Bearded dragons licking their owners is a common occurrence that often leaves people wondering why. If your bearded dragon is licking you, you may be asking yourself – is this normal? Should I be concerned? What does this behavior mean?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Bearded dragons lick for a variety of reasons, most of which are completely harmless. Licking is normal social behavior for bearded dragons and is often a sign of trust and affection.
It can also be a sign of curiosity or that your dragon is smelling you with their tongue.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll dive into the details around bearded dragons licking their owners. We’ll cover the possible reasons they lick, whether it’s cause for concern, and tips for managing licking behavior.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Lick Their Owners?
Bearded dragons displaying licking behavior towards their owners can be attributed to various reasons. While in some cases it shows affection, in others it could be an indication of medical concerns that need attention.
Sign of Affection
Licking is often interpreted as a sign of affection by bearded dragon owners. The gentle flicks of the tongue on your skin resemble kisses and represent the loving bond your bearded dragon shares with you. This makes licking an endearing behavior in most cases.
Smelling With Their Tongue
Bearded dragons utilize their tongue to pick up scents from surfaces, objects, and skin. By licking you, they are essentially smelling you better to understand and identify you through pheromones and scents. So licking serves as an investigative behavior in bearded dragons.
Curiosity
Bearded dragons are naturally inquisitive reptiles. When out and about from their enclosure, they will explore surfaces with their snouts and tongue. As bearded dragons have poor vision, licking helps examine textures, surfaces, and even you closely through taste receptors on their tongues.
Humidity
Bearded dragons lick their skin to spread saliva over their bodies to aid hydration and humidity. By licking you, they are instinctively trying to generate hydration externally. This need stems from dry conditions or dehydration.
Mating Behavior
During breeding seasons, male bearded dragons may lick female owners as mating displays. While harmless, such actions should be discouraged through behavioral training to avoid encouraging breeding attempts towards owners.
Medical Reasons
In some cases, excessive licking of surfaces or owners may indicate medical issues like mouth rot, nutritional deficiencies, or parasite infestations. Symptoms like inflammation, bad odor, loss of appetite or lethargy reinforce such possibilities.
Consulting an exotic vet helps diagnose and treat any underlying condition.
Is Licking Harmful for Bearded Dragons?
Human Skin Can Be Toxic
Bearded dragons licking human skin may seem cute, but it can actually be quite dangerous for them. Human skin contains oils, lotions, perfumes, and other chemicals that can be toxic if ingested by a beardie.
Many skincare and cosmetic products contain ingredients like phenols, essential oils, and preservatives that are not safe for reptile consumption.
For example, moisturizers often contain mineral oil, which can cause respiratory distress if swallowed by a bearded dragon. Makeup and nail polish also have harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.
Even something as simple as hand sanitizer with alcohol can irritate a beardie’s sensitive digestive system.
Repeated exposure to these toxins through licking can cause health issues over time, like nutritional deficiencies, organ damage, and toxicity. It’s best to avoid letting your bearded dragon lick exposed skin, especially if you’ve recently applied any lotions or cosmetics.
Risk of Bacteria
A bearded dragon’s tongue and mouth contain bacteria and fungi that are harmless to them but potentially dangerous to humans. Salmonella, in particular, is a concern with reptiles. When a beardie licks exposed human skin, there is a risk of transmitting germs that can cause gastrointestinal illness or infection.
Children, pregnant women, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at highest risk of becoming sick from Salmonella and other reptile-associated bacteria. But even healthy adults can develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps from germs passed through licking.
Thorough hand washing after handling reptiles is crucial.
It’s also possible for beardies to pick up some human pathogens through licking, like staph and strep bacteria. So licking poses health risks for both people and reptiles involved.
Monitor for Signs of Illness
Sometimes it’s impossible to prevent a curious bearded dragon from licking exposed skin. In these cases, closely monitor your beardie for any signs of illness afterwards. Symptoms may include lack of appetite, lethargy, unusual stools, weight loss, vomiting, and mouth discharge.
Take your bearded dragon to an exotic veterinarian right away if you notice any of these issues, as prompt treatment will give them the best chance of recovery. Bring a fecal sample so the vet can test for Salmonella and other bacterial infections.
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to licking risks. Avoid handling your beardie after applying lotions or cosmetics, wash hands before and after contact, and limit exposed skin licking as much as possible.
But even with precautions, occasional licking may occur, so vigilance about your beardie’s health is important.
Managing Bearded Dragon Licking
Redirect With Toys or Treats
One effective tactic to curb excessive licking is to redirect your beardie’s attention with toys or treats (Reptiles Magazine). Dangle a toy in front of them or offer a tasty worm when they start licking you. This shifts their focus and satisfies the curiosity or appetite driving the behavior.
Gently Discourage
You can also gently discourage licking by standing up and walking away whenever it happens. This teaches them that lick=no more human interaction. Just be patient, as it may take 10-20 times before they associate licking with the end of playtime. Some owners have had success by making a loud “Eep!”
noise to startle beardies when licked.
Provide Other Sources of Humidity
Licking allows beardies to absorb humidity. Ensure their environment has enough by providing a shallow water dish large enough to soak in and occasionally misting the tank. The ideal humidity level is 30-40% (The Spruce Pets). This eliminates the need to lick their owner for moisture.
Keep Their Enclosure Clean
When tanks are dirty, beardies may lick themselves to avoid contact with waste. Perform thorough cleanings weekly by removing soiled substrates, wiping surfaces with 8:1:1 water/vinegar/dish soap solution and rinsing well. Wash and replace accessories like branches and hides monthly.
Cleaning Frequency | Area to Clean |
Weekly | Substrates, tank surfaces |
Monthly | Decor items |
See a Vet If Needed
In rare cases, nonstop licking indicates an underlying health issue. Schedule a checkup if it persists despite the above tactics. The vet can identify and treat problems like infections, vitamin deficiencies or inadequate temperatures/lighting.
Usually medication or supplements resolve medical causes of constant licking.
Bearded dragon licking stems from a few natural reasons like curiosity, moisture-seeking or bonding behaviors. With some patient training and adjustments to their habitat, owners can redirect most lizards away from this harmless but annoying habit.
Pay attention in case compulsive licking points to an illness needing veterinary care.
When to Be Concerned About Licking
Excessive Licking
While some licking behavior is normal for bearded dragons, excessive or constant licking can indicate an underlying issue. If your beardie is licking its enclosure furnishings, hands, or family members more often than usual, pay attention. Frequent licking may signify:
- Nutrient deficiencies – A lack of calcium, vitamin D3 or other nutrients can trigger obsessive licking. Upgrade your dragon’s diet or consider supplements.
- Dehydration – Fluids obtained by licking help a dehydrated dragon. Ensure the tank has clean water always available.
- Boredom or stress – Excess licking can relieve anxiety. Make sure your bearded dragon’s habitat is adequately stimulating.
Alongside Other Symptoms
Licking that accompanies lethargy, changes in appetite or bowel movements, unusual aggression or hiding merits prompt veterinary attention. Potential medical issues associated with new licking behaviors include:
- Parasites – Internal parasites making your dragon feel unwell may lead to obsessive licking.
- Mouth rot – This bacterial infection can cause painful mouth inflammation and increased licking.
- Fungal infection – Beardies lick to relieve skin irritation from fungal overgrowth.
If your bearded dragon is licking frequently while displaying other unusual symptoms, seek qualified exotic veterinary assessment within 24 hours. Quick diagnosis and treatment increase chances of a good outcome.
Licking Unusual Objects
Bearded dragons explorer their world through licking and touching with their tongues. But directing licks toward bizarre items can signal health issues including:
- Metabolic bone disease – Licking floors, cage décor and owners’ clothing could indicate deficiencies causing bone/muscle symptoms.
- Neurological problems – Disoriented licking of cage walls may point to conditions like seizure disorders or calcivirus.
Vet evaluation helps determine whether unusual licking stems from physical troubles or behavioral quirks. For healthy dragons, licking shoes or blankets is likely harmless curiosity.
Normal Licking | Problematic Licking |
---|---|
Brief drinking | Constant, repetitive licking |
Licking during handling | Licking unrelated to stimuli |
Sampling environment | Self-licking raw spots |
In closing, pay attention when your bearded dragon’s licking habits change. Increased frequency or odd targeting may require prompt vet exams and habitat adjustments. With attentive care and wellness checks, minor licking quirks present little concerns for bearded dragons’ health and happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, licking is common behavior for bearded dragons and not usually cause for concern. It can signify affection, curiosity, mating urges, or simply be a way for them to smell their environment.
Most licking is harmless, but excessive licking or licking paired with other symptoms warrants a vet visit. Gentle redirection, providing adequate humidity, and good hygiene can also minimize unwanted licking.
Understanding why your bearded dragon is licking you is the first step to responding appropriately. With proper care, this quirky behavior can be managed for a healthy, happy pet.