Mental Wellbeing

Bearded dragons need love and understanding just like every other animal. Being the guardian of a bearded dragon is a big responsibility and long-term commitment, so before you adopt one it’s important to be sure that your family’s lifestyle can accommodate and meet all the needs of a bearded dragon. Bearded dragons have unique needs and requirements. You need to make sure that you have the knowledge, time and money to meet these needs. 

Bearded dragons deserve love, understanding, and respect from their guardians. When they are provided with these things, it helps them to feel safe and secure.

If a bearded dragon starts to develop unusual dark marks on their belly and/or chin, it can mean that they are stressed. These marks are called stress marks. To avoid your bearded dragon feeling stressed, you need to get to know and understand him or her and be aware of what they like and do not like.

Check that their enclosure is set up to best mimic their natural habitat, make sure you have the correct lightning, such as a UVA/UVB tube light, and a basking light to keep your dragon healthy and warm, keep their tank is clean, and ensure your dragon is being fed right food in the right amounts. Minimal handling can help as well, especially if your bearded dragon is just settling into their new enclosure.

Learning how to properly handle your bearded dragon helps keep them safe and comfortable and can reduce stress - an important part of their mental wellbeing. Some dragons are not used to being handled so it can take some time for them to get used to it.

Bearded dragons do not like to be surprised. Make sure they can see your hand coming when you go to pick them up. Never grab your bearded dragon suddenly, squeeze them if they’re squirming, or hold/place them in high places. It’s best to support their whole body, including their tail. 

Always get an adult to help you when handling your bearded dragon.

If your bearded dragon is hanging out in their hide box, they’re letting you know that they want to be alone. Respect your bearded dragon’s wishes and interact with them on their terms. When you give them this love and understanding, they’ll trust you and feel more at peace in their environment.

Bearded dragons prefer to live alone. When they share their tank, dragons can become aggressive and their stress levels can rise. You may think that your bearded dragon would like a friend, but they are completely happy to have their own space. If you do have more than one bearded dragon, it’s best to have them in separate enclosures. This stops them from feeling the need to compete for resources.