Hello there, fellow reptile aficionados! If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience the wonderful world of bearded dragons, you’ll know that these fascinating creatures have a whole host of unique behaviors that make them a joy to observe.
One behavior that can cause a little head-scratching is when your beardie lays flat, eyes tightly closed. You might be wondering, “What on earth is my dragon trying to tell me?” Well, don’t worry. We’ve got your back!
Let’s delve deep into the captivating world of bearded dragons and uncover the reasons behind this particular behavior.
Bearded Dragon Laying Flat with Eyes Closed: What Does It Mean? (Short answer)
When a bearded dragon sprawls out flat with its eyes shut, it could be expressing several different things – relaxation, enjoying a good old bask, responding to a perceived threat, dealing with health concerns, or going into brumation, which is essentially their version of hibernation. Let’s unpack these intriguing possibilities one by one.
1. Relaxation: Living the Lizard Dream
Firstly, let’s touch upon the adorable reality that bearded dragons are, by nature, a rather chilled-out species of reptile. Much like a lazy cat sprawled out in a sunbeam, bearded dragons savor their downtime and enjoy catching forty winks after they’ve filled their bellies or have had a wander around their tank.
If you spot your bearded dragon laying flat, eyes closed in a peaceful slumber, they’re probably just taking it easy and indulging in some leisurely relaxation. It’s their own quirky way of requesting some ‘me’ time to refresh and re-energize.
2. Basking: Bathing in Radiant Bliss
Bearded dragons are pretty much sun worshippers. Being cold-blooded, they depend on their surroundings to help regulate their body temperature, and basking is their way of soaking up as much warmth as possible. When they lay flat, they maximize the surface area of their body exposed to the heat, effectively turning themselves into little solar panels!
And closing their eyes? That’s probably just them squinting against the bright light from their basking lamp or the sun. So if your dragon is sprawled flat under their lamp, eyes closed, looking like they’re in a state of pure bliss, chances are they’re simply enjoying their daily sunbathe!
3. Feeling Threatened: Survival Tactics
On a more serious note, there are times when your dragon’s flattened posture and closed eyes might indicate they’re feeling threatened or stressed.
In the wild, bearded dragons have to constantly be on the lookout for larger predators, and adopting a flat posture with closed eyes is a defensive tactic that helps them blend into their surroundings, making them less visible to potential threats.
If your dragon has been frequently getting flat and closing their eyes, it’s worth taking a closer look at their environment to identify and remove any potential sources of stress or fear.
4. Health Issues: A Telltale Sign
While the reasons we’ve explored so far are generally nothing to worry about, it’s critical to remember that this behavior can also be a sign of underlying health issues. If your bearded dragon is unwell or in pain, it might lay flat with its eyes closed as a sign of distress or discomfort.
This could be due to various health problems, ranging from a blocked gut (impaction) to more severe issues like metabolic bone disease or even atadenovirus.
Keep a watchful eye on your beardie’s behavior and appearance, and if you spot any other symptoms, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, changes in their stool, or trouble moving around, it’s time to get professional help and consult a vet.
5. Brumation: A Dragon’s Winter Retreat
Finally, let’s dive into the world of brumation. This is the reptile equivalent of hibernation and is a completely natural process that many bearded dragons go through, usually once a year. During brumation, bearded dragons will often hide away, become less active, eat less, and yes, lay flat with their eyes closed for extended periods.
If you notice these behaviors as the weather starts to cool, and your dragon appears otherwise healthy, then brumation might be on the horizon. Remember, brumation is a complex process, so always check with a vet if you’re unsure about what’s going on.
Conclusion
The enigmatic world of bearded dragons never fails to amaze, right? Their array of behaviors, from the completely relaxed to the more cautious and even health-related, all play a part in making these creatures such fascinating companions.
Understanding these behaviors not only deepens the bond we share with our scaly friends but also equips us to provide them with the best care possible. Keep observing, stay curious, and remember, when it comes to our beloved beardies, knowledge is everything. Here’s to happy and healthy dragons!
