Breeding bearded dragons can be a rewarding, albeit challenging, experience. It requires careful planning, diligent observation, and a commitment to providing the best possible care for both the parents and the offspring. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from preparing your dragons for breeding to caring for the hatchlings.
**Before You Begin: Is Breeding Right for You?**
Breeding any animal is a serious undertaking. Before even considering breeding your bearded dragons, ask yourself these questions:
* **Do I have the resources?** Breeding requires a significant financial investment. You’ll need extra enclosures, specialized equipment (incubator, lighting, heating), and a food supply to support multiple dragons, including potentially dozens of hatchlings. Veterinary care for the adults and hatchlings is also a major consideration.
* **Do I have the space?** Housing adult dragons separately and then housing the hatchlings will require a significant amount of space. You’ll need multiple enclosures of various sizes.
* **Am I prepared for potential problems?** Breeding isn’t always successful. There’s a risk of infertility, egg-binding (dystocia), health complications for the female, and even the loss of eggs or hatchlings. You need to be prepared to handle these challenges, both emotionally and financially.
* **Do I have a market for the hatchlings?** Breeding dragons without a plan for selling or rehoming the offspring is irresponsible. Overpopulation can lead to neglect and suffering. Research local reptile rescues, breeders, and pet stores to gauge the demand for bearded dragons in your area. Do *not* contribute to the problem of unwanted reptiles.
* **Do I understand the genetics of my dragons?** Responsible breeding involves understanding the genetics of your dragons. Breeding dragons with known genetic problems can perpetuate those issues in future generations. If you are breeding morphs, research the potential outcomes of breeding certain morphs together.
If you can answer yes to all of these questions and are truly committed to providing the best possible care for your dragons, then you can proceed with planning your breeding project.
**Step 1: Selecting Healthy Breeding Stock**
The foundation of a successful breeding project is selecting healthy, genetically sound dragons. Consider the following:
* **Age and Maturity:** Females should be at least 18 months old and preferably two years old before breeding. Males can be bred as early as 12 months, but waiting until they are 18 months ensures they are fully mature. Breeding too young can compromise the health of both the parents and the offspring.
* **Health:** Both dragons should be in excellent health, free from any signs of illness or parasites. A vet check is highly recommended before breeding. Look for signs of good health: bright eyes, a healthy weight, alert behavior, and no signs of lethargy, skin problems, or respiratory issues.
* **Temperament:** Choose dragons with docile temperaments. Aggressive dragons can injure each other during mating.
* **Genetics and Morphs:** If you’re breeding for specific morphs (color variations), research the genetics involved to understand the potential outcomes. Avoid breeding dragons with unknown genetic backgrounds, as you may unknowingly perpetuate undesirable traits or health problems.
* **Avoid Inbreeding:** Inbreeding can lead to genetic problems and weaken the immune system. Avoid breeding dragons that are closely related. Knowing the lineage of your dragons is crucial.
**Step 2: Sexing Your Bearded Dragons**
Accurately determining the sex of your dragons is essential. While young dragons can be difficult to sex, it becomes easier as they mature. Here are a few methods:
* **Femoral Pores:** Males typically have larger and more prominent femoral pores (small waxy dots along the inside of their thighs) than females. During breeding season, these pores may become more noticeable.
* **Hemipenal Bulges:** The most reliable method is to check for hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail. Gently lift the tail and shine a light from below. In males, you’ll typically see two bulges on either side of the vent. Females will have a smooth, flat area.
* **Visual Inspection:** Adult males often have larger heads and thicker bodies than females. However, this is not always a reliable indicator.
If you are unsure, consult with an experienced reptile breeder or a veterinarian to confirm the sex of your dragons.
**Step 3: Preparing for Brumation**
Brumation is a period of dormancy that many reptiles, including bearded dragons, experience during the cooler months. It’s a natural part of their life cycle and plays a crucial role in their reproductive health. Successfully brumating your dragons can increase their chances of breeding.
* **Gradual Reduction in Temperature and Light:** Starting in late fall or early winter, gradually reduce the temperature and lighting in your dragon’s enclosure over a period of several weeks. Reduce the basking spot temperature by a few degrees each week and shorten the photoperiod (the amount of time the lights are on) by an hour or two each week.
* **Reduce Feeding:** As the temperature and light decrease, reduce the amount of food you offer your dragons. This will allow their digestive system to slow down and prepare for brumation. Stop feeding them completely about two weeks before you expect them to enter brumation.
* **Veterinary Check-up:** Before brumation, it’s essential to take your dragons to a veterinarian for a check-up. This will ensure they are healthy enough to undergo brumation. The vet can also check for parasites or other health problems that could be exacerbated by brumation.
* **Provide a Safe and Dark Hide:** Offer a secure and dark hide where your dragons can retreat during brumation. This could be a cave, a box, or a pile of substrate. Make sure the hide is in a cool part of the enclosure.
* **Monitor Your Dragons:** Regularly check on your dragons during brumation to ensure they are doing well. Look for any signs of illness or distress. It’s normal for them to be inactive and eat very little, but if you notice anything unusual, consult with a veterinarian.
**Step 4: The Brumation Period**
The duration of brumation can vary depending on the individual dragon and the environmental conditions. It can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
* **Maintain Cool Temperatures:** Keep the temperature in the enclosure cool, ideally in the range of 65-75°F (18-24°C). A slight temperature drop is natural during brumation.
* **Provide Water:** Offer fresh water regularly, even though your dragons may not drink much. Dehydration can be a serious problem during brumation.
* **Minimize Handling:** Avoid handling your dragons unless absolutely necessary. Disturbing them too much can disrupt their brumation cycle.
* **Weigh Regularly:** Weigh your dragons every few weeks to monitor their weight. A slight weight loss is normal during brumation, but a significant weight loss could indicate a health problem. If you notice a significant drop in weight, consult with a veterinarian.
**Step 5: Waking Up from Brumation**
Waking your dragons up from brumation should be done gradually, just like preparing them for it.
* **Gradually Increase Temperature and Light:** Over a period of several weeks, gradually increase the temperature and lighting in the enclosure. Increase the basking spot temperature by a few degrees each week and lengthen the photoperiod by an hour or two each week.
* **Offer Small Amounts of Food:** Start by offering small amounts of easily digestible food, such as waxworms or silkworms. Gradually increase the amount and variety of food as your dragons become more active.
* **Provide Fresh Water:** Make sure fresh water is always available.
* **Monitor Your Dragons:** Closely monitor your dragons for any signs of illness or distress as they wake up from brumation. A post-brumation vet check is advisable to ensure they are healthy.
**Step 6: Introducing the Male and Female**
Once your dragons have fully recovered from brumation and are back to their normal eating and activity patterns, you can introduce the male and female.
* **Introduce in a Neutral Enclosure:** It’s best to introduce the dragons in a neutral enclosure that neither of them has claimed as their territory. This can help reduce aggression.
* **Supervise the Introduction:** Closely supervise the introduction to observe their behavior. Look for signs of aggression, such as head bobbing, beard flaring, and biting. If the dragons are fighting, separate them immediately.
* **Mating Behavior:** If the dragons are compatible, the male will typically display courtship behavior, such as head bobbing and circling the female. If the female is receptive, she will allow the male to mount her. The mating process can last for several minutes.
* **Separate After Mating:** After mating, it’s best to separate the male and female. The male can become aggressive towards the female after mating, and the female needs to conserve her energy for egg production.
**Step 7: Providing Optimal Conditions for Egg Development**
After mating, the female will need optimal conditions to develop and lay her eggs.
* **Increase Calcium Intake:** Increase the female’s calcium intake to help her produce strong eggshells. Dust her food with calcium supplement daily.
* **Provide a Laying Box:** Provide a laying box filled with moist substrate, such as vermiculite, sand, or peat moss. The laying box should be large enough for the female to comfortably dig a nest.
* **Maintain Proper Temperature and Humidity:** Maintain the proper temperature and humidity in the enclosure. The temperature should be in the range of 80-85°F (27-29°C), and the humidity should be around 50-60%.
* **Offer Plenty of Food and Water:** Continue to offer the female plenty of food and water. She will need extra energy to produce eggs.
**Step 8: Recognizing Gravidity (Pregnancy)**
Recognizing the signs of gravidity (pregnancy) is important so you can provide the female with the proper care.
* **Increased Appetite:** Gravid females often have an increased appetite.
* **Weight Gain:** They will gain weight as the eggs develop.
* **Distended Abdomen:** Their abdomen will become noticeably distended.
* **Restlessness:** They may become restless and start digging in the substrate, searching for a suitable nesting site.
* **Visible Eggs:** In some cases, you may be able to feel or even see the eggs through the female’s skin.
**Step 9: Egg Laying**
The egg-laying process can take several hours or even days.
* **Provide Privacy:** Provide the female with privacy during egg laying. Avoid disturbing her unless absolutely necessary.
* **Monitor Her:** Monitor her from a distance to ensure she is not experiencing any difficulties. If she seems to be struggling, consult with a veterinarian.
* **Clutch Size:** A female bearded dragon can lay between 15 and 30 eggs per clutch. They can lay multiple clutches per year.
**Step 10: Incubating the Eggs**
After the female has laid her eggs, carefully remove them from the laying box and place them in an incubator.
* **Prepare the Incubator:** Prepare the incubator with a suitable substrate, such as vermiculite or perlite. The substrate should be slightly moist but not waterlogged.
* **Temperature and Humidity:** Maintain the proper temperature and humidity in the incubator. The temperature should be in the range of 82-86°F (28-30°C), and the humidity should be around 75-80%.
* **Egg Placement:** Gently place the eggs on top of the substrate, taking care not to rotate them. Eggs should remain in the same orientation they were laid in.
* **Monitor the Eggs:** Monitor the eggs regularly for signs of mold or collapse. If you see any signs of problems, consult with an experienced reptile breeder or a veterinarian.
* **Incubation Time:** The incubation time for bearded dragon eggs is typically 55-75 days, depending on the temperature.
**Step 11: Hatching**
After the incubation period, the eggs will begin to hatch. This can take several hours or even days.
* **Do Not Assist Hatching:** Do not assist the hatchlings in hatching unless they are clearly struggling. They need to absorb the yolk sac on their own. Prematurely assisting can harm them.
* **Provide a Humid Environment:** Maintain a humid environment in the incubator to help the hatchlings hatch successfully.
* **Remove Hatchlings to Separate Enclosures:** Once the hatchlings have fully emerged from their eggs, carefully remove them from the incubator and place them in separate enclosures.
**Step 12: Caring for Hatchlings**
Hatchling bearded dragons require specialized care.
* **Small Enclosures:** House hatchlings in small enclosures, such as 10-gallon tanks. This makes it easier for them to find food.
* **Paper Towel Substrate:** Use paper towels as a substrate. This is easy to clean and prevents the hatchlings from ingesting substrate.
* **Proper Lighting and Heating:** Provide proper lighting and heating, including a UVB bulb and a basking lamp. The basking spot temperature should be around 105-110°F (41-43°C).
* **Frequent Feeding:** Feed hatchlings several times a day with small insects, such as crickets and dubia roaches. Dust the insects with calcium and vitamin supplements.
* **Fresh Water:** Provide fresh water daily. You can offer water in a shallow dish or spray the enclosure with water.
* **Monitor for Health Problems:** Monitor the hatchlings closely for any signs of health problems, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or skin problems. Consult with a veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.
* **Individual Housing:** Hatchlings should be housed individually to prevent tail nipping and competition for food.
**Step 13: Growing and Selling/Rehoming**
As the hatchlings grow, they will need larger enclosures and more food. Be prepared to provide them with ongoing care until they are old enough to be sold or rehomed. It is crucial to find suitable homes for your dragons.
* **Increase Enclosure Size:** As the dragons grow, increase the size of their enclosures.
* **Offer Variety of Food:** Offer them a variety of food, including insects, vegetables, and fruits.
* **Market Responsibly:** Advertise your dragons responsibly. Be honest about their genetics, health, and care requirements. Screen potential buyers to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care. Never sell to minors without parental consent.
* **Health Guarantee:** Consider offering a health guarantee to buyers. This can help build trust and ensure the dragons are going to good homes.
**Potential Problems and Solutions**
* **Egg Binding (Dystocia):** This is a serious condition where the female is unable to lay her eggs. Symptoms include straining, lethargy, and loss of appetite. A veterinarian may need to surgically remove the eggs.
* **Infertile Eggs:** Not all eggs will be fertile. Infertile eggs will typically collapse or develop mold.
* **Hatchling Deformities:** Sometimes, hatchlings may be born with deformities. These deformities may be genetic or caused by improper incubation conditions. Consult with a veterinarian to determine the best course of action.
* **Aggression:** Aggression can be a problem, especially during mating. Supervise the dragons closely and separate them if they are fighting.
* **Parasites:** Parasites can cause a variety of health problems. Have your dragons checked for parasites regularly and treat them as needed.
**Ethical Considerations**
* **Breed Responsibly:** Only breed healthy dragons with good temperaments and known genetic backgrounds.
* **Provide Proper Care:** Provide your dragons with proper care, including adequate housing, lighting, heating, food, and veterinary care.
* **Find Suitable Homes:** Find suitable homes for your dragons. Screen potential buyers to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care. Do not contribute to the problem of unwanted reptiles.
* **Avoid Overbreeding:** Overbreeding can lead to neglect and suffering. Only breed dragons if you have a plan for selling or rehoming the offspring.
Breeding bearded dragons can be a fulfilling experience, but it’s essential to approach it with knowledge, responsibility, and a commitment to the well-being of your animals. By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of success and contribute to the health and conservation of these amazing reptiles.