Breeding bearded dragons requires more than putting a male and female together. If you’re trying to breed these lizards, there are a few things you need to know beforehand. This article will give you a few tips.
Age
It’s a mistake to breed beardies at a young age. Younger dragons have an increased risk of egg binding as well as other health problems. Females bred at too early of an age usually have a shorter lifespan. It’s best to wait until they’re at least 18 months old.
Behavior
When ready to breed, the male’s beard will darken. He will try to get the female to notice him by bobbing his head and stomping his feet. Females will slowly bob their head in return and wave their arms. The male often gets quite violent when mating as he will bite at the female’s neck to steady his position.
Lay Area
When your dragons start displaying their mating behavior, it’s important that you setup a lay area for the eggs. If the female can’t find a proper area to lay her eggs, she may become egg-bound. The area should be large and filled with moist soil and sand.
Eggs
It generally takes anywhere between four and six weeks for the female to lay her eggs. You should be aware that the eggs won’t hatch on their own if you leave them there. Instead, you need to dig them up very gently, making sure you don’t turn them upside down.
Females tend to lay some infertile eggs in their first clutch. They will be yellow when held up to a candle. Also, they will have a gelatin-like feel to them. On the other hand, fertile eggs feel more like leather. They will appear pink when candled. You should also be able to see a developing, round embryo inside.
Incubation
You should setup your incubator around the same time you construct the lay area to ensure it’s ready. The temperature should be between 82 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. There should also be plenty of humidity. The eggs should hatch in about two months.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Expert Tips on Breeding Bearded Dragons