Bearded dragons have lived on the planet for centuries. They are mostly found on the Australian continent. Beardies, a common name for bearded dragons, are such social and active animals that most people find them the best option for a pet. It is the only reptile in the lizard family that is mostly kept as a pet. Bearded dragons display a variety of behaviors that include bobbing their heads, burrowing, and even shaking their heads. But why do bearded dragons shake their heads?
The following are some of the reasons why bearded dragons shake their heads:
1. Marking Territory
Bearded dragons are territorial animals, and so to stamp this out or show their dominance, they tend to shake their heads. This mainly happens in the wild.
However, if you notice your beardie is shaking his head at the tank where you keep it at home, then perhaps it hasn’t gotten used to the new environment.
2. Lack of Vital Minerals like Calcium
Your bearded dragon might definitely be suffering from a calcium deficiency, which is why it keeps moving it’s head from side to side.
3. Brain Infections
Neurological disorders such as Adenoviral infections are one of the causes of the bearded dragon shaking his head. These disorders are mainly genetic; that is, they are transferred from mother to child.
4. Anxiety
Why is my bearded dragon moving his head from side to side? If your bearded dragon is stressed,it is likely to shake his head from side to side. The obvious cause of stress in a bearded dragon is a change in its habitat.
5. Heat Signs
When it’s time for the bearded dragon to mate, it will shake it’s head. The males shake their heads more frequently to exercise dominance over the females. Females, on the other hand, tend to bob their heads slowly towards the males to show submission.
6. Ecdysis
Bearded dragons shed their skin in a process called ecdysis. During this time, they shake their heads to weaken or loosen their skin so it can be easily peeled off.
7. Respiratory Disorders
Beardies shake their heads due to infections that may cause diseases of the respiratory system. If your beardie shakes his head and looks like he is suffocating, then clearly this can be a sign of a respiratory disease.
A bearded dragon shaking his head while coughing happens when it is suffering from respiratory failure. It may shake its head in an attempt to release mucus that may be clogged in its respiratory tract.
Ensure you contact your vet as soon as possible whenever you see your beardie shaking its head and producing some wheezing sounds.
8. Bored
If your bearded dragon has a limited space in its enclosure where it can exercise through burrowing, then it will most definitely shake it’s head as a sign of boredom.
9. Self-Defense
Your beardie may be seeing a predator, and as a way of protecting itself and scaring away the enemy, it will tend to shake its head.
10. Too Much Light
Bearded dragons like a dark habitat where they can easily sleep. If its enclosure has too much light in it, then it might disturb the bearded dragon, and this will make it shake its head to show that it is
Bearded dragons shake their heads from side to side due to discomfort.
Bearded Dragon Shaking Head With Mouth Open
This normally happens when your bearded dragon is annoyed or angry. Most animals, when they are in rage, tend to open their mouths. Similarly, bearded dragons do this too.
Even though they are docile and calm, bearded dragons can be really frightening when they are aggressive.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Shake His Head When He Eats?
A bearded dragon shaking its head when it eats might be doing this due to obstruction of the gut. This may result from it eating the substrate or any other material that can block it’s digestive system.
He responds by shaking his head because of irritation and restlessness in the gut.
Why Is My Baby Bearded Dragon Shaking His Head?
Normally, if your baby bearded dragon is shaking it’s head, it indicates that it has some nutritional problems. If you have lived with your baby bearded dragon for a while and still notice it shakes its head frequently, try changing its diet.
Essentially, a growing bearded dragon needs a variety of food, ranging from vegetables, fruits, and insects. If you just feed them one group, then they might lack some other vital contents that are of greater importance to their growth.
In addition, if you have a new baby bearded dragon and it starts shaking its head, it could be due to anxiety because of the new environment. Give your baby bearded dragon enough time to get used to its new habitat.
How Do I Handle a Bearded Dragon When It Shakes Its Head?
This is a completely common phenomenon in bearded dragons. Although if it doesn’t cease in a few days, you probably need to check your bearded dragon’s health.
Great care should be taken when handling a bearded dragon that shakes its head to avoid more complications.
Here is what you can do:
1. Slowly raise the beardie to your thighs and hold it firmly while you use your other hand to support it’s neck.
2. Use your fingers to gently stroke your bearded dragon’s chin and throat. During this process, ensure that you don’t touch it’s nose or eyes and that it doesn’t lick your hands.
3. When he is calm, give him a small portion of food, as he may be hungry. However,do not give it more food at once, as it may lead to impaction.
4. If the shaking persists, call your veterinarian to assist medically.
Related Articles
Why Is My Male Bearded Dragon Bob His Head at Me?