek, Z., Cermakova, E., and Oliveri, M. (2017) Reproductive Medicine in Lizards. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Vol 20(2): 411-438.
  6. Riley, J. L., Noble, D. W. A., Byrne, R. W., and Whiting, M. J. (2017) Early social environment influences the behaviour of a family-living lizard. The Royal Society. 4: 161082
  7. Wotherspoon, D. (2007) Ecology and Management of Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata. Western Sydney University Thesis Collection

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Mischa

Friday 14th of February 2020

I feel like my dragon, Havoc, is always very lonely how can I tell that he’s definitely not?

Tina

Friday 14th of February 2020

Hi Mischa, We cannot scientifically prove if bearded dragons get lonely or not. We know in the wild they don't congregate in lounges of lizards. However, that is not to say that they are not longing to be with others. If your bearded dragon is seriously lonely and pining it would likely eat less, if at all, move less and other typical symptoms of depression in animals. Try putting it in front of a mirror and see how it reacts to its reflection. Be prepared for any reaction when Havoc first notices, it may be mild or quite animated. That may help to assess what Havoc would do if presented with another. If your housing is big enough then you could introduce a 2nd bearded dragon but I wouldn't recommend it if the cage is 4 foot or less. Providing a big enclosure with lots of natural rocks and branches will provide good enrichment and maybe help.

Brian

Saturday 25th of January 2020

One outgrew them all and has savagely attacked one of the runts but im trying to nurse it back to health, it wont open its eyes, its barely breathing and im pretty sure those twitches are muscle spasms, should i keep trying and if so what should i do l, or is it a lost cause?

Tina

Saturday 25th of January 2020

Can you get the younger bearded dragon to the vets? I am sure you have already separated it so now it needs warmth and peace. Hydration is more important than food right now. How old is it? Have you separated the large bearded dragon from the smaller ones?

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