It’s a common sight for bearded dragon owners to observe their pet engaging in an intriguing behavior – licking their human companions. But what does this peculiar act signify?
Are they trying to communicate something or is it just an instinctual behavior?
In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of bearded dragons, exploring the science behind their licking habits.
We’ll shed light on the reasons why these captivating reptiles may choose to taste-test their human friends, offering insights into their behavior, sensory processes, and unique ways of interacting with their environment.
1. Sensory Exploration
Bearded dragons, like many reptiles, use their tongue as a sensory organ to explore their surroundings. They lack the same range of senses that humans possess, so they use their tongues to compensate.
When a bearded dragon licks you, it’s essentially ‘sniffing’ you. They are tasting the molecules in the air, gathering information about your scent, the substances on your skin, and more.
This helps them familiarize themselves with you and your unique scent.
2. Hunger or Thirst Indication
Sometimes, licking behavior can indicate that your bearded dragon is hungry or thirsty. When they lick you, they might be searching for food particles or moisture.
This behavior is more common in bearded dragons that are used to being hand-fed.
It’s essential to understand your dragon’s feeding schedule and ensure they are getting enough nutrition and hydration.
3. Territory Marking
Bearded dragons are known to be territorial creatures. In the wild, they use their tongues to mark their territory, similar to how some animals use scent.
Licking you might be their way of saying, “You’re part of my space.” They’re familiarizing themselves with you and establishing their ownership.
4. Showing Affection
While bearded dragons don’t experience affection in the human sense, consistent licking can be a sign of trust and comfort.
Over time, as your bearded dragon becomes more accustomed to your presence, they may begin to associate your scent with safety and security.
This behavior is more about familiarity than affection, but it’s still a positive sign of your bond.
5. Curiosity
Bearded dragons are inherently curious creatures. They use their tongues to investigate new objects, textures, and tastes in their environment.
If your bearded dragon is licking you, especially if you’ve introduced something new to their environment or on your person (like a new lotion or soap), they could just be satisfying their curiosity.
6. Stress or Discomfort
Lastly, licking could be a sign of stress or discomfort. If your bearded dragon is frequently licking but also showing signs of stress (like glass surfing, changes in appetite, or changes in their stool), they might be uncomfortable.
It’s important to monitor your dragon’s behavior closely to ensure they’re not experiencing any health issues.
How Licking Helps Them Gather Information
Licking is a crucial part of a bearded dragon’s sensory arsenal. These reptiles have a unique organ known as the Jacobson’s organ or vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of their mouth.
When a bearded dragon licks its surroundings, it collects molecules and deposits them onto this organ. The information gathered is then sent to the brain, which interprets it to help the dragon understand its environment.
This process, known as ‘vomeronasal sensing’, is similar to smelling and tasting combined. Through licking, they can determine if something is edible, recognize familiar scents, and detect potential threats.
This is why you’ll often see bearded dragons licking new items in their terrarium or even people they are interacting with.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Lick The Air?
Bearded dragons lick the air as a way of exploring their environment from a distance.
This behavior allows them to pick up on chemical signals or scents in their surroundings without having to physically interact with the source.
They might be sensing for potential predators, other bearded dragons, food, or just trying to get a general sense of their surroundings. It’s a similar concept to how we might sniff the air to detect the scent of food or flowers.
Will Their Licking Behavior Change As They Age?
The frequency and reasons behind a bearded dragon’s licking behavior can change as they age.
Young bearded dragons, being naturally more curious and explorative, may lick more frequently as they navigate and understand their environment.
As they grow older and become more familiar with their surroundings, the frequency might reduce. However, they will continue to use their tongues for sensory exploration throughout their lives.
Changes in licking behavior can also indicate health issues, so any drastic or sudden changes should be monitored closely and potentially evaluated by a veterinarian.
How Do You Know If Your Bearded Dragon Loves You?
Bearded dragons can’t express love in the human sense, but they do show signs of trust, comfort, and familiarity, which are often interpreted as affection by their owners.
If your bearded dragon seems relaxed around you, enjoys being handled, and doesn’t exhibit signs of stress, these are positive indicators of trust. Frequent licking can also be a sign of comfort and familiarity.
Additionally, if your bearded dragon willingly climbs onto your hand or arm, it’s a clear sign they feel safe and secure with you.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Lick So Much?
If your bearded dragon is licking a lot, it could be due to a variety of reasons.
They might be exploring their environment, marking their territory, or trying to get a better understanding of you. However, excessive licking can also be a sign of hunger, thirst, or stress.
If you notice a sudden increase in licking behavior accompanied by other worrying signs like changes in appetite, activity level, or bowel movements, it might be a good idea to consult a vet.
Why Can’t I Kiss My Bearded Dragon?
Kissing your bearded dragon might seem like a cute way to show affection, but it’s generally not recommended for health reasons.
Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be transferred to humans and cause illness.
Moreover, our mouths can contain germs and bacteria that could be harmful to them.
A safer way to show affection is through gentle handling, allowing them to climb on you, or petting their head and back gently.
Always remember to wash your hands before and after handling your pet to maintain good hygiene.
What is the lifespan of a bearded dragon in captivity?
Bearded dragons, when properly cared for in captivity, can live between 10 to 15 years on average. Some have even been known to reach the age of 20. However, this longevity doesn’t come without effort.
A bearded dragon’s lifespan is dependent on various factors, including a well-balanced diet, proper and timely medical care, and an appropriate living environment.
A crucial aspect of their care involves mimicking their natural habitat as closely as possible, which includes providing a suitable temperature gradient, access to UV light, and hiding spots within their enclosure.
In addition, offering a varied diet with the correct balance of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and live insects is essential for their wellbeing.
Regular vet check-ups are also important to monitor their health and detect any potential issues early.
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed?
Stress in bearded dragons can manifest through various behavioral and physiological signs.
Behavioral changes might include a reduced appetite, decreased activity, or persistent attempts to escape their enclosure, commonly known as “glass surfing.”
Physiological signs can include a darkening of the beard or body, irregular bowel movements, rapid breathing, and weight loss.
If these signs persist, it’s crucial to identify the stressor, which could range from an incorrect diet or an inappropriate habitat setup to a more serious underlying health condition.
Consultation with a vet is necessary if the stress signs persist or if your dragon’s health seems to be declining despite your efforts.
How often should I handle my bearded dragon?
The frequency of handling your bearded dragon can depend on the individual dragon’s temperament and comfort level.
Typically, it’s recommended to start with short, gentle handling sessions a few times a week, gradually increasing the duration as your dragon becomes more comfortable.
Regular, gentle handling can help your bearded dragon become more accustomed to human interaction and reduce stress.
However, always be mindful of signs of stress or discomfort, and give your dragon a break if they seem agitated. It’s also important to remember that bearded dragons are not typically high-energy pets, and they often enjoy simply sitting with their owners, absorbing their warmth.
How do bearded dragons regulate their body temperature?
Bearded dragons, like all reptiles, are ectothermic, meaning they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature.
They don’t produce internal body heat like mammals, hence they bask under the heat lamp to warm up, then move to cooler parts of their enclosure when they need to cool down. This is why it’s crucial to maintain a proper temperature gradient in their enclosure.
The basking spot should be around 95-110°F, and the cooler area should be around 80-85°F. Nighttime temperatures can drop a bit lower, but should never go below 65°F.
Providing your dragon with this range of temperatures allows them to thermoregulate effectively, ensuring they can digest their food properly and stay active and healthy.
Can bearded dragons recognize their owners?
While bearded dragons don’t have the same cognitive capabilities as mammals, evidence suggests they can recognize their owners to a certain extent. This recognition is likely based more on scent and sound rather than visual recognition.
Over time, bearded dragons become familiar with their owner’s scent, voice, and the way they handle them. They associate their owner with positive experiences such as feeding, basking, and exploring.
This familiarity breeds a form of trust and recognition. While it’s not “recognition” in the way humans understand it, your bearded dragon definitely knows you’re not a stranger.
Do bearded dragons need companionship?
Unlike social animals like dogs or rats, bearded dragons are solitary creatures both in the wild and in captivity.
They don’t require companionship from another bearded dragon and, in fact, housing them together can lead to stress and even physical harm due to their territorial nature.
Each bearded dragon should have its own enclosure to prevent fights over food, basking spots, and space in general.
While they don’t crave the company of other bearded dragons, they often tolerate and may even come to enjoy the company of their human caretakers.
What does a bearded dragon’s coloration mean?
A bearded dragon’s coloration can serve multiple purposes. In the wild, their colors help them blend into their environment, providing essential camouflage from predators.
In captivity, changes in color can communicate different states of being.
For example, a darkening beard can indicate stress, fear, or aggression. Lightening of color or “firing up” can be associated with basking or attempts to communicate with other dragons.
However, color changes can also be a sign of health issues, like yellow fungus disease, so any drastic or unexplainable changes should be checked by a vet.
How can I ensure my bearded dragon gets enough exercise?
Providing ample opportunity for physical activity is crucial for a bearded dragon’s health. Within their enclosure, provide climbing branches and rocks to encourage movement. Regularly change their environment to stimulate exploration.
Outside of the enclosure, supervised ‘out-of-tank’ time is beneficial. This can include letting them explore a dragon-proofed room or taking them outside in a secure area with close supervision.
Interactive feedings, where they chase their insect prey, can also provide good exercise.
What are the signs my bearded dragon is ready to brumate?
In captivity, not all bearded dragons will brumate, but it’s important to recognize the signs if they do.
Signs of brumation include a drastic decrease in activity, reduced appetite or complete fasting, and a desire to bury or hide themselves more frequently.
They may sleep more often and for longer periods. Before assuming brumation, it’s crucial to rule out potential health issues that could cause similar symptoms, like illness or parasites, with a vet check-up.
If your bearded dragon is indeed preparing to brumate, ensure they have a comfortable, quiet hiding place and monitor their weight and condition throughout the brumation period.
In conclusion
Caring for a bearded dragon involves understanding their unique behaviors and needs, providing a suitable environment, and offering a balanced diet.
Regular vet check-ups and keen observation of their behavior and physical condition are vital in ensuring their long-term health and happiness.
Remember that as a bearded dragon owner, you’re responsible for the wellbeing of a living creature that relies on you for its care.
With patience, dedication, and the right information, owning a bearded dragon can be a rewarding experience filled with mutual trust and understanding.