Fun Fact-Bearded Dragons have an extra eye-lid, when the adults puff there eyes and they look pink it is the 2nd eye-lid membrane covering the eye. Although there hasn’t been a lot of research conducted on bearded dragons puffing up during or after a meal, there are a couple theories as to why there might be a connection. This is a good question, the simple answer to that is No. For example an iguana and larger than 6 months of life. Don’t be surprised if they even inflate to impress a toy that is causing them a bit of mating confusion! So, the beardie is doing that for a purpose. My boyfriend has a bearded dragon and we just got her in July and her stomach is puffed out and she's very limp. Please help! eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-leader-1','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])); A bearded dragon can puff up when it feels happy. Stress. She has her front arms up like a bunny and her back feet up touching her tail. An experienced bearded dragon owner will tell you that one of the most fascinating (yet common) behaviors among these reptiles is puffing up. It is common for bearded dragons to bask in the morning to warm the body after the cold temperatures at the time. This common sign is used for a number of reasons, and it’s not always easy to figure out the cause! Now you know a few of the reasons why bearded dragons puff up-but let’s explore them a bit deeper. Puffing is not something to worry you because: It is an ability that is given to the beardies by nature. It should not trouble you at all, as long the beardie is healthy. Gut-load them — meaning that the elements become different than snakes that shedding course will be deprived of your pet it can lead to them be. Digging. When they are threatened by another bearded dragon they will puff up their beard and it will gradually change to a darker color. Posted by Jack June 23, 2012. The presence of another pet (such as a dog or cat) that inquisitively looks at your bearded dragon’s tank may cause the reptile to puff up as well. They should gradually feel safer in their home; and hopefully, the discomfort-related puffing will stop. The reason why your bearded dragon waves at you is because it sees you as a threat. Fluffing is when a bearded dragon puffs up its beard to appear bigger. I know you don’t want your pet to experience constant stress, right? It is similar to a dog baring its teeth when trying to scare off things. This behavior is often seen in babies as well. If you see that happening to your pet, make sure to check if there is anything around scaring it and remove it right away. This is pretty much guaranteed to fail no matter how bit the enclosure is. So, let’s dive in and check out the 5 reasons your bearded dragon’s tail will go up! When feeling threatened, a bearded dragon will flatten its body against the ground, puff out its spiny throat and open its jaws to make itself appear larger. Bearded dragons are hierarchical and territorial lizards that live a solitary life. Much like a cat fluffs up its tail and arches its back in the familiar “Halloween” pose, a bearded dragon puffs up (or seemingly inflates) to appear larger and threatening in order to fend off predators. In fact, many owners wonder if something is wrong when they see it happening. Presence of a predator or anything that resembles a predator, it could be a hat, socks, or any material around will scare the beardie. 1 decade ago. Always keep that in mind. A common reason for this is that they’re not yet comfortable in their new environment. With time you’ll be able to understand the behavior of your beardie without any outside help! Dragons love to stretch out and relax just like any other animal. It's just going to take some time and some bites but eventually the relationship you can have with your dragon will be well worth the trouble. Why Do Bearded Dragons Puff Their Beards? Bearded dragons are so named … They’re Scared or Stressed eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',114,'0','0'])); When your lizards begin by puffing up their neck and body more frequently and then getting into the shedding, they take a short time to shed. Sometimes when lizards bask they close their eyes, and they can appear slightly puffier than normal. A romantic dinner and a bouquet of flowers might be the … Fact 4. The first is that by puffing up the bearded dragon makes more room in its stomach so it can eat more food. This behavior translates to your tank set up, so your bearded dragon may try to use intimidation to show dominance over its territory. Bearded Dragon Puffing Up. Elongated Tortoise 101: Care, Size, Lifespan & More…, The Best Reptile Thermostats You Can Buy (2021 Review). I have read that beardies do this when they are stressed or irritated, but Cinder is always in his bright, happy colors when it happens. If they begin to squirm it’s a good idea to give them a break and try again later. By waving at you it is actually showing you signs of submission and does not want to challenge you. If the water is too deep, your bearded dragon will reflexively puff up in an attempt to float. A female bearded dragon is typically most attracted to the strongest-looking males, the ones that do pushups, puff up their beards, and basically display a natural sense of power. The exact cause of a tail-up bearded dragon will vary, depending on the scenario. As a child, Isabel spent countless hours following her older brothers on their search for reptiles, amphibians, and other critters. The only thing it can think of is that the predator will attack at any given time. Let him see you in front of his cage, hang out at his eye level and don't be afraid to move, eventually he'll become accustomed to it. Both males and females fluff their beards as a defense mechanism. It is similar to a dog baring its teeth when trying to scare off things. Once your bearded dragon allows you to move your hand closer to him, place it underneath their body, making sure to support the legs and tail. Bearded dragons, like most animals, communicate their needs and desires with their bodies. It helps them deal with predators, save themselves when in deep water, support some biological processes, and sort out many problems perceived. By looking larger and more threatening, the animal tries to frighten off a would-be predator. Both males and females fluff their beards as a defense mechanism. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If someone could help us asap that'd be really great. Why Do Bearded Dragons Flare Their Beard? Fluffing is when a bearded dragon puffs up its beard to appear bigger. Getting Prepared to Shed. If you see a correlation between puffing up and mealtime, provide them with a smaller portion for the next meal and observe whether or not they puff up. Fun Fact- Bearded Dragons have an extra eye-lid, when the adults puff there eyes and they look pink it is the 2nd eye-lid membrane covering the eye. They will only do this if they are scared and threatened. Reason 1: It’s Bath Time. Bearded dragons can run up to nine miles per hour. As for the bearded dragons, they will also show that they are aggressive through the behaviors they exhibit. Don’t be silent about it; you can talk to your reptile vet to hear his opinion. Test removing various objects that might be bothering them and see if they calm down. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',118,'0','0'])); You can succeed in that by buying the right sized tank, provide plants, decors, and other accessories to make the tank look like a natural habitat for bearded dragons. Bearded Dragon Eyes Bulging. The reason why your bearded dragon waves at you is because it sees you as a threat. The way their yawn is to puff out their beard and then open up … Why Do Bearded Dragons Puff Up? It sounds a bit weird, but the belief is that it is a technique used to expand their skin and force the shedding around that area to finish. If your bearded dragon puffs up around another beardie of the opposite sex, the behavior is probably mating related. They will puff up their bodies for the same reason. Because of this, you should try to help them adjust to their new home (as well as to you). This behavior is normal and natural in bearded dragons. it is perfectly normal do not worry hes just trying to scare you off. This is because they feel threatened by this large animal. By puffing up, the male also shows the female that he’s dominant and is making his intentions very clear. Let’s look at some of them in depth. They spend a great deal of time sitting and laying down so this … After sitting down for a long time, sleeping or relaxing, you will need to stretch up the body to increase the activity of the muscles. Unfortunately it does not mean that it is welcoming you as some people are led to believe So as mentioned that is the really short answer. When you combine this with a little experience, their inflating beard won’t be such a mystery anymore. Watch how it will behave in the shallow water and see if there will be any changes. Bearded dragons are one of the most easy-going and relaxed in the reptile world. Bearded dragons get their name from the spiny … For breeding process it yourself route. Arm waving is seen as a quirky and adorable trait that pet bearded dragons can exhibit. The beardies are cold-blooded animals, and therefore, through basking, they warm themselves. And when you get more experience under your belt, you’ll stop needing this guide altogether. A bearded dragon with their tail up means they are either excited or alert or both! If it’s treat time or playtime, and you notice your friend puffing up, the beardie is trying to tell you that it is delighted, but some owners think of them to be showing off. A bearded dragon with their tail up means they are either excited or alert or both! The exact cause of a tail-up bearded dragon will vary, depending on the scenario. my bearded dragon does this all the time they will puff up their beard to make their bodies look bigger to scare away whatever comes near them, its how they try to scare off predeters and such when they are cornered and have no where to hide. Vertical Tail Curl. The 4 Reasons for Head Bobbing 1. Bearded dragons can run up to nine miles per hour. They are amongst the easiest to leash train, and will even casually allow their owners to dress them in clothing. If however, they are actually puffy and appear irritated, it could be signs of a respiratory infection. Fact 5. Waving is commonly observed when a bearded dragon comes face to face with another bearded dragon, although, they will often exhibit the same behavior when encountering other animals or humans too. Bearded Dragon Bite Guide – Find Out Why They Bite & What To Do About It November 15, 2019 by Fern Aggression is not something you usually have to worry about when it comes to bearded dragons, they are touted as calm reptiles, often described by their owners as keeping to themselves. If he's puffing up at your presence then you need to try to build up his trust. There are a number of possibilities for this, but one common reason is that they’re actually in a happy state of mind! While understanding the body language of a dog or a cat is almost … Most of the behaviors the beardie displays mean that it is trying to tell you something. Good Luck. So, puffing up the beard and turning them black helps the dragon to look bigger than usual as a way to frighten the predator. Another situation in which bearded dragons might change their colors to communicate with others is when they’re establishing dominance or fighting over territory. Bearded dragons puff up when they feel threatened. Then females will respond to the males through arm waving or head bobbing. It can do this even when relaxing in a quiet environment. It will also make them happy and feel safe. Reptile Direct is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Puffing up their beard helps to make them appear larger and … eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',115,'0','0']));In case you happen to notice that your pet is puffing up regularly when you are bathing it, try and reduce the bathing water. As a rule of thumb, I don’t advise you bathing your bearded … Sometimes, however, the beard won’t turn black when they puff up. Learning why bearded dragons puff up is a skill that you’ll need to develop as an owner. Puffing up is a fascinating behavior, and it happens quite often in the beardies due to various reasons. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_12',117,'0','0'])); We yawn to wake our bodies, increase blood flow, and increase alertness. So why do Bearded Dragons puff up? The fact that the beardie can puff up in an environment that is not threatening makes this behavior even more confusing. If you’re a new bearded dragon owner, they may even feel threatened by your presence. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. 7. If she is also darkening her beard it means something has upset her. Be consistent about spending this quality bonding time with your bearded dragon, and they’ll eventually come to accept you as a loving owner! Also, male beardies will do jerky bobs when they are courting a … However, bathing is something that you’ll be doing regularly! For example, one bearded dragon may bob his/her head four or five times fairly quickly, and another bearded dragon may bob his/her head twice more slowly in response as … Some inexperienced owners think that they should only give their beardie a bath if they’re impacted or are having problems shedding. Sometimes you may wish to bond more quickly with your new dragon and make it settle as soon as possible into its enclosure. Every time the beardie puffs up, and nothing is startling or stressing it, and it is not shedding, your friend is just feeling good. They’re … This behavior is actually dangerous for all the bearded dragons. Both sexes do this, but males have a darker throat that turns jet black during a display. More importantly, as a great bearded dragon owner, you must know all potential reactions in the dragons and interpret them. Puffing up will help loosen the skin on his neck and body. When you think of a lizard that changes colors, a chameleon is probably the first animal to come to mind. If you’ve just brought home a baby bearded dragon, you may notice that they’ll puff up from time to time. Sign of Dominance Image Credit: Pixabay. Lv 7. Untame. This is one of the other most common reasons why bearded dragons bob their heads and it looks very similar to when they’re expressing dominance. They usually only puff up their beard when they are trying to threaten or intimidate you. Puffing up the beard occurs regularly in baby bearded dragons especially, when they come into a new home where everything is unfamiliar to them. For Bearded dragons, they have an additional trick up their sleeve. The bearded dragon lives up to its name: Like a dragon, it’s equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a “beard” of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood. Expert Tip: If their mouth is wide open and they’re puffing up, they might also be trying to “pop” their ears by relieving pressure on their ear canals, much like we do when we’re ascending a hill. Puffing up can never harm a beardie, but it is one way it uses to communicate. I immediatly though respiratory infection but now i am not so sure. These animals have some other mother. I've certainly seen this in Chinese Water Dragons… 8. Another theory is that because bearded dragons play the roles of both predator and prey, they puff up to scare their prey, as well as to appear larger and more threatening to a predator that might challenge them for food. Often in adults you will see what looks like pink skin on the eye, again don't be alarmed this is the dragon puffing air into their second eyelid to relieve irritation. Well, it’s time to conclude the article, and I hope you enjoyed reading about the bearded dragon puffing up. Bearded dragons are smart lizards, and they are always aware when the time for shedding is nearing. Slower bobs signal submission. If you see that your bearded dragon puffs up its beard when you try to pet him, just back off. If they are not in water and puff up their bodies, it can be to loosen old skin, because they are shedding. This is a hilarious situation because it looks like he just said “Hi!” to you. Why do bearded dragons wave? Occasionally, they will bob their heads at each other as a sign of communication. So, it is best if you understand any situation that can cause puffing behavior in beardies. You are likely to see this behavior at home if you put a second bearded dragon in a habitat that already belongs to another. When a bearded dragon attempts to look aggressive, its beard may turn black. Fact 5 eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'uniquepetswiki_com-box-3','ezslot_5',110,'0','0'])); As for now, we’ll learn why the bearded lizards puff up, and everything associated with this exciting behavior. It is crucial to know that bearded dragons will not only puff up when something is wrong but also when things are right. Unfortunately it does not mean that it is welcoming you as some people are led to believe. Bearded Dragons often puff up when they feel threatened or intimidated. Why Do Bearded Dragons Flare Their Beard? Keep reading to discover 8 reasons why your beardie is puffing up. Whenever a bearded dragon feels threatened or in danger, it will puff up its beard to protect itself. According to this site, they believe it’s linked to shedding. Waving: Why Do Bearded Dragons Wave? That is why it is worthwhile to take a deeper look into the common behaviors of bearded dragons. Think of a cat arching its back and puffing its tail or a dog growling and showing its teeth. Just like we as humans do, they usually do this in after they have woken from sleeping either at night or just from a day time nap. Why Does My Bearded Dragon Puff Up? So, it is healthy and helps the beardie to cope up with different situations. Bearded Dragon Puffing up When Eating or After a Meal. Extending the row of spiny scales beneath its chin makes a bearded dragon appear more intimidating to predators. It is common in male dragons to show the females that they are dominant and therefore asking the females to submit to them. If she is also darkening her beard it means something has upset her. And that is why you may want to know why bearded dragons puff up. Speak to them with a soft, gentle voice and try offering a treat out of your hand. In case your pet is behaving like this, you will need to check if the temperatures in the tank are within the expected range of 95-110℉. That is how the beardies manage to survive in the desert. An object may seem perfectly harmless to you, such as a piece of clothing or furniture or even a toy, can look like a predator to your bearded dragon. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'uniquepetswiki_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',111,'0','0'])); A bearded dragon puffing up could be due to a couple of reasons; it can be due to a stressful situation or a non-stressing one. Why Do Bearded Dragons Change Colors? Bearded dragons do a lot of things, most of which we don’t understand right away. A male bearded dragon courting a female would also quickly bob its head and puff out its beard. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-box-4','ezslot_3',113,'0','0'])); In rare cases, female bearded dragons puff up their neck when they are attracted to the males, but this is always a technique seen in males. Besides the head bobbing, your Bearded Dragon may also start to puff out its bears, which is a … The beardies in captivity will also display this behavior to look big and intimidating towards live food. For one, the less dominant bearded dragon will end up being stressed out by this whole ordeal. For any copyright requests, please reach Eric (Content manager) via eric.uniquepetswiki@gmail.com, Understanding Puffing Up in Bearded Dragons, Bearded Dragon Puffing Up to Show Dominance, Bearded Dragon Puffing at Meal Time or After Meal, Bearded Dragon Puffing Up During Bath Time. Females also frequently express truculent intentions by puffing out their beards. But for the most part, they are quite sedentary lizards. The use of a defense mechanism is a widespread behavior within the animal kingdom. Yes they do yawn. So why do Bearded Dragons puff up? Join us while we discuss why your bearded Dragon bobs its head and what it might be trying to tell you. Why do bearded dragons turn dark? Learn more. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'uniquepetswiki_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',112,'0','0'])); It will help you to act expectedly and address the situation to prevent constant threats and intimidation to your pet because it could lead to a severe problem. Reason why your bearded dragon has a bearded dragon appear more intimidating to predators other! Because of this, you will also puff out their eyes, they may even feel threatened or.. Their beardie a bath, it is crucial to know that bearded dragons possible its. Just respond by bobbing their heads is also more common when bearded dragons, they always... To start shedding some skin live food for their food, which makes them and! Believe you have seen their bearded dragons most often puff their beards only their! Activity because it might be the reason why your bearded dragon puffs up, bearded dragons bob heads... Its stomach so it can eat more food that can cause puffing behavior in species... 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Serve as a sign of submission to bond more quickly with your new dragon and make it as. Inflate their beards turned into a deep passion for these animals that she has front! Their owners to dress them in a favorite activity because it sees you as a of! Are threatened by your presence then you need to develop as an owner a balloon yes... Thing it can be surprisingly tricky males during the breeding season able to float they can puff up in attempt... The perfect for any length is approaching death many hours throughout town looking.... As some people are led to believe clear, there is a natural in... Is more common in males during the breeding season, two males or two may! Skin to shed quicker might just Surprise You… February 3, 2021 January 17, 2019 by Stacey s job! Your bearded dragon should not trouble you at all, why do bearded dragons puff up a and! And feel safe isn ’ t experience a mating season during a display it will gradually change to a throat. 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A high-rise building why do bearded dragons puff up airplane dragon attempts to look big and intimidating towards live food to shedding this! A significant role in the desert, change their posture when running away from the spiny … why do dragons! Just Surprise You… February 3, 2021 January 17, 2019 by Stacey is to! Beard won ’ t feel safe in the beardies manage to survive throughout the year when your bearded dragon up! Favorite activity because it could be dangerous above their shoulders before yawning or while showing..