If you are new to pet keeping and or just decided to have bearded dragon as your next pet, it can be quite overwhelming. A bearded dragon is easy to keep and handle if you know what to do and how to do it. So in this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about handling your bearded dragon including whether or not they like being pet.
Do Bearded Dragons Like Being Handled?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. bearded dragons like being handled when they are calm, but if they feel scared or threatened, they may try to run away. So you must look for calm behaviors before attempting to pet your dragon.
Where Do Bearded Dragons Like To Be Pet?
Bearded dragons like being petted on their head, face, and neck the most. However, some bearded dragons also enjoy being petted on their back and tail. So it is best to experiment a little bit to see where your dragon enjoys being petted the most.
How to handle a bearded dragon?
handling a bearded dragon can be daunting for some when they are new to pet keeping. Do not worry, below we will discuss the best way to handle a bearded dragon and how often you can do it. Do make sure you stay calm when handling your bearded dragon as this is important for them to feel secure and safe with you.
#1 Look For Calm Behaviors And Wash Your Hands
When looking for calm behavior, always look at the beardie’s eyes. If the eyes are open and bright, then the dragon is likely feeling calm and safe. If the eyes are closed, then the dragon is probably scared or stressed. Before petting your bearded dragon, always make sure to wash your hands as this will help reduce the chances of spreading bacteria or illness.
Stressed Bearded Dragon
A stressed bearded dragon can be dangerous to handle as it may try to run away or bite you. Do remember that bearded dragons have sharp teeth and claws which can hurt you a lot if they accidentally scratch your hand. So always make sure your dragon is calm before handling it, especially if this is the first time petting one.
some of the calm behaviors include:
- Sitting Still – The dragon is sitting still. This means that it does not feel threatened by your presence or anything else in its environment. Do note: If you touch the beardie and it runs away, then this means that he/she was afraid of something other than you touching her. Do remember to always pet them calmly and slowly
- walking slowly – If the dragon is walking slowly, it means that it is not feeling threatened and does not want to run away.
- rubbing chin/forehead – This is a sign of contentment and usually happens when the dragon has been petted for a while.
- closed eyes – As mentioned earlier, this usually happens when the dragon feels scared or stressed. Do not try to pet or handle a bearded dragon when its eyes are closed, as this can cause it to run away from you in fear. Do note: Do NOT touch your beardie with an open hand unless she/he is calm and relaxed because they will most likely run off if touched quickly or roughly
- Climbing on hammocks – Note that maintaining a proper habitat for your pet bearded dragon is very important. Make sure you provide them with enough space to walk around and exercise as well as places where they can climb on, such as hammocks or branches. Do also note that climbing up high helps relieve stress in bearded dragons so it would be good if you could add some climbing branches for them to climb on. Do note: Do not try to handle your bearded dragon when it is climbing because this can cause the beardie to fall off and hurt itself
- looking at you – Do note that if your bearded dragon is looking at you, it means he/she has seen something interesting and wants to see what will happen next. Do not panic when this happens because the beardie could just be curious about you or any other object in the room.
- swimming- Do note that if your bearded dragon is swimming, it means he/she has found a way to cool off and is enjoying themselves. Do not take him/her out of the water until they are ready to come back on land because this could cause them stress or anxiety. Do remember that your pet needs time to adjust after being in the water From The Front.
# 2 Approach Slowly
When you approach your bearded dragon, always do so slowly from the front. Do not make any sudden movements as this can startle and scare the dragon. If the dragon starts to become agitated or scared, stop petting it and try again later when it is calmer.
#3 Stroke The Face And Head
Once the dragon has calmed down, you can start stroking its face and head. Do this slowly and gently as too much force could scare or anger the dragon. If the dragon starts to become agitated, stop petting it and try again later when it is calmer.
#4 Move From The Head To Tail
After stroking the face and head, you can move down to the dragon’s body and start stroking it from the head to the tail. Do this slowly and gently, taking care not to apply too much pressure. If the dragon starts to become agitated, stop petting it and try again later when it is calmer.
#5 Picking Up The Bearded Dragon
Once the dragon is calm and relaxed, you can try picking it up. Do so slowly and carefully, making sure to hold it close to your body. Do not grip it too tightly as this could cause the dragon to become scared or stressed. If the dragon starts to struggle or squirm, put it down and try again later.
#7 Put Down Gently
When you are done petting your bearded dragon, you can put it back down gently on the ground. Do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly afterward as bearded dragons can carry a lot of bacteria.
Where is the best place to pet a bearded dragon?
Don’t touch your beardie with an open hand unless she/he is calm and relaxed because they will most likely run off if touched quickly or roughly.
Note that maintaining a proper habitat for your pet bearded dragon is very important. Make sure you provide them with enough space to walk around and exercise as well as places where they can climb on, such as hammocks or branches.
Note that climbing up high helps relieve stress in bearded dragons so it would be good if you could add some climbing branches for them to climb on.
Remember: Do not try to handle your bearded dragon when it is climbing because this can cause the beardie to fall off and hurt
Conclusion
So, do bearded dragons like to be pets? From the looks of it, it seems that they do enjoy being handled and petted as long as it is done slowly and gently.
It is important to remember not to mishandle your dragon and to always wash your hands after handling them to prevent any bacteria from spreading.
