Bearded dragons make excellent pets. They’re easy to care for and have friendly personalities. Understanding their behaviour is crucial to meeting their needs. When your bearded dragon tries to communicate, it’s essential to recognize their expression.
Waving is a typical behaviour of bearded dragons. It’s often misunderstood as a sign of illness or injury. However, this isn’t always the case. This article will explore why bearded dragons wave and what it means.
7 Reasons Why My Bearded Dragon is Waving
1: A Sign of Submission
A bearded dragon waves to show submission. It means they are acknowledging you as the dominant one. This gesture is their way of saying, “I am okay with you being in charge.” It reflects their passive behaviour.
2: Seeing Its Reflection
If a mirror or shiny object is near your bearded dragon’s enclosure, it may see its reflection and think it’s another bearded dragon. Since it can’t distinguish between real and fake, it perceives the reflection as another lizard in its space. This can cause it to feel threatened and respond with submissive behaviour, like waves.
3: Fear of Other Pets Inside or Outside the House
Your bearded dragon may feel uneasy or threatened if you have another pet, like a dog or cat. They may wave as a sign of submission and fear to show they are not aggressive. Bearded dragons also wave to acknowledge the presence of other pets in the house, almost as if saying, “I know you’re there, and I see you.” If their habitat is near a window, they might see birds, people, or other unsettling sights. In response, they may wave due to this discomfort.
4: Experimental Behavior by Young-Bearded Dragons
Baby bearded dragons often wave at each other. They do this to interact, not to fight. It’s part of their exploration of body movement. Raising and rotating their arm is a fascinating experience for them.
5: Crowded Enclosure with Too Many Dragons
Bearded dragons are solitary and territorial animals, particularly males. Housing 2-3 male bearded dragons together often results in frequent waving. Each male is attempting to assert dominance and display aggression.
6: Unfamiliar Enclosure Can Disturn Them
Your bearded dragon may wave when it feels uncomfortable in its environment. Several factors could be the cause. A tank that’s too small can make them feel cramped, while a tank that’s too large can make them feel exposed and vulnerable without hiding spots. New sights, sounds, and smells can also overwhelm them, leading to stress. This anxiety may cause them to wave as a sign of nervousness.
7: Mating Behavior and Signal
Female bearded dragons often wave to males as a sign of interest during mating behaviour.
Male bearded dragons also wave at other males when feeling threatened. This is because other males may become aggressive, showing dominance to compete for the female.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Wave Their Arms?
Bearded dragons wave their arms to show submission to other males or older dragons. This gesture signals they don’t want to fight or act aggressively. It’s their way of communicating, indicating they surrender.
3 Common Misconceptions about Bearded Dragon Waving
Bearded dragons wave for several reasons, often to express their emotions or current feelings. Here are some possible reasons for their waving behaviour. The next time you notice your bearded dragon waving, take a moment to observe and understand the cause.
1: They Are Saying Hello
It’s a common misconception that when a bearded dragon waves, it’s greeting you. This is not the case. While the idea may seem cute, bearded dragons don’t understand greetings. They can recognize their owners and show affection in other ways, but waving is not one of them.
2: Only Females Do it
Male bearded dragons wave just as much as females. Both genders use hand waving to show submission in groups. Waving is a normal behaviour and a way for them to communicate with others.
3: Every Bearded Dragon Waves
Not all bearded dragons wave or display this behaviour. This doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling submissive or don’t want to wave. Another reason could be that they are comfortable and cheerful, so they don’t need to wave. They typically wave when they feel intimidated or scared. When they’re friendly and relaxed, they won’t wave.
Should Bearded Dragon Waving Be a Concern?
Excessive waving can cause aggression, leading to potential fights between bearded dragons. If you observe one dragon waving excessively at another in a shared enclosure, it’s best to separate them temporarily to allow them to calm down. Otherwise, waving is a natural behaviour and not a cause for concern. If your bearded dragon isn’t waving, it’s a positive sign that they feel comfortable and content in their environment.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons wave to show submission to other pets or bearded dragons when they feel threatened or scared. This behaviour is natural and indicates they surrender and ask not to be harmed.
While it may seem like they are waving hello, this is untrue. Understanding why they wave is essential. It’s a form of communication with each other. Additionally, improper enclosures can cause stress, leading to waving as a nervous tic.
FAQs
Is arm-waving considered a greeting for bearded dragons?
No, it is not a form of greeting but a sign of submission.
Do bearded dragons wave at people?
If they feel scared or threatened by people, they may wave at them.
Is head bobbing the same as waving for bearded dragons?
No, head bobbing is not the same as waving. Head bobbing is a sign of dominance while waving serves the opposite purpose.
My bearded dragon never waves; is this normal?
Yes, it means they are content and at ease in their situation without demonstrating submission.