Have you ever noticed your bearded dragon tilting its head a lot? This is a common behavior for bearded dragons. As a pet owner, it is necessary that you understand why your dragon is behaving that way. In this article, we will be discussing the reasons why your bearded dragon tilts its head.
Table of Contents
Why is my bearded dragon tilting its head?
There are a few reasons why your bearded dragon might be tilting its head.
To get a better view:
The first possibility is that your dragon is trying to get a better view of something. Bearded dragons are very curious creatures, and they want to see everything that is going on around them. If you have other pets in the house, your dragon might be trying to get a better look at them.
Medical issue:
Another possibility is that your dragon is experiencing some sort of medical issue. If your dragon has been tilting its head for a long period of time or if you notice that its head is tilted to one side more than the other, it is important to take it to the vet. This could be a sign of an ear infection or some other type of health problem.
Change in temperature:
Another reason why your bearded dragon might be tilting its head is because it is trying to regulate its body temperature. Bearded dragons are reptiles, and they rely on the environment to help them regulate their body temperature. If the temperature in the room is too cold or too hot, your dragon might be tilting its head to try and find a more comfortable spot.
Mark their territory:
When a bearded dragon bobs its head up and down, it is releasing a pheromone that lets other dragons know that this is its territory. This is especially common if you have multiple bearded dragons in the same enclosure.
To acknowledge other beardies/pets or people:
Bearded dragons will also tilt their heads to acknowledge other beardies, pets, or people. This is a way for them to show that they are friendly and not looking for a fight.
To threaten other animals:
If a bearded dragon feels threatened by another animal, it might tilt its head back and open its mouth wide. This is a way of intimidate the other animal and make itself look bigger.
In very rare cases, you may see a male bearded dragon doing this head-tilting to another animal. He is likely doing it because he wants that other lizard to leave his territory; bearded dragons typically live best on their own and don’t want companionship. But if you’re looking to have more than one pet in your household, make sure you do your research about which animals work well together before bringing anyone home!
Mating sign:
Male bearded dragons must communicate their sexual availability to female bearded dragons one month after brumation. This frequently takes the form of a jerky and fast head-tilt. Mating season for bearded dragons typically falls between March and October.
Sign of submission:
A bearded dragon might also tilt its head to show submission to another dragon. This is most commonly seen between a male and female during the mating season.
Head-bobbing is frequently associated with territorial squabbles, but if the head-tilting is deliberate and sluggish, it indicates submission. When a bigger Beardie approaches a smaller one and challenges it with a quick tilt, the submissive Beardie would be expected to respond with an arm wave and a slow tilt to avoid being involved in a fight that he cannot win.
Other associated behaviors with head tilting:
Arm waving:
Many times, you will see a bearded dragon tilt its head and then wave one of its arms in the air. This is another way of communicating with other dragons. The arm wave usually accompanies a head bob or a head tilt.
What does it mean when my bearded dragon waves its arm?
There are a few different things that your bearded dragon might be trying to communicate when it waves its arm. It could be a sign of submission, or it could be a way of acknowledging another dragon. It could also be a way of showing that it is friendly and not looking for a fight. If you see your dragon waving its arm, pay attention to its other body language to see what else it might be trying to communicate.
Body language:
Bearded dragons communicate with each other using a variety of different body language cues. If you want to learn more about what your dragon is trying to say, pay attention to its tail, its eyes, and its body posture in addition to its head movements.
Tail:
The tail is one of the most important parts of a bearded dragon’s body language. A bearded dragon will use its tail to communicate a variety of different things, including aggression, submission, and fear.
Head puffing:
Bearded dragons will sometimes puff up their heads when they are feeling threatened. This is a way of making themselves look bigger and more intimidating to the other animal.
Conclusion:
Bearded dragons use a variety of different body language cues to communicate with each other. Head tilting is just one of the many ways that your dragon might be trying to tell you something. Pay attention to your dragon’s other body language cues to get a better idea of what it is trying to say.