rankings dragons

Question
We bought 2 rankings dragons about 3 months ago. They are about 8 months old. The male is very timid and spends most of his time hiding under things. He doesn't appear to eat much. he hasn't grown much. The female is much livelier and bolder. She is very greedy and will eat just about what ever you give her!
The man at the shop told me always to keep some meal worms in with them so that the male could eat when no one was around. however the female looks to be getting quite fat to me. She has growm alot and shed her skin a couple of times. her stomach looks big. It was suggested she might be pregnant but I can't imagine that is the case. The male seems a little afraid of her.
Is it possible we are over feeding her? She also has salad and crickets.

Answer
Hi Mandy,

An endless bowl of mealworms would be a dragon's definition of heaven. At 8 months she is nearing the end of her major growth phase. During the first year or so all the calories they take in just goes to growth but after that it gets deposited as fat and can tax their heart and other organs, just as it does in humans. Mealworms have one of the highest fat content of all the usual feeder insects with the exception of waxworms. If mealworms are available in enough quantity reptiles will often take them to the exclusion of everything else. You definitely want to keep them as a smallish proportion of a varied diet.

I would agree that it sounds unlikely that she is gravid (pregnant). She is just a bit too young yet and it doesn't sound that there is the required dynamic between your pair to achieve that! :)

It is actually your male Rankin's that I would be more concerned about at this stage. His life sounds a bit miserable. Imagine living your days with a bully that you were afraid of!! If he is not eating well then he is likely not drinking sufficiently either. He is probably too intimidated to use the basking spot as well. Inadequate heat will affect his growth, immune system and general health. I really suspect that you will see his health start to decline if the situation continues as it is. The constant stress he is under is a major complicating factor.
It sounds like you might have to separate them for at least awhile. Their relationship may change once he is fully mature.
At very least I would suggest removing her from the enclosure for an hour or more in the early part of the day to allow him to eat and bask in familar territory and without competition.