Only females have the ability to have babies, but male bearded dragons do play a factor in the reproduction. Let’s look at the reproductive parts of bearded dragons and talk about what role the males have in breeding.
What You'll Learn
Understanding These Creatures
Before we explore the anatomy and reproductive functions of bearded dragons, let’s take a moment to understand what these creatures are. Bearded dragons are small lizards native to Australia. They are part of the Pogona genus and can grow up to 24 inches in length.
They are beloved by pet owners because of their gentle and friendly temperament. They can be easily trained and make great pets for beginners. They can live up to 10 years and need plenty of care and attention to stay healthy.
The Anatomy of a Bearded Dragon
The male and female bearded dragons look almost exactly the same, but you can tell them apart by looking at their tails – the males have bigger and thicker tails.
The male bearded dragon has two hemipenal bulges on the bottom side of its tail, which hold its reproductive organs and sperm.
Can Male Bearded Dragons Give Birth?
Male bearded dragons don’t have the organs for producing eggs or hatching them, so the answer to this question is no.
The female bearded dragon has two ovaries that create eggs. Those eggs get laid and incubated before hatching. The only way for a male bearded dragon to reproduce is by mating with a female and fertilizing her eggs.
Reproductive Options for Male Bearded Dragons
Natural
Male bearded dragons can’t give birth, but there are still other ways to reproduce. The most popular way for males to reproduce is by mating with a female. The courting process is started by the male mounting the female and then depositing his sperm in her cloaca.
The female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. You have to keep an eye on them while they incubate and wait for them to hatch – either in the wild or with an artificial incubator.
Artificial
An alternative option to reproducing is artificial insemination. It’s more complicated and not the best choice for inexperienced owners. The process involves taking the male’s sperm and injecting it directly into the female’s cloaca. It’s a very precise and delicate procedure, so it’s best done by a skilled vet.
Key Points
- Male bearded dragons are unable to give birth. That’s because they don’t have the right reproductive organs to produce eggs or hatch them.
- For male bearded dragons, mating with a female is one way they can reproduce.
- There’s also artificial insemination, and that should only be done by a skilled vet.
Hi! My name is Bryan, I am the “one behind the words” here are BeardieAnswers.com. I believe that providing quality care and nutrition is the best way to ensure the health of your pet. Every beardie is special and deserves the best care and attention. If you have questions about your bearded dragon, please don’t hesitate to ask! View My Full Author Page
