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Why do bearded dragons lick? Bearded dragons are well known for their interesting behaviors. As a responsible pet owner, noticing these behaviors and deciphering their meanings is essential. Have you realized that your bearded dragon has a habit of licking everything, yourself included? Are you worried that this is an unusual behavior?
To human beings, it may seem strange when a bearded dragon or beardie starts to lick different things. However, this is one of the key traits of this lizard specie. In this article, we will answer why bearded dragons lick various things and expound more about this behavior in detail.
Before we get started, we would like to inform you that licking is very normal for bearded dragons and you need not be worried about this behavior. However, if you are a bearded dragon enthusiast, you must familiarize yourself with why bearded dragons lick things.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Lick?
Bearded dragons lick things out of curiosity. The reason behind this behavior is the bearded dragon’s attempt to familiarize itself with the environment. Through licking, bearded dragons learn about nearby objects, animals, foods, and their owners.
To better understand this behavior, pet owners should know how the bearded dragon’s tongue works. When your pet licks anything, tiny particles are absorbed by the tongue and are directed to the roof of the bearded dragon’s mouth to something known as the Jacobs Organ.
This organ is responsible for analyzing the licked particles and sends a message to the brain allowing the bearded dragon to know everything it needs about that object. Thanks to the Jacobs Organ, through licking, bearded dragons have a more accurate sense of taste than most animals.
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In this next section, we’ll look at some of these reasons in detail.
Reasons Bearded Dragons Lick
a) It’s a way of familiarizing themselves with the environment
The licking behavior of bearded dragons is similar to how we pick up objects and analyze them with our eyes. Or how we get to know people by talking to them. Through licking, a bearded dragon learns more about its environment. This includes other animals, people, and household objects.
b) To gauge the temperature
As you may already know, bearded dragons are cold-blooded. Therefore, they must be aware of the surrounding temperatures. The good news is that they can lick different objects using their tongues to gauge the temperatures.
c) Its part of a pre-mating ritual
Licking can also be a sign of the mating season. It’s through licking that bearded dragons can identify suitable mating partners. To decipher that your bearded dragon is licking because of the breeding season, look for other signs such as aggressive behavior, change in head color, and head bobbing.
d) To mark territory
Finally, bearded dragons will lick everything around them to mark their territory. They will also lick you to infuse their scent and mark you as theirs.
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Why Do Bearded Dragons Lick Everything?
Bearded dragons lick everything they come into contact with. The goal is to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and learn of any dangers. Bearded dragons lick everything because this behavior has been ingrained in them since birth. Therefore, whether in the tank or outside, they will lick everything surrounding them, including you.
Besides learning more about their environment, bearded dragons can also lick everything if they are hungry.
Here are some of the things bearded dragons may lick;
- The owners – A bearded dragon that has just been brought into a new home will lick the owners to learn more about you. Licking helps them identify the heads of the family. It also assists with differentiating between different family members.
- New objects – When you put a bearded dragon in a new tank, they will increase licking to familiarize themselves with the environment. Without licking, your pet may seem hesitant about the new habitat.
- Food – Bearded dragons must lick foods before consuming them. Whether it’s an insect, fruit, or vegetable, they will lick it to identify the type of food and taste. Did you know that bearded dragons can sense their favorite foods by licking the air?
- Fellow bearded dragons – During mating season, male bearded dragons lick female counterparts to sense pheromones. Bearded dragons of the same gender can also lick one another to establish dominance.
- Any Object that Triggers Curiosity – Bearded dragons are curious pets that will lick anything that seems new, strange, and odd.
Do Bearded Dragons Lick for Affection?
A bearded dragon may lick you a lot. If this is your first time owning such a pet, you may be wondering why bearded dragons lick. Is it a sign of affection?
For new owners, a bearded dragon will lick you to learn more about you. As mentioned earlier, they may be interested in finding out whether you are the alpha in the homestead. After a while, a bearded dragon can lick you as a sign of affection. Through licking, a bearded dragon will pass the message that they are comfortable spending time with you.
Funny enough, bearded dragon licks can be a method of the pet expressing dominance over you. They could also be marking their territory and proclaiming you as theirs. The latter mostly happens if you own several pet bearded dragons.
There isn’t a lot of research to back up that bearded dragon licks are a sign of love. However, this is an ordinary sign of affection that other pets like dogs portray. Therefore, the same may apply to bearded dragons. If you notice extra excitement when playing with your bearded dragon, it is a good chance that it recognizes your scent and loves spending time with you.
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What Does It Mean When a Bearded Dragon Licks You?
Even though reptiles have different methods of showing affection, licking is an integral mode of communication commonly used by bearded dragons. Bearded dragons don’t lick things they don’t like. So, if your pet is constantly licking you when you hold them, that’s a sign of interest.
By licking the microscopic organisms on your skin, beardies acquire your scent. When you hold them, they will lick you a lot as a sign that they love you. A bearded dragon will also lick you to mark territory. Once they identify you as their owner, a bearded dragon will get jealous and won’t want you to play with others. By licking, it’s a sign of their proclamation.
Other than showing compassion, a bearded dragon will lick you when it’s hungry. It can be more of a signal that they need more food in their tank. It’s also important to know that younger beardies lick more than older ones. That’s because baby beardies are more curious and have a lot to learn about the environment.
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Final Thoughts
Hopefully, the above post has answered your question about why do bearded dragons lick. There is no doubt that beardies are a unique species of reptile. They are gentle, and it’s why they are often kept as pets. You may find this behavior odd when a beardie starts to lick you and everything in its surroundings. However, it is very typical, and there are valid reasons why your pet does it.
Nature has it that bearded dragons grow in woodlands and deserts where they are preyed on by other animals. Evolution has ingrained the habit of licking the surroundings to understand the environment better. When you place a beardie in a tank, they have to lick everything to judge the surroundings.