When it comes to appearance, the bearded dragon is true to its name.It has armor made of spiky reptile scales, including a spikey ‘beard’ beneath its chin that swells and contracts according to its mood. There are now eight known species of a bearded dragon, collectively referred to as beardies.Bearded dragons, one of the most popular pet reptiles, are friendly, curious, and active during the day. Pogona vitticeps, the central bearded dragon, is most commonly kept as a pet. Bearded dragons may be found across Australia in the wild.Deserts, subtropical woods, savannas, and natural scrublands are among the warm, dry environments these reptiles favor. Wild bearded dragons were forbidden from being exported from Australia in the 60s; nevertheless, they’ve been bred for the pet trade in the United States for decades, and they appear in a range of colors not found in the wild. For bearded dragons, a warm environment is essential. A beardie is cold-blooded and must depend on external heat sources to maintain the temperature of its body, which fluctuates depending on the temperature of its surroundings. A beardie warms itself by basking in the sun, yet it may also burrow underground to avoid predators and excessive heat. They’re semi-arboreal, and they’re frequently seen on wooden posts and tree branches.Bearded dragons do not have a particular favorite food. They can grip and crush insects with hard shells like rocks, such as beetles, thanks to their powerful jaws. A beardie can eat foliage, flowers, fruit, and tiny lizards or mice because they are omnivores.Bearded dragons also interact by bobbing their body and altering the color of their beards. A fast head bob may indicate dominance, whereas a leisurely bob with an arm wave indicates surrender. Some bearded dragons may go into brumation, a form of hibernation in which they forgo and just sip water on occasions when the seasons change. Dormancy happens as seasons change and temperatures drop, generally in the fall or winter.After understanding whether bearded dragons can swim, do read how long does a bearded dragon live and how long can a bearded dragon go without eating?Can a bearded dragon drown?Can bearded dragons swim? If you have a Bearded dragon as a pet reptile, taking care of it as the owner will also involve giving it a bath. Taking care of bearded dragons is essential for a variety of reasons. The most important thing is proper hydration. Many bearded dragons dislike drinking water from containers, but they will eagerly suck up their bathwater if given the opportunity.A bath is, of course, crucial for maintaining personal hygiene. In addition, they are beneficial for shedding and constipation. Finally, many reptiles just love a good dip in cold water. It is critical to remember that you should never, under any circumstances, leave a beardy alone in a basin or bathtub while washing, not even for a split second. Baby bearded dragons are particularly vulnerable to drowning in deep water, although older bearded dragons are also at risk.While it is true that these reptiles can take air in order to float, they still require oxygen to survive, and they are unable to hold their breath indefinitely. A severe risk that can occur, especially if you are untrained with bearded dragons, is drowning while swimming in water. As soon as you realize your beardy has drowned, open its mouth and blow into it to force air into its lungs; if it isn’t breathing, massage its body while blowing into its nose to force air into its lungs. If all of this fails, it’s too late to turn back the clock. It is critical to ensure that the water is at the proper depth for swimming. When exposed to just a few inches of water, bearded dragons can drown! The water depth should be between 12 in (30 cm) and 1 in (2.5 cm) for a young lizard. Adults can bathe in water that is around 1-2 in (2-5 cm) deep. Providing your pets with something to climb on in the event that the water is deeper than their knees will allow them to survive. Rocks or rolled-up towels will suffice.Owners should always watch over their bearded dragon especially if their pet is trying to stay under the water.Can bearded dragons put their head underwater?Generally speaking, if bearded dragons submerge their heads while swimming, it indicates that they want to drink. When bearded dragons drop their head into still water to drink, it is common for them to gulp the water and then vomit it out in a projectile.This is not an uncommon occurrence for bearded dragons to perform. You simply have to keep a tight eye on them to ensure that they do not get any water in their ears or nose. The fact that bearded dragons turn black in the beard and pale can be a sign of fear or rage, respectively. This is the point at which you should be guiding your bearded dragon downward to allow any excess water to drain. Make sure that the bearded dragon is warmed up under the basking light, and the temperatures should be between 105-110 F (40-43 C) to bring its body temperature up to the right range. You will need to keep an eye out for respiratory problems for a few days and listen for coughing, open mouth breathing, or bubbles coming out of its nose or mouth to see whether it needs to be hospitalized. In the event that water goes into your bearded dragon’s ears or nostrils, contact a vet and give them an idea of the situation.Should I let my bearded dragon swim?Many people are curious about whether or not bearded dragons can swim in the water. Naturally, you’d expect those huge lizards living in hot, scant conditions in the wild would not be good at swimming, or at the very least ineffective swimmers.A bearded dragon only drinks water on occasion, so it’s understandable that they’d struggle in this fashion. Bearded dragons are capable of swimming. If you aren’t comfortable with your pet swimming, it isn’t something you should provide. Bearded dragons aren’t a species that needs to swim to thrive in the wild. It’s not something a dragon will miss out on if it doesn’t participate in it. That said, swimming in water is a great pastime you should try doing with your bearded dragon. It can be a fun, recreational activity that keeps a bearded dragon fit and entertained. It’s important to remember that not all dragons like free swimming. Bearded dragons have preferences, just as other animals do. Some lizards enjoy being in cold water in their bathtub, enclosure, or tank, while others do not. If your bearded dragon does not appear to be eager for some warm water fun, try to be considerate of them. It’s never a smart option to compel your bearded dragon to participate in activities like swimming in water if they don’t want to do. It will just cause them more stress, increasing their risk of contracting infections or other health issues. If you do decide to take your bearded dragon swimming in cold water, keep an eye on it. Look for any signs of impending trouble and, if you find any, remove the bearded dragon from the water.How long can a bearded dragon stay underwater?Bearded dragons are able to hold their breath for a longer period of time than humans. Usually for a few minutes at a time. This is something to keep in mind when your bearded dragon is swimming underwater, and it also acts as a wonderful fall-back option to help you relax if things don’t go according to plan. Because bearded dragons have the ability to hold their breath in water for such a lengthy period of time, it can be alarming when it appears that they are dying when they are really well and in good health.It can also create difficulties for veterinarians who need to anesthetize bearded dragons prior to performing surgery on them. Even with all of this in mind, trying to see how long your bearded dragon can hold its breath is not something you should ever do or experiment with. Do not dunk bearded dragons. However, if they must be submerged for an extended amount of time, you can rest assured that they will be safe! Despite the fact that bearded dragons are not known for swimming underwater and do not normally come into contact with huge bodies of water in their native environment, they are considered to be remarkably good swimmers. A bearded dragon has the ability to inhale air and float on water, as well as hold its breath for a number of minutes while it stays underwater. A bearded dragon, on the other hand, can drown if it is swimming in deep water for an extended period of time (10 - 15 minutes or more) after being exhausted.Do beardies like swimming?Just like humans, the way a bearded dragon was raised has a lot to do with whether or not it will enjoy spending time in the water. Beardies continue to enjoy swimming time in water as adults if they were trained as swimmers when they were young.Bearded dragons are indigenous to Australia, where they can be found in a wide range of warm, arid environments. The species has, however, been bred for the pet sector in Australia since the country banned the bearded dragon from being exported there. Bearded dragons can come into contact with water on occasion when kept by a domestic breeder, despite the fact that it is rare for them to come into contact with water or a kiddie pool in the wild. In any situation where you find yourself in an unfamiliar environment, your survival instincts kick in, just as they do in other animals. Bearded dragons are a regular sight in the wild, and they have a distinctive appearance.Benefits Of Swimming For Bearded DragonsBearded dragons enjoy the water for several reasons. One of the benefits it provides them is in terms of skin shedding. Bearded dragons, unlike snakes, seem to shed their skin in chunks rather than all at once. This means that for a week or longer, regions of skin will be extremely dry.As water loosens skin, it’s normal to watch a bearded dragon take a bath throughout the shedding process. You can spray your bearded dragon instead of giving it a bath if you see it isn’t bathing during the process. Spritzing your bearded dragon with water from a spray bottle is known as misting. This absorbs water into their skin and seems to aid in the shedding process in the same way that bathing does.When it comes to breeding bearded dragons, one of the problems that breeders and owners face is impaction. When your beardie becomes unable to pass feces, impaction occurs. As a result, your pet’s stomach becomes clogged. Taking your bearded dragon for a swim in water or establishing environments that allow your pet to swim comfortably is a great way to help them combat impaction or avoid it. The wiggling action of a bearded dragon is adequate to aid bowel movements and release stress. As a result, it’s important that your bearded dragon learns to swim or likes it. Swimming in water is a great method for your beardie to get some exercise while also promoting bone development and bowel movements.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Can bearded dragons swim?’, then why not take a look at ‘Baby bearded dragon diet’ or ‘Bearded Dragon Facts.’
When it comes to appearance, the bearded dragon is true to its name.
