Compared to the family cat or family dog, the behavior of the bearded dragon is unfortunately not always as easy to understand or comprehend.
You see, when it comes to deciphering the meaning behind your cat or dog's behavior, the explanations are obvious and almost seem culturally ingrained in our brains.
We know before we know it that a wagging tail or a soft purr in the throat is a sign of contentment from our furry friends. But what about our pets, who are noticeably less furry, who tend to make mistakes in cold blood?
Everyone knows that a dog that wags its tail is happy, as does a cat that hisses or meows, gets angry or scared.
But what about your bearded dragon?
How do we know when they are sad, angry, hungry, playful or whatever?
How exactly are you supposed to decipher the meaning behind the bearded dragon's behavior, especially when you've never had a pet reptile before?
Fortunately, this is where I come in.
As a reptile expert, I've created this article to serve as your one-stop resource for deciphering your Bearded Dragon's behavior and body language, so you canbetter watch outfrom them.
If your bearded dragon is doing something strange, there's probably an explanation below.
In this article
Common Bearded Dragon Behaviors to Watch Out For
All bearded dragons are likely to exhibit some, if not all, of the behaviors listed below. As a responsible pet owner, it's up to you to familiarize yourself with not only what each of these behaviors means, but also what triggers them.
Understanding your bearded man's body language and behavior can give you serious insight into his health, state of mind, and more.
waving arm
Ever feel like your bearded dragon is trying to get your attention by waving at you from behind glass? If so, it might be his way of showing submission. Of course it sounds crazy, but it's true!
See how a dog lying down and showing you its belly, a bearded dragon feeling submissive or intimidated will wave its arm!
Many experts also believe that, in the wild, bearded males wave their arms to signal others that they mean no harm to them and that they pose no threat.
Furthermore, waving arms was also seen as part of the mating ritual, with females often waving their arms at males who waved at them.
move your head
Ah, good old man shakes his head. Possibly one of the most common behaviors of bearded dragons, head bobbing can occur for a variety of reasons!
Because of that, I made it my mission to write an entire article about the possible meanings of nodding. Here you goLearn specifically WHY bearded dragons move their heads.
If you've noticed your bearded dragon moving its head lately, I highly recommend you check it out!
surf glass
Just as your dog frantically scratches the glass after you take him outside, your bearded dragon may also scratch the glass and exhibit what is commonly known as "glass breakage".
However, unlike your dog who just wants to go back inside, this behavior from your Bearded Dragon could mean a variety of different things.
In fact, I dedicated an entire post to deciphering this strange behavior, because there could actually be MANY reasons for it!
chickensDiscover the 8 Surprising Reasons Bearded Dragons Surf Glassand how to stop them.
color change
Like other species of reptiles, fish and amphibians, bearded dragons have what is "chromatophore“.
Chromatophores are pigmented cells that reflect light and allow them to change color as they respond to the environment.
Now, before we delve into the color changes, it's important to note this first.Bearded dragons can change color as they age.
So if your beard seems to get darker or lighter with age, don't worry too much, especially if this change occurs over the months.
Beside,Some bearded dragons can change color as they warm up or get happy.
If you notice that your bearded dragon is getting lighter in color, e.g. B. orange, brown or yellow, if it's hot or in a good mood, don't worry!
Now, if you notice that your bearded dragon has suddenly changed color or become very dramatic, pay attention...
A bearded dragon that darkens its body or beard is usually cold, angry, scared, stressed, sick, or threatened.
You must find out why your bearded dragon's body or beard is dark, as none of the above conditions are desirable.
2 reasons why your bearded dragon darkens the body
#1: You're Cold and Trying to Bring in Warmth
Believe it or not, many times when your Bearded Dragon is freezing, it actually darkens to attract heat.
Whether in the sun or under your lamp, a dark bearded dragon is simply trying to keep warm.
Also, you may notice that during this time your bearded dragon becomes flattened, like a pancake.
This is also a mechanism they use to heat up as their body enlarges, allowing them to draw in more heat.
#2: You feel stressed
Imagine how nervous and stressed you would feel all day because things are out of your control.
Sure, your skin color might not change, but your stress is likely to manifest itself in other physical ways, like breakouts or seizures.
Unfortunately, there are many things that can stress your bearded dragon, so it's up to you to put your thinking cap on here. Ask yourself the following questions...
Has anything changed in your pelvis recently that might make you uncomfortable?
Do feeders jump up after feeding time so they can bite?
Has anything changed outside of your aquarium, like the introduction of a new pet to the family or perhaps the kids staying home for the summer causing extra noise and excitement?
gladly,There are steps you can take to relieve your bearded dragon FAST.and return them to their normal color.
behavior when moving
If your bearded dragon is getting ready to go down, don't be alarmed if he looks a little angry or lonely.
They may also find that they don't want to be held or even seem a little jittery and restless.
They might even have a little more black beard than usual.
In addition, it is not uncommon for your appetite to also lack a little. So if he isn't eating much, don't worry too much unless this behavior lasts longer than a few days.
To make this process easier and more enjoyable for your bearded dragon, you should definitely do this.Learn how to help a bearded dragon move safely.
Behavior before laying eggs
Before we discuss the behaviors associated with a female bearded dragon about to lay eggs, let's make sure you are aware of bearded reproduction.
I mean, if you didn't know...Female bearded dragons can lay eggs with or without formal mating..
This means that even if your female bearded dragon has no males, she can still be pregnant and lay a clutch of unfertilized eggs.
In the weeks leading up to egg laying, she is likely to exhibit some specific behaviors, regardless of whether they are fertilized or infertile.
She may initially appear lethargic and less active, preferring to lie under her heat lamp. Then, as she prepares to lay her eggs, she starts digging in her enclosure.
If you suspect your bearded dragon is pregnant and about to lay eggs, be sure toto offerRwith a laying box and also adjust your dietto keep her healthy and make the birthing process as easy as possible for her.
behavior after brumation
If your bearded dragon is coming from brumation then you need toBe prepared to be a little lethargic.
Also,don't expect them to be very hungryany.
The time it takes for your bearded dragon to return to normal varies from case to case, with some bearded dragons returning to normal within a few days and others taking an entire month. Just be sure to be patient.
On the other hand,You may also find that your bearded dragon has an odd sleep schedule and random bursts of energy.
During this time they get used to being awake again, so don't be surprised if you find them dozing off and taking long naps only to wake up later with lots of energy!
Bearded dragons, which seem to be particularly greedy when they leave the tank, are also not a cause for concern.
Brumation can be quite a confusing, if not frightening, experience for many first-time reptile owners, so familiarize yourself with it.what to expect and how to help your bearded man during brumation.
Summarize the behavior of the bearded dragon
All in all, bearded dragons can show quite strange behavior.
Most of the time, however, this behavior is not a cause for concern, but rather an opportunity for you to learn more about your pet.
Nine times out of ten, your bearded dragon's behavior is a direct response to something around him that is stressful or suboptimal. But an unusual change in temperament can alsoSigns of parasitic infectious diseases.
That's why it's so important to understand what the behavior means so you can adjust to what they expect from you.
Want to learn more fascinating facts about the bearded dragon?Look at this!