Bearded dragons are a commonly kept pet lizard, with their laid-back temperament and daredevil nature making them popular among reptile enthusiasts. However, some bearded dragon owners worry their scaly friends might eat other household pets, like other lizards or small rodents.
So, do bearded dragons eat other lizards?
In short, no – bearded dragons do not typically eat other lizards in captivity, but may do so if housed with much smaller or weaker lizards for an extended period.
Bearded Dragon Diet In The Wild
Mostly Insects and Plants
In their native Australian outback habitat, bearded dragons are primarily insectivores, feasting on ants, crickets, cockroaches, and other crawling critters they find skittering through the desert scrub.
Studies of wild beardie diets have shown that over half their total food intake consists of insects and other arthropods. Ants and termites alone can comprise up to 35% of their nourishment.
To supplement the high protein they get from bugs, bearded dragons also eat a variety of vegetation. Some of their favorite wild plant foods are flowers, fruits, berries, seeds, and succulent leaves and shoots of grasses and herbaceous plants.
So in essence, captive beardies eat much the same diet as they would in nature – a balanced combo of animal and plant matter.
Will Eat Small Vertebrates If Hungry
Though uncommon, researchers have documented cases of hungry bearded dragons eating smaller lizards in times of scarce food resources. For example, a study in Australia’s Carnarvon Gorge found that 13% of identified prey remains in beardie scat were from other lizards.
This included small skinks, geckos, legless lizards, and even juvenile bearded dragons!
However, despite their large size and reputation as top arid-zone predators, adult bearded dragons themselves can fall prey to snakes, birds of prey, dingos, and large goannas – so the food chain flows both ways.
In the end, wild beardies are opportunistic omnivores that will eat just about anything nutritious they can get their claws on!
In the Wild Diet | Percent Composition |
---|---|
Insects & Other Arthropods | 55% |
Flowers, Fruits & Seeds | 25% |
Leaves, Stems & Shoots | 15% |
Other Lizards | 5%* |
Risk To Other Lizards In Captivity
Might Attack Much Smaller Species
Bearded dragons are primarily solitary creatures and may become territorial when housed with other lizards. Their predatory instincts remain strong, even in captivity. Unfortunately, several incidents have been reported of bearded dragons attacking and even killing much smaller reptile species when housed together.
For example, a full-grown bearded dragon might see a baby leopard gecko, anole, or skink as prey. The size difference leaves the smaller lizard vulnerable to attack. Even if the bearded dragon does not immediately kill the other lizard, the stress of living in fear can lead to health issues.
Accidental Tail Nipping
Even if no aggression occurs, accidents can happen when housing bearded dragons with smaller lizards. A bearded dragon whipping its tail around or lunging for food may accidentally injure a more delicate species.
Lizards like geckos and anoles can detach their tails when threatened. But tail loss is very stressful and permanently affects the lizard’s mobility and balance. It’s best not to put them in risky situations where tail loss becomes more likely.
Stress Of Cohabitation
Even if no outright attacks occur, simply living with a much larger and more powerful bearded dragon can be very stressful for smaller lizards. The bearded dragon will likely compete for food, warmth, and prime basking spots.
Constant stress and fear of attack take a toll on the immune system and quality of life. Cohabitation often leads to illness and early death in more fragile species like leopard geckos, day geckos, anoles, and skinks.
For all these reasons, reptile experts strongly recommend against housing bearded dragons with smaller lizard species. Accidental injury or death is too likely, and chronic stress diminishes health. Reputable bearded dragon care guides caution keepers not to mix them with smaller tank mates.
Best Practices For Housing
Separate Enclosures Ideal
Keeping bearded dragons in separate enclosures is strongly recommended by herpetologists and reptile experts. Although juveniles may be housed together, adults can be territorial and aggressive towards each other, especially during breeding season.
The stress of living together can weaken their immune systems and lead to health issues over time according to a 2021 study by the Bearded Dragon Resource.
Providing each bearded dragon their own minimum 120-gallon enclosure allows them to have their own heat gradients, hides, and basking areas. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians recommends housing adults separately unless they are a proven compatible breeding pair.
Size Difference Crucial
There should never be a large size difference between bearded dragons housed in the same enclosure according to renowned herpetologist Dr. Roger Klingenberg. Small individuals may be seen as prey by much larger cage mates leading to severe injury or even death.
All individuals should be examined closely for signs of aggression or stress at least twice daily.
If signs such as darkened beard or body coloration, puffing out of the beard, head bobbing, arm waving, biting, or chasing occur, the bearded dragons should be separated immediately. Care should be taken when reintroducing or introducing new individuals even if previously living harmoniously together.
Provide Proper Diet To Avoid Predation
Nutritional Deficiencies Drive Hunting
Bearded dragons require a balanced diet rich in certain nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins to stay healthy. If these needs are not met through a proper diet, bearded dragons can resort to hunting and consuming other small insects or lizards to obtain the vital nutrients they lack.
According to the exotic pet resource TheBeardedDragon.org, calcium deficiency is one of the main reasons a bearded dragon might resort to unusual hunting activities.
Studies have shown that up to 63% of metabolic bone disease cases in captive bearded dragons are due to poor husbandry and inadequate calcium supplementation. Metabolic bone disease leads to painful bone deformities and fractures.
Consuming small vertebrates helps bearded dragons compensate for nutritional deficiencies.
Feed Appropriate Live Insects
Providing a balanced diet of appropriate live insects like crickets, worms, small roaches, grasshoppers, and locusts ensures bearded dragons receive the complete nutrition required for good health. These insects should be gut loaded with nutritious vegetables to maximize the vitamin and mineral content.
According to the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, appropriately sized and vitamin dusted insects should make up 20-50% of a juvenile bearded dragon’s diet and 30-80% for adults.
When adequately fed vitamin-rich live insects, bearded dragons are less likely to hunt down other small animals to meet their dietary requirements. However, insect variety is also key – feeding only one type of insect can still lead to deficiencies over time.
Juvenile Diet | 20-50% Live Insects |
Adult Diet | 30-80% Live Insects |
Offer Fresh Vegetables
A variety of fresh vegetables should also be available at most times. Leafy greens like collard, mustard, and turnip greens, green beans, bell peppers, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and apples offer key vitamins and nutrients. Rotating through different produce prevents boredom.
Like with insects, “gut loading” veggies by allowing access right before feeding to your bearded dragon maximizes nutrition.
According to veterinarians Dr. Susan Donoghue and Dr. Margaret Wissman, even if fed a large quantity of insects, bearded dragons require plant matter for sufficient fiber to promote good digestive health.
Without adequate vegetables, hunting small animals can become an appealing option to satisfy nutritional needs.
Monitor For Signs Of Aggression
Watch For Stalking And Attacks
It’s important to closely observe the interactions between bearded dragons housed together. Signs of potential aggression include one lizard stalking, chasing, or biting the other (these behaviors should not be ignored).
Stalking is characterized by one dragon intensely watching and following the movements of the other. An attacking dragon may quickly lunge and bite. Bites can lead to injuries and stress.
If any aggressive behavior is noticed, the dragons should be separated immediately. Place the aggressor in a separate tank to prevent further attacks. The bitten lizards should also be monitored closely for signs of injury or infection.
Take the bearded dragon to an exotic veterinarian if the wound seems serious.
Separate At First Signs Of Stress
Even if overt aggression is not observed, more subtle signs of stress or discomfort may still be present. For example, one bearded dragon hiding much more than usual or not basking under the heat lamp can indicate it feels threatened.
Loss of appetite, darkening skin color, and lethargy are other symptoms of chronic stress.
Bearded dragons are solitary creatures, and even in huge enclosures can struggle to share space. According to the website TheBeardedDragon.org, “when a reptile is confronted with another, despite size differences, they become territorial.” It’s generally safest to house bearded dragons separately.
An early sign of potential future aggression is when one lizard claims the best basking spot and prime hiding places, not letting the other access key resources. Even if tension has not yet boiled over into violence, disrupted access to heat and security causes health issues over time.
Signs of Stress | Indicated Problem |
Hiding frequently | Feeling threatened |
Not basking | Avoiding dominant lizard |
Loss of appetite | Chronic stress |
Darkening color | Discomfort; illness |
Reptiles are solitary in nature. It’s best not to force unfamiliar dragons to cohabitate. Separate at the earliest hints of resource guarding or discomfort. No signs of obvious wounds should be required to intervene. Each bearded dragon will be happier and healthier with its own secure territory.
Conclusion
While bearded dragons are primarily insectivores and herbivores, they are opportunistic predators and will eat smaller vertebrates in the wild if hungry. However, they typically do not hunt other lizards when housed together in captivity.
As always, proper care and an adequate diet are key to keeping your bearded dragon healthy and friendly.