Bearded dragons make great pets for reptile enthusiasts of all ages. They are gentle, interactive lizards that are relatively easy to care for. However, like all pets, it’s important to understand their body language and behavior to ensure their health and happiness. There are several clear signs that indicate when a bearded dragon is content. Understanding what makes bearded dragons happy will help you be a better pet owner.
Common signs of a happy bearded dragon
Here are some of the most common behaviors that suggest your bearded dragon is feeling happy and healthy:
Relaxed body language
A happy bearded dragon will appear relaxed and comfortable in its environment. Its limbs and tail will be loose and extended rather than tucked tightly against the body. The lizard will be calm and still, often perching motionless while basking under a heat lamp. A relaxed posture indicates your pet feels safe and content.
Clear, alert eyes
Healthy, bright eyes are a good indicator of a happy bearded dragon. Its eyes will be wide open and focused, with clear pupils and no discharge or swelling. Dehydration, illness, or stress can cause a bearded dragon’s eyes to appear sunken, cloudy, or closed. Keeping the eyes clear and alert suggests your pet is feeling well.
Regular appetite
Bearded dragons that eagerly eat their fill at each feeding are typically happy and healthy. Make sure your pet has constant access to an appropriate diet of insects and leafy greens. A vigorous appetite and healthy growth show your bearded dragon is thriving. Loss of appetite can signal illness or stress.
Active behavior
When your bearded dragon is content, you can expect to see it actively exploring its habitat, climbing branches, and investigating toys. Regular activity including walking, running, and climbing are signs your pet is energized and excited about its environment. Lethargy or inactivity can indicate health or husbandry issues.
Basking and soaking
Soaking up heat and UVB light is critical for a bearded dragon’s health. A happy lizard will eagerly bask in its warming lamp’s glow for hours at a time. It will also soak in a tub of shallow water, which helps hydration and shedding. Taking advantage of heat and soaking shows your pet is relaxed enough to focus on these important needs.
Normal shedding
Healthy shedding is a natural process for bearded dragons as they grow. Shedding in patches reveals a complete, functioning layer beneath. Consistent, healthy shedding indicates your pet is thriving in its habitat. Irregular shedding can point to low humidity, poor diet, or other issues.
Regular bowel movements
Consistent bowel movements are essential for your bearded dragon’s health. Look for urates that are white or off-white in color. Normal urates show your pet is digesting food and absorbing nutrients properly. Irregular bowel movements, constipation, or discolored urates require veterinary attention.
Bright, healthy skin
Vibrant, colorful skin is a sure sign of a happy bearded dragon. Proper UVB exposure allows your pet to synthesize vitamin D3, supporting skin health and calcium absorption. Dull, flaky, or discolored skin can indicate shedding problems, infections, or nutrient deficiencies.
Alert and curious personality
A content bearded dragon will be alert and aware of its surroundings. It may slowly walk around its habitat exploring, investigate new objects, or watch you attentively. With regular handling, a happy bearded dragon will be inquisitive, calm, and attentive when interacting with you.
Arm waving and head bobbing
You may see your bearded dragon wave one arm or bob its head up and down. These displays are signs of excitement and stimulation, though not always happiness. Arm waving can signal interest, submission, or stress. Head bobbing typically occurs when displaying dominance and defending territory. But frequent, energetic displays do suggest an active, enthusiastic pet.
Causes of an unhappy bearded dragon
While the signs above indicate a happy, healthy bearded dragon, here are some common causes of unhappiness or stress in pet lizards:
Incorrect temperature gradients
Bearded dragons thrive in an environment with a temperature gradient from cool on one end to hot on the other. This allows them to self-regulate their body temperature by moving between areas as needed. Temperatures that are too hot or cold throughout the habitat can cause discomfort. Provide basking areas up to 110°F and a cooler area around 70-80°F.
Insufficient UVB lighting
Special UVB bulbs are essential for bearded dragons to produce vitamin D3 from sunlight. Without proper UVB exposure, they may suffer from metabolic bone disease and other issues. Make sure UVB bulbs are replaced as often as manufacturer instructions recommend.
Small habitat size
Bearded dragons are active lizards that need room to roam and explore. An enclosure that is too small can cause stress and restrict healthy activity. Adult bearded dragons need a minimum habitat size of 40 gallons, but bigger is always better. Provide ample space for climbing branches, hiding spots, food dishes, and heat lamps.
Infrequent handling and interaction
Bearded dragons are social pets that can form close bonds with owners. When kept in isolation without frequent gentle handling, they may become skittish, aggressive, or prone to stress. Slowly acclimate your bearded dragon to regular hands-on interaction for 15-20 minutes per day.
Cluttered or sparse habitat
Too much clutter can make bearded dragons feel insecure and anxious. But a bare habitat fails to meet their needs for enrichment. Strike a balance with some anchored climbing branches, sanitized rocks for basking, and placed food dishes without overcrowding the space. Rotate new objects periodically for sensory stimulation.
Absence of pleasant stimuli
Bearded dragons appreciate sensory variety in their environment. Completely unchanging, sterile surroundings can cause boredom and stress. Provide pleasing stimuli like soft music, floating bubbles, natural scents, mirrors, and gentle handling to keep your pet active and engaged.
Presence of excess stimuli
While some stimuli are beneficial, too much at once can become overstimulating for bearded dragons. Avoid sudden loud music, looming toys that restrict basking spots, strong chemical odors, or frequently rearranged habitat layouts. These constant stressors will prevent your pet from settling into comfortable routines.
Insufficient hydration
Access to fresh drinking water and weekly soaks are essential to a bearded dragon’s health. Dehydration causes lethargy, appetite loss, constipation, stuck shed, and kidney disorders. Make sure clean water is always available. Provide tubs or bathe under a trickling faucet for ample weekly soaking time.
Poor diet
An imbalanced, vitamin-deficient, or restrictive diet will lead to illness in bearded dragons. Their main diet should consist of chopped greens and vegetables, with proteins like insects, worms and small amounts of fruit. Without a varied diet, they cannot thrive. Consult a reptile veterinarian for optimal dietary guidelines.
Health problems
Sick bearded dragons will often appear lethargic, stop eating, spend time in dark hiding spots, or display other unusual behaviors. Common health issues like metabolic bone disease, infections, parasites and impaction must be diagnosed and treated by a qualified reptile vet whenever your pet seems unwell.
Incorrect habitat accessories
Some accessories sold for bearded dragon habitats can actually cause injury or illness. Avoid sand, bark chips, and other loose substrates they may accidentally swallow while eating. Also avoid plastic plants, real wood branches, and toxic decor items. Vet-recommended accessories are vital to health.
Tips for keeping bearded dragons happy
Here are some top tips for keeping your bearded dragon happy and healthy:
Provide proper heat and UVB lighting
Remember to closely follow guidelines for temperature gradients and UVB exposure. Use quality thermometers and bulbs, maintaining consistent ambient heat ranges and replacing UVB bulbs every 6-12 months. Proper lighting is essential to your pet’s health.
Offer a varied, balanced diet
Feed your bearded dragon a diverse mix of chopped veggies, leafy greens, live feeder insects, calcium supplements and occasional fruits. Variety ensures all nutritional needs are met. Feed babies and juveniles daily, adults 2-3 times per week. Always provide fresh drinking water.
Maintain ideal enclosure temperatures
Monitor temperatures daily at the cool end, warm end and basking spot using reliable thermometers. Adjust heat bulbs and take other steps to maintain ideal temperature gradients during the day and night: 100-110°F basking area, 70-80°F cool end, 65-75°F nighttime.
Provide an appropriately sized habitat
Adult bearded dragons need enclosures at minimum 4 feet long by 2 feet deep by 2 feet tall, with additional space always better. Position heat lamps to create a proper temperature gradient across the entire enclosure length. Give them room to climb, explore and exhibit natural behaviors.
Clean the habitat thoroughly each week
Dirty enclosures can cause disease. Scoop feces daily and completely disinfect and replace substrates/decor each week. Scrub water bowls, branches and hides. Ensure the habitat setup supports healthy hygiene habits for your pet after cleaning.
Offer a hide box and anchored branches
Give your bearded dragon options to climb, explore and feel secure. Add anchored branches and logs at various angles and a hide box where they can get away from stress and feel protected. Update habitat furnishings periodically for sensory enrichment.
Handle your bearded dragon gently each day
Daily handling when done properly tames your bearded dragon and forms crucial bonds. Reptiles often ease into routine interaction. Move slowly, support the lizard’s body, and keep handling sessions brief at first. With time most become comfortable being handled.
Soak your bearded dragon 1-2 times per week
Bathing helps hydration, promotes healthy shedding, and supports digestion. Provide a soak bin or bathe with a trickle of warm water 1-2 times weekly for 10-20 minutes. Ensure water only reaches your pet’s shoulders – never over their head. Gently rub stuck shed.
Take your bearded dragon for outdoor exploration
When temperatures are right, place your pet in a secure harness and leash and bring them outside! Fresh air, new stimuli and supervised exploration is excellent sensory enrichment. Just avoid direct sunlight, moisture, or escape. Watch their body language closely.
Perform regular health checks
Periodically inspect your pet for signs of injury, discharge, stool issues, skin problems, appetite changes or other concerns. Note when they eat, drink, defecate, shed, etc. Schedule wellness exams with an exotic vet even when your pet seems healthy. Catch issues early.
Research signs of common health issues
Learn how to watch for common health issues like metabolic bone disease, parasites, respiratory infections, dental problems and impaction. If anything seems wrong, isolate your pet from other reptiles and call your exotic vet. Familiarize yourself with qualified reptile vets in your area.
Shower your bearded dragon with love and appreciation!
While their needs for nutrition, habitat, heating and hygiene must be met first and foremost, bearded dragons also benefit from affection and attentive care from a loving owner. They can be great companions when their needs are all provided for. Enjoy building a wonderful bond with your happy, healthy bearded dragon!
FAQs about happy bearded dragons
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed?
Signs of a stressed bearded dragon include darkened coloration, puffing out or flattening the body, opening the mouth, jerky movements, hiding, loss of appetite, glass surfing, head bobbing, arm waving, and attempts to escape their habitat. Remove stressors and give them time to settle.
What temperature should a bearded dragon’s cage be?
Ideal temperatures range from 70-80°F on the cool end up to 100-110°F at the basking spot under the heat lamp. Night temperatures can safely drop to 65-75°F. Monitor ambient and surface temps using digital thermometers.
How often do bearded dragons poop?
Healthy adult bearded dragons may poop once every 1-3 days. Babies often poop 1-2 times daily. Lack of defecation for over 3-5 days requires a vet visit as impaction is life threatening. Provide daily soaks to aid hydration, digestion, and shedding.
Can bearded dragons eat bananas?
Bananas, if given sparingly, can provide bearded dragons a healthy source of key nutrients like vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and potassium. Chop a banana into small pieces and feed less than once per week along with their staple greens and insects.
How often should you feed bearded dragons live food?
Healthy juvenile bearded dragons under 1 year old should get live feeder insects like small crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae, and mealworms daily as their key protein sources. Adult bearded dragons age 1+ need live food 2-3 times per week along with their greens.
What veggies can bearded dragons eat daily?
Good daily veggie options include collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, acorn squash, butternut squash, bell peppers, escarole, and arugula. Rotate various greens and chopped veggies to provide nutrient diversity.
How often should I bathe my bearded dragon?
An ideal bathing routine is to provide a soak bin or bathe your bearded dragon with gentle running water 1-2 times per week. Bathing supports hydration, shedding, and bowel movements. Sessions can last 10-20 minutes. Ensure the water level never surpasses their shoulders.
Can bearded dragons eat apples?
Apples can be an occasional treat for bearded dragons. Thoroughly wash and chop a small amount of apple into bite-sized pieces first. Due to their high sugar content, apples should comprise no more than 10% of occasional fruit offerings in your pet’s diet. Offer other greens and vegetables more frequently.
How do I bond with my bearded dragon?
Bonding starts with regularly handling your bearded dragon gently for short periods of time. Sitting together while providing gentle strokes down their back and speaking softly can be soothing. Offering treats by hand and supervised outdoor exploration also builds trust over time. Be patient, move slowly, and earn their trust.
Conclusion
By being attentive to your bearded dragon’s behaviors, environment, and care routine, you can keep your scaly friend healthy and content. Watch for signs of relaxation, appetite, activity, alertness, normal bodily functions, and eagerness to soak up heat and light. Address causes of stress like habitat issues, lack of stimulation, and diet imbalances. With proper handling, hygiene, diet, and habitat enrichment your bearded dragon can thrive for years to come! Let your pet’s needs and body language guide you in providing everything required for their happiness.
