You may be thinking about getting a bearded dragon for yourself or as a pet for your children and wonder how harmful their bite can be. Or maybe you have already been bitten by a bearded dragon and are wondering what to do and how to prevent it from happening again.
Bearded dragons rarely bite, and if they do, they don't have the strength or will to do real damage. In most cases, your hand or finger will hurt for a few minutes. However, if the bite is severe enough to bleed, the wound should be treated.
Also, if you want to prevent this behavior from happening again, there are a few things you can do. Read on to learn why bearded dragons bite, what to do if you get bitten, how to treat wounds (if any) and how to avoid bites.
Do bearded dragons bite?
Yes, in the wild, two or more bearded dragons will bite when fighting for territory or showing dominance. Males also bite females during courtship.
Do bearded dragons have teeth?
Bearded dragons have teeth. Whiskers have very sharp teeth, but as they grow up, their teeth begin to dull due to the constant biting of food.
What is the power of the bearded dragon's bite?
The strength of the bearded dragon's bite depended on the size of the reptile's head. The bigger their head, the stronger their bite.
Since males are larger than females, they have a stronger bite.
The same applies to the bite force of a young bearded dragon compared to that of an adult bearded dragon.
there is a由 Jones, MEH, Pistevos, JCA, Cooper, N,and others.and published in the Journal of Experimental ZoologyThe bite force of young and adult bearded dragons has been found to range from 5.59 to 98.73 Newtons (1.26 to 22.2 lbf), depending on the size of the animal.
So what does that mean?
This means that while bearded dragons have an impressive bite force for their size, the fact is that if they choose to bite you, they can't really hurt you -- except for how you feel.
Do little bearded dragons bite?
As we mentioned before, microbeard dragons have extremely sharp teeth and will not hesitate to bite if provoked.
However, keep in mind that bearded babies do not have a strong bite due to their size, so it is doubtful that they will be able to bite through their skin.
Do bearded dragons bite?
Although it doesn't happen often, bearded dragons can bite.
These reptiles are known to be very docile and non-aggressive towards their owners or anyone else who knows how to handle them, so their bites are usually accidental.
However, if they are mistreated by children or the inexperienced, or if they get annoyed and you keep interrupting them, they may bite on purpose as a defense mechanism.
Here are some videos to show you how a bearded dragon finally bites:
Why do bearded dragons bite?
Most bearded dragon bites happen accidentally when you feed them from your hand, they miscalculate where the food is and bite your finger as a result. In other cases, they might simply mistake your finger for food.
However, there are some situations in which your bearded dragon may feel threatened and deliberately bite you, such as:
Keeping more than one male in a tank
As mentioned earlier, males can be very aggressive if they see another male in the pen.
Never keep two male bearded dragons together, and if you have more than one male bearded dragon, be sure to keep them in separate enclosures and far from each other.
They can be seen on reflective surfaces
If a bearded dragon sees its reflection on shiny surfaces (including tank glass), it may become confused and think another bearded dragon is in the enclosure.
They can become aggressive and try to defend their territory against "attackers" who might accidentally bite you if you try to interact with them.
A new or overly stimulating environment can cause anxiety in your bearded dragon.
When introducing your beardie to a new environment, give your pet some time to get used to it before you try to play with it or feed it.
The same is true when you make changes or add new things to the mustache wrap. Make one change at a time to give your pet enough time to get used to the new change.
If your whisker notices another animal nearby, it may become wary and go into self-defense mode.
Your bearded dragon may become anxious at the sight of another animal, even if the other animal is not in the enclosure.
This can include cats, dogs, birds, or any other animal that your bear may perceive as a threat.
So if you try to interact with your whiskers during this time, they might attack you and bite you to protect themselves.
he is not used to being handled
Bearded dragons will bite if they feel threatened, and if they are not used to constant handling, they may see you as a potential threat.
This is most common in young bearded dragons, and even in adults who have not been previously socialized and used to being handled by humans.
They are hungry
As sometimes happens with humans, bearded dragons can also get "hungry" and become overly excited when you feed them.
In this case, they may accidentally bite you while trying to eat as fast as possible.
So, if you find that your whiskers are very eager to eat when you feed them, consider adjusting their feeding and handling schedule.
they are angry
Your whiskers can become irritated after a period of interaction with you, especially if you or someone else caresses or caresses them excessively.
A bite could be your bearded dragon's way of saying "enough."
Be sure to pay attention to your pet's body language so you can avoid this.
However, if you find that your beardie is often angry for no reason, you should take him to the vet to rule out any health problems.
Do bearded dragon bites hurt?
Getting bitten by an adult bearded dragon can be temporarily painful, especially if it can bite into your skin.
However, most bites are more surprising than painful.
If a bearded baby bites you, you will hardly feel any pain.
What can a Beardie's bite do to a person?
Bearded dragons can't really do much damage when they bite. Serious injuries from bearded dragon bites are very rare.
Most of the time, your hand or fingers will hurt for a few minutes after being bitten by a bearded dragon. In some cases, a bearded dragon can also break your skin when it bites you.
What does a bearded dragon bite look like?
Here is a photo that will show you what a bearded dragon bite looks like:
Can a bearded dragon bite your finger?
A bearded dragon's jaws can't even break a phalanx, let alone bite your finger off completely.
one experimentalHand injury researchA 2012 study found that it took an average of 1,485 Newtons of force to break a human finger. That's much more than the bearded dragon's bite force, which is only 5.59 to 98.73 Newtons.
So, rest assured, if you get bitten, the bearded dragon will not be able to bite off a single finger.
Are bearded dragons poisonous?
You might be surprised to learn that bearded dragons have venom glands. But don't worry! These glands degenerate, which means they no longer work.
Most bearded dragons have only one pair of venom glands, but one species, the eastern bearded dragon (Scutellaria mužjak) they havetwo pairs of poison glands;It produces a very mild poison, not strong enough to even kill rats, and probably only causes mild swelling in humans.
Therefore, if you or someone you know is bitten by a bearded dragon, there is no need to worry because these reptiles are considerednon-toxic.
Can a bearded dragon bite make you sick?
Although very rare, it is still possible for a barbara to bite you if it is bleeding, especially if you do not treat the wound properly.
In this case, you may develop a secondary bacterial infection of the wound. Tetanus is also a concern because it occurs in most animal bites.
However, bearded dragon bites do not cause illness in most cases.
What to do if bitten
It's good to be prepared for anything that might happen, so if you haven't been bitten by your bearded dragon yet, you may be wondering what to do if one day it does.
If you get bitten by a bearded dragon, try not to panic. In most cases, the beardie will quickly let go of your finger or hand once he realizes what's going on.
If your beardie won't let go, you can place him on a firm surface and gently but firmly try to open his mouth. Grasp the bearded dragon's jaw with your free hand and start applying pressure gradually until it releases you.
Do not make sudden movements, as this will force your pet to close its jaw.
Never back down and try to get rid of your bearded dragon. This can harm your pet.
Once you can break free, check the chin for any damage she did to you, then check your pet for injuries.
In short, if you are bitten by a bearded dragon, you should follow these steps:
- Stay calm
- Do not pull, jerk or shake your bearded dragon
- place the mustache on a table or any safe surface
- Gently and slowly try to move Beard's jaw away
- Check for injuries on you or your pets
How to deal with a bearded dragon bite
It happened. Your bearded dragon bit you. So now you are wondering how to treat your wound.
Well, the first thing you want to check is if your bearded dragon's bite is strong enough to break your skin.
If your skin isn't broken, your fingers or hands may hurt for a few minutes and that's it. You don't need to do anything else.
However, if your skin is broken, you need to take care of the wound.
How to do it Well, luckily, we have a step-by-step guide to help you figure out how to handle this situation:
- rinse the wound with warm water
- wash the area with soap
- dry the wound with gauze or a clean towel
- Apply an antiseptic solution to the wound
- You can also use antibiotic ointment to prevent any infection
- Although it is not always necessary, if you want, you can put a band-aid on the wound
- Apply ice to the affected area if it is swollen
- If the bite still hurts after a few minutes, take any over-the-counter pain reliever
Now you are done! If you are dealing with a bearded dragon bite at home, you don't need to do anything else.
Even so, you need to be on the lookout for any complications that may arise. Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following:
- bleeding from the wound
- the wound seems deep
- Constant pain that does not go away even with painkillers
- The wound becomes hot, red and tender to the touch
- your wound begins to ooze
Also make sure you are up to date with the latest tetanus vaccination schedule. Otherwise, go to your local hospital or clinic to get a tetanus shot.
How to avoid a bearded dragon bite?
First,Never put your pet in a stressful situation, and do not make sudden movements around it.Bearded dragons don't like jumps, loud noises or surprises, they can bite you if they feel uncomfortable.
Do not keep other pets, especially cats or dogs, near bearded dragons as this can stress them out and put them in defensive mode.
When bringing your beardie to a new environment, allow him to acclimatize and familiarize himself with the environment before attempting to pet or feed him. Remember to always keep your pet on a stable surface so they feel safe.
If you find that your bearded dragon is getting too excited about food, you can try feeding it with tweezers or tongs to avoid accidental bites. Here are some good options to try:
If you're still not sure what to do with your bearded dragon, or if you already know that your pet will inevitably become nervous and possibly bite you, you canTry wearing a pair of protective gloves like thesePrecautions to avoid bites.
How to train your bearded dragon not to bite
You can train your Beardie to stop biting and be more friendly to people, but know that it will take a lot of patience and consistency on your part.
Here is a list of things you can dotrain a mustacheDo not bite:
- Offer your whisker food and treats from your hand to associate you with positive experiences.
- Take your pet out of the house regularly so that he gets used to being around you.
- Handling your bearded dragonoften. Pay attention to their body language and if you catch them angry just leave them alone (broken, whistling,beard blackened).
This may take some time, but eventually your bearded dragon should become more social and friendly with people.
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Hello! My name is Pierre and I am the owner of this website. I have been very interested in reptiles since I was a child. I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos and many other reptiles. A group of pet lovers and I created this site to help other reptile owners take care of their pets!
Latest posts from Pierre and the ReptileCraze team(Look at everything)
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Blankets, newspaper and paper towels or all work well. Blankets are recommended particularly during cold weather. You can use a wet towel if your lizard requires a moist environment, or dry towels if it doesn't. This will also provide cushioning for comfort and your lizard will feel calm with something to burrow into.Why do people get the urge to hurt small animals? ›
Researchers said that the reason we have these semi-violent urges to squeeze or bite our cute animals is because our brain is trying to balance out the flood of positive emotions we are experiencing.How do you calm an angry bearded dragon? ›
Give your dragon a nice warm bath, followed by cuddles in a soft towel. Simply pause as much noise as possible to give your dragon some quiet time. Try turning off the lights until your dragon is more calm (of course you wouldn't want to leave the tank like this for too long so your dragon doesn't get too cold).What makes a bearded dragon mad? ›
There are many reasons why your bearded dragon might be showing you its dissatisfaction, and more often than not this anger is actually the manifestation of stress. Bearded dragons are very sensitive to their surroundings, and an incorrect set-up or unexpected or disliked changes can put your beardie in quite the mood!Can reptiles feel trust? ›
In humans and advanced mammals, trust is like love. But reptiles lack the brain development for a complex emotion like love, so trust is the next best thing. And they do show it!
We found that reptiles were assumed to be capable of the following emotions and states; anxiety, distress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain, stress, and suffering, in 37 articles. We also found four articles that explored and found evidence for the capacity of reptiles to feel pleasure, emotion, and anxiety.Why do I feel violent towards animals? ›
Developmentally-related motivations for animal cruelty may include curiosity, peer pressure, forced abuse, and animal phobias. Every act of violence committed against an animal is not a sign that a person is going to turn out to be homicidal.What personality disorder hurts animals? ›
This study tested the hypothesis that a history of substantial animal cruelty was associated with a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.Why did I harm animals as a child? ›
Researchers say that a child's violence against animals often represents displaced hostility and aggression stemming from neglect or abuse of the child or of another family member. Animal cruelty committed by any member of a family, whether parent or child, often means child abuse occurs in that family.What music do bearded dragons like? ›
Music – Classical Many reptile species, including bearded dragons, enjoy classical music without words. This could be due to the fact that most songs have an instrumental sound that appears to calm the reptile's nerves and relax its muscles.
Go slowly. Particularly if you have a baby Bearded dragon, you should avoid making sudden movements or loud noises when you are going to handle them, as this can make them feel threatened if it isn't something they are used to.Do bearded dragons sense fear? ›
Bearded dragons can only experience the basic emotions of fear, aggression, and pleasure. Your bearded dragon may enjoy the simple pleasure of being with you, as they have come to associate you with providing food and care, but they can't love you in the sense that you can love them.Why is my bearded dragon hissing at me? ›
Bearded dragons typically only hiss when they feel threatened. If your dragon is new, he may need some time to get used to the new environment and you. Your dragon may also hiss if he sees his reflection, or if you are reaching for your dragon from above.Do reptiles get attached to humans? ›
It's probably safe to say that snakes and lizards aren't as sentimental or affectionate as dogs and cats, but there's no true way to say for sure. That said, reptiles can and do get quite attached to their owners. Bonding with a reptile will take time and patience, but it's not impossible.Can a reptile bond with you? ›
There's no real way to know for sure, but you can say that they aren't as affectionate or sentimental as cats and dogs. Reptiles can and do get quite close to their humans. Bonding with reptiles isn't impossible. It just takes time and patience.Does a reptile feel pain? ›
Reptiles have the anatomic and physiologic structures needed to detect and perceive pain. Reptiles are capable of demonstrating painful behaviors. Most of the available literature indicates pure μ-opioid receptor agonists are best to provide analgesia in reptiles.Can reptiles feel love? ›
A more controversial emotion in reptiles is the concept of pleasure, or even love. Many feel that they have not developed this emotion, as it does not naturally benefit them. However, most reptiles do seem to recognize people who frequently handle and feed them.Can reptiles be traumatized? ›
Blood Loss and Trauma
Hemorrhage can result from many different causes. Trauma is perhaps the most common cause in reptiles. Bites from prey, bites from dogs and cats, cuts from caging (glass, wire, screens, etc.) and combat with cagemates can all cause trauma that involves bleeding.
Birds and reptiles may not resemble humans in many ways, but they cry similar tears.Do kids with ADHD hurt animals? ›
There may be cases where some kids with ADHD really shouldn't have a pet. Kids with severe impulse control issues or who are aggressive can harm an animal without meaning to. This doesn't mean these kids should never have a pet.
Rather, it has to do with perceived helplessness and vulnerability. This can also relate to the human-animal bond many of us feel, as they require our attention, help, and concern. The natural affection we feel for animals can be compared to the affection we feel for our children.Can animals be mentally abused? ›
What we know for sure is that animals do suffer psychological and not just physical pain, and that emotional abuse and maltreatment may be far more widespread and pernicious than physical abuse.Do narcissists hurt animals? ›
People and animals are both expected to act perfectly—and anything else is seen as a personal affront to the narcissist. They expect people and animals to fill their deep-seated insecurities—and the narcissist is never able to have that deep hole in their psyche filled. They physically abuse pets.What type of person abuses animals? ›
Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60.What mental illness has animal obsession? ›
Hoarders frequently neglect their own health, nutrition, and social life because they spend all their time, money, and energy caring for their animals. They are emotionally overwhelmed and trapped by their indecision and sense of responsibility and are often sleep-deprived.What is the most abused animal and why? ›
Care to guess what the world's most abused animal is? In terms of sheer numbers and the routine suffering inflicted on them, it's got to be the chicken. 50 billion chickens are raised for meat every year, with around 5 billion more kept for egg production.What serial killers abuse animals? ›
Many infamous serial killers harmed animals when they were children, including Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, John Wayne Gacy, and the Boston Strangler. It's long been a popularly held belief that children who are abusive toward animals are serial killers in the making.Is hurting animals a symptom of a psychological disorder? ›
Callous-unemotional traits remained stable from childhood into adulthood and are predictive of adult antisocial behavior and psychopathy. Cruelty to animals may be one of the first symptoms of conduct disorder, often evident around age 6 ½.Where should you not touch a bearded dragon? ›
Baby beardies are more skittish and can panic when they are picked up. Try to keep the baby calm and keep one finger under its chin while holding it. Never grab or hold a bearded dragon by its legs or tail.What does it mean when a bearded dragon licks you? ›
It's A Sign Of Affection Or Comfort
It does seem to be true that a bearded dragon is more likely to lick you if it trusts you and feels comfortable with you. However, this licking is not necessarily a sign of affection. It could be that it likes the way you smell or feels a sense of safety to have you around.
Glass surfing is thought to be a result of stress and a bearded dragon may be stressed for several reasons: An enclosure or tank that's too small for it can stress a bearded dragon out. Another bearded dragon, even if they're not housed together, may be interpreted as competition for a bearded dragon and cause stress.What color is a stressed bearded dragon? ›
A bearded dragon can sometimes appear to be a bit darker in color. This could be a typical sign of some stress, but it could also signify that it is getting ready to shed.
- Reduce handling to a minimum.
- Minimize Sensory Overload.
- Get Them Used to Your Scent.
- Give Them a Warm Bath.
- Offer Food Daily.
- NO Roommates.
- Use a Pleasant Tone.
Bearded Dragon Bites
Dragons rarely bite. When they do, it's rarely serious. A dragon bite may be painful because their teeth are sharp. If you are bitten, the site may swell and bleed.
Bearded dragons are the only known reptile to show affection for their human companions, which is why they make great exotic pets if a reptile is the kind of animal you are looking for.What keeps a bearded dragon happy? ›
Reptiles are well-suited for basking in the sun, which provides them with warmth and UV light. Make sure that your bearded dragon's home has a heat bulb that gets warmer than 95 degrees Fahrenheit (and a nearby rock to lounge on). A heat bulb will keep your bearded dragon warm, but it won't supply much-needed UV light.What happens if you hold a bearded dragon too much? ›
Even the calmest bearded dragon will eventually become stressed out if you handle him for too long. What is this? In fact, it is important to understand that bearded dragons probably do not “like” being handled – they simply “tolerate” it.How do you get a bearded dragon to let you hold it? ›
Gently put your hand, palm upturned, under its body and scoop it up. Use your thumb and forefinger to support the front arms while the body rests in the palm of your hand. Make sure that all of the dragon's legs are supported. You might place a second hand under the tail as well.Does my bearded dragon trust me? ›
If your bearded dragon stays calm when you pick them up, it means they trust that you won't harm them. That said, beardies can only tolerate so much handling before feeling uncomfortable and stressed, so be sure to give them a break after some time.Do bearded dragons get mad easily? ›
Although bearded dragons are not generally aggressive by nature, they may become mad and show signs of aggressive behavior if they feel threatened, they may feel threatened should you mishandle them or if they interpret something as an act of aggression even when it isn't.
Beardies love their owners. They'll recognize you, look in your eyes, beg for food, and sometimes want to be held. Unlike furry friends, beardies don't need constant attention or handling. They need alone time but will miss you if you're gone for too long.Why is my bearded dragon shaking when I touch him? ›
A bearded dragon that is shaking or moving in abnormal, jerky motions is exhibiting another sign of calcium or vitamin D deficiency. Not getting enough of these nutrients can lead to metabolic bone disease.What do bearded dragons look like when they're mad? ›
Beardies show anger in a number of ways, including trying to escape their enclosures, twitchy tails, fluffing their beards, and even biting. Obviously, no one wants to be bitten by their pet, so realizing your bearded dragon is angry is the first step in determining how to fix the problem.What do bearded dragons do all day? ›
Bearded dragons, or “beardies,” are diurnal, which means that, like most of us, they are up during the day and asleep at night. They tend to be very docile and easy to handle, which makes them fun and personable pets. They are active, inquisitive and hardy and enjoy lounging with and/or on their people.What do reptiles hate the most? ›
Vinegar, lemon and chilli powder
Lizards hate the smell of vinegar and lemon, while chilli powder can cause irritation to their skin, eyes and nose. Create your own vinegar, lemon and chilli powder spray to repel lizards from surfaces sprayed with this mixture.
- Do not judge yourself. ...
- Accept all ideas. ...
- Stop making excuses. ...
- Have lots of ideas, good and bad, logical and irrational, and catch them all. ...
- Act first, think later. ...
- Do not be afraid to fail. ...
- If all else fails, remember how the idea was born.
Some behavioural signs of stress while being handled include aggression (hissing, puffing up, biting) and cloacal evacuation (defecation). Reptiles that are comfortable with their owners will often display exploratory behaviour, e.g. tongue flicks while moving calmly around/on the owner.Why do reptiles cry? ›
Although the tears of mammals like dogs and horses are more similar to humans, there are similar amounts of electrolyte fluid in the tears or birds, reptiles and humans. Birds and reptiles may not resemble humans in many ways, but they cry similar tears.What makes lizards mad? ›
Lizards will show aggressive behaviors when they feel threatened, or are protecting food, territory, or their mate, all of which are responses that ensure their survival in their natural habitat.Can reptiles get angry? ›
The most common emotions seen in reptiles are fear and aggression. These are basic emotions that contribute to the fight or flight response. Fight or flight is how all animals process a perceived threat. They will either act aggressively and fight when they're scared or they will run away or take flight.
The pungent odour of garlic and onions drives away lizards
Another thing that lizards despise is the pungent smell of garlic and onion. Keep a few cloves of raw garlic or slices of onion in various corners of your home. Over time, the odour will shoo away the lizards.
The skinks are known to have an ADHD-type behaviour, measure about 10 centimetres and weigh about 2.5 grams.Can lizards hear voices? ›
It has been concluded that most lizards have good auditory sensitivity over a range from 100 to 4,000 hertz and relatively poor hearing for lower and higher tones. This auditory range is not very different from that of humans, although somewhat more restricted than that of most mammals.How do reptiles feel pain? ›
Reptiles have the anatomic and physiologic structures needed to detect and perceive pain. Reptiles are capable of demonstrating painful behaviors. Most of the available literature indicates pure μ-opioid receptor agonists are best to provide analgesia in reptiles.Do reptiles have love emotions? ›
A more controversial emotion in reptiles is the concept of pleasure, or even love. Many feel that they have not developed this emotion, as it does not naturally benefit them. However, most reptiles do seem to recognize people who frequently handle and feed them.Does music calm snakes? ›
No. The charm has nothing to do with the music and everything to do with the charmer waving a pungi, a reed instrument carved out of a gourd, in the snake's face. Snakes don't have external ears and can perceive little more than low-frequency rumbles.What do snakes fear most? ›
Ammonia: Snakes dislike the odor of ammonia so one option is to spray it around any affected areas. Another option is to soak a rug in ammonia and place it in an unsealed bag near any areas inhabited by snakes to deter them away.