Bearded dragons waving at their owners is a common behavior that often leaves people wondering why they are doing it. Waving can have several meanings depending on the context, so it’s important to pay attention to your bearded dragon’s body language to decipher what they are trying to communicate.
Waving as a Submission/Defense Behavior
One of the most common reasons bearded dragons wave is as a submissive or defensive behavior. When faced with a threat or something they perceive as scary, bearded dragons will often lay flat with their legs spread out and slowly wave an arm. This is their way of saying “I’m not a threat!” and avoiding an attack.
Some specific triggers for submissive waving include:
- Seeing a new person they don’t know
- Being approached by a larger animal like a dog or cat
- Loud noises or fast movements
- Being in an unfamiliar environment
If your bearded dragon is waving in these types of situations, it means they are mildly stressed or uneasy and are trying to avoid confrontation. With time, gentle handling, and positive reinforcement, waving at strangers or new environments will likely decrease as they become more confident and secure in their surroundings.
Waving to Get Attention
In some cases, a bearded dragon will wave an arm repeatedly to try and get their owner’s attention. This often happens when they are hungry and anticipating a meal.
Bearded dragons are very food motivated and will quickly learn routines around feeding time. If you notice arm waving behavior consistently when you enter the room or approach their enclosure around usual meal times, this is likely them signaling that they are ready to eat.
Some additional signs your bearded dragon is waving for food include:
- Increased activity level
- Watching you intently
- Licking lips
- Standing on hind legs against walls of enclosure
Responding to this waving by feeding them will reinforce the behavior, so they will continue waving in anticipation of meals. Just be careful not to overfeed them if they wave at other times.
Exploring Their Surroundings
Bearded dragons are naturally very curious animals and enjoy climbing and investigating their environment. Sometimes when they move around their enclosures, they will wave their arms out to steady themselves as they walk or climb up tank decor.
This exploratory waving is perfectly normal and simply means that your bearded dragon is feeling active and is engaging with their habitat. It’s a great sign of health and happiness!
Communication Between Bearded Dragons
Social waving is also common when multiple bearded dragons are housed together. Just like people wave hello or gesture when talking, bearded dragons will communicate with arm movements.
Some friendly waving behaviors between bearded dragons include:
- A short wave as a greeting
- An upward arm pump to signal wanting to breed
- Slow circular arm motions during breeding courtship
Aggressive waving to establish dominance or defend territory can also happen and may look like quick short waving or full arm slamming against the tank floor. Make sure any housed bearded dragons are compatible and watch for signs of aggression.
Waving Due to Excitement
Happy excitement is another potential reason for arm waving in bearded dragons. They may wave when they see you after being away for a day at work or when taken out of their enclosure to interact and play.
Excited waving will be energetic and involve repetitive motions. Your bearded dragon may also run around, have opened mouth breathing, and have bright colors when they are this thrilled and waving eagerly at you or a treat.
Shedding Skin Irritation
Bearded dragons will often wave their arms repeatedly at odd times when they are trying to rub and scratch irritating skin during a shed. As they outgrow their old skin around every 4-8 weeks, the loosening skin becomes itchy and uncomfortable.
To help with a shed, make sure their tank maintains proper humidity around 40-50% and provide gentle baths, moist hides, and skin massages with a soft toothbrush. Avoid pulling any loose skin off.
Black Beard Waving
While less common in pet bearded dragons, a black beard accompanied by arm waving is a sign of serious aggression and being upset. The beard will darken from their normal light colors to jet black, and they will wave their arm slowly and widely.
Some causes for an angry black beard wave include:
- Being approached by another bearded dragon they are not familiar with
- Seeing their reflection and thinking it is a rival dragon
- Being handled when in pain or injured
- Extreme stress
If your bearded dragon displays a black beard, leave them alone until they calm down. Determine what triggered the reaction so you can avoid repeating the situation. A healthy bearded dragon should not stay black bearded for long once the perceived threat is removed.
Waving One Arm More
You may notice your bearded dragon mostly waving just one of their front legs rather than both arms equally. This can be normal, but can also be a sign of health issues requiring veterinary care.
Some reasons for uneven waving include:
- Previous injury that limits mobility
- Metabolic bone disease from poor nutrition
- Muscle overuse and strain
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Joint swelling
- Abscesses or infection
Closely inspect your bearded dragon’s waving arm for any signs of injury like swelling, bruising, or bumps. Uneven waving or holding one arm differently may indicate pain in that limb. Seek advice from an exotics vet if the issue persists or your dragon shows other signs of illness.
Waving Both Arms at Odd Angles
While simple up and down waving is normal, repetitive waving with both arms held at strange, awkward angles can signify an underlying health problem in bearded dragons.
Neurological issues like a stroke, seizures, or metabolic problems are the most common cause of abnormal waving. Your bearded dragon may appear confused or disoriented and have trouble controlling the position of their limbs.
Other symptoms may include:
- Head tilting
- Difficulty balancing
- Walking in circles
- Irregular pupil size
A bearded dragon waving in abnormal ways needs veterinary assessment right away. Provide supportive care until you can get them treatment to try and minimize stress. Take video to show the exact waving behavior to the vet.
No Waving at All
While most bearded dragons will wave their arms at least occasionally, a complete lack of waving can also be problematic. Bearded dragons who never wave or stop waving suddenly may be showing signs of illness or depression.
Reasons a bearded dragon won’t wave include:
- Weakness or lethargy from illness
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Feeling too cold
- Missing a hand or arm
- Nerve damage or paralysis
- Brumation semi-hibernation
- Severe stress, fear or depression
No waving at all is most concerning if it represents a sudden change in normal behavior. Evaluate their environment, appetite, activity levels, and droppings to try and determine a cause. Consulting an exotics vet can also help identify any underlying medical issues.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons use arm waving to communicate a variety of messages with their owners and each other. Paying close attention to the context, speed, frequency and type of waving can help you decipher their needs and what they are trying to say.
While most waving is completely normal, changes in waving patterns or waving combined with other signs of injury or illness require prompt veterinary attention. Understanding your bearded dragon’s individual behaviors and waving quirks will allow you to ensure their health and happiness.
| Waving Type | Potential Meanings |
|---|---|
| Slow waving of one arm with flattened body | Submission to avoid threat |
| Repetitive waving at front of enclosure before feeding | Excitement and readiness to eat |
| Gentle waving when handled or seeing owners | Happiness and greeting |
| Energetic waving of both arms | Enthusiasm to interact or play |
| Waving during shed to rub skin | Itchy and irritated from loosening skin |
| Slow arm extensions when climbing | Balancing and exploring environment |
| Black beard paired with waving | Anger, aggression, or fear |
