“Why is my bearded dragon bobbing his head?” Many people ask that question, but they can’t describe it.
If you want to get the best possible treatment for your dragon, knowing the causes of your bearded dragon head bobbing is essential.
Although it is not always obvious, learning to understand this sign will help you make vital adjustments that make it easier for your bearded dragons to flourish.
We also assembled this helpful guide on what you can do to give your pet better care. Reading this will help you become a more educated owner and sustain a happy and safe beardie!
Related Posts:
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon’s Mouth Open?
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon Hissing at Me?
- How Big Can a Bearded Dragon Get?
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon Breathing Heavy?
- Can Two Bearded Dragons Live Together?
- Bearded Dragon Brumation or Dead: How to Differentiate?
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon Closing Eyes When Stroked?
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Bobbing His Head?
There are several different reasons for bearded dragon bobbing head.
There are likely some subtleties that can signify one head-bobbing cause compared to another, which is not something that we can perceive.
Instead, you have to look at this from a bird-eye view if you want to figure out the cause.
And luckily, it’s not too hard as it looks.
Bobbing the head of a bearded dragon typically responds to something that makes him feel awkward or insecure in his climate.
He may feel anxious, attempt to protect his territories, or maybe he is searching to find an ideal relationship.
For the most part, this behavior is entirely natural for a bearded dragon and is typically nothing to think about (more about that later).
These are the main reasons to help you recognize the trigger and help you see the difference.
1. They Are Feeling Territorial
One of the key reasons why your bearded dragon is bobbing his head up and down is that he attempts to control his territories and demonstrate how strong he is (even though those territories are just glass tanks).
This could look like they’re bobbing their heads at nothing, depending on the situation.
This action mimics the persistent need of a wild beardie to protect his territories in the Australian outback’s rugged conditions.
We can see both male and female bearded dragons displaying this mechanical action, but this particular kind of aggressive bearded dragon head bobbing is more performed by male beardies.
2. They Might Be Interested in Mating
The way a man attempts to entice the ladies may be a romantic dinner and a bouquet, but one way a beardie may express his urge to mate is through a full performance.
This can be used by your male bearded dragon to indicate his readiness to mate and look attractive to all the females available.
Your female bearded dragon can also illustrate an updated variant of this head-hopping.
However, her performance is a slower and more subtle movement that represents her desire and readiness to respond to a male beardie’s advances.
You could see this activity exhibited with a black beard in tandem.
While there is still no certainty that mating is the trigger, this mixture will give you a little more trust in this hypothesis.
3. They Are Signaling Submission
When beardies are grouped, there will usually be a lot of macho-style jockeying in their hierarchy for the position.
More giant beardies frequently face a smaller or weaker beardie with simple, distinct head bobs.
Suppose the smaller reptile determines that it is too threatening for the larger one (or it just feels that the danger is not worth confrontation).
In that case, with a sluggish bob that is often followed by a funky arm-waving gesture, it will generally display submission.
It is typically not a safe idea to have two male bearded dragons in one tank, as we discussed earlier.
If not carefully watched, the domination and submission situation can get out of control, so keep all of your beardies secure by supplying them with their tanks.
Moreover, if you have recently got your beardie and they aren’t used to you yet, you could see this behavior directed at you as well.
If this is the cause, it will likely go away after adjusting and you spend more time handling them.
4. They Are Acknowledging Another Animal
You can often see a kind of non-aggressive bearded dragon head bobbing that seems to have no particular intention or is aimed at nothing.
However, you might find that this happens if your beardie is near another beardie or even another cat, on closer examination.
Although this problem can never be settled to anyone’s satisfaction, we know that beardies do better on their own.
Generally, we tend to identify each other from a distance.
5. They Are Trying to Intimidate Another Beardie
As we’ve hinted at above, bearded dragons will often use head bobbing in an attempt to intimidate another beardie.
Trying to make himself appear more intimidating is the way for a beardie to deal with perceived danger.
This action represents your tank’s setup, so your beardie will attempt to use intimidation to assert superiority over his territories.
The goal here is to let other beardies know that they can stay away from his wife or show that he is the alpha male of the tribe.
Usually, this provocation is indicated by jerky, and he gives an unambiguous warning to other beardies that they should obey or that they may be at risk of battle.
If you’re one of the many owners who own only one (or at least keep them in different enclosures), this is not going to happen to you for this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bearded Dragon Head Bobbing
1. Why Is My Bearded Dragon Bobbing His Head at Me?
Beardies convey how they sound through this action.
Your reptile may try to show you that he is not frightened of you and that he considers himself to be a superior creature to you (especially if it is new to your household).
Conversely, it may mean that he has accepted you as the superior creature, depending on the form of this action, and provided you with a kind of submission.
It might even be trying to warn you that your beardie is anxious or depressed.
Your lizard will grow to trust you over time, and this activity will begin to decline or vanish completely.
If it doesn’t, it means that this activity is presumably due to another reason.
Read More:
- Can Beardies Eat Squash?
- Can Beardies Eat Honeydew Melon?
- Do Beardies Get High?
- Do Beardies Eat Brussel Sprouts?
- Can Beardies Eat Peas?
- Can Beardies Eat Chard?
2. Why Is My Female Bearded Dragon Bobbing Her Head?
You may have noted that, generally, male bearded dragons do most of the head bobbing when you spend more time with various kinds of bearded dragons.
Female beardies, though, will also regularly show different ways of head bobbing!
Females tend to give calmer head bobbing signals (most of the time) instead of the fast, more violent head movements of the male.
She may be trying to demonstrate submissiveness to another beardie by doing this, or she might be trying to show a male that she is ready to consider his advances.
On the other hand, she might be attempting to assert superiority in the party over other females!
This is impossible to be the trigger, assuming that you have each beardie in a separate enclosure.
3. What Causes Them to Bob Their Heads While Sleeping?
When they are awake, bearded dragons do a lot of head bobbing, but they will even shake their heads in their sleep on occasion!
If you’re a beginner to the world of beardies, this may sound strange or even a genuine cause for alarm.
It is a reasonably natural beardie activity, though, and is nothing to think about it.
This suggests that this might trigger sleep interruptions if you have a bright light continually burning in his tank.
This sort of upset, irritated head bobbing also leads to these interruptions.
4. Is Frequent Head Bobbing Something to Be Worried About?
If it seems as if your beardie is continuously bobbing his head. And you’re worried that something is wrong with him, relax and know that your beardie is only doing what beardies do.
Often, this frequent head bobbing is one of the best ways your reptile knows to communicate that he or she feels uncomfortable, intimidated, or even ready to search for a mate.
The beardie may be attempting to adapt to a new environment or circumstance.
Or it might be adapting to another pet.
Even the live prey in their tank can cause stress or a territorial response (although it is uncommon).
There are so many reasons why it still looks like the beardie is bobbing its head.
Your pet will be much easier to grasp. And you will be able to rectify their cause after you spend more time with your beardie and get to know him or her better.
Conclusion
Bearded dragon head bobbing is what many new owners misinterpret. Either they consider it a big topic or it’s not worth paying attention to.
After reading some of the above explanations, I hope the owners will profoundly understand the reason behind their bearded dragon bobbing head.
Even though this action doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong, it may be a chance for you to boost the level of treatment you offer.
In all facets of service, we agree that all owners should aspire to go from “good” to “great.” Listen to your pet, give your hardest, and we’re sure the outcome will make your bearded dragon proud!
Key points why your bearded dragon is bobbing their head:
Bearded dragons are known for their intriguing behaviors, one of which is head bobbing. When you observe your bearded dragon bobbing its head, it may raise questions about the reasons behind this behavior. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Communication and Behavior:
- Head bobbing is a form of communication and behavior displayed by bearded dragons.
- It is a part of their repertoire of gestures to convey various messages.
2. Mating Behavior:
- One of the most common reasons for head bobbing is related to mating behavior.
- Male bearded dragons often bob their heads to display dominance or courtship to a female.
- This is a natural and instinctual behavior when they are in breeding mode.
3. Territorial Display:
- Head bobbing can also serve as a territorial display.
- Bearded dragons may bob their heads to assert dominance and establish boundaries when interacting with other dragons, including cage mates.
4. Stress or Agitation:
- In some cases, head bobbing can be a sign of stress or agitation.
- Environmental factors, such as changes in lighting, noise, or handling, can trigger this response.
5. Interaction with Reflections:
- Bearded dragons may react to their own reflections in glass or mirrors by head bobbing.
- They may perceive their reflection as a rival or potential mate, leading to this behavior.
6. Hormonal Changes:
- Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in breeding season, can influence head bobbing.
- The presence of a receptive female or the urge to compete with other males can trigger this response.
7. Other Gestures:
- Head bobbing can be accompanied by other gestures such as arm-waving, leg-lifting, or black beard displays.
- These actions, combined with head bobbing, help convey the bearded dragon’s intentions and feelings.
8. Individual Variability:
- The frequency and intensity of head bobbing can vary among individual bearded dragons.
- Some may head bob more frequently or vigorously than others.
9. Observation and Context:
- It’s important to observe the context in which your bearded dragon is head bobbing.
- Is it interacting with another dragon, displaying in front of a mirror, or responding to changes in its environment?
10. Health Considerations: – While head bobbing is often a normal behavior, excessive, prolonged, or unexplained head bobbing could be a sign of health issues. – If accompanied by other concerning behaviors or symptoms, consult a reptile veterinarian.
In summary, bearded dragon head bobbing is a multifaceted behavior that can signify various intentions and emotions. Understanding the context and triggers behind head bobbing is crucial to interpret your pet’s behavior correctly. In most cases, head bobbing is a normal part of their communication and social interactions, but it’s essential to monitor it and ensure it doesn’t become excessive or coincide with other worrisome behaviors or signs of distress.
