Stress among lizards is possible, and shows in various ways. Depending on a source of stress, your bearded dragon can act differently . So how can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed? In this post, we will discuss bearded dragon stress reasons and signs, stress marks and what to do about them, as well as how to calm down a stressed bearded dragon.
Please note, that stress in your bearded dragon is a result of something else. This in turn, can cause health issues or other complications because stress leads to suppression of the immune system. If you suspect stress in your bearded dragon, please review the conditions and look for the cause!
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed?
- A stressed bearded dragon can refuse food and water
- Lethargy and listlessness is also common in stressed bearded dragons
- Aggressive behavior – frilled beard, open mouth, head bobbing
- Hiding
- Not basking
- Black beard and darker coloration
- Stress marks on the belly and other parts of the body
- Glass surfing, or scratching the sides of the tank
What causes stress in bearded dragons?
- Loud noises – don’t have the cage in a family or entertainment room
- New people approaching the tank
- Too much handling, especially in the beginning
- Other pets
- Cage mates and bullying
- Low or very high temperatures in the tank
- High humidity
- No food or wrong food
- Small tank
- New surroundings and a cage
- Relocation
- Changing surroundings too often (more than once in 3 months)
- Very bright light in the tank or the room
- People banging on the glass
- Biting feeder insects (primarily crickets) that stayed in the tank for too long
- Boredom and lack of attention from the owner
- Dirty tank – bearded dragons like their cage to be tidy
- Ability to see other bearded dragons or animals through the glass or windows
How can I tell if my bearded dragon is stressed?
Sign #1: Refusing to eat and drink
If your bearded dragon is stressed, it will also have an effect on its appetite. Depending on the source of stress, your bearded dragon might have an internal or health issue that will prevent it from eating – such as parasites, mouth rot, indigestion and more.
Other problems that might cause your bearded dragon not to eat can be due to external issues. For example, low temperatures in the tank will prevent your bearded dragon from digesting food properly, leading to constipation and indigestion. All of this causes stress and future problems if you don’t correct them.
However, please note that your bearded dragon might also refuse food because it doesn’t like the taste, is a picky eater or is bored of the same foods. Bearded dragons are picky about what they like, and you need to diversify the diet to keep them interested.
What is more, you need to start offering veggies, greens and some salad to your bearded dragon as soon as possible, or it will only eat insects and become a picky eater.
Sign #2: Aggressive behavior
If your bearded dragon is stressed because something or someone is bothering it, it can turn aggressive. This is for example, when a bearded dragon is scared of other pets, new people, sudden movements or sounds. Or for example, when a male bearded meets another male. They can try to fight, have an open mouth display, bite each other and head bob.
If you have just brought your new bearded dragon home, leave it in the tank for 1-2 weeks without much interaction. Don’t bother your bearded dragon, don’t handle it and don’t let other pets come near it. You can only approach to offer food, change the water and clean the tank.
After a week, start hand feeding, stroking and so on. Once your bearded dragon settles, you can start handling sessions.
Sign #3: Lethargy
If your bearded dragon acts lethargic and doesn’t move much, then it could be stressed. This can be because of wrong setup (wrong lighting, heating or humidity), wrong diet, dehydration, sickness and more. Please review all the points and think about any recent changes in the husbandry.
You can read a full article on reasons why your bearded dragon is lethargic or not moving here (opens in a new tab). In that post, you will also have a chance to review your setup by answering the questions and checking the answers.
Sign #4: Glass scratching or ‘surfing’
If you notice your bearded dragon scratching at glass, or glass surfing, then it could be a sign of stress. Bearded dragons scratch at glass (looks like paddling with their arms on the glass) to escape or come out.
In some cases, owners know why their bearded dragon wants to come out. This can be a routine thing – if you have been taking your bearded dragon out regularly, it might be asking you to do so again. They could also ask to come out if bored (you can find toy and activity ideas for bearded dragon in this post).
But if it’s not because of this – then your bearded dragon can be stressed due to high temperatures, for example. Are you checking the temperatures in the tank (both hot and cool spots)? If your bearded dragon is also digging or running around, it could be very hot.
Very bright lights, noticing its own reflection can also cause this reaction. You can help your bearded dragon not see its own reflection by adding a terrarium background like this. You could also cover the sides of the tank with a cloth if your dragon is laying eggs or going through some other changes.
If your bearded dragon is gravid, she could be anxious and preparing to lay her eggs. A very small tank might also stress your bearded dragon. Please note that bearded dragons need a minimum 55 gallon tank that is 36 inches long or more.
You can read more about glass surfing reasons in bearded dragons in this post.
Sign #5: Stress marks or turning black
Your bearded dragon might also get stress marks if it’s stressed. Stress marks can be in a shape of lines or ovals. You can find stress marks mostly on the belly, but also limbs and the beard.
If your bearded dragon has stress marks, then it could be because the wrong setup (lighting, temperatures, humidity), tank size, diet, cage mates and so on. Stress marks disappear once your bearded dragon is comfortable again.
Some bearded dragons get stress marks in the morning, which later disappear. In this case, this happens because of the temperature transition from night to day. Bearded dragon gets darker to absorb more heat after the night.
However, stress marks can also appear in baby bearded dragons for no reason. And if these stress marks in young bearded dragons are not going away, then they should disappear with age.
If your bearded dragon is an adult and suddenly developed the marks, think about possible reasons and solve any problems if there are any.
Sign #6: Not basking
In order to stay healthy, your bearded dragon need to bask daily. Basking helps your bearded dragon stay warm, develop and maintain a healthy gut-flora for healthy digestion and fight off infections.
If your bearded dragon is not basking, then it could because the hot spot is not hot enough or lights are too bright, making your bearded dragon avoid that area. Please look for any possible reasons and make changes if necessary. Your bearded dragon could also be sick and not willing to bask.
You can find a full post on possible reasons of why bearded dragon isn’t basking here.
Sign #7: Hiding
If your bearded dragon is hiding a lot, then it’s possibly stressing. Your bearded dragon can be hiding because it’s scared of its cage mates or any other pets that it can see. It could also hide after relocation – young bearded dragons are more likely to hide in stressful situations.
Please try to house each bearded dragon separately, as they can live perfectly on their own. Bullying and lack of space is a serious issue, and bearded dragons do compete for the best basking spot and food.
All bearded dragons tend to be scared and stressed after relocation. You need to give your bearded dragon space and time to familiarize with new surroundings. During these first few weeks, hiding, food refusal, lethargy and similar behaviors are very common and are often not long-term.
How to calm down a stressed bearded dragon?
How to calm down a bearded dragon after relocation?
If you have just got your bearded dragon, then be patient and persistent! Many new bearded dragons are very feisty and jumpy, but don’t give up. You probably want to start handling your bearded dragon straight away, but the best thing is to resist this temptation.
Instead, give your bearded dragon a week without any handling. Approach the tank slowly, give it food and change the water. You can also start putting your hand inside tank and try to stroke it. Make these interactions short in the beginning. You can even add your personal item in the tank that has your smell.
Start with few minute handling sessions after a week or two. Stay close to the ground, because your bearded dragon is likely to jump. If you handling outside the tank, make sure it’s a small enclosed area where your bearded dragon cannot escape. Generally, if your bearded dragon is feisty, it can take maximum a month or few to become fully laid back and docile.
How to calm down a settled bearded dragon
If your bearded dragon is stressed for any reason, you can try to look for reasons and help eliminate that. If the reason is another cage mate, then separate them.
And if a male is bothering a female, separate them. If the tank is empty, add some accessories, hides a lounge such as this one and make sure there is a hideout. Enrichment is very important.
Bearded dragons are curious, but at the same time, can get scared of other pets or outside. If you notice that your bearded dragon gets a black beard and stress marks inside the tank, but it gets better when you take it out, there could be few reasons.
One of the reasons is that your bearded dragon would like to find a mate during the breeding season. Another possible reason could be that your bearded dragon can see the outside (is the tank near a window?) or other pets. If it can, you can cover the sides of the tank with something, and slowly remove the covers (especially if the dragon is new).
You can also give your bearded dragon a bath to help it relax. Not every bearded dragon likes soaking, but most enjoy baths. Fill the sink or a dish up to your dragon’s knees and elbows with the 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit (around 32-35 C) water.