They may not seem so at first, but bearded dragons are quite the little acrobats. If you’re not careful while handling your beardie, he or she could be in for a rough landing. So, why exactly do they take that leap of faith in the first place?
They’re exploring
Just like babies of many species (especially kittens!), younger bearded dragons want to explore their environments. That means that your hands may not be nearly as interesting as the rest of the room. Since their depth perception isn’t as good as yours or mine (or kitties, I love cats), they don’t realize how far down the ground is when they dive from your grasp!
They’re not used to being handled
Don’t expect your bearded dragon to be used to being handled right away. At first, practice holding him or her over a bed, only a few inches or so from the surface. Your dragon needs to learn that you will not drop him or her. Over time, after many years of safe handling, your dragon may even turn into a cuddle bug!
They’re stressed out
If your beardie is climbing up the side of the tank, it’s a sign that something is very wrong. “Glass surfing,” or “glass dancing” as it’s also known, happens when something is amiss in your dragon’s environment. There are a number of factors, but common ones include an enclosure that is too small, improper temperatures, rearranged decorations, and a perceived threat from a reflection or another dragon nearby. Even boredom or lack of stimulation can make your dragon try to climb out of the tank.
Are you worried that your bearded dragon won’t get enough attention while you’re away? Hire a pet sitter! Our sitters will ensure that your dragon has a clean, comfortable, and stimulating environment. Drop us a line today!
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Candace Elise Hoes is a pet sitter and blogger at Katie’s Kitty. She is a graduate of the MFA Writing Program at California College of the Arts. Photo by Milchdrink on pixabay.