Beardie Sleeping All Day: What's Wrong Or Right?

If your bearded dragon is sleeping all day, it could be due to a number of reasons. Bearded dragons are diurnal lizards, meaning they are usually active during the day and sleep at night. However, they tend to sleep more during the colder months, between 12 and 14 hours daily.

- Brumation: Bearded dragons typically spend the colder months of the year brumating, which is similar to hibernation. During this time, they hide, sleep more, and lose interest in food and social interaction.

- Stress: Bearded dragons can experience stress due to changes in their environment, such as a new home, and may become withdrawn and sleep more as a result.

- Illness: Underlying health issues such as fungal infections, viruses, or metabolic bone disease can cause lethargy and excessive sleepiness.

- Temperature: If the temperature in their environment is too cold, bearded dragons may become inactive and sleep more.

- Hunger: Insufficient food intake can lead to decreased activity and increased sleep.

- Dehydration: Dehydration can cause lethargy and excessive sleepiness, along with symptoms such as wrinkly skin and sunken eyes.

If you are concerned about your bearded dragon's sleeping habits, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, especially if you suspect illness or dehydration.

Brumation

If you think your bearded dragon is brumating, you should:

• Lower the enclosure temperature to around 72-75°F (22-24°C).
• Maintain a lighting schedule of eight hours per day.
• Continue to offer water and food.

It is also important to distinguish between brumation and illness. If your bearded dragon has lost more than 51 grams over three months, it is not brumating and should be taken to a veterinarian.

Illness

Bearded dragons are typically alert and active. If your beardie is sleeping a lot, it could be a sign of illness. If you suspect your beardie is unwell, you should look for other symptoms and contact a veterinarian.

Infectious Stomatitis (Mouth Rot)

Infectious stomatitis, also known as mouth rot, is a common ailment in bearded dragons. It is characterised by white or yellow-grey patches in the mouth, swelling, and drooling. Lizards with mouth rot will stop eating and become lethargic.

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Metabolic Bone Disease is caused by inadequate UVB lighting. Without sufficient UVB light, bearded dragons cannot develop healthy bones and their bodies develop a calcium deficiency. Symptoms of MBD include an unhealthy and weak appearance, distorted legs and spine, difficulty controlling the hind legs, and the mouth remaining open.

Dehydration

Dehydration is a serious health issue that could be fatal to your beardie. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, loss of skin elasticity, and sunken eyes. To test for dehydration, gently pinch your lizard's skin; if it does not snap back into place, your beardie is likely dehydrated.

Respiratory Problems

Signs of respiratory illness in your beardie include open-mouthed breathing, gasping for air, discharge from the nostrils or eyes, and problems with shedding its skin. If you suspect respiratory problems, get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Impaction

Impaction is caused by ingesting foreign substances, such as certain foods or substrates. Signs of impaction include difficulty in movement or using the hind legs, dragging of the legs, trembling of the legs, and a lack of defecation. If you suspect impaction, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Stress

Bearded dragons can experience stress due to changes in their environment, such as a new tank, changes in decor, lighting, temperature, or diet. They may also be stressed by loud noises, lots of activity near their enclosure, quick movements, or vibrations. If your bearded dragon is sleeping all day, it could be sleeping to cope with stress.

Bearded dragons are solitary animals, so housing two or more together can also lead to stress.

If your bearded dragon is sleeping too much due to stress, you should try to make the adaptation process as easy as possible. Avoid pushing your bearded dragon to interact and let it investigate its surroundings at its own pace. Its sleeping cycle should return to normal once it adapts to its new environment.

Temperature

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded animals, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to keep them warm and regulate their body temperature. If the temperature in their environment is too cold, they may become withdrawn and sleep more.

The acceptable ambient temperature range for bearded dragons is 77–89.6°F (25–32°C), but the hot basking area needs a higher temperature of 95–100.4°F (35–38°C). Your bearded dragon also needs a cool nighttime area with a temperature range of 71.6–77°F (22–25°C).

If your bearded dragon sleeps too much due to coldness, try adjusting the temperature inside their vivarium/terrarium. You should have a thermometer installed for accuracy, but you can quickly check if the temperature inside your beardie’s cage is okay by touching the glass. If it feels cold to the touch, it’s best to increase the temperature to make your beardie more comfortable.

If your bearded dragon is ill, you can also adjust the temperature to the upper end of the temperature ranges. For example, for a daytime basking temperature, aim for 105°F (41°C) and for a daytime cool zone temperature, 80°F (27°C).

If they are not moving around much on their own, place them where the temperature is warm but not super-hot: 85-90°F (30-32°C). This will ensure proper metabolism, but they won't overheat or chill at this temperature range.

Brumation

Brumation is a natural behaviour for bearded dragons, and it's normal for them to sleep more and be less active during this period. Bearded dragons typically brumate during the colder months of the year, but they may also brumate twice a year.

Brumation can be prevented by controlling light exposure and temperature, but this is often impractical.

Dehydration

• Give your bearded dragon a soak in warm water (85-90°F or 30-32°C) for 15-30 minutes once or twice a day. Ensure the water is only shoulder-deep and monitor them to prevent their head from submerging. Dry them off after the bath to prevent a drop in body temperature.
• Use a spray bottle to mist your bearded dragon with water.
• Offer your bearded dragon foods with high water content, such as water-rich fruits and vegetables.

If your bearded dragon does not show improvement after a few days of home treatment, consult a veterinarian to prevent further health complications.

Frequently asked questions