Reptile Breeding Guide — Leopard Geckos & Bearded Dragons

Reptile breeding offers the fascinating world of morph (variety) combinations. Here we explain breeding methods for leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

Leopard Gecko Breeding

Cooling (Brumation)

A cooling period increases breeding success rates.

• Duration: About 1-2 months during December-January
• Temperature: Gradually lower from normal 28-30C to 20-22C
• Feeding: Reduce or stop during cooling
• Caution: Only perform with healthy adults (over 1 year old, weighing 50g+)

Pairing

• Timing: February-March after cooling
• Method: Place male in female's enclosure (not the reverse)
• Observation: Tail vibration (tail waving behavior) signals mating
• Duration: House together for several days then separate. Multiple pairings possible per season

Egg Laying

• Time to laying: 2-4 weeks after mating
• Laying signs: Swollen abdomen, decreased appetite, nest-searching behavior
• Laying substrate: Provide a container with moistened vermiculite
• Egg count: 2 eggs per clutch (4-8 clutches per season)

Incubation

• Temperature determines sex: 26-29C for females, 31-33C for males, around 30C for mixed
• Humidity: 80-90%
• Method: Half-bury eggs in vermiculite in a lidded container
• Hatching time: 45-65 days depending on temperature

Bearded Dragon Breeding

Cooling

• Duration: 1-2 months
• Temperature: Lower basking spot temperature; nighttime 18-20C
• Daylight: Reduce to 10 hours

Pairing

• Male courtship: Head bobbing, inflating black beard
• Female acceptance: Arm waving in response
• Mating: Completed in minutes; often repeated multiple times

Egg Laying

• Time to laying: 4-6 weeks after mating
• Laying signs: Appetite loss, digging behavior
• Laying substrate: Provide moist soil or sand at least 30cm deep
• Egg count: 15-30 per clutch

Incubation

• Temperature: 28-30C
• Humidity: 80-90%
• Hatching time: 55-75 days

Hatchling Care

• Initial environment: Small plastic container with moistened paper towels
• Temperature: Same management as parents
• Initial feeding: Small crickets or mealworms after yolk sac absorption (2-3 days post-hatch)
• Calcium: Dust with calcium powder at every feeding during growth
• Individual management: House separately to prevent cannibalism when possible

Breeding Notes

• Female health management: Egg production is physically demanding; ensure adequate nutrition and rest
• Age and weight: Leopard gecko females should be 50g+; bearded dragon females 350g+
• Legal requirements: Commercial breeding requires animal handling business registration
• Morph knowledge: Understanding genetics basics is necessary to predict offspring outcomes

Benefits of Buying on Buri-Choku

On Buri-Choku, you can purchase specimens with clear morph bloodlines from specialist reptile breeders. Breeding consultations and genetic information sharing support planned breeding programs.