The male bearded dragon is a lizard-like reptile mostly kept as a pet. Its origin is traced to the Australian desert, where it is believed they first lived. A bearded dragon has a variety of behaviors ranging from digging, brumation, and even banging their heads on things, which they do for different reasons. So why is my male bearded dragon bob his head at me?
It is common for a male bearded dragon to bob his head at you. However, if the bobbing continues for a long time, you need to be keen and look closely at it, as it may be unhealthy. The following are some of the reasons why a male bearded dragon can bob his head at humans:
1. Courting
A male bearded dragon can bob his head to show that it is courtship time, and it’s high time it starts mating.
2. Seeking Attention
Male bearded dragons can bob their heads for attention from humans. This occurs mainly when they are new in the tank because they might feel captivity and want to be removed.
3. Marking Territory
A bearded dragon is a territorial animal that likes dominating its surroundings. When you see your beardie bobbing his head at you, it may be because they are uncomfortable with you around. After all, they feel you are pirating their habitat.
4. As a Way of Appreciation
The bearded dragon owners believe it always bobs its head to greet the owner and thank him for keeping and caring for it.
5. Defensive Mechanism
A bearded dragon can bob his head to try to scare you away. This is one of the ways in which it defends itself from predators.
6. Submission to You
Your male bearded dragon recognizes you as its owner. So it will bang its head slowly towards you to show its submission.
7. A Way of Communicating
Your bearded dragon can bob his head at you as a form of communication. Bobbing of the head is the usual way a male bearded lizard communicates with their owner.
8. A Sign of Ailment
Occasionally, bobbing of the head in a male bearded dragon doesn’t necessarily mean it is sick. On the contrary, if your beardie bobs his head frequently and more often and shows some unusual behaviors, then there is a need to be alarmed. Your beardie might be sick.
9. Stress
Your male bearded dragon might bob at you because it feels nervous. This may be due to a change in its habitat, diet, or climate.
10. Boredom
Your bearded dragon may bob at you to show you it is bored and needs your presence.
Bearded Dragon Head Bobbing Female
A female bearded dragon bobbing her head is not so different from the reasons why males also bob their heads. However, one reason is not found in males, and that is the laying of eggs. Female bearded dragons will bob their heads as a sign of wanting to lay eggs.
Baby bearded dragon head bobbing . You may ask, When do bearded dragons start head bobbing? Bearded dragons start bobbing their heads when they are still young, usually in the baby stage.
So, why is my bearded dragon bobbing head at nothing?
Bearded dragons have excellent eyesight; they may see things you can’t see. This can be why he bobbed his head to things you think aren’t there.
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Banging His Head on the Glass?
This is a behavior in which the bearded dragon bangs his head on an enclosure made of glass. It does this for the following reasons:
1. Sickness
If your beardie is sick, it may bang its head on the glass because of the pain and distress.
2. Seeking to be Recognized
Some bearded dragons bang on the glass to attract the owner’s attention when they feel the owner does not acknowledge their presence.
3. Nervous Tension
Your bearded dragon may bang on the glass because of fear or anxiety caused by things that happen within its surroundings.
4. Tired and Bored
Because of the limited space in the enclosure for your bearded dragon to do exercises like climbing might get bored and frustrated, hence banging on the glass.
5. Reflection of Its Own
Your bearded dragon might mistake its reflection for another rival beardie, which will bang on the glass because it tries to show its dominance.
Bearded Dragon Head Bobbing Black Beard
This is not a usual behavior and, once noticed, should be a cause for alarm that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. The following are some of the possible causes of the black beard:
1. Tension
Your beardie may feel threatened or scared due to a change in habitat or temperature, which might make its beard black.
2. Illness
The beardie might be sick, making its chin black.
3. Anger
A black beard is a sign of fury or aggression; hence, you need to be careful when handling it at this time.
4. Obstruction in the Gut
Impaction of the alimentary canal of the beardie can lead to it turning its beard black. This may result from eating substrate and other objects that are difficult to digest.
5. Adapting after Hibernation
Your dragon always goes through adaptation after brumation because of changes in its surroundings, like lighting, temperature, and diet.
6. Poor Diet
Due to malnutrition, your bearded dragon can turn its beard black because it is not getting the necessary nutrients.
7. Insufficient Water
Your bearded dragon may turn its beard black because of dehydration.
Related Articles
Why Is My Male Bearded Dragon Digging?