Bearded Dragon Behavior

Updated on January 24, 2023

Director of Animal Care, Education & Compliance (ACE) at Petco

Bearded dragons are among the most popular pet reptiles, and this may be in no small part due to their interesting and sometimes adorable behaviors. Many of these mannerisms are unique and can seem odd to the new pet parent. Knowing the difference between an angry bearded dragon and a playful one can help you become a better lizard parent. You can also get help by looking at our Bearded Dragon Care Guide.

Why is it important to understand bearded dragon behavior?

A bearded dragon’s body language is how they communicate. Knowing what behavior is normal and what is not can help you assess your pet’s wellbeing and determine if it’s time for habitat adjustments or a visit to your veterinarian.

Body language communicates feelings, so you can tell whether you have a currently content, territorial, stressed or angry bearded dragon. Avoid handling your pet reptile when they’re irritated or stressed. For best practices on holding your bearded dragon, take a look at the guide Why (And How) to Play With Your Bearded Dragon.

Bearding

Bearding is just what it sounds like. It’s when a bearded dragon puffs up their beard to make themselves appear larger. They may also lift their chin, open their mouth and hiss. They can even make their beard become darker in color.

Both males and females engage in bearding, usually when they feel stressed, threatened or excited. It can signify that your pet is irritable or scared or ready to attack or mate. Sometimes they seem to do it for no reason at all, which can make this behavior even more curious.

Arm waving

Does it ever seem like your lizard is waving hello? Arm waving is a common—and adorable—bearded dragon behavior. It’s more frequently seen in juveniles than adults and can have several meanings. A bearded dragon might wave when they see another bearded dragon, their pet parent or their own reflection in the glass. It can look like they’re waving hello, but it may be a sign of submission to a larger animal.

Arm waving is typically done in an up-and-down motion, with some raising their arm high above their head and others barely lifting it off the ground. Slow arm waving is typically a harmless and normal behavior.

Head bobbing

Head bobbing is one of the most important aspects of bearded dragon body language and has a variety of meanings depending on the speed and the other behaviors displayed. A slow head bob, sometimes accompanied by arm waving, can be a greeting or a sign of submission. The faster the head bob, the more hostile your lizard may be feeling.

Males usually display faster head bobs as a sign of dominance or territorial aggression. When two males use this behavior to claim their territory, it often leads to a fight. A male may head bob at a female during mating displays, with the female displaying a slower head bob as a sign of acceptance to the mating ritual.

Basking

Basking isn’t just a normal bearded dragon behavior—it’s required for their health. Pet bearded dragons regulate their temperature using heat lamps that simulate the warmth of sunshine. They’ll bask under the light for parts of the day, sometimes flattening and darkening their body to absorb more heat, then retreat to other parts of the habitat until their body temperature drops again.

Basking lights can be a point of contention for bearded dragons, with the more dominant ones laying claim to the best spots. When they bask, they’ll lift their head and body toward the light and stay still. This behavior is completely normal and is usually a sign of a happy bearded dragon. It may be accompanied by gaping (see below).

Gaping

A bearded dragon opening their mouth is called gaping, and this is a way for them to self-regulate their temperature. They don’t do it only when they are basking, however—they may also display this behavior when they feel threatened. If your dragon spends time away from their heat lamps but is still gaping, this could indicate that the environment is too hot or that your pet has a respiratory issue. Our Bearded Dragon Care Sheet can help you build the right habitat.

Did you know that bearded dragons also yawn? When they first wake up in the morning or from a nap, they may puff out their beard a few times and open and close their mouth. Check out our Bearded Dragon Fun Facts for more interesting facts.

Brumation

In nature, colder temperatures mean bearded dragons have less energy and fewer resources like food. During winter, they enter what is known as a period of brumation. This is similar to hibernation in mammals, except reptiles don’t go completely to sleep. They will sleep more, eat and drink less, and hide more in their caves.

In a home environment, temperatures should not change throughout the year, so they don’t affect bearded dragon behavior. Your reptile should not need to go through this process at all if their habitat is kept at an ideal temperature and they have proper access to UVB. If they are getting the right amount of heat and light but still hiding, moving slowly or not eating, something could be wrong. If you notice early stages of brumation in your pet, contact your vet immediately, as you’re likely not providing the right environmental conditions.

Changing colors

One of the coolest things about bearded dragons is their ability to change colors. This happens for various reasons, including aging and growth, temperature changes in their habitat, mood and illness. As they grow and shed their skin, the new skin underneath will typically be a brighter color until they reach their full color at about a year old.

When they are cold, a bearded dragon’s skin can darken so that it can absorb more heat. This can also occur due to other environmental changes or if your pet is feeling threatened or sick. Keep an eye on other bearded dragon behaviors accompanying color changes—like their appetite, movements and sleeping habits—to help determine what this behavior means.

Glass surfing

Glass surfing is when your lizard runs along the sides of their habitat or stands against the glass and does what looks like a little dance. While it may seem like they’re just entertaining you, this is a normal bearded dragon behavior and usually means they either see their reflection and are curiously exploring interactions with their reflection or are unhappy about something.

Glass surfing can indicate that they are bored or feel stressed or threatened by something in their environment. It can also mean that their habitat is too small, too hot or too cold. Again, look to their corresponding behaviors to help you determine what may be wrong, then use a trial-and-error process to try to fix the problem. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

Providing the right habitat, feeding nutritious foods and properly handling them can go a long way in ensuring you have a happy bearded dragon, but remember that it’s normal for them to be agitated sometimes, too. If you have a constantly angry bearded dragon, however, or they show signs of stress or illness, it’s time to talk to your veterinarian. Understanding these fascinating mannerisms can go a long way toward helping you care for your bearded dragon.

Filed Under