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Bearded dragons are popular pets most individuals have preferred to add to their homes or family. The docile nature and easy care requirements make them fit in any home or setup.
However, when having this pet in your home, it’ll be wise to monitor them and understand their different behaviors, from yawning to gapping.
Bearded dragons display various behaviors over their lifetime; some are natural and normal, while others are unusual. These behaviors relate to their health, feelings, and mood.
Furthermore, behaviors can be a way of communication. So, do bearded dragons yawn? Many individuals have been asking if bearded dragons can yawn and what the reasons are.
Continue reading to find out why bearded dragon yawn and what makes them yawn. Let’s get straight into it!
Do Bearded Dragons Yawn?
Bearded dragons display a range of behaviors as they react to the environment or as a way of communication. If you’re keeping a bearded dragon at your home, you’ll realize that it sometimes keeps yawning or opening its mouth. Experts reveal that it’s common for bearded dragons to open their mouths or yawn for various reasons. The yawning purposes and duration will vary depending on the different species or conditions.
Bearded dragons will yawn by puffing out their beards several times. The puffing of the beardie on the reptiles resembles hiccups. After puffing out the beard on their body, the bearded dragons will periodically open and close their mouths. Experts reveal that most dragons will yawn early in the morning or after waking from an extended nap.
Besides the natural way, yawning may also be a way of communicating or expressing feelings. The reptile may be expressing different feelings through the opening and closing of their mouths.
Temperature and humidity changes may be the main causes of yawning in these pets. Depending on the environment or surroundings, your bearded dragon may be yawning for different reasons.
Despite being a natural and healthy behavior in most reptiles, especially bearded dragons, yawning may also indicate an issue. For instance, you can consult your vet to check for any respiratory infection if the gasping is too much. Some respiratory issues and conditions may make your dragon yawn too much.
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Why Do Bearded Dragons Yawn?
Yawning is a common behavior in most reptiles. Thus, you’ll realize your bearded dragon occasionally opens and closes its mouth. We’ve got various reasons why your bearded dragon will be yawning. Despite being a natural and healthy behavior, frequent yawning may signify discomfort. Let’s look at the reasons why dragons yawn:
Unlike humans, who regulate temperatures by sweating, bearded dragons usually open and close their mouths for some time to cool down. Yawning helps the reptiles to achieve gaping, which is an appropriate way to vent excess heat from the body and keep optimal temperatures. You can include a cooling point in the tank when domesticating bearded dragons to help them cool down.
Besides being a natural and healthy behavior, yawning can also portray physical or health issues. Studies show that bearded reptiles may keep yawning as a sign of aggressiveness and defense against other reptiles or strangers. Continuous opening and closing of the mouth might also signify respiratory discomfort. Some respiratory infections may result in discomfort in the respiratory tract.
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Why Does My Bearded Dragon Keep Yawning?
Yawning is common in bearded dragons as they respond to various environmental and body changes. Nevertheless, frequent opening and closing of the mouth may signify another issue. Below are the key reasons why bearded dragons will keep yawning:
Yawning helps to keep the reptile’s temperature optimal, but at times the yawning may be frequent. So, why does my bearded dragon keep yawning? Your bearded dragon may yawn to remove or vent excess heat from the body. Remember, these animals usually bask in the light or sun to absorb heat and later have to open their mouths for a long time to cool down and remove excess heat.
Some bearded dragons have used yawning as a self-defense mechanism. Although many individuals believe that dragons are cool and friendly animals, bearded dragons may react fiercely to attacks. Your dragon can keep yawning as a sign of reacting to threats, such as another dragon or strangers. Lastly, respiratory complications or infections can also cause the dragon to keep yawning.
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Bottom Line
Bearded dragons have different ways of reacting or responding to the environment and what is happening in their surroundings. Most homeowners reveal that their pets usually open and close their mouths for various reasons. So, do bearded dragons yawn? Yawning is common in reptiles, as they respond to various situations and processes.
Yawning is natural in bearded dragons to help them vent out excess heat from their body and get an optimal temperature. However, frequent yawning may illustrate other issues, such as responding to threats or strangers. Contact your veterinarian when your dragon keeps yawning to help check for any underlying issue or condition.