Do Bearded Dragons Bond with Their Owners? Yes! While not effusive and certainly not as emotional as dogs, cats, and other mammals, bearded dragons are known to show signs of affection to their owners. For example, they will remain calm when handled or sit still on their owner's lap.
Many bearded dragons absolutely love cuddle time with their people. Enjoy that beardie love!
It's A Sign Of Affection Or Comfort
It does seem to be true that a bearded dragon is more likely to lick you if it trusts you and feels comfortable with you. However, this licking is not necessarily a sign of affection. It could be that it likes the way you smell or feels a sense of safety to have you around.
While not effusive and certainly not as emotional as dogs, cats, and other mammals, bearded dragons are known to show signs of affection to their owners. For example, they will remain calm when handled or sit still on their owner's lap. Bearded dragons are not social creatures by nature. In the wild, they live alone.
Bearded dragons are the only known reptile to show affection for their human companions, which is why they make great exotic pets if a reptile is the kind of animal you are looking for.
Don't kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don't eat or drink around it. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
It's A Sign of Aggression. Bearded dragons are generally calm and docile lizards. However, if they feel threatened, angry, or afraid, they may open their mouths as part of an aggressive stance. When an animal feels threatened or afraid, it will go into a fight or flight response.
Once you reach your hand into the habitat, your bearded dragon may initiate the act of petting themselves. It's common for these lizards to rub against their owner's fingers whenever they expect and enjoy pets. Seeing these signs indicates that your bearded dragon is fine with petting.
Bearded Dragon Bites
Dragons rarely bite. When they do, it's rarely serious. A dragon bite may be painful because their teeth are sharp. If you are bitten, the site may swell and bleed.
Whenever you take your dragon out, always remember that it needs at least an hour to warm up before eating and three hours after eating to digest under its heat and its UVB. Other than that, you can take them out for as long as you want.
Since bearded dragons are naturally solitary creatures, they do not get lonely if placed alone in a cage or left for some time away from their keeper. They much prefer having their food and heat to themselves rather than sharing it with another bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons, or “beardies,” are diurnal, which means that, like most of us, they are up during the day and asleep at night. They tend to be very docile and easy to handle, which makes them fun and personable pets. They are active, inquisitive and hardy and enjoy lounging with and/or on their people.
Bearded dragons are able to imitate other bearded dragons to open doors. “The ability to learn through imitation is thought to be the pinnacle of social learning and long considered a distinctive characteristic of humans.
Bearded dragons typically only hiss when they feel threatened. If your dragon is new, he may need some time to get used to the new environment and you. Your dragon may also hiss if he sees his reflection, or if you are reaching for your dragon from above.
Hold Bearded Dragons Until They're at least 6-inches Long
As a rule of thumb, you'll want to avoid any unnecessary handling until your bearded dragon is about 6 inches long or so. By this time, they're usually sturdier and less likely to become injured during handling sessions.
As you might imagine, a bearded dragon bite is far more likely to occur if they feel like they need to defend themselves. It's a pretty universal animal response, and it works like a charm. There are a number of situations that can make bearded dragons feel unsafe or threatened.
Music – Classical Many reptile species, including bearded dragons, enjoy classical music without words. This could be due to the fact that most songs have an instrumental sound that appears to calm the reptile's nerves and relax its muscles.
You can hold a bearded dragon for as long as it will tolerate being held. Start with 15 minutes once a day and as it gets used to being handled, you can hold it longer. Some dragons enjoy being held several times a day for several hours. When the beardie becomes restless, it is time to put him back.
Bearded dragons are good pets because they are generally peaceful and nice reptiles. They have a tendency to be passive, and they generally get calmer as they age. Beardies enjoy interactions with their people, which is something that isn't the case with all pet reptiles.
Many beardies don't like drinking from bowls, but will happily slurp up their bathwater. Baths are of course also important for hygiene. Plus, they help with shedding and constipation. Last but not least, many lizards simply enjoy a good soak!
Bearded dragons, or 'beardies', are one of the most popular lizards in captivity in the UK. Their lifespan is usually 10 to 15 years or more, so they're quite a commitment. It's important to replicate their natural habitat as best you can.
Believe it or not, bearded dragons typically close their eyes when you pet or hold them because they're scared and want to get out of the situation. It's a coping mechanism and often acts as a warning to back off. If you don't, their behavior could progress to more aggressive actions.