Keeping dragon colony's?

[Mr.James]

Hi all,

Not sure how this will go down...due to so many differences of opinion. I've been reading alot about reptiles and how to keep them & so on...BUT one thing I just dont get is on one hand you have people talking about having colony's of dragons and on the other people are saying do not house reptiles of same species and size no matter what together unless breeding, because they are solitary animals (or whatever you wanna call them..) lol.

I would just like to hear reasons for and against or if there are certain species that will live like this better than others... if you get where im coming from?

My EWD's get along great together, even sleep on each other. (they live like this in the wild too. I have see it first hand.) so how can that mean they are solitary?

What about beardies? & Forest dragons?

 

[Kirby]

certain dragon species are solitary others are social.

beardies thrive alone, where as netteds and mountains (in my experience) 'can' live perfectly happily in colonies. some dominance can occur, but its up to you to keep them safe.

ideally 99% of reptiles are solitary and will thrive alone.

 

[DA_GRIZ]

i keep my trio of beardies together no problems what so ever. also keep my trio of ewd and 13 blue tongues and 3 turtles with 1 beardie together no problems. i guess u can class the blueys as a colony

 

[Mr.James]

I have no problems with mine...I mean the only time I can see anything happening is if you introduce too many males or more than one male, right?

 

[Kirby]

skinks are entirely different.

some species do fine, some are incredibly colonial (cunnings, hosmer) others can cause some damage (gardens). and some others purely tolerate the socialism (shingles)

as for dragons, its up to the species.

 

[gravitation]

Kirby is right.


It also depends on the size of the enclosure.

 

[Mr.James]

so when people say DONT HOUSE TWO BEARDIES TOGETHER...they really mean its ok to house them together provided they have the right setup, space, same age & opposite sex. Other wise dont!

 

[camt44]

i have my beardies together, and so does a friend with no problems (they are always together, sleeping next to each other), and i have seen some good quality breeders tanks with theirs all living together happily. i have also heard heaps of people saying they keep theirs together with no problems... so i reckon its ok (obviously keep an eye on them and be prepared to separate them if problems arise).i also think having them together since a very young age (like mine and my friends) helps alot. i think its just the fact that keeping one has no risks with fighting or breeding, but keeping more than one will be fine only 99% of the time, and many people just don't like the risk, no matter how small. i think its the same with sand. they aren't going to die for sure if you put them on sand, it is just that added risk.

 

[Mr.James]

well worded camt44

 

[Kirby]

so when people say DONT HOUSE TWO BEARDIES TOGETHER...they really mean its ok to house them together provided they have the right setup, space, same age & opposite sex. Other wise dont!

unless you have an avairy the size of a tennis court lol

the problems that arise you will rarley see unless you have a keen eye. domination and stress.

stress lowers the immune system, growth, development, absorption, metabolism and normal bodily function.

 

[Mr.James]

its just the 1% that freaks certain people out & they refuse to risk it. Personally I think if you have the right setup its better, can you imagine being that lonely reptile in a cage for 10-20 years with no mates....LOL!! (it had to be said)

 

[Dave]

It seems the dragons that don't reach adult size (less then 40cm) are the ones that are housed together. Beardies in the wild don't live in 4x2x2 or 6x2x2 area's of each over. Males Will over breed females as they can't get away from them which is even more stress and could possibly kill the female. Two males in breeding season is a no no. You CAN keep females together, but you can get pretty dominate females that will even try to bite males :lol:

unless you have an avairy the size of a tennis court lol

the problems that arise you will rarley see unless you have a keen eye. domination and stress.

stress lowers the immune system, growth, development, absorption, metabolism and normal bodily function.

 

[Kirby]

its just the 1% that freaks certain people out & they refuse to risk it. Personally I think if you have the right setup its better, can you imagine being that lonely reptile in a cage for 10-20 years with no mates....LOL!! (it had to be said)

your speaking from your overwhelming experience with dragons, in particular beardies?

All hierarchies involve stress, its how they work and why they are made.

 

[Mr.James]

your speaking from your overwhelming experience with dragons, in particular beardies?

All hierarchies involve stress, its how they work and why they are made.

No i was just speaking from my own point of view as a person with some experience & trying to use my common sense.

 

[Mr.James]

We have hierarchies and im stressed out too! Lol. So seperate me from the world...

(jokes)

 

[Kirby]

We have hierarchies and im stressed out too! Lol. So seperate me from the world...

(jokes)

i would love to.

 

[Kirby]

i dont think you realise these are wild animals, shoved into captivity. in an inescapable box. forced to fornicate, lay and fight for space in a room the size of half your bedroom.

think about it, the cage youve got them in is probably less then twice there lenght. try living happily with two other people for the rest of your life in the space of two beds. now defecate, walk through it, and proove to the other guy you deserve more space, heat and food.

not a human, living a free life.

 

[Mr.James]

& of course if the male is getting too down with the females & just has an endlesss load to blow seperate him too cool down. thats just common sense. Everyone should keep an eye on there reptiles everyday, its you responsability as a keeper.

 

[Mr.James]

i dont think you realise these are wild animals, shoved into captivity.

not a human, living a free life.

I do realise. BUT do you?

 

[Dave]

Hi my name is