Bearded Dragons are not only fascinating pets, but they also make great companions. But what about their social behaviors? Are bearded dragons social?
Bearded dragons are considered semi-social. They communicate with one another using a variety of bodily gestures, including bobbing their heads, waving their arms, and flaring their beards etc. Stacking is an everyday activity for young bearded dragons, in which one dragon will climb on top of another beardie, and then another beardie will climb on top of that one.
Let’s discuss more about beardies’ social behaviors and body gestures.
Arm Waving
Arm waving is a common behaviour seen in young beardies. It is an entertaining behaviour pattern defined by the dragon raising one arm over its head, almost as if it is greeting someone or bidding them farewell. In point of fact, this is a behaviour that the dragon uses to communicate with other dragons and let them know that it does not intend to engage in a battle with them.
Beard Flaring
Beardies are well-known for their beards, and flaring their beards is one of the actions that best distinguishes bearded dragons from other species. When the dragon perceives that it is in grave danger, it will behave in this manner.
It will thrust its chin upward and spread out its beard and may also make a hissing sound. Because of the way its beard is fanning out, the dragon seems much larger and more menacing to anyone around.
Head bobbing
Beardies are known to engage in various social activities, including head bobbing. The lizard will quickly move its head back and forth between the up and down positions. In most cases, this takes place in the company of a second beardie.
The other lizard should avoid entering its region due to the head bobbing, which serves as a warning. When two males are involved, it might result in a duel, with the victor assuming a position of dominance.
Stacking
Beardies engage in a social practice known as “stacking,” which is also quite fascinating. This behaviour is most commonly seen in newborn dragons when a large number of them are confined within a small location. When one dragon is basking in a particularly desirable location, another beardie will come along and lie on top of it.
After that, there is a possibility that a third one may arrive and climb atop the second dragon. The presence of an excessive number of dragons in the stack makes it possible for this behaviour to be innocuous at times, but it also has the potential to be hazardous. It’s possible that the lower dragon is having trouble breathing. When housing several dragons in the same area, it is essential to ensure that each dragon has sufficient space to locate a suitable position for sunbathing.
If they are introduced to humans and other animals as early as possible, the majority of dragons are less likely to be sociable with other dragons than they are to be friendly with humans and other pets. Beardies are strongly attracted to activities that challenge their minds, so they may follow you around the home to check out what you’re up to.
In addition to this, it’s possible for them to create hazy ties with animals like dogs or cats, and they may like playing rudimentary games with these pets. Like other lizards, they prefer basking in the sun for extended periods of time, which is analogous to how cats spend a lot of time sleeping during the day. Despite their seemingly solitary habit, the vast majority of dragons are really gregarious in their own unique way.
Implications of mixing beardies with other species
In the wild, beardies spend much of their time by themselves. They do not interact with other species or with other members of their species. However, this does not always indicate that you cannot keep them in captivity alongside one another.
Therefore, as was said before, bearded dragons have the propensity to be territorial with one another; nevertheless, this does not always indicate that they will not get along.
It is just more convenient to meet them at an earlier stage. Consequently, when it comes to combining them with other creatures, the first thing that must be done is to ensure that all of the species originate from the same environment. For instance, dragons hail from a land where the environment is arid and scorching. Because of this, you shouldn’t house them with a chameleon because of chameleons like environments with a high level of humidity.
Should you pay attention to your bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons enjoy the company of humans occasionally, even though their natural state is to be alone.
Bearded dragons are excellent pets because of their calm demeanor and laid-back attitude. These creatures are simple to tame, even for owners who have little experience with bearded dragons. Your bearded dragon will soon look forward to spending time with you after it has grown acclimated to both you and its new environment.
The effects of putting two beardies males together
In the wild, dragons almost often keep to themselves because of their solitary nature. This is because beardies have extremely robust territorial instincts. The male beardies, in particular, are the ones most affected by this trait.
In general, you are free to mix males and females together if you are not concerned about the dragons’ ability to reproduce. Male beardies, on the other hand, seldom get along with one another.
They might very well put on ferocious displays. And are prone to engage in combat in order to secure their area. Therefore, if one beardie is significantly larger than the other, it is incredibly likely that the smaller one will perish due to the conflict.
Beardies have a surprisingly higher likelihood of getting along with members of other animals than they do with members of their own species.
If you do find up having two beardies in the same space, you must maintain a close check on each of them. If they are fighting or preventing each other from eating food, you must separate them as soon as possible.
Do beardies need human attention?
Each beardie has its own unique personality; it’s impossible to predict how much your pet will appreciate being in your company. They may enjoy being held and will cuddle close to you while you do so. This is because they prefer basking in warm regions. You can carry them on your shoulders or let them sit on your lap if they are of greater size.
Even while people may enjoy working with their beardie, they are not necessarily dependent on it. Some people say that because they live in the wild alone, their brains aren’t mature enough to be capable of experiencing more complex feelings like love. Because of this, they won’t feel lonely or like they’re missing out on anything when you’re gone.
Despite this, it is still possible for you to form a connection with your beardies. As they get more comfortable with you, they will start to thrive off of the attention you give them. If they remain calm while being petted, shut their eyes while you are in the room with them, or deliberately come to you to be patted, you will know they trust you.