If you’re a bearded dragon owner, you may often wonder – how much do bearded dragons sleep? Understanding their sleep patterns is key to providing proper care.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Healthy adult bearded dragons sleep 8-10 hours per day on average, often broken up into smaller daytime naps and longer nighttime sleep sessions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bearded dragon sleeping habits. We’ll discuss their total sleep needs, differences between juveniles and adults, normal sleep cycles, ideal sleep conditions, signs of sleep issues, and tips for helping your beardie get good quality rest.
Total Daily Sleep Requirements
Juveniles vs. Adults
The amount of sleep bearded dragons need varies significantly between juveniles and adults. Baby bearded dragons require much more sleep to support their rapid growth and development.
Juvenile bearded dragons (less than 18 months old) need 14-18 hours of sleep per day. They require frequent daytime naps in addition to longer nighttime sleep.
Adult bearded dragons (over 18 months old) require less sleep as their growth rate slows. They need 8-12 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, mostly concentrated at night.
Individual Differences
While juveniles generally need more sleep than adults, individual sleep needs also vary among bearded dragons of the same age. Genetics, temperament, and overall health impact the amount of sleep each bearded dragon requires to feel well-rested.
For example, a high-strung baby bearded dragon may need closer to 18 hours of sleep per day, while a calmer juvenile might do just fine with 14 hours. An aging adult or one with health issues might sleep up to 12 hours a day.
Pet owners should pay attention to each bearded dragon’s sleep patterns and tweak the lighting schedule to provide the right amount of uninterrupted darkness for sound slumber.
Normal Sleep Cycles
Daytime Naps
Bearded dragons tend to take several short daytime naps throughout the day totaling 6-10 hours of sleep. These naps typically last about 30-60 minutes at a time. Daytime dozing allows them to recharge after periods of activity like basking, exploring their habitat, hunting insects, etc.
Since bearded dragons are cold-blooded, their energy levels are directly tied to external temperatures.
When it’s warmer during the day, bearded dragons are more active. But when the temperature drops, it triggers them to become sluggish and sleepy. Taking warm sun-baths (basking) can re-energize them for their next lively spell. The cycle then repeats – activity followed by a power nap.
😴 This pattern mimics their native desert habitat in Australia which can reach scorching temps midday before rapidly cooling off by night.
Nighttime Sleep
At night, bearded dragons generally fall into a long, deep nighttime slumber lasting around 12-14 hours. In the wild, night brings lower ambient temperatures that would sap their energy. So they retreat to underground burrows or crevices to safely sleep through the coolest hours.
By morning, external conditions improve allowing normal activity to resume.
Pet dragons follow a similar schedule when given proper heating/lighting. As day turns to night and their habitat gets darker, they become sluggish and instinctively know it’s time to settle in for the night.
Beardies tend to have consistent favorite sleeping spots like hides, branches, or soil substrate where they feel most comfortable. 😌 Their long snooze lets them wake up refreshed the next day ready for their routine of alternating activity and naps.
So a bearded dragon’s sleep needs are met through both short daytime catnaps as well as extended overnight rest.
Ideal Sleep Conditions
Enclosure Setup
Providing the proper enclosure setup is crucial for allowing bearded dragons to get sufficient quality sleep. Here are some tips for optimizing their enclosure:
- Use a large enough enclosure – adult bearded dragons need a minimum of a 4′ x 2′ x 2′ (120 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm) enclosure.
- Ensure proper substrate – avoid using sand, as it can cause impaction. Good options include paper towels, reptile carpets, or tile.
- Offer proper hides – provide a cool hide on the cool side and a warm hide on the warm side so they can thermoregulate while sleeping.
- Reduce noise and activity – keep their enclosure away from high traffic areas and turn off tank lights at night.
An appropriate enclosure setup allows bearded dragons to feel secure and undisturbed while sleeping.
Temperature
Maintaining proper temperatures in a bearded dragon’s enclosure is vital for their health and sleep quality. Here’s what to aim for:
- Basking spot surface temperature: 95-110°F (35-43°C)
- Cool side ambient temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
- Nighttime temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Use under tank heaters, ceramic heat emitters, and incandescent lamps as needed to achieve the right temperature gradients. Proper temperatures allow bearded dragons to thermoregulate as needed between their active and sleep periods.
Lighting Schedules
Providing proper photoperiods is key for healthy bearded dragon sleep cycles. Here are some lighting guidelines:
- 14 hours of daytime light, 10 hours of darkness at night for adults
- 12-13 hours of daytime light for juveniles
- Use timer to ensure regular on/off lighting schedule
- No light at night, use a ceramic heat emitter for nighttime heat
Natural sunlight exposure is best when possible. Regular light/dark periods simulate their natural habitat and reinforce their circadian rhythms for optimal sleep.Following these ideal enclosure, temperature, and lighting recommendations allows bearded dragons to enjoy deep, restorative sleep.
Signs of Sleep Issues
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Bearded dragons typically have a very regular sleep schedule, so any changes can signal an underlying issue. Some signs that their sleep patterns are off include sleeping more or less than usual, being active at odd hours, or frequently waking up at night.
For example, if your dragon normally sleeps soundly from 8pm to 8am but is now restless during the night, that could indicate a health problem or stress. Tracking their sleep habits can help you identify abnormalities early.
Daytime Lethargy
Bearded dragons are active reptiles that love basking, exploring, and hunting feeder insects. So if your dragon is suddenly lethargic and sleeping more during the day, it’s a red flag. Excessive daytime sleepiness can result from improper lighting, temperatures, or nutrition.
Or it may point to an underlying illness. Lethargy along with other symptoms like appetite loss warrant a vet visit. Make sure your dragon’s habitat is optimized and monitor for additional changes.
Loss of Appetite
Healthy bearded dragons are eager eaters, especially when young. If your dragon refuses food or seems disinterested, it likely signifies an issue. Loss of appetite may stem from housing problems like incorrect temperatures.
But it’s also an early sign of illness or parasitism. Key things to check are the temperature gradient in the enclosure, hydration, and bowel movements. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. If nothing improves within a couple days, have your exotic vet examine them. Weight loss, lethargy, and appetite changes in bearded dragons can worsen rapidly, so timely attention is important.
Tips for Healthy Sleep
Follow Natural Light Cycles
Reptiles like bearded dragons are sensitive to light cycles that mimic daylight. Try to provide 12-14 hours of bright, white light during the day followed by 10-12 hours of darkness at night. You can use an automatic timer to regulate the lighting schedule.
This routine will help align your bearded dragon’s circadian rhythm for better sleep.Studies show that imitating natural photoperiods leads to healthier reptile behavior and physiology.
Provide Proper Habitat
Make sure your bearded dragon’s habitat supports healthy sleep.
Bearded dragons are diurnal and prefer sleeping at night, so it’s important their habitat meets those needs. Reptiles that sleep well during their natural inactive periods tend to be more energetic and alert when awake.
Check for Health Issues
Certain illnesses may disrupt your bearded dragon’s sleep. Look out for these signs:
| Metabolic Bone Disease | Twitching or tremors while sleeping |
| Respiratory Infections | Wheezing, gaping, nasal discharge |
| Gastrointestinal Issues | Lethargy, loss of appetite |
If you notice changes in sleep patterns or behavior, it’s best to have your bearded dragon evaluated by an exotic veterinarian. They can check for underlying health issues and provide proper treatment to restore normal sleep cycles. Healthy bearded dragons sleep soundly through the night.
Conclusion
Getting good sleep is crucial for bearded dragons’ health and well-being. By understanding their natural sleep patterns and cycles, providing proper sleep conditions, and watching for signs of issues, you can help ensure your beardie gets the quality rest they need.
Bearded dragons have quite unique sleep habits compared to humans and even many other pet reptiles. Paying attention to the amount and quality of their sleep each day allows you to better care for their needs.
