Bearded dragons possess more than 10 distinct behaviours. The most popular that you will encounter include head bobbing waving and glass surfing.
It’s sometimes difficult to grasp their broad range of behavior and what they are referring to.
Certain behaviors indicate that you are under stress, or suffer from health issues while others show aggression.
As a bearded dragon’s keeper, it is essential to know what each behavior signifies. It is also important to understand which behaviors is normal, and what not.
If you’re interested in learning about the top ten bearded dragon behavior patterns and why they exhibit these behaviors, continue going…
Ten common bearded dragon behaviors
When they are used as pets, bearded dragons exhibit many different behavior. Certain behaviors are normal and enjoyable to observe. Some are not so common and could be a sign of illness or stress. The most important thing is to be aware of what each behavior indicates and if you are required to take action.
1. Bearded Dragon Bobbing Head
Head bobbing happens the process where your beardie’s head is moved quickly, in an upward and down motion.
This is common in wild and pet species.
It is quite normal for males to display this behaviour. In the course of breeding, males will be seen bob their heads to demonstrate their dominance over females.
Males are known to bob their heads while performing the mating dance to start courtship. Females signal their that they are ok by bobbing their head.
Head bobbing is also an act of aggression and dominance.
There is a possibility of the head of your pet bobbing trying to establish their dominance over their aquarium.
In the wild, bearded dragons are able to roam a vast natural area. If they spot a male within their territory, they can head bob their heads as an act of territorial aggression.
The person who asserts supremacy will face the other with swift head nods. If the bearded dragon decides to surrender to it, it will react with slower head nods and arm waving. If one of the dragons does not submit, both males are likely to circle one another and engage in a fight. They’ll bite each other’s tails, too.
2. The Bearded Dragon’s Glass Surfing
Glass surfing is whenever a dragon with a beard attempts to scale the glass within their enclosure. It is not observed in the wild since bears are not accustomed to encountering glass.
A dragon with a bearded face and darker hair will use glass surfing when they are stressed.
The most common cause of stress is the environment in which they live. It is not uncommon for new tank keepers to make mistakes in installing their tanks. Some common examples include:
- Utilizing a cage that’s too small.
- Inadequate UVB lighting.
- Keep more than one pet within an enclosure.
Glass surfing is an activity which is typically a sign of stress.
It isn’t a normal way of life and you’ll have to identify the source of stress.
A larger enclosure with proper lighting is simple. If two bears are sharing an enclosure, you should consider having them separate tanks.
3. Bearded Dragon Digging
Digging is a regular and natural act. The reasons that bearded dragons dig include:
- The preparations to lay eggs.
- Stress.
- Looking for food.
- There is not enough room.
- Preparing for brumation.
Females with gravidity will dig up the ground to prepare eggs.
A few people dig when they’re feeling anxious. They’re trying to escape or hide. Stress may be the result of inadequate lighting, heating or humidity, as well as loud noises.
If your bearded dragon seems not stressed, but continues to dig, it could be dehydrated and searching for food. Bearded dragons of adulthood are supposed to weigh between 380 and 515 pounds. Monitor their diet closely to ensure that they’re getting the right amount of nutrients and food.
You must only eliminate underfeeding as a cause of digging if your dog is at an appropriate weight.
Lack of space for roaming around can lead to frustration and digging.
Bearded dragons also make a dig in preparation for Brumation. Brumation is a kind of hibernation during which bears take fewer meals and only drink water on occasion. Prior to brumation, they look for the most secure and cozy place to rest. It also helps keep their temperature in check while they sleep. Brumation is typically seen during the fall season when the temperatures decrease and light levels change.
4. The Reasons Why Bearded Dragons Open Their Mouth?
Gaping occurs the moment when a bearded dragon opens its mouth.
The most frequent reason why you’re not seeing a gap is because the bear is hot. Beardies do not sweat like humans! Gaping is their primary method to cool down.
In the wild, their habitat is subject to extreme temperature fluctuations.
Gaping is utilized as an effective cooling method as they attempt to reduce the body’s temperature.
They usually smile when they are playing.
The temperature of their area of basking must be between 95 and 105 degF.
In some cases, gaping is utilized by males in order to display the power of their position. But, it’s usually utilized as a cooling method. It is a normal process and is not something to worry about.
If your pet seems to be gaping frequently, examine the location of your heating lamp. Check that the heat lamp covers only half the enclosure. It is crucial that you have a shade that can cool. A heating lamp that is able to cover the entire area of the enclosure for your beardie is risky.
5. The eye is bulging
If you gaze at bears in sheds, you will notice their eyes appear like they’re ready in the process of popping up from their sockets. This is called eye bulging.
Eye bulges are commonplace during the time the bearded dragon sheds.
This is normal and can help them shed. This is nothings to be concerned about.
Bearded dragons be able to bulge their eyes to remove their facial skin that surrounds their eyes. This helps them to shed since their face and eyes are one of the most difficult areas to shed. If you’d like to aid your reptile during their shedding , try misting, baths or shed aid.
Eye bulging is a natural feature.
As an owner, there’s nothing u can do. It is essential to let it let it run its course.
6. Bearded Dragon Arm Waving
Arm waving is believed to be an example in submissive behaviors. It is common among infants or young children, and is not as common in adults.
In their early years, an order of socialization that is based on food and fighting is formed. Certain species can be more aggressive, dominant. Some species are more shier and submissive.
Submissive bearded dragons can wave their arms in the direction of more powerful individuals.
In the event that you are able to have 2 youngsters within the same enclosure, it is not unusual to see the bearded dragon who is more submissive arm wave. They’re trying to prove that they don’t pose an imminent threat. If you keep several species in a single cage, and you notice this pattern, try making them each their own enclosure.
In the years following their juvenile stage ( over eight months old) you’ll find they don’t move their arms as often particularly males.
Dragons that are bearded out in nature also sway.
They typically raise their arms to indicate they’ve seen a predator or an additional type of dragon..
Arm waving reduces the likelihood of being attacked by predators. This is due to the fact that certain predators (e.g. large cats) depend on ambushing as their primary method of attack. Bears showing predators that they recognize their existence can take away the chance of ambush.
While arm waving might appear to be a sign of affection however, it’s not.
7. Why do bearded dragons go Black?
Bearded dragons change their beards’ dark for a variety of reasons. The most frequent are when they feel stressed or threatened are looking to breed, or feel sick. Females and males can both dye their beards black. However, this is more prevalent among males.
This isn’t an ideal sign for a pet species.
It is essential to know the reason why your bearded dragon changed its appearance to black.
Your dragon’s bearded face will turn black when it feels threatened by the presence of a predator. One black beard, paired with head bobbing is an indication of aggression.
A beard with a black color could indicate that your reptile is sick.
If your beardie is sick and black, it could be coupled with other symptoms of disease like lethargy or weight loss, and inflammation around your mouth.
If your dragon with a bearded face would like to begin breeding, it could change their hair black. This type of behavior is more prevalent among wild animals.
8. Why do bearded Dragons Flaunt Their Beards?
A bearded dragon puffs out its beard in order to appear larger. Males and females both flaunt their beards to protect themselves. This behavior is common and normal for bearded dragons. It is commonplace to see this behaviour in wild animals when they are feeling threatened.
Bearded dragons may make a beard puff to fight another species to claim territory. It can happen in both pet and wild species.
The likelihood for pets display this behavior if they feel threatened by your.
If this happens , you’ll should help your bear adapt and feel comfortable around you.
There are times when you’ll notice an animal beardie who is fluffing their beard even though they don’t feel at all. This usually indicates they’re getting ready to begin losing.
Bearded dragons swish their beards, before sheds to release the skin around their heads.
9. Tail Twitching
In the wild, bearded dragons are known to twitch their tails while searching in search of food.
It is possible to see your pet doing the same thing when searching to find insects inside their tanks.
Pet bearded dragons can also flick their tails when stressed from handling.
Sometimes, however, tail twitching is an indication of metabolic bone disease.
The distinction from normal tail twitching as well as one that is indicative of the presence of metabolic bone disease can cause muscle spasms. There is a greater likelihood of the tail spasm than controlled twitching.
10. Stamping and hissing
If threatened or provoked, the bearded dragon can show indications of aggression.
Dragons with bearded faces make a loud noise when they fear or are afraid.
In the wild, they shout at predators to make them seem more dangerous.
If your dog screams at you, you need to put down the noise. Hesitation is an indication of aggression and is a behaviour that precedes bites.
It is common for dragons with bearded faces to hiss when they don’t like being perturbed. This is usually during the time of shedding, since it can be painful for them.
Inducing your pet to feel calm at ease, secure and without fear will stop them from screaming.
A lot of people mistake the act of stamping with aggression. But, men who are attracted to females are likely to stamp their feet and then walk on the ground. This is an innate way of expressing interest.
Bearded Dragons and their Behaviors Explained
Mating
Before mating, dragons with bearded beards move the heads. Their beards could turn black, too.
A black beard could indicate the bearded eager to be a mate. But, remember that it could also be a sign that they’re stressed. This is determined by additional behaviors that follow in the event of feeling threatened or sick.
Males’ heads bobble to signal courtship, and they will repeat this gesture during mating to demonstrate their dominance. Females are able to accept male’s signals by bobbing their heads.
Shedding
If a dragon with a bearded face sheds, they be able to fluff, bulge their eyes and then twitch its tails. All of these actions are designed to make the process of sheds easier
- Eye bulging can help to relax the skin around their eyes.
- The fluffing of the hair helps loosen the neck skin.
Be aware that shedding is uncomfortable.
It is crucial not to disrupt them at this time. Avoid handling or interactions. If you try to control it, it’s likely your beardie will flick their tail and growl.
Aggression
To display aggression, dragons with beards are known to head bob or hiss, stamp as well as puff up their hair.
Beards that roam the wild make noises, stamp their bodies and flail their hair to appear larger and more threatening. These actions help in warding away predators and ensure their safety.
If they are feeling very afraid, it’s likely that they’ll display all of these behavior.
It is best to confine bearded dragons to a single home. Two individuals living together could cause extreme aggression and submissive behavior.
In the event of meeting new people, they tend to head bob or fluff their beards.
Summary
| Behavior | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Arm Waving | Submissive behavior is common for hatchlings and young animals. |
| Head Bobbing | The use of this symbol is to begin courtship, in mating situations or as a signal of aggression. |
| Glass Surfing | Stress, a sign of stress, isn’t seen in wild animals. |
| Black Beard | Stress-related behavior is a sign of feeling at risk or sick. |
| Digging | It is a common occurrence to look at food items or preparing for Brumation. |
| Fluffing | As a defensive technique to defend their area of operation. |
| Gaping | It is used as a method to cool out in nature. |
| Tail Twitching | Normal in hunting, however it can result from metabolic bone disease. |
| Eye Bulge | This is normal and aids in losing weight. |
| Hiss or Stamp | Bearded dragons growl when they fear or are afraid. |
Through the duration of the life of your bearded dragon, it is probable that you will witness at-least 50% of these behaviors.
The most popular actions include head bobbing waving and glass surfing.
It is essential to know the significance of each behavior signifies, since some may be a sign of stress or illness.
Have you ever seen your beardie look or bulge their eyes in the past? Do you want to gape or flaff their beards?
Tell us about it via the comment section below.
