Quick Summary
Yes, two female bearded dragons can live together under the right conditions. The key factors for successfully housing female dragons together include:
- Having a large enough enclosure (75+ gallons per dragon)
- Providing ample basking spots, hides, and resources
- Introducing the dragons at a young age
- Monitoring for signs of aggression/dominance
Female dragons tend to be less territorial than males. However, personality, individual space requirements, and reproductive conditions should always be considered when cohabiting any bearded dragons.
Evaluating if Your Bearded Dragons are Good Candidates for Cohabitation
When deciding if your female dragons can live together peacefully, there are several factors to consider:
- Age: Introducing the dragons at a young age (under 1 year old) will increase chances of cohabitation success.
- Size: Dragons should be similar in size to prevent bullying or competition for resources.
- Health: Both dragons should be healthy and free of disease/parasites before cohabiting.
- Temperament: Dragons that are laid-back and non-aggressive make the best cohabitants.
- Space: Each dragon needs adequate space and resources (see housing requirements below).
- Reproductive Status: Gravid, egg-laying, or nesting dragons should not be cohabited.
If introducing adult dragons, do so with caution and closely observe their interactions for signs of aggression or stress. Adult females are more likely to be territorial.
Proper Enclosure Size and Setup
To successfully house two dragons, the enclosure must provide:
- 75+ gallons of space per dragon (minimum 120 gallon enclosure for 2 dragons)
- Multiple basking sites – ideally one per dragon, at proper temperature range (100-110°F)
- Full spectrum UVB lighting covering the length of the enclosure
- Adequate heat lamps/pads to create a temperature gradient
- Multiple hides and high perches for individual refuges
- Large enough food and water bowls for both dragons
The more space and resources you can provide, the better chance of reducing conflict. Have backup enclosures available in case they need to be separated.
Introducing the Dragons
Go slow with introductions to avoid territorial aggression:
- Start by allowing the dragons to interact in a neutral area, like a playpen.
- Watch closely for signs of stress/aggression like black bearding, arm waving, puffing up, biting, chasing, etc.
- If they seem calm and non-reactive, place them in the enclosure at the same time.
- Continue supervised interactions for 2-3 weeks, separating immediately if there are conflicts.
Having multiple hiding areas will allow each dragon to retreat and establish their own territory if needed. Introducing younger dragons generally leads to better outcomes.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Once cohabited, continue monitoring your female dragons daily for signs of stress or aggression. Look for:
- Weight loss/fluctuations – indicator of competition for food
- Injuries like bite marks or missing toes/tail tips
- Lethargy, decreased appetite – signs of chronic stress
- One dragon preventing the other’s access to food, heat, or uv light
- Continual black bearding, arm waving, or chasing
Separate dragons immediately if you observe injuries or the above signs of stress/aggression.
Provide a high-quality diet, regular bathing, scheduled vet exams, and proper heating/lighting for all cohabited dragons. Clean the enclosure thoroughly 1-2 times per week.
Also monitor for changes when either dragon becomes gravid or ready to lay eggs, as they may become more territorial. Separate them if there are any conflicts.
Potential Drawbacks of Cohabiting Females
While female bearded dragons may tolerate each other better than males, there are still some potential drawbacks to cohabiting:
- Increased risk of aggression and territorial behavior
- Greater likelihood of transmitting parasites or illness
- Difficulty meeting each dragon’s microclimate needs
- Harder to monitor food intake and bowel movements
- Chance of accidental mating if housing young, non-breeding dragons
For these reasons, many experts recommend keeping bearded dragons separated, especially males. But with vigilance, ample space, and proper introductions, some females can potentially coexist.
Signs of Aggression in Cohabited Dragons
Here are signs that your female dragons are not tolerating cohabitation well:
- Frequent black bearding (darkening of throat)
- Arm waving or head bobbing
- Puffing up body to appear larger
- Chasing or biting cagemate
- Scratches, injuries, or missing body parts
- One dragon preventing the other from basking/feeding
- Hiding more often or seeming lethargic
These behaviors indicate high stress, territorial disputes, or outright aggression/bullying between the dragons. Separate them immediately if aggression arises.
Tips for Reducing Aggression
To limit potential aggression between cohabited females:
- House juveniles or sub-adults under 1 year old
- Introduce dragons on neutral territory first
- Have backup enclosures ready for separating
- Provide 2+ basking sites, hides, food bowls
- Allow each dragon visual barriers and space
- Avoid housing dragons at breeding age
- Separate during gravidity or egg-laying
Even with precautions, keep a close eye on all cohabited dragons. Separate at first signs of discord.
Benefits of Keeping Female Bearded Dragons Separate
While some female dragons may tolerate cohabitation, there are many benefits to keeping them in their own enclosures:
- No risk of aggression or injury
- Can fully customize habitat to individual needs
- More control over feeding, growth, and health monitoring
- No competition over food, heat, or UV light
- Reduced stress and territorial behaviors
- Easier to introduce enrichment and handle each dragon
- Lower parasite/illness transmission risk
For many keepers, the risks of cohabitation outweigh the benefits. Single housing allows focusing on each dragon’s health and personality without competition.
Are Certain Female Dragons More Suitable for Cohabitation?
Though generalizations can’t be made, some individual dragons exhibit traits that may make cohabiting easier:
- Submissive/non-dominant temperament
- Non-aggressive towards other reptiles
- Tolerant of handling/interaction by humans
- Easily acclimated to new environments
- Healthy eaters despite external stimuli
- No prior trauma or bad cohabiting experiences
But even “good” cohabitation candidates should be slowly introduced and monitored. There is always potential for problems to arise suddenly. Each bearded dragon has unique termperament and space needs.
Preventing Accidental Breeding of Cohabited Females
If housing female dragons at breeding age (18+ months), take precautions to avoid unwanted eggs:
- Confirm sexes (females may be misidentified as males)
- Keep enclosure cooler – under 70°F at night
- Limit presence of laying bins or nest sites
- Monitor weight and belly size for swelling/changes
- Watch for mating-type behaviors between dragons
- Separate immediately if breeding suspected
- Consider spaying if egg laying would be high-risk
Accidental breeding and egg-laying poses serious health risks to dragons. Be vigilant and separate pairs engaging in reproductive behavior promptly.
Can a Female and Male Bearded Dragon Live Together?
Cohabiting a female and male bearded dragon is strongly discouraged. Issues include:
- High likelihood of aggression and injury
- Very likely to breed, even if young/unplanned
- Pregnancies dangerous for female health at young age
- Egg binding and delivery issues common
- Extremely hard to prevent mating and egg laying
- Males often dominant and bully females
Safely housing a male and female dragon together would require intense supervision, separate secure enclosures, and spaying/neutering. Even then, breeding risks make cohabitation inadvisable.
Can More Than 2 Female Bearded Dragons Live Together?
Cohabiting more than 2 female bearded dragons is generally not recommended. Reasons include:
- Difficult to provide adequate space – 120+ gallons per dragon
- Harder to manage optimal heat and UV gradients
- Increased likelihood of territory disputes
- Greater chance of accidental breeding
- More complex group dynamics and hierarchies
- Difficult to monitor each dragon for health issues
Though rare, some experienced keepers have success housing all-female groups in very large enclosures (500+ gallons). This is still a risky practice that requires intense oversight.
Conclusion
Cohabiting female bearded dragons can potentially work but introduces health and behavioral risks. With proper introduction methods, ample space, optimal husbandry, and vigilant monitoring, some females may tolerate sharing an enclosure. However, single housing is generally safest for these semi-solitary reptiles. Consider each dragon’s individual personality and needs when deciding on cohabitation. Stay alert to any signs of conflict or stress. Be prepared to separate dragons at the first hint of discord.
