Bearded dragons are popular pet reptiles known for their calm and docile nature. With their endearing personalities and manageable care requirements, it’s no wonder bearded dragons are beloved by reptile enthusiasts.
If you’re considering getting a bearded dragon or already have one at home, you may be wondering – do bearded dragons have good hearing?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, bearded dragons have relatively good hearing compared to other reptiles. They can hear low-frequency sounds very well. However, their lack of an outer ear structure limits their ability to hear high-pitched noises.
Bearded Dragons Can Hear Low-Frequency Sounds
Tympanic Membrane and Middle Ear Allow Detection of Vibrations
Bearded dragons have a tympanic membrane (eardrum) and middle ear that allow them to detect vibrations and low-frequency sounds below 2 kHz (2,000 Hz). The tympanic membrane vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits these vibrations to the middle ear.
The middle ear contains a single bone called the stapes that conveys the vibrations to the inner ear. So while bearded dragons lack an outer ear, they have the basic auditory equipment to pick up low-frequency vibrations in their environment.
Lack Outer Ear Structure and Ear Canal
Unlike mammals, bearded dragons do not have an outer ear structure or ear canal to collect and amplify sound waves. The lack of an outer ear likely contributes to their limited range of hearing. Most lizards including bearded dragons have only an inner ear covered by a simple flat scale rather than an external ear flap.
They are missing the ear canal that would normally transmit sound from the outer ear to the eardrum. So while bearded dragons can detect vibrations, they probably do not hear sounds as crisply or across as wide a frequency range as animals with more developed outer ear structures.
Hearing Range Estimated Around 400 Hz to 1 kHz
Although exact measurements are limited, studies estimate the hearing range of bearded dragons falls somewhere between 400 to 1,000 Hz. This range covers mid to low frequencies on the scale. For comparison, humans hear sounds ranging from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
So bearded dragons are limited to the lower end of the auditory spectrum. Their hearing is likely tuned to pick up vibrations at ground level from footsteps, wind noise, rain and low-pitched animal vocalizations rather than high-pitched sounds.
How Bearded Dragons Use Hearing
Locate Prey and Sense Nearby Movement
Bearded dragons rely on their sense of hearing to locate potential prey and be aware of movements in their surroundings. Their ears pick up low-frequency sounds very well, allowing them to hear prey moving through grass or leaves from several feet away.
This acute hearing helps them hunt successfully in the wild.
In captivity, bearded dragons will often hear their insect prey rustling around in their enclosures before spotting them. Their hearing primes them to snap into hunting mode once they see the movement. So their ears play an integral role in their feeding behavior.
Communicate Through Body Language
Bearded dragons are not vocal reptiles, so they don’t rely on hearing for communication. However, they have an elaborate body language for conveying messages to each other. From changing colors to head-bobbing, bearded dragons need to see visual displays to understand social cues.
So while hearing doesn’t directly impact their communication, it does allow them to sense when other bearded dragons are nearby. The hissing sound of another dragon may cause an aggressive display, for example. Or, hearing a potential mate’s movements might induce breeding behaviors like arm-waving.
Respond to Owners’ Voices
Pet bearded dragons can recognize their owners’ voices and appear to respond to hearing familiar people. Studies show that reptiles can distinguish specific human voices apart from strangers’ voices.
Bearded dragons likely use auditory cues to identify their owners approaching their habitats. They seem less stressed by handling when hearing their owner first versus a stranger. Over time, consistently pairing an owner’s voice with positive interactions builds trust.
Talking or reading aloud near your bearded dragon’s habitat can also provide enrichment. Hearing speech exposes them to new yet non-threatening sounds to break up long quiet periods.
Impact of Hearing Ability on Care
Avoid High-Pitched Noises
Bearded dragons have sensitive hearing, so it’s important to avoid exposing them to loud or high-pitched noises which can stress them out. Things like loud music, television, dogs barking, or children shrieking should be moderated.
Excessive noise can lead to loss of appetite, skittish behavior, and chronic stress.
Use Visual Cues for Training
Since bearded dragons rely more on visual cues, use hand signals and gestures as positive reinforcement during training. Waving your hand slowly to signify “come” or giving a thumbs up for “good job” are great ways to communicate. You can also use treats as rewards but be careful not to overfeed.
Visual training allows interaction without startling them with loud sounds.
Provide Proper Habitat Conditions
Proper habitat setup is crucial as bearded dragons are sensitive to noise reverberations. Avoid housing them in rooms with echoing tiles or hardwood floors. Instead use carpet or add sound dampening materials like cork bark or eco earth. Make sure the tank is not situated next to loud appliances.
Also provide hiding spots like log hides so they can retreat from noise. Keeping background noise low and shelter available reduces stress.
Conclusion
In summary, bearded dragons do have the capacity for hearing, especially in the low-frequency range. Their tympanic membrane and middle ear structure allow them to detect vibrations and sounds in their environment. However, compared to humans and other mammals, their hearing is quite limited.
When caring for a bearded dragon, it’s important to keep their hearing abilities in mind by avoiding loud or high-pitched noises and using more visual cues for communication and enrichment.
