Adequately housing a bearded dragon can be challenging, especially for beginners, which is even worse when you consider co-housing two or more. Ideally, bearded dragons shouldn’t live together since they’re territorial and solitary creatures. However, under suitable circumstances, co-existing may be possible.
Bearded dragons can only live together when they’re younger than 7 months or in terrariums larger than 200 gallons with abundant resources to minimize competition.
In this article, we’ll address the conditions suitable for cohabitation and how you can house multiple beardies in one tank safely and comfortably.
Why Is It Wrong for Adult Bearded Dragons to Cohabitate?
Cohabiting your bearded dragons can result in both pets sustaining injuries from fighting, or one dragon being deprived of its basic resources due to hierarchy beef. However, you can set up the enclosure to fully accommodate two or more dragons by ensuring enough space and resources. This, naturally, can be expensive—you need extra lighting, enough hiding and basking spots, perhaps demarcation, and ample supervision.
Additionally, you must know each dragon’s temperament before attempting cohabitation. For instance, my gentle senior beardie, Rosie, is easygoing. In comparison, I once fostered another female beardie who was quite aggressive even during feeding. Cohabiting the latter certainly would have led to injuries and a vet appointment.
Critical Points to Consider Before Co-Housing Your Bearded Dragons
Before placing multiple bearded dragons in an enclosure, consider the following aspects:
Age
Younger bearded dragons (hatchlings and juveniles) are more susceptible to bullying by older dragons, including their own parents. If you’re adding a new hatchling to your current terrarium, wait until it reaches adulthood. While you’re waiting, you can introduce them under close supervision for short periods, to observe how they associate before allowing them to live together.
Temperament
Bearded dragons have varying temperaments; some may appear calm but can become aggressive in the presence of other dragons. If you observe any signs of stress or aggression, it’s best not to house them together, as it can lead to conflict and increased stress.
Health Status
To prevent health issues, ensure all dragons are healthy before introducing them. A sick dragon can infect others or become stressed in a new environment. If one beardie is unwell, isolate it in a separate enclosure and provide treatment before introducing it to others.
How to Put Multiple Bearded Dragons In One Terrarium
To successfully house multiple bearded dragons in a tank, follow these essential guidelines:
1. Get a Large Tank
Each dragon requires its own territory to prevent conflicts and reduce stress. The ideal tank size for one bearded dragon is over 120 gallons, so for two, you’ll need at least 200 gallons. If you’re feeling crafty, you can combine two tanks horizontally to make a large one. By doing this, you can ensure your pets are ethically bred, as it entails replicating their naturally spacious habitat as closely as possible.
2. Provide Multiple Basking Spots
Basking spots act as status markers, with the dominant dragon claiming the highest area closest to the lamp. You may require two basking lamps for such a large enclosure; it ultimately depends on the lamp’s effectiveness and the tank’s size. Bigger tanks (above 150 gallons) may require 150-watt bulbs to reach ideal temperatures. Once you have the lamps, place them at equal heights on opposite ends of the tank to create separate basking spots.
3. Ensure Correct UVB and Temperature Levels
2-in-1 UVB and heat lamps can limit access to essential rays, as they often don’t cover the tank entirely. Use a fluorescent UVB lamp (view on Amazon) to illuminate the entire tank, and a basking lamp (view on Amazon) to provide heat for basking spots simultaneously. This way, the dragons can move away from the basking spot to cool off without losing UVB rays.
If you reside in areas with cold climates, ceramic heat emitters (view on Amazon) may be necessary to maintain appropriate tank temperatures which are 104° to 107° Fahrenheit in basking areas and 71° to 73° Fahrenheit in shaded areas.
4. Provide a Food Bowl for Each Dragon
During feeding, bearded dragons may compete if they’re placed in the same space. The likelihood of competition may differ as some dragons can be comfortable with sharing. However, each dragon should have its own food bowl to prevent aggression. This ensures freedom to eat without fear of injury or intimidation.
5. Be Attentive to Your Dragons
Bearded dragons can easily get stressed in unfamiliar situations. If you notice any signs of stress, isolate the affected dragon immediately to prevent it from worsening. If this problem continues, you may need to separate them permanently. The following behaviors are symptoms of anxiety in bearded dragons:
- Hand waving: A sign of submission.
- Stress marks: Dark lines or spots on the skin.
- Glass surfing: Scratching or climbing against the enclosure walls.
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive hiding
6. Consider Demarcation
If you’re encountering problems getting them to coexist, create a temporary divide using a thin, non-reflective material to help the dragons adjust to each other’s presence. You can allow them to interact in short sessions before returning them to their designated areas. This method is especially useful if you plan to breed them. Check my article on how bearded dragons mate for more details.
How to Help Your Bearded Dragons Get Along
For bearded dragons to accept one another, they must feel safe and content since they often view each other as competition. Ensure there are plenty of resources (like food, water, and hiding spots) to minimize competition. Then you can introduce your beardies to each other for a few hours. Gradually increase the duration of their interaction as they become more comfortable with one another.
Raising Two Baby Dragons Together
Baby bearded dragons can coexist in the same tank until they approach sub-adulthood when their instincts emerge. In some cases, they can continue to enjoy each other’s company without conflict, provided there are enough resources. However, monitor their behavior closely; if you notice any negative changes, such as increased aggression or stress, separate them into different tanks for their safety and well-being.
