Bearded dragons require between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each day. The exact amount of sleep depends on how old they are, as baby and juvenile dragons need more sleep than adult dragons. Generally, dragons should be given a regular sleeping schedule, as this will help keep them healthy.
Keeping to a schedule forces the dragon to follow a routine, making it easier to recognize any health issues. Additionally, providing the dragon with a set amount of darkness during its sleep cycle will keep it happier and healthier.
When providing darkness in captivity, be aware of ensuring there is darkness during the entire night, without any light interruptions. An environment that is too bright can cause health issues in dragons, such as low calcium levels and other vitamin deficiencies, so it’s important to make sure your lizard’s enclosure is dark enough for it to sleep for at least 10-12 hours each day.
Table of Contents
Do bearded dragons sleep all day?
No, bearded dragons do not sleep all day. These reptiles are actually active most of the day and sleep for about 7-8 hours a night. During the daytime, bearded dragons enjoy basking in UV light and exploring their environment.
They become most active in the early morning and late afternoon when the temperatures in their habitat are at their highest. It is recommended to provide your bearded dragon with a consistent light cycle of 8-12 hours of light and 12-14 hours of darkness each day to facilitate its natural sleeping pattern.
Why is my bearded dragon sleeping all the time and not eating?
It is normal for your bearded dragon to sleep for a majority of the day, however, it is concerning that your reptile has stopped eating or is eating very little. This situation could be due to numerous issues, such as stress, illness, improper diet, or even parasites.
It is important that you assess each of these potential causes and take steps to resolve the problem.
Stress can be caused by changes in the environment, such as new objects, furnishings, or an additional reptile. Providing a friendly and safe atmosphere, limiting close contact, and respecting the dragon’s personal space can help reduce stress.
Illness can be the result of incorrect temperatures, inadequate substrate, improper UVB lighting, or dehydration. Therefore, you should ensure that your dragon is receiving the proper temperatures, humidity, and UVB light, as well as having access to clean water at all times.
Improper diet is a common cause of lack of appetite. A bearded dragon needs a variety of insects as well as leafy greens for a complete diet, and it is also important to vary both the types of insects and the greens that you feed your reptile.
Finally, parasites can be a major cause of appetite loss in bearded dragons. You should have your dragon tested to determine if parasites are at the root of the issue. If parasites are present, your veterinarian can provide a course of treatment.
In conclusion, your bearded dragon sleeping more and not eating could be because of a variety of factors, such as stress, illness, improper diet, or parasites. As such, it is important that you investigate each of these possibilities in order to determine the underlying cause and seek an appropriate solution.
How active should my bearded dragon be?
Your bearded dragon should be very active. They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. You should notice your bearded dragon exploring its habitat on a regular basis and they should be active in the evenings.
During the day, they can be more sluggish and tend to hide or sleep a lot. It’s important to ensure your bearded dragon has enough space to be active and explore, as this is a vital part of their wellbeing.
Take time to encourage your bearded dragon to be active and explore by providing toys, climbing areas and a variety of hiding places. Additionally, create a physical barrier between them and any potential predators in their habitat.
Make sure their enclosure is filled with UVB lighting and the temperature is kept between 80-90°F (27-32°C), as this will contribute to your bearded dragon feeling safe and secure enough to be active.
Why is my bearded dragon not moving all day?
Your bearded dragon may not be moving all day for a variety of reasons. It could be related to health issues, lack of food or low temperatures. Generally, bearded dragons should be alert, active and regularly bask in the sun throughout the day.
If your bearded dragon appears weak or lethargic and is not moving, this could be a sign of health issues and it’s best to have a veterinarian check them out.
If your bearded dragon isn’t moving due to lack of food, you should make sure to feed them a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, insects and reptile-specific supplements. The amount of food varies based on the age, size and activity level of the dragon, so make sure to research the optimal food amounts.
The temperature of their environment may also affect their activity level. Too low or too high of a temperature can make your bearded dragon sluggish and less active. Therefore, make sure to monitor the temperatures in their enclosure and cool side and hot side both measure between 75°-80°F.
Keeping these temperatures in the correct range helps them stay active, healthy and comfortable.
Do bearded dragons need constant attention?
No, bearded dragons do not need constant attention. Bearded dragons enjoy interacting with humans, but they do not need to be constantly watched or handled. They also require some alone time and should have a certain amount of space to themselves.
With that being said, a beardie should be spent with each day and supervised whenever they are out of their enclosure. When interacting with their owners, they should be handled gently and in such a way that is not intimidating or overwhelming.
When handling one, it’s best to provide support at their center of gravity, which is between the shoulders and up against the plastron or lower shell. Interaction and enrichment are important for a beardie’s well-being, but they do not need to be constantly attended to like some other animals.
How do I know if my bearded dragon is happy?
One of the best indicators of a happy bearded dragon is its behavior and physical signs. Generally, a healthy and happy bearded dragon is an active and inquisitive one, often seen wandering around its tank and investigating their environment.
While they will often sunbath, rest and sleep, they should become alert and responsive when you approach. You may also see your bearded dragon wagging or bobbing its head and even waving or saluting with its front arm when it’s happy.
If your bearded dragon is in good health, its eyes should be clear and alert and its skin should be smooth, with clear nails and scales. Their skin should be free of any unusual bumps or lumps. An appropriate diet should also keep them happy, healthy, and energetic.
Offer your bearded dragon a variety of fresh greens, vegetables, and fruits, as well as insects and the occasional fatty treat. Pay attention to the amount and type of food you are giving them and consult with your veterinarian if needed.
Finally, a comfy and stress-free environment should keep your bearded dragon content and healthy. Make sure the enclosure is large enough for climbing, basking, and exercising, and that its temperature and humidity levels are kept within safe ranges.
The tank should be kept clean, with plenty of hiding spots and climbing opportunities. If your bearded dragon shows energetic behavior, clear eyes, vibrant colors, and good appetite, that’s a good sign they are happy and healthy.
How many times a day should you handle your bearded dragon?
The amount of times per day you should handle your bearded dragon can vary depending on their individual personality and age. Younger, more skittish dragons may only be able to be handled for a few minutes at a time, while an older and more secure bearded dragon may be able to handle up to 30 minutes of daily handling.
In addition to providing daily handling time, you should also give your bearded dragon supervised time outside of the enclosure to explore and exercise, especially if they are not receiving adequate time in their enclosure.
It is important to remember that handling time is not a substitute for enclosure time and should be supplemental to the overall care your bearded dragon receives.
What time should I turn my bearded dragons light off at night?
Ideally, you should turn off the light for your bearded dragon at night when it is time for them to go to bed. Generally, that is usually at least 8-9 hours after the light is first turned on in the morning.
It is important to establish a specific light cycle for your pet’s enclosure, as the photo-periods regulate their day/night cycles and their active and resting periods. If you’re using a full spectrum light with a UVB output, it is best to turn that light off as well as other heat sources in the enclosure as to replicate natural day and night temperatures.
Alternately, you can also use an under tank heating pad if you opt to keep a basking light on at night, although you should make sure the basking area does not exceed 95F. As long as your dragon has access to a hiding area and is not exposed to any light sources, they will settle nicely and go to sleep like they do in the wild under starlight.
Is it OK to leave a heat lamp on overnight?
No, it is not recommended to leave a heat lamp on overnight. Heat lamps generate a lot of heat, so they can be a fire hazard if they are not monitored properly. It’s best to monitor the temperature using a thermometer, and only turn on the heat lamp when the temperature drops below an acceptable level.
Additionally, providing heat from a heat lamp for too long or at too high a temperature can be dangerous for the animal, so it’s important to make sure that it is monitored to ensure proper usage.
Do I turn off the heat lamp at night?
It depends on the type of reptile you have and the outdoor temperature. For many reptiles, the temperature needs to be kept relatively constant during the night, which requires leaving the heat lamp on.
If the ambient temperature in the home is low, leaving the heat lamp on can help your reptile. Also, if you have a desert species, they may need higher temperatures at night as well as a heat gradient during the day.
As a general rule, most reptile species should have a temperature drop at night. Dropping the temperature by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit at night is usually a good rule of thumb. If the overnight low is going to be too high for your reptile, then you can leave the heat lamp on but adjust the wattage so that the temperature does not become too high.
As always, it’s best to work with your veterinarian to determine the proper temperature and lighting needs for your reptile.
