Bearded Dragons, or “Beardies” as some like to call them, aren’t necessarily the cuddliest pet. However, they can form strong bonds with their owners and do enjoy gestures of affection like cuddling and gentle stroking.
There are several signs that indicate when a bearded dragon is enjoying cuddles. If a bearded dragon is relaxed, it may be seen curling up against you or tucking its head in your neck or lap. Another sign of enjoying cuddles is closing its eyes, which indicates that it feels comfortable and secure.
Additionally, if a bearded dragon extends its neck and turns its head towards you, this may also be a sign that it’s enjoying the cuddle.
What You'll Learn
Signs of a Bearded Dragon Enjoying Cuddles
Relaxed Body Posture
When it comes to cuddling, one of the signs that a bearded dragon is enjoying it is a relaxed body posture. Their body will be relaxed, rather than tense, and they won’t display any visible agitation or stress.
Closing Eyes
Is your bearded dragon closing their eyes when you cuddle them? If so, this is a sure sign that they’re enjoying it! It’s a great indicator of trust and comfort. Your bearded dragon is essentially saying they trust you enough to keep a look out for them. So, if they keep their eyes closed while cuddling, they’re definitely relaxed and content.
Curling up Against You
If your bearded dragon curls up against you while they’re cuddling, that’s a sure sign they’re enjoying it. It shows trust and comfort, as well as being content in your presence.
You can be proud of the bond you have with your pet when they curl up against you and fall asleep. If this happens, it’s a great sign that they’re loving their cuddle time!
Signs a Bearded Dragon Does Not Enjoy Cuddling
When a bearded dragon does not enjoy cuddling, there are some telltale signs to look out for. Your dragon may turn away from you, puff up its beard, flatten its body, or even open its mouth.
These behaviors indicate that your dragon is uncomfortable and is trying to communicate this to you. It is best to respect your dragon’s wishes and avoid trying to cuddle with them if these signs are present.
Turning Away From You
A clear sign that your bearded dragon is not enjoying cuddles is when they turn away from you. When held, a bearded dragon will usually turn their head away from you, or even more noticeably, turn their whole body away from you.
This is a sign that the dragon is uncomfortable with being held and wants to be put down. It is important to recognize these signs so that you don’t force the dragon to stay in an uncomfortable position. Respect their wishes and put them down as soon as possible.
Puffing up Their Beard
If a bearded dragon puffs up its beard, it is not enjoying being cuddled. Beard puffing is often a sign of aggression, so take it as such. If a bearded dragon does this constantly, it should be given some space. The beard puffing is an indication that your bearded dragon needs more time to get used to being handled.
Flattening Their Body
Another sign that your bearded dragon does not enjoy cuddling is if they flatten their body. When a bearded dragon is feeling threatened, they will usually flatten their body and try to make themselves look as small as possible.
This is an instinctive behavior, as it helps them to blend in with their surroundings and make themselves less vulnerable to predators.
If you notice your bearded dragon flattening its body when you try to cuddle them, it’s a clear sign that they do not feel comfortable in your presence.
Opening Their Mouth
If they start to open their mouth, you should put them down right away. When they are in an area or a circumstance where they perceive a danger, bearded dragons may experience stress or fear.
Your bearded dragon is clearly quite uncomfortable if it opens its mouth. They may not like being snuggled because you’re holding them too firmly or for too long, or just because they don’t enjoy it.
If this happens, set your bearded dragon down and give them some space to unwind and cool down.
Why Some Bearded Dragons Don’t Like Cuddles
Being touched may make a bearded dragon feel uneasy since they are typically solitary animals. They might get aggressive if handled too closely since they are territorial and may feel threatened.
They may also be afraid of being held because of a terrible experience with a prior owner. Remember that different dragons may exhibit different behaviors.
If you want to know if your pet is enjoying cuddling or not, you must pay attention to their behavior and learn to read their body language.
Bearded Dragons are Territorial Creatures
Bearded dragons are naturally territorial creatures, and this behavior can manifest in various ways. Males may display aggression to defend their turf from other males, fight for food, or compete for a female.
May Feel Threatened if They Are Held Too Closely
Due of their territorial nature, bearded dragons may feel threatened if handled too closely. Giving the dragon adequate room and not holding them too tightly can help to prevent this. A bearded dragon may puff out its beard, flatten its body, open its mouth, or turn away from you if it does not feel secure.
It’s best to respect the dragon’s limits and avoid putting them in an uneasy circumstances. Go carefully and give a bearded dragon time to become acquainted to you before trying to snuggle them.
Bad Experience With Previous Owner
It is possible that a bad experience with a previous owner could lead to a bearded dragon not wanting to cuddle. If the previous owner handled the dragon roughly, it may cause the reptile to associate being held with fear and discomfort. In cases like this, it is important to take things slow and allow the dragon to get comfortable with you.
Offer treats and special bonding activities such as hand-feeding to help build trust. Speak softly and be gentle when interacting with your bearded dragon, and never try to force it into cuddling if it does not want to. With patience and trust, your bearded dragon may eventually learn to love cuddling with you.
How to Get Your Bearded Dragon to Cuddle With You
If your bearded dragon is not used to cuddling, it can take some time and patience to get them comfortable with it. The key is to make sure they feel safe and build trust with them.
Start by sitting close to them and talking in a calm, soothing voice. Offer treats as rewards when they are near you. Gradually increase the amount of physical contact you have with them, such as gently stroking their back or head.
After they become comfortable with your touch, you can begin to hold them and cuddle with them. If at any point your bearded dragon seems uncomfortable during cuddling, take a step back and give them some space.
With patience and consistency, your bearded dragon will eventually learn to look forward to cuddling time with you.
Key Points
- The two most important things to keep in mind if you want your bearded dragon to snuggle up to you are patience and understanding.
- Bearded dragons come in a variety of forms and sizes, and they all have unique snuggling preferences.
- It could take some beardies longer than others to get comfortable being hugged and snuggled.
- It’s crucial to always be kind and patient with your Beardie and never put them in any unpleasant situations by force.
- Your bearded dragon will eventually develop a liking for cuddling and snuggling with you when given enough time and patience.
Hi! My name is Bryan, I am the “one behind the words” here are BeardieAnswers.com. I believe that providing quality care and nutrition is the best way to ensure the health of your pet. Every beardie is special and deserves the best care and attention. If you have questions about your bearded dragon, please don’t hesitate to ask! View My Full Author Page
