Miya Pearson
Bearded dragons are diurnal, meaning they are typically awake during the day and asleep at night. They require 8-12 hours of regular sleep to maintain their health and grow strong. If your 2-week-old bearded dragon is sleeping a lot, it could be due to various factors such as shedding, old age, inadequate care, or a health issue. Brumation, a form of hibernation for bearded dragons, can also cause them to sleep for extended periods during the fall and winter months. If you notice any other behavioural changes or concerns, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian to ensure your bearded dragon receives the care it needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep hours | 8-12 hours |
| Sleeping position | Stomach resting on the ground or against an object with legs splayed out |
| Sleep cycle | Diurnal (sleep at night, awake during the day) |
| Brumation | A hibernation-like state that occurs during winter |
| Dehydration | Common in captive-raised bearded dragons; requires regular misting, bathing, and fresh water |
| Diet | Young dragons are at higher risk of impact from eating mealworms; recommend Dubia roaches or crickets |
| Shedding | May cause increased sleep and decreased activity |
| Lighting | Sensitive to light; may open eyes if they sense light near them |
| Health | Sleepiness may be a sign of inadequate care, improper heating/lighting, diet issues, or disease |
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What You'll Learn
- Baby bearded dragons may sleep a lot due to inadequate care, such as improper heating, lighting, or diet
- Lethargy and increased sleep could be a sign of dehydration, especially if the dragon is not eating
- Brumation, a form of hibernation, causes bearded dragons to sleep for days or weeks during the winter
- A bearded dragon sleeping a lot with dark stress lines could indicate it is unwell or impacted
- A baby bearded dragon sleeping a lot could be adjusting to its new environment and may just need time to settle in
Baby bearded dragons may sleep a lot due to inadequate care, such as improper heating, lighting, or diet
Bearded dragons are native to the warm and dry deserts of Australia. They are one of the most popular species of pet reptile due to their calm behaviour and fun personalities. As with any pet, it is important to educate yourself on their husbandry requirements before bringing them home.
In addition to proper lighting and temperature control, diet also plays a crucial role in the health of baby bearded dragons. A baby bearded dragon's diet should be comprised of mostly bugs (around 80%) and some plants (around 20%). Live crickets are a good food source as they provide stimulation, and bearded dragons would typically chase them in the wild. It is important to gut load any insects your dragon eats, which means feeding the insects nutritious food beforehand so that your dragon receives the nutritional value of whatever the insect has eaten.
Some vegetables that can be included in a baby bearded dragon's diet are dark leafy greens such as mustard greens, collard greens, and dandelions. Fruits can be given but only in limited quantities and not every day. It is important to avoid feeding your dragon kale too frequently as it binds calcium, and citrus fruits and tomatoes should not be given at all.
By ensuring proper heating, lighting, and diet, you can help your baby bearded dragon stay healthy and active, and reduce the likelihood of excessive sleepiness.
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Lethargy and increased sleep could be a sign of dehydration, especially if the dragon is not eating
Bearded dragons typically sleep at night and are awake during the day. They require 8-12 hours of sleep to maintain their health and grow strong. If your two-week-old bearded dragon is sleeping more than usual, it could be a sign of lethargy, which may indicate dehydration. Dehydration can cause or be a symptom of other health issues, so it is important to address this promptly.
Bearded dragons originate from the arid Australian desert and require water to stay healthy. Dehydration can be prevented by ensuring your dragon's enclosure has access to water at all times. You can also offer water droplets on their nose every few days or provide a clean, fresh water bowl each day. It is important to note that the water bowl should not be placed beneath the basking lamp or in the basking spot, as this can cause excess humidity.
If your bearded dragon is showing signs of dehydration, you can assist them in rehydration by manually offering them water. Try dripping a few drops of water on their nose from a spray bottle, or use a medicine syringe or dropper to feed them water directly. You can also encourage hydration by offering small portions of food with high water content, such as certain fruits and vegetables.
If your bearded dragon is not eating and displaying signs of lethargy and increased sleep, it is important to contact your veterinarian for advice. They may recommend a bath if your dragon enjoys drinking in the bath or suggest misting the enclosure walls and floor to encourage hydration. In more severe cases, a veterinarian may need to administer a hydration solution under the dragon's skin for optimal fluid absorption.
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Brumation, a form of hibernation, causes bearded dragons to sleep for days or weeks during the winter
Bearded dragons are diurnal creatures, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. They typically require 8-12 hours of sleep per day. However, during the winter, bearded dragons may enter a state of brumation, a form of hibernation unique to reptiles.
Brumation is a natural process that allows bearded dragons to conserve energy and survive the cold winter months when food sources are scarce. During brumation, bearded dragons may sleep for days or even weeks at a time. While brumation can last for the entire winter period, the duration can vary depending on individual dragons and external factors.
The age of the bearded dragon also plays a role in brumation. Most bearded dragons don't start brumating until they are at least ten months to one year old. Younger dragons, especially those under ten months old, may not be healthy enough to undergo brumation, and veterinary advice should be sought if they exhibit signs of brumation.
If your bearded dragon is brumating, it is important to disturb them as little as possible. You should not try to increase light hours or temperatures to prevent brumation, as this can disrupt their natural process. Instead, allow them to wake up naturally and return the enclosure conditions to normal.
It is worth noting that not all bearded dragons will brumate. Some dragons may skip brumation in one year and undergo it in another. Additionally, the act of brumation is influenced by factors such as age, gender, natural conditions, and geographical origin.
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A bearded dragon sleeping a lot with dark stress lines could indicate it is unwell or impacted
Bearded dragons are diurnal, meaning they are typically awake during the day and sleep at night. They require 8-12 hours of regular sleep to stay healthy and grow strong. If your bearded dragon is sleeping a lot, there could be several reasons. Firstly, it could be a natural part of its personality, as some bearded dragons are less active than others. Secondly, it could be preparing for brumation, a sleep-like state similar to hibernation, which wild bearded dragons undergo when the weather gets cold. This is characterised by lethargy, hiding under things in the tank, and attempting to burrow. Brumation usually occurs in the late fall and winter months and can last for days or weeks.
However, if your bearded dragon is sleeping excessively and displaying dark stress lines, it could indicate underlying health issues. Stress in bearded dragons can be caused by various factors, including improper temperature, humidity, or diet, over-handling, disturbances outside the enclosure, or the presence of tank mates. They may also experience stress due to changes in their environment, such as new decor, noise levels, or the introduction of live feeders into their tank.
If your bearded dragon is sleeping a lot with dark stress lines, it could be experiencing health issues such as impaction, dehydration, discomfort with its enclosure, or dietary problems. Additionally, bearded dragons can suffer from mouth rot, which is often a result of stress, inadequate heating and lighting, or poor diet. If you suspect your bearded dragon is unwell, it is important to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
To promote healthy sleep habits in your bearded dragon, ensure its enclosure mimics natural light cycles and maintains darkness during sleep hours. You can signal bedtime by turning on and off its heat lamp at the same time each day. Also, provide a comfortable sleeping environment, such as a dark and quiet space, to help your bearded dragon get the rest it needs.
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A baby bearded dragon sleeping a lot could be adjusting to its new environment and may just need time to settle in
Bearded dragons are diurnal, meaning they are typically awake during the day and asleep at night. They require 8–12 hours of regular sleep to maintain their health and grow strong. However, if your baby bearded dragon is sleeping a lot and showing signs of lethargy, there may be several reasons for this.
Firstly, it could be adjusting to its new environment and may just need time to settle in. It is common for baby bearded dragons to experience stress and depression when introduced to a new habitat, and they may need a few weeks to adjust and return to their normal, active selves. During this time, they may sleep more than usual and exhibit decreased appetite and activity levels.
Additionally, the sleeping behaviour could be related to the season. Bearded dragons may undergo a period of brumation, similar to hibernation, during the late fall and winter months. During brumation, they can sleep for days or weeks, and their appetite may decrease significantly. Brumation is a normal process for bearded dragons to conserve energy during cooler weather.
However, if your dragon is sleeping excessively outside of these winter months, there could be other factors at play. Inadequate heating, lighting, or diet could be contributing factors. Dehydration is also a common issue in captive-raised bearded dragons, and it is important to ensure they have access to fresh, dechlorinated water at all times.
If your baby bearded dragon's sleeping behaviour persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as changes in skin colour, diarrhoea, or difficulty breathing, it is recommended to consult a qualified reptile veterinarian for further advice and potential health evaluations.
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Frequently asked questions
Bearded dragons usually sleep at night and are active during the day. If your 2-week-old bearded dragon is sleeping a lot, it could be a result of inadequate care, such as improper heating, lighting, or diet. It could also be a sign of a serious health condition, dehydration, or shedding issues. Consult a veterinarian if you notice any other symptoms or changes in behaviour.
Bearded dragons typically require 8-12 hours of regular sleep per day to maintain their health and grow strong.
During the winter months, bearded dragons may enter a state of brumation, which is similar to hibernation. During brumation, bearded dragons may sleep for days or weeks at a time and their appetite may decrease significantly.
Bearded dragons typically sleep with their stomach resting on the ground or against an object, and their legs splayed out. This position allows them to quickly get up and respond to predators. They do not sleep standing up or with their eyes open.
