Yes, bearded dragons can live together. However, bearded dragons are solitary and territorial creatures by nature. While they may tolerate the presence of another bearded dragon, keeping them together, long-term is not recommended.
Housing multiple bearded dragons in the same tank can lead to stress, fights for dominance, and other health problems. While some people have successfully kept multiple bearded dragons together, it’s important to understand the risks and take necessary precautions.
A Guide to Keeping Bearded Dragons Together
Factors to Consider
Bearded dragons are territorial animals, especially males, and having more than one in a small space can cause them to fight. In the wild, bearded dragons live alone and only come together during mating season. When kept in captivity, they may become stressed, aggressive, and even suffer from injuries if housed together.
Another important factor to consider is the size of the enclosure. Bearded dragons need space to move around, bask, and hide. If two or more bearded dragons are kept in a small enclosure, they may become stressed and exhibit abnormal behaviors such as lack of appetite, lethargy, and aggression.
Given these, when considering whether to house multiple bearded dragons together, it is important to keep in mind the following:
- Bearded dragons raised together from a young age are likelier to get along than those introduced as adults.
- It is recommended to house only one male bearded dragon per enclosure.
- Bearded dragons should be of similar size to avoid dominance issues.
- Providing enough space, hiding places, and resources can help reduce territorial behavior and aggression.
Ultimately, choosing to house multiple bearded dragons together should be based on carefully considering the animals’ personalities, behavior, and health. Owners should be prepared to separate the dragons if needed and provide each with its enclosure if necessary.
Benefits
Bearded dragons are solitary animals, but they can also benefit from the companionship of other dragons. When housed, they can interact, play together, and even cuddle for warmth.
Living with other bearded dragons can provide mental stimulation for each other as they engage in natural behaviors such as basking, exploring, and hunting. They may also engage in territorial displays and other social behaviors, keeping them mentally active and engaged.
Living with other dragons can help them develop and maintain natural behaviors like basking, exploring, and hunting. They may even engage in territorial displays, which are normal behaviors for bearded dragons.
Some bearded dragons may experience stress when housed alone and may become bored or lonely without the company of other bearded dragons. Living with other bearded dragons can help reduce stress and improve their well-being.
Keeping multiple bearded dragons in the same enclosure can save space and resources instead of having separate enclosures for each individual. However, if you keep multiple bearded dragons together, providing them with adequate space, hiding spots, and resources, such as food and water bowls, is important.
Risks
Bearded dragons are territorial animals; when housed together, they may become aggressive toward each other. This can lead to fighting, resulting in injuries or even death. Fighting may occur over food, water, basking spots, or territory.
Living close to other bearded dragons increases the risk of disease transmission. If one bearded dragon becomes sick, it can quickly spread to the others. This is especially true if the dragons are stressed or poor husbandry practices weaken their immune systems.
Ensuring that each bearded dragon receives the proper food and nutrients can be challenging when housed together. For example, dominant individuals may monopolize resources, leaving less dominant individuals without enough food.
Bearded dragons may experience stress when housed together, especially if they lack space or hiding spots. Stress can weaken their immune systems and make them more susceptible to disease. Bearded dragons housed together may also be more likely to harbor parasites such as mites or worms, which can be spread between individuals.
How to House Multiple-Bearded Dragons Together
When housing multiple bearded dragons together, it is important to choose an enclosure that is large enough to accommodate all of them comfortably. The enclosure should have a secure lid and good ventilation to maintain air circulation.
Bearded dragons kept together should be roughly the same size to avoid larger ones dominating smaller ones. Each bearded dragon should have enough space to move around freely and establish territory. Providing multiple basking spots, hiding places, and perches can help reduce competition for resources and promote healthy social interaction.
Bearded dragons require a temperature gradient in their enclosure to regulate their body temperature. Providing multiple basking spots with heat lamps is important to ensure that each bearded dragon can access a warm spot. The temperature should range from 104-107°F on the basking spot and 71-77°F on the cool side of the enclosure.
Bearded dragons need hiding places to feel secure and reduce stress. Providing multiple hiding places can help reduce competition for resources and promote healthy social interaction. Hiding places can be created using rocks, logs, or other materials, providing a secure and comfortable space for bearded dragons to retreat.
When feeding multiple bearded dragons, it is important to provide enough food and water dishes to ensure each bearded dragon can access them. Bearded dragons should be fed a diet consisting of various insects, vegetables, and fruits. It is important to monitor each bearded dragon’s food intake to ensure they are eating enough and not being outcompeted by their tankmates.
