10 Steps to a Successful Bearded Dragon Breeding Program

10 Steps to a Successful Bearded Dragon Breeding Program

Mating Season and Necessities

Mating Season

Bearded dragons sometimes breed through the spring months, from September to November within the Northern Hemisphere and from March to Could within the Southern Hemisphere. This corresponds to the pure enhance in daylight and hotter temperatures that set off hormonal adjustments within the animals.

Necessities for Breeding

  • Age: Each female and male bearded dragons ought to be at the very least 12 months previous, with females being barely older to permit for full bodily maturity.
  • Well being: The animals should be wholesome and free from any infections or parasites.
  • Lodging: A spacious enclosure with ample hiding locations and basking areas is required. The enclosure ought to be at the very least 4 toes lengthy x 2 toes large x 2 toes excessive.
  • Temperature: The enclosure ought to have a daytime temperature gradient of 75-85°F (24-29°C) and a nighttime temperature of 65-75°F (18-24°C).
  • Gentle: Bearded dragons require 12-14 hours of daylight per day. Supplemental UV gentle can be essential to forestall vitamin D deficiency.
  • Food regimen: The animals ought to be fed a weight loss program wealthy in reside bugs, greens, and greens.
  • Appropriate Pairing: The female and male ought to be launched to one another regularly and carefully monitored to make sure compatibility.

4. Look after Feminine Bearded Dragon Throughout Being pregnant

  • Laying Bin: Present an acceptable laying bin full of moist sand or vermiculite the place the feminine can deposit her eggs.
  • Elevated Calcium Consumption: Guarantee the feminine has entry to a calcium complement or high-calcium meals sources to help egg manufacturing.
  • Satisfactory Hydration: Provide recent water always to forestall dehydration.
Time Weight
3-4 weeks 120-160 grams
5-6 weeks 180-200 grams
7 weeks 200+ grams

Publish-Hatchling Care

As soon as the beardies have hatched, they may want correct post-hatching care to make sure their survival and well being. Comply with these steps to supply the most effective setting to your child beardies.

1. Setup a Hatchling Enclosure

Present a devoted enclosure with a temperature and humidity gradient much like the unique nesting website. Set the cool finish at 75-80°F, the nice and cozy finish at 85-90°F, and 40-50% humidity.

2. Present Calcium and UVB

Mud bugs with calcium powder day by day and provide a cuttlebone for extra calcium. Guarantee entry to UVB lighting for correct bone growth.

3. Provide Small Dwell Bugs

Feed hatchlings tiny reside bugs resembling crickets, dubia roaches, or mealworms dusted with calcium. Regularly enhance prey dimension as they develop.

4. Hydration

Present recent water in a shallow dish or provide misting commonly to make sure hydration. Monitor their consumption and regulate water availability accordingly.

5. Monitor Development and Weight

Frequently weigh the hatchlings to trace their progress. If they don’t seem to be gaining weight adequately, regulate their weight loss program or seek the advice of a veterinarian.

6. Socialization

Encourage interplay with the hatchlings by means of mild dealing with. Socialization helps them change into extra snug with human interplay and reduces stress.

7. Superior and Particular Issues

A number of hatchlings in an enclosure might require elevated house and assets. Keep away from overcrowding and guarantee ample hiding locations, substrate, and feeding stations. Monitor for any indicators of sickness or misery, and seek the advice of a certified reptile veterinarian promptly if any abnormalities are noticed. Moreover, think about sexing the hatchlings professionally to forestall unintentional breeding sooner or later.

Age Meals Frequency
Hatchling (0-2 months) Small reside bugs Every day
Juvenile (2-6 months) Bigger reside bugs, greens Each different day
Grownup (6+ months) Number of reside bugs, greens, fruits 2-3 occasions per week

Well being Issues

Earlier than breeding bearded dragons, guaranteeing that each the female and male are wholesome is essential. This consists of:

  • Performing a pre-breeding bodily examination by a certified reptile veterinarian
  • Testing for potential well being points or parasites
  • Confirming that each people have reached sexual maturity

Veterinary Care

Throughout and after breeding, veterinary care is important. It consists of:

Common Veterinary Checkups

Common checkups with a reptile veterinarian all through the breeding course of are essential to watch the well being of each the female and male and guarantee they’re receiving correct care.

Monitoring Egg Growth

After the feminine lays eggs, monitoring their growth is important. Veterinarians can carry out ultrasound scans or X-rays to evaluate the viability and variety of eggs.

Egg Incubation

If the eggs are viable, a veterinarian can present steering on correct egg incubation methods, together with temperature and humidity necessities.

Hatching Help

In some instances, veterinarians might have to help with hatching by rigorously eradicating the eggs from the incubator and facilitating the child dragons’ emergence.

Publish-Hatching Care

As soon as the child dragons have hatched, veterinary care is important to make sure their well being and well-being. This consists of common checkups, parasite screening, and dietary recommendation.

How one can Breed a Bearded Dragon

Breeding bearded dragons is usually a difficult however rewarding expertise. By following the steps under, you possibly can enhance your probabilities of success.

Step one is to discover a wholesome, sexually mature pair of bearded dragons. Women and men ought to be at the very least 1 yr previous. The feminine ought to be bigger than the male. After getting discovered an acceptable pair, you have to introduce them to one another.

The introduction ought to be carried out in a impartial setting, resembling a big enclosure. The dragons ought to be supervised always. If the dragons don’t present any aggression in the direction of one another, you possibly can then transfer them to a breeding enclosure.

The breeding enclosure ought to be massive sufficient to accommodate each dragons. It also needs to have a basking space, a disguise field, and a water bowl. The temperature within the enclosure ought to be saved between 75 and 85 levels Fahrenheit.

As soon as the dragons are within the breeding enclosure, you possibly can start the breeding course of. The male will sometimes court docket the feminine by displaying his beard and bobbing his head. If the feminine is receptive, she is going to permit the male to mount her.

The breeding course of can take a number of hours. As soon as the dragons have completed, the feminine will lay a clutch of eggs. The eggs ought to be incubated at a temperature of 85 levels Fahrenheit for 60-70 days. As soon as the eggs hatch, the child bearded dragons will be separated from their mother and father.

Individuals Additionally Ask

What’s the finest age to breed bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons ought to be at the very least 1 yr previous earlier than they’re bred.

What number of eggs do bearded dragons lay?

Bearded dragons sometimes lay a clutch of 10-20 eggs.

How lengthy does it take for bearded dragon eggs to hatch?

Bearded dragon eggs sometimes hatch after 60-70 days of incubation.