Can I put 2 types in the same tank?

[reptileguy112]

So I have a baby jeweled lacerta in a tank big enough to fit a pair of either lacerta or bearded dragons and I wanted to know if I raised them together from babies and they are both female can I but a lacerta and beardie in the same enclosure? Thanx

 

[MissLissa]

Short, TL;DR answer: No. Don't do it.

Long Answer:
There are a lot of issues co-habitating different species of reptile. Here are just a few- not an exhaustive list- that some to mind:

1. Beardies are beasts, and will likely either bully the lacerta or eat it. I have seen beardies eat shockingly large items.

2. Conversely, adult lacertas can be extremely food aggressive, and may hog all the food from the Beardie.

3. Their care is different
Beardie
Temp Range: 80F, basking 100F
Humidity: Low (35-40%)
Preferred Substrate: Tile, generally

Lacerta
Temp Range: 75F, basking 95F
Humidity: Moderate (40-50%)
Preferred Substrate: Moist coir+sand

4. They have very different temperaments. I'd describe lacertas as "spirited"; they can be skittish and shy, but can also be very aggressive, depending on the circumstances. They care very monitor-like, in fact; they seem to fluctuate between extremes. Beardies are... beardies! They are very likely to stress each other out.

5. They carry different diseases, parasites, pathogens, etc. Not all diseases and parasites are found in all populations of all species of reptile; and some that are constantly present on a Beardie that doesn't cause it any problems, could cross to the lacerta and cause it major problems, as it would have no natural immunity; or vice versa.

6. Both of these species are generally kept alone once they reach maturity. Lacertas may be sometimes kept in harems in very large (100g+) enclosures, and the same with Beardies, but most people find this risky and would rather house them alone to prevent possible fighting injuries, or stress from bullying. Housing two solitary species together kind of causes more problems than it would solve.

In conclusion:
There is virtually no "plus" factors, other than maybe saving some space (not really; you need a much bigger enclosure for cohabitating species) and it being "cool". There are a ton of possibly serious ramifications.

 

[reptileguy112]

Ok, I know this isn't recommended but I think I am going to rehome the lacerta (I have had her for a few days and I just don't think its the right reptile for me) and bite the bullet with a savannah monitor or a BW Tegu.

 

[MissLissa]

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