How do bearded dragons drink?
Many things can puzzle the bearded dragon owners when raising these animals such as how to choose food, plants, substrate, and so on.
And understanding their drinking regimen particularly is important as it is quite complicated, and your beardies might become dehydrated if you get it wrong.
Therefore, I would like to give you a detailed answer to the question, “How do bearded dragons drink?”
Read on to learn more about bearded dragons’ drinking habits!
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How Much Water Should Bearded Dragons Drink Every Day?
Before we talk about how bearded dragons drink, how much water should they drink every day?
The amount of water for reptiles to sustain their daily life is between 10 ml and 30 ml.
This measurement is made following the ideal weight of the reptile.
Therefore, in the case of bearded dragons who have some problems with dehydration, obesity, or irregular size, measuring their weight plays an important role in solving these problems.
The amount of water ranging from 10 to 30 ml per kg per day for a mature bearded dragon to maintain life would be equivalent to around 2 teaspoons of water.
However, don’t worry if your beardie seldom drinks a single drop of water as they may get enough for a long day with a bit of mist staying on plants.
| Reptile Weight (Grams) | Water Per 24 Hour Period (ml) | Water In 24 Hour Period (oz) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.1 | 0.003 |
| 20 | 0.2 | 0.006 |
| 30 | 0.3 | 0.010 |
| 40 | 0.4 | 0.013 |
| 50 | 0.5 | 0.016 |
| 75 | 0.75 | 0.025 |
| 100 | 1.0 | 0.033 |
| 125 | 1.25 | 0.042 |
| 150 | 1.5 | 0.050 |
| 175 | 1.75 | 0.059 |
| 200 | 2.0 | 0.067 |
| 250 | 2.5 | 0.084 |
| 300 | 3.0 | 0.101 |
| 350 | 3.5 | 0.118 |
| 400 | 4.0 | 0.135 |
| 500 | 5.0 | 0.169 |
| 600 | 6.0 | 0.202 |
| 700 | 7.0 | 0.236 |
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How Do Bearded Dragons Drink?
So how do bearded dragons drink?
As you know, it is common for bearded dragons not to consume too much water.
However, if bearded dragons do not drink water, it should be for some reason.
Below are some training approaches to make your bearded dragon drink water.
1. Water Bowl
A bowl bought at the grocery store or made by yourself is the one we need, and it should have a moderate size (not too big or not too small) if you don’t want your naughty beardies to take a bath in it.
Fruit juice such as apple juice or pear should be added to the water of the bearded dragon water bowl to lure the dragon into it.
However, make sure that you do not put too much juice in the water and try to avoid making the solution too thick.
You can check out this product that will help with your bearded dragon’s drinking:
The process of adding fragrance to the water should be repeated until they drink it.
You can add more to the water if the smell of the juice is not strong enough.
Note that you should replace water as well as clean the disk frequently as bearded dragons can defecate into the water even if they do not drink.
A bearded dragon farming community called Beardie World took part in a survey to see how many beardies were constantly supplied with water and how often they drank.
2. Use a Sprayer
A plastic spray bottle may be a good option but you have to make sure that your bottle is completely clean without any sediment. Also, the temperature of the water should be kept at a normal level (not too hot or not too cold).
In case your bottle has detergent, which would lead to dangerous issues for your bearded dragon, you should be careful.
As I mentioned before, the beardie loves drinking water at a time of rain during the year.
You can create a rain effect by spraying mist on the bowl, which allows the beardie to lick the droplets of steam on his mouth or the droplets to automatically flow into his mouth.
Keep doing this several times to make your bearded dragon get used to drinking water from the bowl. Then you won’t need to spray and see your pet obediently drink.
You also need to clean the bowl regularly in case they can defecate it at any time.
There was a survey made among 21 beardies, and the result comes out that 12 of 21 beardies had a habit of misting from daily to once a week, and mistakenly if the weather was hot of 3, without bear misting habits of 9.
3. Use a Water Dish (a popular way for bearded dragons to drink)
Choosing your water dish that has the right size is very important as this allows your bearded dragon to take a bath.
Make sure your dish is completely clean and full of water.
Below are some dishes that you can consider purchasing:
You should make your beardie feel comfortable when being bathed. So, you just gently place your dragon on the platter of water and rub it on his stomach to calm him.
The water temperature plays an important role. Therefore, you had better keep it moderate (not too hot and not too cold).
When he is taking a bath, you can get water from the dish on his nose and head. And, maybe bearded dragons would drink some.
You should keep noticing him as your beardie can overheat if he stays in the water for too long.
You can adjust the amount of water in the dish to make sure that he cannot dip his head into the water.
By repeating this, your dragon will learn not to submerge too much and inhale too much.
And if he faces some serious respiratory problems, you can keep the amount of water low during the night.
Stop showering your beardie for a few days to notice whether he is in trouble or not.
4. Use Other Food Sources
Eating lots of insects will allow bearded dragons to grow fast and stay healthy.
Therefore, you should always keep fresh vegetables in a cage.
Moreover, you can provide them with lots of insects in short periods of 10-15 minutes.
After they finish eating, it’s time for you to remove the leftovers from their cages.
Green vegetables and insects that bearded dragons eat will give them a certain amount of water. This can improve their dehydration without feeding them water.
You should consider the number of vegetables for your bearded dragon as eating a lot of these vegetables can be harmful.
You should give your bearded dragon less lettuce as it has less nutritional value for them.
Don’t forget to feed your bearded dragon daily with vegetables, tubers, and fruits as fresh as possible.
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How to Make Your Bearded Dragons Drink?
1. Provide Your Dragon With a Water Bowl
You can easily find it available in local pet stores and reptile shops or you can have one made by yourself from recycled plastic containers.
The water bowl should be filled with water up to the dragon’s elbow height and you should make sure that the sides are low enough for the dragon to get in and out of it in case they want to take a bath.
2. Fill a Spray Bottle With Water
Fill this kind of plastic spray bottle with water at room temperature, not hot or cold to the touch.
You should also clean the water bottle carefully to make sure that it doesn’t have residue from anything else, such as cleaning solutions that can be harmful to the dragon.
3. Spray the Mist on the Dragon’s Bowl
You can create a sort of rain effect by spraying a mist directly over the bowl, which makes the dragon think that it is raining into a pool.
Also, more humidity, which is important for the dragon for proper shedding, especially in the winter, would be added.
You are also recommended to use the mist function on the spray bottle instead of the narrow stream.
4. Keep Doing It Until the Dragon Will Drink on Its Own
You should practice this daily until the dragon can drink on its own, and you don’t need to spray water on it.
Make sure that you clean the bowls regularly in case beardies may defecate in their water bowls.
Conclusion
After having a look at how bearded dragons drink, you should now have a more profound understanding of their drinking regimen.
Some recommendations for bettering their drinking habit have also been provided, and those will help you know how you can make bearded dragons drink if ever they refuse.
I hope this information about how bearded dragons drink will be helpful for readers and those who are raising bearded dragons.
Key points for how bearded dragons drink:
Bearded dragons, like all reptiles, have unique ways of obtaining hydration. Understanding how they drink and ensuring they have access to water is crucial for their well-being. Here’s a guide to how bearded dragons drink:
1. Lapping Water:
- Bearded dragons do not drink water through their mouths like mammals. Instead, they lap up water droplets.
2. Skin Hydration:
- They absorb some moisture through their ventral (belly) skin, which is thin and has specialized cells for water absorption.
3. Natural Water Sources:
- In the wild, bearded dragons may encounter moisture from dew on leaves, plant surfaces, or even from occasional rainfall.
4. Drinking Behavior:
- Bearded dragons may display drinking behavior by licking their lips or extending their tongues to catch water droplets.
5. In Captivity:
- In captivity, providing a water dish is essential to ensure they have access to water when needed.
6. Shallow Water Dish:
- Use a shallow water dish or saucer that is easy for your bearded dragon to access. The dish should be shallow enough to prevent drowning.
7. Water Temperature:
- Use lukewarm or room temperature water, as bearded dragons may be deterred by cold water.
8. Water Quality:
- Ensure the water is clean and free from contaminants. Replace it regularly to prevent bacterial growth.
9. Dripping Water:
- Some bearded dragons may respond to dripping water. Gently drip water onto a plant or the side of the enclosure to mimic a natural water source.
10. Hydration from Food: – Bearded dragons obtain some hydration from their diet, particularly from moisture-rich vegetables and fruits.
11. Bathing: – Regularly offering your bearded dragon short, shallow baths can help with hydration. Some dragons will drink while in the bath.
12. Observation: – Pay attention to your bearded dragon’s hydration needs. Signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, and reduced activity.
13. Monitoring Water Intake: – Keep track of how often your dragon visits the water dish and how much they drink, especially during warm periods.
14. Special Considerations: – Young or juvenile bearded dragons may need more frequent access to water than adults.
15. Spraying or Mistings (Rarely): – Some keepers occasionally spray or mist the enclosure to create humidity and encourage drinking, but bearded dragons do not typically drink from water droplets in the air.
16. Overhydration Caution: – Be cautious not to overhydrate your bearded dragon, as this can lead to other health issues. Ensure there is a balance in their water intake.
17. Consult a Veterinarian: – If you suspect your bearded dragon is dehydrated or not drinking, consult a reptile veterinarian for guidance.
In summary, bearded dragons drink water through lapping up droplets and can absorb moisture through their skin. In captivity, provide a shallow, clean water dish and offer occasional baths for hydration. Monitoring their water intake and recognizing signs of dehydration are crucial for maintaining their health and well-being.
