Bearded dragons make great pets for reptile enthusiasts of all ages. They are gentle, interactive lizards that bond readily with their owners. An important part of building trust and a strong connection with your bearded dragon is regular handling and interaction. But how much is too much? How often should you actually handle a bearded dragon?
How much handling do bearded dragons need?
Most experts agree that bearded dragons need frequent, but not constant handling. Bearded dragons are active reptiles that require stimulation and exercise outside of their enclosure. Regular handling provides important mental enrichment and allows bearded dragons to explore and exhibit natural behaviors.
However, bearded dragons also require adequate rest and time to themselves. Constant handling can cause undue stress. Additionally, overhandling a bearded dragon can lead to health issues like metabolic bone disease if they cannot properly regulate their temperature and exposure to UVB light.
Daily handling guidelines
A good general guideline is to handle your bearded dragon for 20-30 minutes once or twice daily. Juvenile dragons under 1 year old should be handled once daily. Adult dragons can be handled in two short sessions split up over the day. Here are some handling recommendations based on age:
- Hatchlings 3-8 weeks – 10 minutes daily
- Juveniles 3-12 months – 15-20 minutes daily
- Adults 12-18 months – Two 10-15 minutes sessions
- Mature dragons 18+ months – Two 15-20 minute sessions
Handling schedule
A schedule creates structure and minimizes stress for bearded dragons. Handling sessions should take place at regular times each day. It is best to handle your bearded dragon when it is alert and active. Here is a sample handling schedule:
| Age | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | 10 minutes | – |
| Juvenile | 15 minutes | – |
| Adult | 10 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Mature | 15 minutes | 15 minutes |
For juveniles and adults, the second handling session should take place at least 4-6 hours after the first session to allow adequate rest. Avoid handling for more than 20-30 total minutes per day.
Hands-off time
While regular handling is important, it is also critical to allow your bearded dragon adequate alone time. Dragons need time to rest, sleep, thermoregulate, and exhibit natural behaviors like digging and climbing inside their habitat. Provide hands-off time with the following recommendations:
- Hatchlings – No handling 1-2 days per week
- Juveniles – No handling 1 day per week
- Adults – No handling 1-2 days per week
- Gravid females – No handling during ovulation and egg laying
Encouraging handling
Many bearded dragons enjoy interaction with their owners, but some individuals may be skittish and fearful at first. Here are some tips for making handling sessions positive and encouraging interaction:
- Begin handling at a young age to acclimate them
- Hand feed treats during handling to create a positive association
- Pet gently under the chin and neck as most dragons enjoy this
- Handle in a small enclosed space at first for security
- Move slowly and avoid quick gestures or grabbing from above
- Place a worn t-shirt in the enclosure so they associate your scent with safety
- Remove gloves and wash hands so they recognize your scent
Handling cues and body language
It is important to pay attention to your bearded dragon’s body language during handling to ensure they feel secure. Here are some signs that indicate your bearded dragon is enjoying handling:
- Closing eyes or slow blinking
- Leaning into your touch
- Relaxed limbs instead of tense muscles
- Little to no movement or fidgeting
- Head cocked to the side
- Beard relaxed, not puffed up
Signs your bearded dragon is fearful or stressed include:
- Turning darker colors
- Inflated or puffed up beard
- Opening mouth and gaping
- Arching back
- Scratching or scrambling motions to get away
- Bobs head up and down
- Bites or whips tail
If your bearded dragon displays stressed signals, end the handling session and try again later. With regular positive handling most beardies will become comfortable over time.
Establishing trust and bonding
In addition to the relaxation signs above, these are some behaviors that indicate your bearded dragon is establishing trust and sees you as a safe handler:
- Closes eyes and rests in your arms or lap
- Allows gentle stroking of head without fidgeting
- Crawls on you and explores your hands, arms, and shoulders
- Sleeps while out of enclosure during handling
- Seeks you out and comes to enclosure doors for attention
Building a strong bond requires patience and persistence. But the reward of gaining your beardie’s trust is a wonderful reptile companion.
Handling mistakes to avoid
While handling is important, there are some mistakes that can hinder your progress and cause your bearded dragon to become fearful. Be sure to avoid:
- Handling after feeding – this can cause regurgitation
- Handling when drowsy/sleeping – this disturbs their rest
- Quick, rough grabbing from above – simulate predator behavior
- Restraining against their will or chasing
- Touching sensitive areas like the tail, thighs, or stomach
- Restricting access to proper lighting/heat
- Excessive handling beyond recommendations
Habitat handling
In addition to being held directly, handling time includes interacting with your bearded dragon inside its habitat enclosure. Habitat handling provides important mental stimulation and opportunities for trust building. Habitat handling activities include:
- Hand feeding treats
- Lightly stroking the back and head
- Rearranging cage décor for exploration
- Allowing roaming outside enclosure under supervision
Start slow with short 5 minute habitat handling sessions. Gradually work up to longer periods as your bearded dragon acclimates. Limit disturbance of sleeping/basking areas.
Taking it outside the enclosure
Bearded dragons require some direct handling outside of their enclosures each day. Here are some tips for successful handling sessions:
- Support the body gently but securely in both hands
- Avoid restraining front and back legs
- Move slowly without jostling
- Monitor body temperature and do not handle over 85 F
- Have secure grip to prevent dropping or jumping
You can allow your bearded dragon to rest and crawl on you under supervision. Avoid loose clothing they can get tangled in. Always support legs/body and prevent falls.
Taming an aggressive or fearful dragon
Some bearded dragons may display more aggressive or anxious behaviors like biting, scratching, tail whipping, puffing up, hissing, or running away. This is often fear-based due to improper socialization. You can help tame an aggressive dragon by:
- Avoiding sudden movements and giving space when agitated
- Letting them come to you first and initiate handling
- Talking softly and moving calmly/slowly
- Hand feeding favorite treats to build positive associations
- Frequent but brief handling sessions to build trust over time
- Giving a worried dragon a place to hide like inside your shirt
- Petting the head and chin before attempting to handle the body
With time and patience, regularly handled dragons often become docile and friendly companion pets.
Handling accessories
Some useful accessories can make handling your bearded dragon easier and more secure:
- Harnesses allow safe supervised roaming outside the enclosure
- Carpeted ramps help them climb up onto furniture or your lap
- Soft blankets give secure footing and prevent slippery struggles
- Transport carriers securely contain them for trips to the vet
- Treat bags worn on the belt provide easy access to rewards
Introduce any new accessories slowly to avoid frightening your dragon. With patience, these tools can facilitate enjoyable handling.
Signs it’s time to end a handling session
It’s important to watch for signs your bearded dragon has had enough handling and needs a break. Signals include:
- Constantly trying to crawl away
- Puffing up beard and hissing
- Opening mouth to gape
- Turning dark colors
- Bobbing head rapidly side to side
- Scratching or scrambling
- Whipping tail
When your dragon shows he is Done being handled, promptly return him to the security of his enclosure. Pushing beyond their stress limits can cause increased fear and anxiety over time.
Shedding and brumation
Certain situations may warrant temporarily discontinuing handling or reducing durations, including:
- Shedding – Handling should be minimzed when the beardie is in shed. Their skin is irritated and sensitive.
- Brumation – Handling is not recommended during this period of dormancy and fasting.
Otherwise follow normal handling schedules as much as possible to maintain the bond and prevent fear from lack of interaction.
Handling health and hygiene
Proper hygiene practices are important when handling any reptile. Always remember to:
- Wash your hands before and after handling
- Keep handling area clean and disinfect any accidents
- Watch for signs of mites like black specks around ears
- Trim nails carefully if needed to prevent scratches
- Schedule regular vet checkups to monitor health
Practice good hygiene habits to keep both you and your bearded dragon clean and healthy.
Signs of overhandling
While regular handling is important, overhandling can cause serious health issues for bearded dragons. Watch for these signs of overhandling:
- Weight loss from excessive activity and stress
- Increased aggression like biting or scratching
- Frequent stress behaviors like puffing up beard
- Darker skin coloring even after handling
- Seeking isolation and hiding frequently
- Decreased appetite and interest in food
- Lethargy and decreased activity when handled
If you notice any of these symptoms, reduce handling durations and frequency immediately. Consult an exotic vet if they persist or worsen.
Indicators of underhandling
While overhandling is detrimental, inadequate handling also has negative effects. Signs your bearded dragon may need more frequent handling include:
- Excess energy and hyperactivity
- Pacing and attempting to climb enclosure walls
- Constant glass surfing against habitat walls
- Increased aggression and territorial behaviors
- Self mutilation like biting extremities
- Fearful reactions like puffing up frequently
Underhandled dragons often display stress and anxiety. Slowly increase handling with short positive sessions to help them acclimate.
Handling mistakes
Even experienced owners can make handling mistakes. Be aware of these common errors:
- Grabbing from above like a predator
- Restraining against their will
- Overhandling beyond 30 minutes per day
- Insufficient handling under 15 minutes daily
- Handling right after feeding
- Waking a sleeping dragon for interaction
- Ignoring signs of stress or anxiety
- Handling during vulnerable times like shedding
Learn to read your bearded dragon’s body language. And adjust your handling routine to focus on positive reinforcement and trust building.
FAQs
Is handling necessary for bearded dragons?
Yes, regular handling is vital for a bearded dragon’s health and well-being. Handling provides exercise, mental stimulation, and opportunities to exhibit natural behaviors. It helps build trust and a strong bond with owners.
Can you overhandle a bearded dragon?
Yes, bearded dragons can be overhandled. Limit handling to 1-2 short sessions daily based on age. Watch for signs of stress like darkened colors, puffing up, gaping mouth, and scrambling to get away.
Can handling cause brumation?
No, handling does not cause brumation. Brumation is an innate semi-hibernative state triggered by seasonal light cycle changes. But handling should be minimized during brumation when they are inactive.
What if my bearded dragon hates being handled?
Some dragons may be fearful or aggressive initially if they were not properly socialized. Have patience and go slow with short, positive handling sessions. Use treats and head rubs to build trust over time.
When can you start handling baby beardies?
You can begin handling hatchlings for short 5-10 minutes sessions once they are eating well on their own, around 2-4 weeks old. Pick times when they are alert and active.
Conclusion
Regular handling and interaction provides critically important physical and psychological benefits for pet bearded dragons. But excessive handling can cause serious health issues. Following age-based handling duration guidelines, watching body language, allowing hands-off times, and focusing on positive reinforcement enables owners to establish close bonds with these personable reptiles.
With some understanding of proper handling methods and consistency, your bearded dragon can become a friendly and trusted companion for years to come.
