Behaviour

In this article, we look at common behaviour that you may see in your Dragon. Email Us if you have any questions about it!

Head Bobbing:

Head Bobbing is generally used to indicate dominance or aggression. It is often accompanied by a darkening and flaring of the beard. Whilst both males and females may head bob, it is the males who show it most often. Bearded Dragons don't usually head bob until they are 6 months or more in age, but may occasionally do it before then.

During the breeding season, males will head bob at females and at each other. This video shows one of our males head bobbing (requires enabled ActiveX). Notice the darkening of his beard and chest area.

Arm Waving:

Arm Waving is a sign of submission. Females usually wave their arms to signal submission during the breeding season. A failure to submit to a head bobbing male may be seen as a challenge, and could lead to a fight. Females will also arm wave to each other to establish hierarchies. Males may also occasionally arm wave, particularly if they are not yet fully grown. It is believed that arm waving by juveniles is to prevent them from being attacked by overly-territorial males.

Arm waving begins at birth - young babies arm wave at each other, their owners, other pets, and occasionally their food! This video shows one of our females arm waving in response the head bob shown above (requires enabled ActiveX).

"Press-ups":

Submissive Dragons will often perform what look like press-ups to acknowledge a dominant male. This is normally in conjunction with Arm Waving.

Beard Flaring:

Dragons may flare their beard as a display of dominance, as a defensive reaction, or to attempt to stretch the skin there during shedding.

Dominant flaring is often accompanied by Head Bobbing.

Defensive Flaring may be accompanied by Hissing, Mouth-Gaping, Lunging at the threat, and widening/swelling of the body.

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