Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptiles kept as pets, with many people considering them to be a good starter pet for someone new to keeping reptiles. Not only do they have relatively straightforward care needs, but beardies are typically docile pets that often show tolerance for regular, gentle interaction with their person. In fact, they are typically docile and willing to be handled even by people they aren’t familiar with, provided handling is calm, supportive, and non-threatening. Should you be worried about a bite from one of these docile critters? It does happen, although it is not too common under appropriate care and handling conditions.
Do Bearded Dragons Bite?
Yes, bearded dragons can and will bite. The good news, though, is that bites from beardies are pretty uncommon in well-socialized individuals maintained under appropriate environmental and husbandry conditions. Their docile, gentle nature means bites typically occur infrequently, but they are more likely to occur regularly in a bearded dragon that is highly stressed, experiencing pain or illness, or kept in an inappropriate environment that doesn’t feel safe or predictable to them. They may also bite when being handled inappropriately or restrained against their will. You are less likely to be bitten by a bearded dragon than you are by most other commonly kept reptilian pets.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Bite?
It seems that most bearded dragon bites occur by accident. The beardie may mistake your fingers for food or something interesting, giving them a bite before realizing their mistake, particularly during feeding or when food odors are present on the hands.
They are apt to bite if they’re being mishandled. Being handled too roughly or in ways that cause pain or discomfort has the potential to end in the handler being bitten. Lack of proper support of the body and limbs can also contribute to defensive responses. If a bearded dragon is showing its black beard, then it is displaying a sign of heightened arousal that may indicate stress, fear, territorial behavior, or discomfort. If you continue to attempt to handle a bearded dragon that is showing its beard, then there is a real potential for a bite to occur.
Less commonly, male bearded dragons may become territorially aroused and bite you. Male beardies are extremely aggressive toward each other. If your male catches a glimpse of his reflection in the glass of his tank or in a mirror, then he may display defensive or territorial behaviors and redirect a bite because he believes that another male is in the enclosure.
Do Bearded Dragon Bites Hurt?
If your bearded dragon bites you, there is a greater potential for your beardie to be harmed than you, especially if you react suddenly. If you are bitten, try to stay calm and resist the temptation to let your fight-or-flight instincts cause you to drop or throw the animal, as this can result in serious injury to your pet.
Although uncommon, a bearded dragon bite can break your skin, in which case you’ll need to thoroughly wash the bite and keep the area clean, visiting a doctor if needed. Because reptiles can carry Salmonella spp. as part of their normal gastrointestinal flora, any bite that breaks the skin should be cleaned promptly and monitored for signs of infection. Most bites don’t break the skin, though, and the vast majority will only cause minor discomfort for a few minutes due to the relatively small jaw strength of the species.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are willing to bite, like most animals, but their bites are not common when their physical, environmental, and behavioral needs are properly met. They are docile animals, but they may bite if they feel threatened, are in pain, are confused, mistake you for food, or are generally overstimulated or stressed. Even beardies have bad days sometimes!
To avoid any bites from your bearded dragon, handle them gently and appropriately. Try to read their cues that tell you when they’re feeling stressed or don’t want to be handled. Black bearding is an obvious sign, but wiggling away from you, hiding, flattening the body, or staying away from you can all indicate that your beardie doesn’t want to be handled.
- Related Read: How to Calm Down a Bearded Dragon: 5 Simple Ways
Featured Image Credit: Ashley Whitworth, Shutterstock
Do Bearded Dragons Bite?
