-Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you not guarantee sex of the animal?
In young bearded dragons, the hemipenes (paired reproductive organs) in males take time to develop and separate clearly. This makes the hemipenal bulges on either side of the tail base either very faint or not visible at all. In females, there's typically a single central bulge (or a flatter tail base), but at a young age, both sexes can appear similar. The hemipenal bulges in males become more visible after a few weeks to a couple of months, often around 6–8 weeks old or older, depending on the individual.
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Why do you require Priority Overnight Shipping?
First and foremost, it's for the welfare of the animal. Reptiles are sensitive to temperature changes, stress, and prolonged handling so, shorter transit time means less exposure to extreme heat/cold and fewer chances of injury. Additionally, USDA and FedEx Live Animal Policy (and similar carrier rules) require that live reptiles be shipped via the fastest possible service—which is usually Priority Overnight.
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Why do you only ship animals on Tuesday?
Tuesday is considered one of the best days to ship reptiles because it minimizes the risk of delays and maximizes the chance your animal arrives safely and on time. Here’s why:
1. Avoids Weekend Backlogs –
Packages shipped on Monday can sometimes get stuck in the weekend rush backlog from Friday/Saturday shipments, especially after postal or carrier closures. By Tuesday, carriers have often cleared most of that buildup.
2. Safe Delivery Window –
If a delay happens, a Tuesday shipment still has several business days before the weekend. For example, a 1-day delay means arrival Wednesday instead of risking a weekend holdover (which could happen with Thursday or Friday shipments).
3. More Consistent Carrier Performance –
FedEx, UPS, and other overnight services tend to have more consistent on-time rates Tuesday–Thursday, compared to Mondays (backlogs) and Fridays (weekend cutoff risk).
4. Predictable Weather & Staffing –
Tuesday falls in the middle of the workweek, when carrier staffing is usually stable, and there’s less chance of short staffing that can happen on Mondays or Fridays.

Essentially, Tuesday is the “Goldilocks day” for reptile shipping — not too close to the weekend, and past the chaos of Monday.
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Why is my bearded dragon aggressive outside?
Bearded dragons often seem more aggressive outside because the environment is drastically different from their familiar indoor enclosure, which can trigger defensive or territorial behaviors.
Here are the main reasons:
1. New, unpredictable stimuli – Outside, they encounter new smells, sounds (birds, cars, wind), movements, and lighting. Their instinct says, “Possible predators everywhere—stay alert!” which can make them puff up, gape, or even lunge.
2. More visual threats – Birds flying overhead, cats, dogs, or even shadows can be perceived as predators. Bearded dragons have excellent eyesight and a strong survival instinct to defend themselves.
3. Bright sunlight and UV overload – While natural sunlight is healthy, its intensity can be overwhelming if they’re not used to it, leading to stress responses like black bearding or tail twitching.
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Can I add live plants to my bearded dragons enclosure?
Live plants can make your bearded dragon’s enclosure more natural, help with humidity regulation, and provide some enrichment. The key is choosing non-toxic, hardy plants that can handle the warm, dry environment. Here are a couple of the best live plants for a bearded dragon enclosure:
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
-Non-toxic and hardy.
-Handles lower humidity well.
-Easy to grow and safe if nibbled.
2. Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus, spineless variety)
-Edible and nutritious for beardies (high calcium).
-Provides a natural desert feel.
-Make sure to use spineless or remove spines.
3. Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Mint (Herbs)
-Edible and safe.
-Can be used as a snack and smell nice.
-Need brighter light and more water than desert plants, so best in pots you can rotate in/out.
4. Hibiscus
-Safe and edible (flowers and leaves).
-Requires bright light and more water, so works best in large, bioactive setups.
🚫 Plants to Avoid
-Philodendron
-Ivy (English ivy, devil’s ivy)
-Ficus species (some are irritating/toxic)
-Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
-Azalea, Oleander, and any plants known to be toxic to pets
✅ Tips for Success
-Keep plants potted, even in a bioactive setup—this allows you to swap them out if they get trampled or eaten.
-Use reptile-safe soil (no perlite, vermiculite, or fertilizers).
-Rinse plants thoroughly before placing them in the enclosure.
-Expect beardies to dig, trample, and occasionally munch—so hardy plants are best.
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Why does my bearded dragon hold it's mouth open?
Bearded dragons gape (open their mouths and hold them open) for a few main reasons — and most of them are perfectly normal:
1. Thermoregulation (temperature control)
Bearded dragons can’t sweat, so when their body temperature rises to an optimal point while basking, they open their mouths to release excess heat. It’s similar to how a dog pants — they’re cooling themselves down without moving from their basking spot. If they gape while basking, it usually means their basking spot is the right temp for them (95–110°F depending on age).
2. Threat display
If they feel threatened or are trying to assert dominance, they may open their mouths wide (often accompanied by a puffed-out beard, which might turn black). This is a defensive posture meant to make them look bigger and scarier.
3. Stretching or jaw exercise
Sometimes they gape briefly to stretch their jaw muscles, especially after eating or during shedding around the head.
4. Health issues (less common but important)
Persistent gaping outside of basking, especially with wheezing, mucus, or labored breathing, can indicate a respiratory infection. If you see these symptoms, they should be checked by a reptile vet promptly.