If your bearded dragon is scratching at the glass walls of its enclosure, you may be wondering why it’s exhibiting this behavior. While glass surfing in bearded dragons can seem worrying, it usually has some simple explanations behind it.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key reasons bearded dragons claw glass: stress/boredom, reflections, relocation anxiety, inappropriate environment (temperature, lighting, enclosure size).
In this approximately 3000 word article, we’ll explore the main reasons bearded dragons scratch at their enclosure glass, signs to watch out for, when you should be concerned, and how to curb the behavior through adjustments to their habitat and care routines.
Glass Surfing as a Sign of Stress or Boredom
When a bearded dragon scrapes and claws persistently at the glass walls of its enclosure, this concerning behavior is known as “glass surfing.” While an occasional walk along the glass is normal, frequent glass surfing likely signals that your pet lizard is distressed, anxious, or bored.
Too Small of an Enclosure
An enclosure that is too cramped provides inadequate space for exercise and exploration. Bearded dragons are active reptiles that can grow over 2 feet long from head to tail. As they grow, their habitat needs to expand proportionately to allow free range of movement.
Herpetoculture experts typically recommend a minimum enclosure size of 40-55 gallons for adolescent and adult beardies.
If your habitat meets the proper length and width but lacks sufficient height, this can also spur glass surfing. Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal and like to perch up high and climb. An enclosure under 16-18 inches tall often leads to frequent glass scraping in an attempt to get higher or escape.
Lack of Stimulation
In the wild, beardies spend their days basking, foraging for greens and insects, monitoring their surroundings, digging burrows, and interacting with other lizards. In captivity, they rely on us to recreate this enriched environment through proper heating and lighting, ample food and water, and physical and mental activities.
Glass surfing may indicate boredom and insufficient sensory stimulation. Make sure your habitat has branches or rocks for climbing, logs or tunnels for hiding, and ample substrate for digging. Rotate new toys and rearrange décor weekly to introduce novelty.
Also ensure proper temperature gradients and day/night light cycles are maintained.
Irregular Handling
Bearded dragons are quite sociable for reptiles. When kept isolated or not handled regularly, they can become stressed or agitated. As herd animals,interaction with their owners helps satisfy their need for companionship.
However, suddenly removing them too often from the secure familiarity of their habitat can also induce anxiety.
Aim for brief but frequent handling sessions of 10-15 minutes 1-2 times daily. Additionally, hand feed veggies or insects during these periods to further positive associations. With regular gentle handling, glass surfing should diminish over time as trust and confidence grows.
| Enclosure Size | 40-55+ gallon tank for adolescents/adults |
| Minimum Enclosure Height | 16-18 inches |
| Recommended Handling Sessions | 10-15 minutes, 1-2 times daily |
With some simple habitat adjustments and conscientious handling routines, a beardie’s glass surfing urges should subside. But if the behavior persists or worsens, promptly consult an exotic veterinarian to address potential underlying causes.
For more tips, check out online care guides from Reptiles Magazine or the Bearded Dragon Care 101 community.
Reflections are Confusing
Bearded dragons often find their own reflections confusing or threatening. When they see their reflection in the glass walls of their enclosure, they may perceive it as another bearded dragon invading their territory.
This can prompt defensive behaviors like clawing, head bobbing, or black beard displays. Here are some key reasons reflections trigger this reaction in bearded dragons:
They Don’t Recognize Themselves
Bearded dragons lack self-awareness and the ability to recognize their own reflection. When they see the “other dragon” in the glass, they don’t realize it’s their own reflection. This triggers an instinctive territorial response.
The Reflection Seems Real
The reflection likely appears to be a real bearded dragon to your pet. The reflected movements and visibility can seem quite realistic and life-like. This makes it easy for your bearded dragon to perceive the reflection as a true invader in their habitat.
Glass Alters Cues
Glass enclosures alter visual and sensory cues for bearded dragons. They can see and hear the reflection, but may get confused when they don’t pick up corresponding scents or textures. This mismatch in sensory information could contribute to the threatening appearance of the reflection.
Stress Levels May Be High
Bearded dragons with frequent high stress levels can be more prone to seeing their reflection as threatening. If your bearded dragon is already anxious, a reflection can easily trigger a defensive reaction.
Exploratory Instincts
Bearded dragons are naturally inquisitive reptiles. When they see the reflected “dragon”, their curiosity and exploratory drive kicks in. They want to check out and interact with this new dragon they see. This can prompt clawing, touching, and head bobbing behaviors.
Relocation Leads to Anxiety
Moving to a new environment can be very stressful for bearded dragons. Reptiles tend to thrive on consistency and familiarity, so a change in their habitat can lead to anxiety and nervous behaviors like clawing at the glass.
Disruption of Territory and Security
In the wild, bearded dragons establish well-defined territories that they patrol and defend. Their enclosures essentially become their “territory” when kept as pets. If suddenly moved to a new tank or enclosure, a bearded dragon may feel insecure and try desperately to get out, scratching and clawing in an attempt to escape.
Unfamiliarity of New Environment
Even minor changes to their habitat can stress some bearded dragons. A totally new enclosure that looks, smells, and feels different can be incredibly unsettling for them. Without proper territory and landmarks they recognize, they become frightened and claw frantically at the glass walls.
Tips to Reduce Anxiety from Relocation
- Gradually introduce the bearded dragon to the new enclosure before fully moving them
- Recreate key habitat features like basking areas to promote familiarity
- Use the same substrates and decor items to retain recognizable scents
- Consider using artificial plants and branches rather than live plants to maintain consistency
With some adjustments to ease the transition, most bearded dragons will adapt well to a new home over time. Check out The Bearded Dragon guide for more tips on minimizing relocation stress for your pet.
Inappropriate Habitat Conditions
Temperature Extremes or Fluctuations
One of the most common reasons for a bearded dragon to scratch at the glass is incorrect temperatures in their enclosure. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles that rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
They require a basking spot between 95-110°F, a cool side around 75-80°F, and overnight temperatures no lower than 65°F. If the temperature falls outside this range, it can cause them distress.
Drastic temperature fluctuations throughout the day can also lead to scratching. For example, if the basking area becomes too hot or the tank cools down too much at night. Use a good thermometer to monitor the temps and make adjustments as needed.
Avoid placing the enclosure in drafty areas or direct sunlight.
Improper UVB Lighting
Bearded dragons require adequate UVB lighting to synthesize vitamin D3 for proper calcium metabolism. Without appropriate UVB exposure, they can develop metabolic bone disease (MBD) and nutritional deficiencies. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, and bone deformities.
Clawing at the glass can be a sign they are trying to get closer to a UVB source.
Make sure you use a UVB bulb specifically designed for reptiles within the proper wattage range. The bulb should span about 2/3 the length of the tank and be replaced every 6 months. Use a UVB meter to check the output. Position the fixture according to manufacturer recommendations.
Improper UVB can have devastating health consequences so this is a vital aspect of bearded dragon care.
Suboptimal Tank Decor
An inappropriate tank setup can also lead to glass surfing in bearded dragons. Reptiles prefer an enriching habitat that makes them feel secure. An open tank with minimal places to hide and climb stresses them out.
Provide plenty of hides, branches, rocks, logs, platforms and live or artificial plants to create a proper bearded dragon environment.
Make sure the tank is an adequate size as well. An adult dragon needs a minimum enclosure of 40 gallons but bigger is always better. Crowding causes chronic stress. Give them ample room to stretch out and fit all their decor. Keep the tank clean and spotless since beardies are very hygienic creatures.
Clutter and dirty conditions agitate them. Optimizing their habitat goes a long way in preventing obsessive glass scratching.
When to Be Concerned About Glass Surfing
Glass surfing, also known as glass dancing, is a common behavior in bearded dragons where they seem restless and repeatedly scrape their claws against the glass walls of their enclosure. While some glass surfing is normal, excessive glass surfing can be a sign that something is wrong.
Here are some tips on when you should become concerned about glass surfing in your bearded dragon:
Excessive Glass Surfing
Bearded dragons may glass surf when first introduced to a new enclosure as they get used to their new surroundings. However, if the glass surfing persists for hours at a time or happens every day, it’s likely due to stress, lack of stimulation, or an inadequate habitat.
Changes in Appetite or Behavior
Significant changes in your bearded dragon’s appetite or behavior along with increased glass surfing can indicate an underlying health issue such as parasites, metabolic bone disease, or certain vitamin deficiencies. Schedule a vet visit if you notice any unusual changes.
Unsuitable Tank Conditions
Improper heating, lighting, tank size, substrate, or lack of proper hiding spots and decor can all cause glass surfing. Ensure your bearded dragon’s habitat meets the appropriate temperature gradients, UVB exposure, and has adequate hides, branches, and stimuli.
Brumation Attempts
Glass surfing coupled with lethargy or attempts to dig in the corner of the tank could mean your bearded dragon is trying to brumate. Since glass tanks don’t allow them to dig and brumate properly, this causes stress. Speak to a reptile vet before assisting brumation.
Shedding Difficulties
Bearded dragons will often glass surf right before a shed to rub against rough surfaces to help loosen their skin. Frequent glass surfing during shedding could indicate improper humidity levels or hydration. Make sure to provide a humid hide and mist your dragon daily.
While an occasional bout of glass surfing is normal, excessive scraping and clawing at the glass walls likely indicates an underlying issue. Closely monitor any changes in behavior and habitat conditions to determine if certain triggers are causing your bearded dragon stress.
With some adjustments to their environment and care, you can help reduce glass surfing.
How to Curb Glass Scratching
Give Them More Space
One of the main reasons bearded dragons scratch at their tank walls is due to feeling cramped or confined. An adequate enclosure size for an adult bearded dragon is at least a 55-75 gallon tank to allow enough room to move around.
Upgrading to a larger tank can help reduce glass surfing and signs of stress or boredom. Adding more horizontal space for climbing branches and basking spots gives them more areas to explore.
Add Enrichment Activities
Incorporating mental stimulation into your bearded dragon’s habitat is crucial to curtail obsessive glass surfing over time. Great ideas include:
Rotating new objects every few days alleviates boredom from the same static environment. Vary textures, shapes, smells and placement of accessories to pique their natural curiosity and instincts.
Adjust Environmental Factors
Stressors in a bearded dragon’s habitat can lead to glass surfing behaviors as they frantically try to escape. Ensure optimal conditions including:
| Ambient temperature | 75-80°F |
| Basking spot temperature | 95-105°F |
| Nighttime temperature | 65-75°F |
| Humidity | 30-40% |
| UVB lighting | 12-14 hours/day |
Use thermometers, hygrometers, proper heating and lighting (example) to maintain ideal habitat conditions. Adjust as needed if too hot, cold, bright or dark.
Try Handling Techniques
Frequent gentle handling when your bearded dragon scratches glass can redirect the behavior. Carefully pick them up, support their body and feet, then place somewhere else in the tank. Slow movements help prevent getting dropped.
With consistent handling redirection, the glass scratching often diminishes over time.
If scratching persists for weeks with no signs of slowing down despite your best efforts, a vet visit may be warranted to check for potential health issues leading to the obsessive glass surfing. Stay patient and keep troubleshooting their habitat environment and enrichment activities.
Conclusion
In summary, bearded dragons clawing at their tank walls is most often due to stress, boredom, confusing reflections, unsuitable enclosure conditions, or recent environment changes. While alarming to witness, glass surfing habits usually resolve by making adjustments to their habitat size, layout, decor, temperature gradients, UV light, and enrichment activities.
If changes don’t curb the behavior within 2-3 weeks, have your exotic vet examine them to check for other underlying health issues. With some tweaks to care and lots of patience, you can help ease their urge to frantically scratch the glass.
