follow up question about Yoshi and Puff

Question
QUESTION: I am not sure of the exact age of the dragons, but I would say a few months. They are about 4 inches long now, not including their tails. I have them in a 55 gallon tank right now with walnut shell substrate (which I guess I should change to lizard carpet!). I assume Puff is younger than Yoshi since he was so much smaller when I got him.

I don't know for sure their sex, because of their age, but it looks like two males. The pet shop said it would be ok to have two of the same sex if they are put together as babies in the same cage, so that's why I thought it wouldn't be a problem. They don't physically fight, and often will sit upon one another.

Another issue is I have a cat who frequently stares through the glass at the beardies. Puff seems unaffected by his presence- he doesn't notice the cat at all, in fact. But Yoshi will run around like a maniac when my cat puts his face up to the glass. I will have to put the cage at a height where he can't look right into the cage, but I am not sure if this will solve the problem. What concerns me is how Yoshi will eat right out of my hand like he's hungry but not attempt to snatch up crickets as fast as Puff- and also how this behavior is relatively recent.

Thanks again for your help- I had to start a new question over because the follow-up link didn't work.

Jacqueline

ANSWER: Hi Jacqueline,
I'm sure you have now realized that the pet stores info is wrong.  Two males will never get along(even if they are clutch mates) and will fight til the death. They each really need to have their own tank and set up. Even females, even when from the same clutch may not get along. You should be able to tell their age by now as that generally by about 7-8 inches total length you are able to identify their sex.  I'm guessing you mean only their bodies(not including tail  is 4 inches) At about 6-8 weeks old their total length should be about 6 inches.
Yoshi may just be bored with the crickets..try some other insects such as superworms. Give him a few days in his own cage and see if that helps.  Be sure that the two aren't even able to see each other as that will still cause the stress and one will bully the other..even at a distance if they are able to see each other. Also, I do recommend a vet visit to be sure there is not a health problem going on due to possibly being stressed, from Puff, the cat and possibly parasites. How are they with eating their "salad"?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: They eat their salad, but I don't usually see them doing it on their own. Yoshi loves when I feed him from my hand, so I give him collard greens while handeling him. Puff will eat from his salad bowl occasionally, but usually he eats so many more crickets. Neither of them are interested in the bearded dragon juvenille pellet food. Yoshi loves eating mealworms, but I wasn't sure if they were as nutritious as crickets. Especially since Puff is having this crazy growth spurt.

Neither of them have a 6 inch long body, but I got them back in July so I know they're older than 6 weeks. With their tails they are probably a little more than that. Do you count tails when measuring their body length?

I may separate them, but I just am not thrilled about having two 55 gallon tanks in my house, and I love them both and don't want to give one up. Is there a way besides fighting to tell if one is being a bully? I ask only because they really do seem to be friends.

Thank you again!

Answer
Good they eat their salad...its normal for them to eat more insects than salad at their ages.  They are small for their ages, which can be genetic. Mealworms aren't a good staple as that they are less nutritious and have a lot of hard outer body which can cause impactions.  Superworms are a much better choice.  They are not the same as mealworms.
When measuring, you measure from tip of nose to tip of tail.
Its best to separate them before one is injured.  Not fun having huge vet bills or an injured/stressed/or worse, dead beardie.
Being a bully.... eating first, getting the best spots to bask, sleep, hang out....head bobbing, black bearding,  and the one that is being bullied may spend more time hiding out.  They also can have an unspoken language that they understand  that means...I AM THE BOSS!