No, bearded dragons are unable to reproduce asexually. Bearded dragons, like all other reptiles, reproduce sexually. This means they need both male and female individuals to produce offspring. While certain reptiles such as certain lizards and certain snakes have the ability to reproduce asexually, bearded dragons are not among them.
Asexual reproduction is a form of reproductive of cloning, where two individuals are not necessary for creating the offspring. The offspring produced will have the same genetic material as the original parent, and this process is only seen in species that can reproduce asexually.
Bearded dragons, however, must reproduce sexually, and the offspring produced will have the genetic material of both the male and female parents.
Can a bearded dragon lay fertile eggs without a male?
No, a bearded dragon cannot lay fertile eggs without a male. Bearded dragons, like all other species of reptiles, have both male and female sexes, and typically in order for eggs to be fertilized and be able to hatch into viable offspring, you need a male and female both present.
Generally, the female will lay the eggs, which will then be fertilized by a male, of the same species, shortly after she lays them in order for them to be viable for hatching. In the absence of a male, the eggs are considered infertile and will not be viable to hatch.
What do infertile bearded dragon eggs look like?
Infertile bearded dragon eggs will typically look dull and discolored, compared to fertilized eggs which are typically glossy and full of color. Infertile eggs will typically be smaller than normal sized eggs, usually around half the size.
Reaching out and touching the eggs is not recommended because they are often very soft, brittle and may break if handled too much. Additionally, infertile eggs will also not have any veins visible through the shell and may have a more rubber-like texture compared to the more chalky-feeling of fertile eggs.
If you are unsure, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or reptile specialist to confirm the health of the eggs.
How long is a bearded dragon pregnant for?
A bearded dragon’s pregnancy typically lasts between 60 and 80 days. The exact length of time varies depending on the species and the individual female. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the female will start to look for a nesting site.
A couple of weeks before she is due to lay her eggs, she will spend more time in the nesting site, sometimes leaving it only briefly to eat. She will lay her eggs over a period of several days, usually with a day or two in between.
Generally, the female will lay between 15 and 30 eggs. She will then incubate them for 40 to 65 days before they hatch.
Can bearded dragons change gender?
No, bearded dragons cannot change gender. Bearded dragons determine their gender at birth and remain that way their entire lives. Male and female bearded dragons have physical differences that allow them to be identified easily.
Male bearded dragons have bigger jowls and more pronounced spikes on the head and neck. They also have two rows of pores on their pre-anal plate and two hemipenal bulges located towards the tip of their tail.
Female bearded dragons don’t have a pre-anal plate, and their tails are shorter, narrower and lack the inflatable spines or hemipenal bulges. If you want to confirm the gender of your bearded dragon, you should get it properly sexed by an experienced reptile veterinarian.
Can you put 2 baby bearded dragons together?
Having two baby bearded dragons together is generally not recommended, as even when they’re just a few weeks old, they will already start to establish their individual territories. This can lead to aggressive behavior between the two, and can also put them at risk of contracting diseases from one another.
In addition, both dragons need their own space to move around and explore, plus separate basking spots, so having them live together in one tank may crowd them and could cause stress.
Because of this, it’s best to keep two baby bearded dragons separate, even in different rooms to make sure they stay healthy and don’t fight. It’s a good idea to house them in their own enclosures, provide them with similar lighting and decorations, and feed them the same food at the same time.
If they’re housed separately, they can still have time to interact and bond with one another, and you can even move them around to have supervised “playdates”.
What does it mean if your bearded dragon opens its mouth at you?
If your bearded dragon is opening its mouth at you, it could mean a few different things. It is often an indication of aggression and can signal that your bearded dragon is feeling threatened or stressed.
Opening its mouth is a form of warning and it is their way of telling you to back off. This can happen when you are too close or when you are trying to pick them up. It could also be a sign of submission or fear, in which they are trying to appear smaller and less intimidating to you.
If your bearded dragon is opening its mouth in response to physical contact, it could just mean they don’t enjoy it and want you to stop. In some cases, it could also be a sign of a medical problem like mouth rot or a respiratory infection.
If their mouth is open for more than a few minutes or has discharge, you should consult your veterinarian.