Bearded dragons are one of the most iconic reptile pets. These distinctive lizards have an awesome appearance, and they’ve great personalities. The only thing better than one bearded dragon is two, right? Wrong! They’re solitary animals and do better in isolation. Some new reptile pet owners fear their bearded dragons will be lonely, but that’s not true. Let’s look at everything you need to know about bearded dragon socialization now.
Bearded Dragons Are Solitary Reptiles
Bearded dragons do not need to be kept together. In theory, it’s possible if you’ve a big enough enclosure, but most regular people won’t have the space. You could have a pair of females or a male and a female. However, they are solitary by nature, so don’t expect much interaction.
Never house two males together because they’re very territorial. The lizards will fight and attempt to cause each other severe harm. Adult females may also behave aggressively toward each other if their enclosure is too small. Most experts recommend a 100 to 120-gallon tank as a minimum for a single bearded dragon. You’d potentially need at least triple this space to house them together, and that would still be risky.
It’s a much better idea to house them separately because they won’t do much except blink at each other anyway. Smaller lizards like anoles will interact with each other more energetically. However, don’t worry about your bearded dragon suffering from loneliness. Reptiles don’t feel these emotions in the same way as mammals.
Do Bearded Dragons Like Interacting With Their Owners?
Something that most new reptile owners must accept is that their reptiles don’t love them. They depend on them for food, but they don’t feel an intrinsic connection like a dog or cat. Generally, we can handle them but it’s crucial to do so in the correct way. Otherwise, we can stress or even physically injure our bearded dragons. Always approach it slowly. Pat the bearded dragon until it relaxes and closes its eyes. Make sure you fully support its body in your hands as you hold it. Bearded dragons tend to react differently to handling. Some will barely tolerate it while others may enjoy it.
New owners shouldn’t attempt to hold their bearded dragon during the first week. The lizard needs time to feel safe and comfortable in its enclosure first. Meanwhile, they won’t automatically accept handling. It may take up to 15 minutes per day for a couple of weeks for them to adapt to it. They must understand that you don’t mean any harm. This can take time, so remain patient. Bonding with your reptile takes time, but it’s worth it.
How Can I Enrich My Bearded Dragon’s Life?
Socialization isn’t the best way to enrich your bearded dragon’s life. It’s better to do so by providing it with live food and enrichment objects. Crickets and locusts are great options because these insects will jump around their enclosures. This will trigger the bearded dragon’s predatory instincts and provide an excellent stimulus for them.
Another option is to use a laser pointer because, like cats, they may find this fascinating and try to catch it. Try to make feeding times interactive by using tweezers to make them scramble across their enclosure for berries and fruit slices.
There are also many enrichment objects you can provide to enhance their quality of life. Bearded dragons like playing with ping pong balls as well as cat toys. Some find mirrors interesting, but others may find it stressful. They might think that it’s another bearded dragon and attack!
Other Ways to Stimulate Bearded Dragons
Another method to provide enrichment for a bearded dragon is to change the décor in their terrarium. Add new rocks, branches, and plants. Move their food and water to another section of the enclosure. This will give them the sense of being in a whole new world! However, don’t do this too often because it could be counterproductive. Bearded dragons enjoy familiarity, so only make big changes every four months.
Another option is to allow your bearded dragon to play in an open space like a room or yard. Owners must supervise carefully to keep their pet lizard safe. Remove other animals like cats or dogs. Ensure there’s nothing that could cause injury to the bearded dragon. Don’t forget about their specific UVF and humidity requirements, too. It’s not healthy for them to be away from these for too long.
What Reptile Species Need Pairs or Groups?
Very few reptile species require cohabitation. These include:
Anoles
These small lizards require less space than a bearded dragon. It’s also perfectly safe to house about three females together. This can be very rewarding for owners because it’s fun to watch how they move around and interact. These lizards make great pets. Anoles only eat insects, so this is something for carers to consider. You should house them in a 10-gallon tank.
Crested Geckos
A pair of female crested geckos may live together comfortably. You’ll need a large 29-gallon tank to ensure they’ve enough space. Tensions may arise in a smaller area. Crested geckos are one of the most popular reptile pets. It’s easy to acquire them, and they’re relatively cheap. Feeding is cheaper and simpler, too.
Garter Snakes
These snakes are one of the few snake species that thrive in groups. Owners should provide a 55-gallon tank for two garter snakes. They’re a social species and will interact with each other. This makes them a rarity in the reptile world. Hailing from North and Central America, garter snakes are a great option.
