Biting Shingleback

[circlejerk]

I have just acquired a female companion for my male shingleback lizard. They met this evening and are both roughly 1.5 - 2.5 years old.

The female has been quite active, exploring her new tank, licking around the male and nudging him with her nose. Meanwhile he was a lot less active and sat in the same spot watching, moving away when she would nudge his tail.

Then she started biting him around the tail area a few times to which he didn't do much. We took him out of the tank for a while til they both got sleepy and then put him back in.

Is her biting normal behaviour or is she being aggressive? Should we be worried about it and keep them separated for a while until they get used to each other?

 

[circlejerk]

Hmmm things seem to have escalated this morning. When both lizards woke up, again the female started nudging the male and kept trying to bite his tail.

Then the male tried to run away from her and she kept chasing him. It was pretty much the fastest I have seen shinglebacks move. Then the male was cornered and breathing quite heavily so I have decided to have them in separate tanks for the time being.

I'm starting to think maybe they are of the same sex? Could this be the reason for such aggressive behaviour? Any help, advice or insight would be fantastic!

 

[JAS101]

is it breeding season for them ?

 

[kupper]

Sounds like your male may be a female and your female may be a male , mine only do that when there getting jiggy with one another

 

[circlejerk]

They literally just met yesterday so I don't think its mating behaviour. Could it be a dominance thing between two same sex lizards?

 

[barky]

bites

biting shinglbacks have you been bit

 

[circlejerk]

Nope. I have never been bit.
As soon as he is in there she lets him have it though. Maybe she is just getting used to him? However she seems to nudge him under and around the tail before biting.

 

[Aussie Python Lover]

Mating seasons usually begins in September to November. So I don't think its that, Im guessing you either have two of the same sex or the one you have had in for a while feels threatened by the other, maybe what you shouldve done is put one in a container so the other one can smell the other so it knows its there and then introduced them slowly to each other... Then put together??? Thats JMO

 

[kupper]

Which means mating behavior , so if you don't like the advise or the theories put forth then why ask ?

Mating behavior can happen within minutes of a lizard snake amphibian being introduced to a prospective partner

 

[circlejerk]

Sorry kupper, didn't mean to dismiss your suggestion. I was only going off what I have been told about mating behaviour, ie. the male being the agressor. But you could very well be right so thanks for your advice mate.

 

[TahneeMaree]

Could be worth getting them sexed again, Like Kupper said, they might not be what you think

 

[circlejerk]

Yep I think that is what I should do. Thanks everyone!

 

[it_slithers]

Sounds like your male may be a female and your female may be a male , mine only do that when there getting jiggy with one another

Is what im thinking. Even tho it aint mateing season it dont mean they cant get it on....

 

[gonsnaken]

i can only comment on my blueys behaviour which is exactly the same my female will smash the male whenever she feels like it and he will run for his life but when its mating season the tables will turn and he will become the more dominant of the 2.
i put it down to her being female and just bossy.
Based on what i witness from my BTL id say its dominance.
Good luck with them

Matt

 

[jewfish1]

I'm having a similar problem with my blueys at the moment.

I think they are reaching sexual maturity.

Thats why they're going to the vet to be sexed and so I can understand their behaviour a bit better.

If you're worried, keep them in different enclosures until they get used to each other if thats possible? I'd get them sexed so you know for sure.