The unique behaviors of bearded dragons make them one of the special animals and pets that many people love. It doesn’t matter if it is lively captured in the wild or bred in captivity, you may see different types of behaviors you can observe from them. These are common bearded dragon behaviors that you may see most of the time.

A better understanding of bearded dragon behaviors may help you in taking care of them because certain behaviors may carry their language.



Inflated Beard
You may notice that this is the most common behavior of bearded dragons. Their beard under the neck area is expanded, seems to be inflated or filled with air. Both male and female dragons have conducted this kind of behavior, however it happens more often with males. They show this during mating or when they are aggressive. If the dragon is getting more aggressive the mouth may be opened as a threatening sign to its enemy.

Bobbing Head
If you have a bearded dragon as your pet, you may notice that another common type of bearded dragon behavior would be head-bobbing. This is a sign of dominance. This happens more often to males as head-bobbing is a sign of masculine and supremacy to other disrespectful male dragons when they are housed together. Bearded dragons may show this for courtship to female dragons.

Arm waving
As compared to the bearded dragon’s behavior of head-bobbing, arm waving is the opposite sign. It is shown by subordinate male dragons, females and juveniles as obedience to the more dominant dragon. They will lift one of their forehands and wave while stand on its hind legs and one hand. If you’re breeding your bearded dragon, and notice the female dragon is waving its arm it might be a sign the female is rejecting the male’s courtship.

Tail Curbing
 This is the sign of alertness that is shown by adult bearded dragons. They will bend their tail toward their body or head. This means that the bearded dragon is staying attentive and it’s a sign of a healthy dragon. 

Bearded dragons might be aggressive in fighting for their territory in the natural habitat, especially for male dragons. A high perching bearded dragon always shows “this is my area, do not come close and challenge me!” type of language. This happens in captivity as well, if you house your bearded dragons together, please make sure there is sufficient room for them to move around and have their own territory.

During the winter season, you can hardly see bearded dragons because they are hiding and stay dormant to reduce the metabolism due to lack of food consumption. This is the semi-hibernation of beardies which is normally known as brumation. The brumation might happen in the captivity as well. Don’t be surprised if you see this happen to your bearded dragons. They will eat again when the time comes.