If you’ve noticed your bearded dragon stretching out its back legs, you may be wondering why it’s doing this strange behavior. Rest assured, leg stretching in bearded dragons can be totally normal. In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore all the reasons a bearded dragon might stretch its hind legs and when you need to see a vet.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, here’s the short answer: Bearded dragons stretch their back legs to aid digestion, improve joint flexibility, or get comfortable. It’s rarely a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or weight loss.
Digestion Stretches
Full Hind Leg Stretches Aid Digestion
When a bearded dragon stretches out its back legs completely, this full hind limb extension is often tied to digestion (Reptile Guide). As cold-blooded reptiles, bearded dragons rely on external heat sources to raise their body temperature in order to properly digest food.
Basking under heat lamps allows their digestive system to function optimally. Stretching out back legs straight behind them maximizes their body surface area exposed to the warming lamps. This allows efficient absorption of heat into their core to break down food.
Bearded dragons typically perform these digestive hind leg stretches after consuming a large meal, especially 30-60 minutes post-feeding. Extension of the back legs shifts their weight forward, aiding gravity to move food downward through the digestive tract.
This leg stretch position also expands their abdomen outward, making space for food traveling through the intestines (Bearded Dragon’s Guide). Letting the natural digestive process work is crucial to prevent uncomfortable bloating or deadly impaction in bearded dragons.
Preventing Digestive Issues
To avoid digestive problems like impaction in a bearded dragon, owners should allow ample basking time under a heat lamp after feeding. The hot spot should reach 95-110°F to facilitate proper digestion.
Placing a rock or branch below the lamp gives dragons a place to stretch out directly under the heat source (The Bearded Dragon). Adding extra heat lamps to give access to multiple basking zones prevents competition for prime real estate.
Since dehydration also slows digestion, providing clean water at all times is vital. Spraying vegetables daily helps increase fluid intake. Owners can also give an occasional gentle bath in shallow, lukewarm water.
Furthermore, ensuring proper calcium intake through vitamin supplements minimizes the risk of hind leg muscle spasms that could inhibit stretching (ReptiFiles). With the right habitat set up and care, bearded dragons can fully stretch out after eating to allow normal digestion.
Flexibility Stretches
Leg Stretches Keep Joints Limber
It’s important for bearded dragons to stretch their legs and move around frequently. In the wild, they are very active creatures that spend hours basking, exploring, and foraging for food. Stretching helps keep their leg joints flexible and limber so they can easily run, climb, and hunt prey.
When a bearded dragon extends its back legs straight behind itself and spreads out its toes, it is likely doing flexibility stretches targeting the leg joints and muscles. These types of full-body stretches help increase blood circulation in the limbs, relax muscle tension, and maintain range of motion.
Muscles that do not receive adequate stretching and use can become stiff and lose function over time.
Some specific stretches a bearded lizard might do include:
- Extending one back leg behind themselves, then the other
- Simultaneously extending both back legs straight back in a splits-like fashion
- Gently flexing their ankles back and forth
- Spreading toes wide apart and then closing them
Bearded dragons should be provided proper housing conditions to promote natural movement and stretching. The habitat should have places to climb and adequate open space for roaming about. Long periods of confinement, such as in small terrariums, can negatively impact joint health over time.
Reptile veterinarians recommend allowing bearded dragons outside their enclosure to free roam for exercise at least a few times per week if possible.
Providing Proper UVB Lighting
Access to UVB lighting is also crucial for maintaining bearded dragon flexibility, movement, and overall bone health. UVB rays prompt the lizard’s body to produce vitamin D3, which aids calcium absorption. Without proper vitamin D3 levels, bearded dragons can suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD).
Symptoms of MBD include softened or warped bones, bumpy malformations on the legs and spine, reluctance to move about, limb tremors, and stiffness. These conditions are extremely painful and debilitating for the reptile. Severe MBD can lead to fractures and paralysis.
| UVB Exposure Issues | Impact on Flexibility & Movement |
|---|---|
| No UVB light source provided | Gradual onset of MBD symptoms like weakened bones, tremors, trouble walking |
| Old, ineffective UVB bulb | Increased lethargy, loss of appetite over time as MBD advances |
| Too far from UVB lamp to properly absorb rays | May show slower movement or odd positioning trying to get closer to light |
To avoid MBD, use a UVB lamp specifically made for reptiles that is the proper wattage and wavelength for your terrarium size. Replace UVB bulbs every 6-12 months per manufacturer instructions, as the beneficial rays decrease over time.
Place basking sites the ideal distance from light based on the bulb specifics.
Check for signs your bearded dragon isn’t getting adequate UVB exposure, like decreased activity or sudden reluctance to move certain body parts. Catching symptoms early allows vitamin supplements and lighting adjustments to hopefully improve their condition.
With vigilance and proper husbandry, owners can promote stretchy, healthy dragons that flex and roam their enclosures with ease!
Getting Comfortable
Relaxing in The Basking Spot
One of the main reasons bearded dragons stretch out their back legs is to get more comfortable while basking under the heat lamp. Basking allows dragons to raise their body temperature and regulate digestion.
When basking, dragons will fully extend their legs to maximize heat absorption across their entire body. Stretching out allows more surface area to soak up the warmth from the basking lamp overhead.
Bearded dragons originate from Australia’s deserts, where temperatures can swing wildly from night to day. Basking under the sun allows them to heat up quickly after a cool night. Dragons will often lay flat on their stomachs with legs stretched out behind them to expose the maximum area to the sun’s rays.
This full-body sunbathing helps them get totally warmed up and ready for an active day of hunting and exploring.
Ensuring Proper Tank Temperatures
Another reason dragons stretch their legs is to find the optimal temperature zone in their enclosure. Bearded dragons require a thermal gradient in their tank, with a basking area between 95-110°F and a cooler end around 75-85°F.
If the temperature is not ideal in one area of the tank, a bearded dragon may fully extend its legs while moving around to find a more comfortable zone.
Making sure the enclosure offers proper temperatures is crucial. If it is too cold, stretching out in the basking spot may be an attempt to absorb more heat. Check that the basking bulb is strong enough and positioned at the right distance from the dragon’s perch.
Meanwhile, a dragon splayed out in the cooler end could signal that area is too warm. Adjust heating accessories and monitor the temperature gradient.
Providing an array of basking platforms and hides throughout the tank allows dragons to find the right temperature by migrating around and stretching out. Place thermometers at each end to be sure the gradient is sufficient.
Observe your dragon’s movements and basking positions to ensure its environment is heating effectively.
When to See a Vet
Lethargy and Appetite Changes
If your bearded dragon is stretching out its back legs frequently and also exhibiting concerning symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, or weight loss, it’s definitely time to make an appointment with your exotic vet (find a reptile vet here).
These symptoms can indicate an underlying health issue that needs treatment.
For example, metabolic bone disease from improper calcium levels often causes muscle twitching and tremors. Parasites like coccidia or cryptosporidium can lead to lethargy and appetite changes along with abnormal poop. And various infections or even cancer can sap a beardie’s energy and will to eat.
So if your friend’s behavior seems off in addition to the leg stretches, don’t wait – get them checked out right away. Catching problems early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Other Concerning Symptoms
There are a few other symptoms that warrant a vet visit if seen along with repeated back leg stretching. These include:
- Limping or inability to use the legs properly
- Swelling or abnormalities around the joints or legs
- Labored breathing or respiratory symptoms
- Neurological symptoms like tilting the head or walking in circles
- Increased aggression or signs of pain when handled
Any of these symptoms indicate the possibility of an injury, infection, or other medical condition requiring veterinary assessment and care. Don’t try home remedies in these situations – go straight to the experts who can properly diagnose and treat exotic pets.
Some concerning combinations of symptoms along with leg stretching that need emergency vet care include:
| Extreme lethargy | Refusing to eat or drink anything |
| Unable to open eyes | Foaming at the mouth |
If your bearded dragon displays any of these combos, seek ER assistance without delay to give them the best chance possible.
Conclusion
In most cases, a bearded dragon stretching its legs is perfectly healthy behavior. By understanding the reasons behind leg stretches, you can ensure your beardie stays happy and healthy. Providing proper lighting, temperatures, and tank setup will allow natural leg stretches without cause for concern.
But if stretching is paired with appetite changes or lethargy, contact your exotic vet right away.
With the reasons covered in this guide, you can relax knowing why your bearded dragon is stretching out those back legs and when to call the vet.
