What does it mean when my bearded dragon does these three things?

Question

So I've noticed my beardie do these three things and I dunno what they mean at all one of them I'm worried is a problem

1. when he basks he opens his mouth
2. I've only caught him doing this occasionally but while basking he will puff his beard up and it will turn black on the bottom.
3. Currently he is with another little beardie whose sex is undetermined. He will chase after the littler one and bite down on his head. He does this a lot and I don't know if it's a dominance thing or not.

Answer 1

1. He is regulating his body temperature. Use a digital indoor/outdoor proble thermometer to make sure his basking temp. is around 100F for an adult.

2. Stress or fear or breeding season can turn the beard black.

3. Beardies should never be housed together for this very reason. One will try to dominate the other, they will fight, and they can kill the smaller lizard. Please get a separate habitat for your little one before it is too late.

The info on the forums at www.reptilerooms.com is awesome and I highly recommend checking them out!

Answer 2

They open their mouth to regulate their body temp. Just like when a dog is too hot they pant (when a beardie is too hot they open their mouth). They also flatten there body out to regulate temp, but this happens when they are too cold. They flatten there bodies so their is more surface area that the sun can warm and they can warm up faster. When they puff their beards out it is to show dominance, and try to intimidate any other beardies that are around (mine see their reflection in their cage and do this). They sometimes bob their head when they puff their beards too. Bearded dragons are never supposed to be housed in the same cage together, because they are very territorial and dominant and are known for killing each other. The only time that I have heard of it being ok to house beardies together is if you have a male and a female that are of the same size. Even then a lot of times the female has to be removed because the male gets too aggressive and constantly tries to breed with her (and it's a very violent act in beardies, sometimes resulting in death). I have two beardies, and if they even see each other through the glass they start attacking the glass thinking they can get to the other one, and I have no doubt that if I were to let them in together they would fight to the death. Get your little Beardie out of there before you don't have a little beardie. That poor little guy! As much as beardies cost you would think you would have the baby out of there already to at least protect your investment.

Answer 3

All three behaviours are normal and you have to get that smaller bearded out of that enclosure!

It borders on animal abuse to leave a smaller lizard trapped in a tank where it is being chased and terrorized.