Bearded dragon bite injuries
Bite injuries in Bearded dragons are probably the most common type of injury keepers will come across. Bite injuries are usually to the tail, the legs or the neck of other Bearded dragons.
Tail & leg biting injuries
The most common bite injury is probably tail and leg biting. Tail biting injuries are most often due to overcrowding, too little food being offered or due to different sized Bearded dragons kept in the same enclosure. From the age of about six weeks (the initial juvenile stages), batches should be separated into smaller, similar sized groups. The feeding frequency should also be increased to at least two to three times a day. Greens should be available all the time.
Image Renier Delport (CC-BY)
Neck & lip biting injuries
Neck biting is usually due to vigorous mating behaviour. During the breeding season, a male Bearded dragon will attempt to mate by biting onto the neck or lip area of a susceptible female. The incidence of these Bearded dragon bite injuries can be reduced by introducing more females to the group or to allow proper rest periods during the breeding season.
Female Bearded dragon with bite marks on her lips & beard because of aggressive mating behaviour. Image Renier Delport (CC-BY)
Male dominance
Male dominance, or territorial behaviour in Bearded dragons can also be seen by biting injuries. During the breeding season, or less often during other times too, male Bearded dragons become territorial and aggresive towards each other. Adult males will often fight for the ability to mate with females.
Treating bite injuries in Bearded dragons
Most of these injuries will need little intervention from the owner, except when bleeding cannot be controlled or when infection sets in. The incidence of infection can be reduced by applying antiseptic ointment or starting a course of prophylactic antibiotics, available upon clinical examination by a reptile friendly veterinarian.
F10 has a wide range of products including wipes, hand soaps, sprays and contact cleaners and safe and effective to use with most pets, incl. Bearded dragons. F10 products are available from certain veterinary clinics and hospitals.
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