Bearded Dragon Sleep: Why Do They Snooze All Day?

Bearded dragons are diurnal lizards, meaning they are typically alert and active during the day and sleep at night. However, there are times when a bearded dragon may sleep a lot or exhibit lethargic behaviour. This could be due to a number of reasons, including brumation, inadequate care, illness, or old age.

Brumation is a type of hibernation that bearded dragons undergo during the late fall and winter months. During this time, they may sleep for days or weeks, and their appetite may slow down or stop.

Inadequate care, such as improper heating, lighting, or diet, can also lead to lethargy in bearded dragons. For example, lack of proper heat and UVA radiation can cause a loss of appetite and decreased activity levels.

Illnesses such as infectious stomatitis (mouth rot), metabolic bone disease (MBD), dehydration, respiratory problems, and impaction (blockages in the digestive tract) can also cause sleepiness or lethargy.

Additionally, a bad diet or calcium deficiency can contribute to lethargic behaviour. Bearded dragons need both plant and animal matter in their diet, with the ratio depending on their age.

It is important to monitor your bearded dragon's overall appearance and behaviour to determine the cause of its sleepiness and take the necessary steps to ensure its health and well-being.

Brumation

Even if you keep the enclosure at the recommended temperature, your bearded dragon may still undergo brumation due to changes in the weather. If your bearded dragon is brumating, you should lower the enclosure temperature to around 72-75 degrees Fahrenheit and keep the lighting on for eight hours daily. Continue to offer water and food, and be aware that your dragon may only wake up every few days to eat and bathe.

Some signs that your bearded dragon is ill or not receiving proper care include:

• Lack of proper heat and UVA radiation, which can cause a loss of appetite and decreased activity levels.
• Dehydration, which can be identified by lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes.
• Impaction, which can lead to paralysis in the hind legs and difficulty moving.
• Parasites, which can cause runny, extremely smelly poop.
• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), caused by inadequate UVB lighting, which can lead to an unhealthy and weak appearance, distorted legs and spine, an open mouth, and difficulty controlling the hind legs.

Lack of proper heat

If your bearded dragon is sleeping all day, it may be due to a lack of proper heat. Bearded dragons are from the deserts of Australia, and they require sufficient heat to stay active. If the enclosure is too cold, your dragon's metabolism, appetite, digestion, and immune function may be negatively affected.

To ensure your bearded dragon is getting enough heat, provide a thermal gradient in its enclosure, with the warmest part of the enclosure being the basking area. The temperature in the basking area should be maintained between 95-110°F (35-41°C) for adults and juveniles, and slightly warmer at 105-110°F (35-44°C) for babies. The cooler parts of the enclosure should be maintained between 75-85°F (24-29°C).

To achieve and maintain the appropriate temperatures, you can use various heating methods, such as basking spot lamps (incandescent bulbs designed for reptiles), nighttime heating lamps, mercury vapor bulbs (providing both heat and ultraviolet light), ceramic heat emitters, and under-tank heating pads. Experiment with different wattages to find the right one for your enclosure size. Avoid using heat rocks or heat caves, as these can cause burns.

Additionally, make sure to provide a hide for your bearded dragon to feel safe and secure. A hide can also be used during shedding or when your dragon desires a cooler temperature. Offer branches for climbing and a varied diet to increase stimulation.

If your bearded dragon continues to sleep all day despite providing proper heat and making the necessary adjustments, it is recommended to consult a qualified veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues.

Lack of UVA radiation

UVA radiation helps to stimulate appetite and promotes high levels of activity in bearded dragons. If your bearded dragon is acting sluggish, you should check your lighting.

Bearded dragons need full-spectrum lighting for good health, and this includes UVA radiation. You should provide full-spectrum lighting via a fluorescent tube, compact fluorescent, or Mercury Vapour bulb for at least 12 hours per day. The bulb should be placed within 12 inches of the bearded dragon unless you use a Mercury Vapour bulb, which can be placed a little further away.

Fluorescent bulbs should be replaced every six months as they begin to lose their effectiveness over time. Without the proper lighting, bearded dragons will stop eating, become lethargic, and develop metabolic bone disease.

Dehydration

One trick to get your bearded dragon to drink from the water bowl is to use The Big Dripper. Place it on top of the screen cover of the terrarium over the water bowl. Fill it with fresh, dechlorinated water, treated with ReptiSafe, and set it to release a slow drip of water into the bowl. This dripping action will cause a rippling effect in the drinking water, allowing the bearded dragon to detect the water (as they cannot detect standing water).

If you believe your bearded dragon is dehydrated, offer it water. If it does not drink, you can use an eye dropper to place water on its snout, which it may then lick up. In addition to water, you can also offer Pedialyte or Gatorade to help restore its electrolytes.

Lethargy is a non-specific sign of weakness that can accompany many conditions. Dehydration can be secondary to loss of appetite, diarrhoea, or kidney disease. If your bearded dragon is displaying signs of dehydration, such as lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes, it is recommended to seek advice from a qualified veterinarian.

Illness

If your bearded dragon is sleeping all day, it could be a sign of illness. Bearded dragons are normally alert and active, so if yours is sleeping a lot or is sluggish, it is important to investigate the situation further.

One of the most common ailments that bearded dragons get is infectious stomatitis, or mouth rot. This presents as white or yellow-gray patches in the mouth, as well as swelling and drooling. Lizards with mouth rot will stop eating and become lethargic.

Another common illness in bearded dragons is metabolic bone disease (MBD), which is caused by inadequate UVB lighting. Without enough UVB light, bearded dragons cannot develop healthy bones, and their bodies will draw calcium from their bones, causing them to become weak and distorted in appearance.

Dehydration is also common in captive-raised bearded dragons, and this can lead to lethargy. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes.

Respiratory problems can also cause excessive sleeping or laziness in bearded dragons. Signs of respiratory illness include open-mouth breathing, gasping for air, discharge from the nostrils or eyes, and problems with shedding.

Impaction, or blockages in the digestive tract, can also cause lethargy in bearded dragons. This is often caused by ingesting foreign substances such as substrates or certain foods, such as mealworms and large crickets, which have a tough outer coating. Signs of impaction include difficulty moving, trembling of the legs, and no defecation.

If you suspect that your bearded dragon is ill, it is important to consult a qualified veterinarian for advice and treatment.

Frequently asked questions