Do bearded dragons sleep?
Bearded dragons are interesting reptiles. They exhibit certain exhilarating behaviours that most pet owners do not understand. You must be wondering whether your pet friend sleeps or not. The answer is yes, it does. Do bearded dragons sleep? Absolutely.
Sleep is essential for animals. The thing is, even nocturnal animals fall asleep once in a while. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about your little reptile’s relationship to sleep. Let’s get to it.
Do bearded dragons sleep?
Yes. They do. Bearded dragons sleep, just like humans. Even though their sleeping habits and positions differ, bearded dragons prefer to sleep at night, when the lights are off. You must understand the sleeping pattern of your beardy if you want a good companion.
What time do bearded dragons sleep?
Bearded dragons are diurnal, just like you and me. They, therefore, spend the entire day actively awake and sleep at night. The same also applies in their natural habitat, where they wake up at sunrise and fall asleep at sundown.
Their sleeping pattern makes them easy to domesticate since you do not have to keep on setting alarms at intervals to check up on your pet. Whenever you switch off the lights and lie down to sleep, your pet friend will be sleeping.
The only difference they have against humans is that they sleep for a considerably longer period. A more significant percentage of human beings sleep for six to eight hours, whereas bearded dragons require eight to 12 hours sleep.
As a pet owner, therefore, you have to ensure that your bearded dragon lives in a comfortable environment that allows full hours of sleep. A dark room or cage would be a great start since these reptiles only sleep at night.
What is the sleeping cycle of a bearded dragon?
The bearded dragon’s sleep cycle is similar to that of mammals. Funny, right? I thought so. These reptiles, therefore, undergo short sleep cycles that are made up of rapid eye movement sleep and slow-wave sleep. The only difference is that their sleep cycle is usually shorter and a bit regular.
Young dragons also have a different sleep cycle from adults. They, therefore, experience more muscles twitches as they sleep. Do you now see why bearded dragons are pretty amazing?
What are some of the sleeping habits of the bearded dragon?
Weirdly enough, bearded dragons have funny sleeping habits. You might be shocked if you are a first-timer and think even think that your friend is uncomfortable, which is not entirely true. Here are some of the shocking habits your bearded dragon may portray while asleep:
- Colour change
You read that right. Bearded dragons can change colour while asleep. During sleep, most bearded dragons appear lighter, which is normal. Do not, therefore, freak out and call the vet when this happens.
The reason why these animals change colour while they are asleep is attributed to science. It is believed that this phenomenon occurs due to circadian rhythms.
- Slow breathing
Your bearded dragon might freak you out during sleep. One moment your bearded dragon will be breathing normally, and the next moment you won’t feel a pulse. Do not freak out. Bearded dragons are capable of not only slowing down their metabolism rate but also their respiratory rate.
during sleep.
At times you might even think your pet friend is dead. If you are a beginner beardy keeper, there is no cause for alarm. Yes, you need to check up on your little friend but do not let this normal behaviour scare you so much.
- Long sleep durations
Remember, bearded dragons have a longer sleep duration as compared to mammals. Let me drop the bombshell now. Your beardy can easily slide into a month’s sleep. Now, this is both weird and frightening at the same time, but it is possible.
Most reptiles undergo brumation, which usually occurs during winter and late falls. Brumation is just a reptile term for hibernation. Do not freak out if your little friend falls into a week’s sleep. Reptiles have a way of slowing down their metabolic rates during brumation, and therefore, your beardy won’t starve.
- Strange sleeping positions
Most of the time, bearded dragons sleep while lying on their stomach. There are times, however, that these amazing reptiles assume different weird positions that might freak you out. It is normal, and with time, you will get used to it.
The various positions are inherited from their natural habitats. Remember, bearded dragons mostly live in the woodlands, and as a result, most of them sleep on trees. You should, not, therefore, freak out if your pet assumes a vertical position during sleep.
Remember, the pet’s enclosures lacks a tree and therefore, it should not come as a shocker if you find your pet sleeping upright.
How will I know that y bearded dragon is undergoing brumation
Now, it is essential to understand the process of brumation so that you do not end up getting all frightened when your pet experiences it. Brumation is a hibernation-like state which occurs in several reptiles.
Brumation is a natural process and doesn’t have to do with whether your pet is healthy or not. First-time owners usually panic during such moments. Brumation is a survival tactic, just like hibernation. Bearded dragons, therefore, sleep through the cold months, slowing down their metabolism as a way of coping with less live foods and plants/.
During such times, reptiles, deplete their natural reserves, which they rely on for energy and body functioning. How will you, therefore, know that your bearded dragon is undergoing brumation?
- Sleeping more- Bearded dragons can sleep for even more than a month during brumation. If you notice that your pet has developed a weird and more extended sleeping pattern, it might be hibernating. This is usually the most common characteristic.
- Reduced appetite- During brumation, bearded dragons survive on their natural reserves. They, therefore, tend to eat less. Most of them refuse food blatantly. Now if you notice decreased appetite and frequent sleep, then your bearded dragon is probably undergoing brumation.
- Hiding- In their natural habitat, bearded dragons burrow deep into the soil during brumation. If you notice that your pet is continually hiding in the shade and showing no interest in being out in the open, it is probably bromating.
- Less pooing- This characteristic is associated with less eating. Since bearded dragons depend on natural reserves, they undergo little to no digestion, which means no defecation.
Now, here is a plot twist. These signs also apply to several illnesses that bearded dragons suffer, and therefore, it is wise that you get your pet checked. A visit to the vet would, therefore, come in handy if you suspect it is an illness.
Do bearded dragons need light at night/
No. bearded dragons, just like human beings, sleep better when lights are off. You are probably thinking of using red light to pimp their sleep, which is not advisable. Lights disturb their sleep since just like humans, these unbelievable pets can sense even the least amount of light.
Do bearded dragons sleep with their eyes closed?
Yes. They do. If you want to test this theory, switch on the lights when you suspect that these reptiles are asleep, and they will instantly open their eyes.
Should I cover my bearded dragon enclosure at night for better sleep?
Well, you do not have to. As long as all lights are turned off, your bearded dragon will sleep comfortably. However, if having the light on is essential to you, you can go ahead and cover your pet’s enclosure. Remember, the end goal is to get rid of all the light so that your pet sleeps comfortably.
Away from curtailing light, covering the pet’s enclosure also helps in temperature regulation. It is, therefore, a good move in achieving optimal temperature management. Ensure, however, that you uncover the pen during the day.
Are red lights good for bearded dragons?
Red lights may be suitable for other home pets but not bearded dragons. These reptiles can quickly notice red lights while asleep, which affects the quality of their sleep. Bearded dragons sleep better when it is dark, and therefore, the best thing to do is to cut off all the light.
Why is my bearded dragon always asleep?
Now, apart from brumation, there are other reasons why your bearded dragon spends the whole day sleeping. These are:
- Stress- Just like humans, animals also get stressed. Stress, therefore, affects the activity levels of lizards, meaning that your reptile might sleep the entire time. A common cause of stress is unfavourable habitat.
- Illness- Now, before you conclude that your bearded friend is bromating, you need to check out for signs of disease. Notable signs of illness include swollen glands, shedding of skin, loss of weight and weepy nose.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are cute creatures with funny behaviours. However, just like human beings, they also deserve sleep. You should, therefore, understand your pet’s sleeping cycle and habits for easier domestication. So, do bearded dragons sleep? Yes. Absolutely.