Bearded dragons are wild creatures, but they make good pets. Their care, diet, and behavior are different from other pets, such as cats and dogs.
One of the sleeping habits that might surprise you is when bearded dragon fall asleep on you. You are bound to wonder, is it a show of affection? Is my bearded dragon sick?
What does it mean when your bearded dragon sleep on you?
There are various reasons why a beardie would fall asleep on you. One of the major ones is a show of affection or trust. Yes, bearded dragons are affectionate, and once the pet is comfortable with your presence, they might fall asleep on you. The beardie might also fall asleep on you out of the comfort it enjoys from your body’s natural heat.
In addition to it being a show of affection, there are a few other reasons why your bearded dragon might sleep on you. It is okay to let your beardie sleep on you if you are lazing around.
However, you should not sleep with the pet in your bed. Below are some of the top reasons why your bearded dragon might sleep on you.
Reasons Why A Bearded Dragon Will Sleep On You
1. A Sign of Trust
A bearded dragon might be afraid of you in the first days when you bring it home. However, you might gain the bearded dragon trusts through bonding with time, especially when you feed it.
A bearded dragon that falls asleep on you trusts you. It feels safe and comfortable around you enough for it to fall asleep.
If a beardie does not trust you, it will run away, hide, or puff up when you are around. All these are signs of aggression, and fear, which is not healthy for the pet.
You can gain your beardie’s trust by feeding it. Providing pet bearded dragons with its favorite food and occasional treats without risking its health will also make the lizard associate you with treats.
Regular baths are also another way to get the lizard to trust you, and the baths also help the lizard with its health and promote ideal hygiene.
2. The Beardie Likes Your Body Warmth
Beardies are cold-blooded animals meaning that they do not regulate their body’s temperature and instead depend on that of the surrounding environment.
They need additional care by providing extra heat using heat lamps, heat maps, etc. Such accessories elevate their body’s heat.
Your body’s warmth acts in the same manner. Time spent outside the enclosure exposes them to low temperatures.
Because humans are warm-blooded, our bodies generate heat that keeps our body temperature almost constant.
When your beardie is lying on you, it might find the warmth very comfortable and soothing making bearded dragon falls asleep. It is another good way of bonding with the pet.
3. The Bearded Dragon Likes Your Scent
One of the ways your bearded dragon will learn to identify you is through your scent. In addition to this, they also recognize their owners through touch and voice. All are great ways to bond with the pet.
If you have a strong scent and your beardie has grown to associate it with you, it will portray signs of affection and safety when around you. It may cuddle up to you and your beardie falls asleep due to the familiarity and comfort it gets from the scent.
If you want your bearded dragon to get used to your scent, put in their enclosure soft pieces of clothing that you have worn.
They will want to lay on the smooth fabric and, in the process, get accustomed to your scent. Feeding the pet with your fingers also brings about close contact, making the pet get used to your smell.
Tips To Make Your Bearded Dragon Comfortable Around You
Bonding with your bearded dragon is great. It helps to know that your pet acknowledges and is comfortable with your presence. Else, you might worry that the pet is stressed.
Here are tips to employ and make your bearded dragon comfortable around you.
1. Hand Feeding
Feeding your pet by hand is an effective way of bonding with the lizard. It will associate you, your presence, and your scent with food. The beardie will get excited each time you are around, which means they are comfortable around you.
2. Playing
Surprisingly, bearded dragons like to play. Thus, taking time to go with the pet for a walk or simply playing with them indoors will get them excited and accustomed to your presence. It is also fun for you are you get to learn more about your bearded dragon’s personality
3. Bathing
Bathing your bearded dragon keeps it clean and prevents infections. In addition, it helps hydrate the pet and assists with bowel movements. Your beardie will be more relaxed when you give it a warm bath or allow it to play with the water.
Regularly cleaning the beardie makes them associate you with the good feeling of the bathing. Ensure that the water is warm and not hot. In addition, the water level should be below the pet’s head.
Other Indicators That Your Bearded Dragon Is Comfortable Around You
Other than sleeping on you, there are other actions by these Australian desert native lizards that will show you that the pet trusts you. They have different personalities, but some general behaviors are common among most bearded dragons. Below are some of the significant indicators that your bearded dragon is comfortable with you.
1. Gets Excited In Your Presence
Bearded dragons are not used to the captive environment. They might freak out in your presence, especially during the initial days in the new habitat. If the beardie runs away or hides when you get near, then it is scared of you.
If your bearded dragon runs towards you when you approach its cage, it is definitely fond of you. It might also climb on you and want to follow you around.
2. Licks You
Your bearded dragon licks your fingers as you feed it. Most likely, it is still trying to figure out the new environment, and one of the ways it does so is by recognizing you.
A beardie licking you is not only an indicator that they are comfortable around you, but it also shows that the lizard likes your scent. This can be one of your beardie body language to show you that they are comfortable.
3. Looks Bright and Colorful
A sad beardie is dull and looks dark. It is essential to note your pet’s color and everyday state. A change in the color to a dark one shows that it is stressed, uncomfortable or unhappy.
If your bearded dragon looks bright and colorful in addition to the above other signs, then it is certainly comfortable with your presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Wake A Sleeping Bearded Dragon?
Unless, where necessary, you do not need to wake a sleeping bearded dragon. Doing so can startle the pet and even disrupt their sleep pattern. Ensure that you do not do so regularly, as repeatedly waking up the pet can affect its overall sleep quality in the long run.
If you have to wake up your sleeping beardie, ensure that you do not scare them. If your bearded dragon sleeping on you, you can gently pet its head and then entice it with food. Knowing your pet’s behavior is vital since some might not like being touched on their heads.
Sudden movements will freak out the pet; thus, you should not suddenly pick the beardie from its sleep. It might become withdrawn or avoidant.
If your bearded dragon is in deep sleep, avoid waking it up for now.
Can My Bearded Dragon Sleep With Me?
No, it is not advisable to let your bearded dragon sleep on your bed. The pet may sleep on you if you are chilling on the couch but not overnight in your bed.
Doing so puts the pet at the risk of death should you roll over and lie on it. In addition, for a beardie to sleep comfortably, they need certain warmth and humidity conditions that are often available in their tank.
How Can I Tell If My Bearded Dragon Is Sleeping?
You can easily tell if a bearded dragon is asleep or just chilling. However, a sleeping bearded dragon will close their eyes, have rhythmic breathing, not move, lay flat, and remain unresponsive for a while.
Do Bearded Dragons sleep Standing Up?
Yes, many bearded dragons can sleep in strange sleeping positions including standing up.
Conclusion
A bearded dragon makes an easy pet because of their hardy nature. Even so, it might be challenging to relate with the pet, mainly because it is hard to, at times, understand their behavior.
But there is nothing to worry about when your bearded dragon sleeps on you. It shows that the pet is comfortable around you, likes your scent, or just wants to enjoy the warmth of your body.
To make the pet trust you, spend time with it by feeding it, bathing it regularly, taking it on walks, and other such activities.
Even though you might want to spend more time with the beardie, you should avoid falling asleep with your bearded dragon in your bed to avoid killing it by mistake.