Although a bearded dragons bite is not particularly dangerous to humans, it can cause significant damage to small animals, such as mice and lizards. There is no harm in taking in this blood; it is perfectly safe for humans. A bearded dragons color is generally darker or black when it is stressed. Symptoms include bloody stools, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fever and chills, and can last anywhere from 2-7 days. If you give your bearded dragon the proper care and a stress-free environment, he should be less likely to become aggressive. Some dragons are actually very good swimmers. Beardies have several sharp teeth [1], how to treat a bearded dragon bite wound. In some cases, you will simply come into contact with a bearded dragon and be bitten. Bearded dragons are not carnivorous. You must remember that YOU are the larger of the two of you. Often times children can drop bearded dragons if theyre bitten or surprised by them, leading to injury. An attack from a bearded dragon can cause serious damage (such as breaking bones in the fingers), but it is usually avoided if you lose your cool and forget about the next move. If your bearded dragon is doing something strange, chances are i have an explanation for it below. A bearded dragon bite is unlikely to cause any major damage, but it can be painful. They are usually calm around humans and are rarely aggressive. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Hunger is probably the most common and least serious reason for a bearded dragon bite. Yellow, tan, red, and olive green are some of the most common colors. However, this number can vary greatly depending on the size and health of the bearded dragon. To put it another way, bearded dragons are docile creatures, so if they bite, theres a reason for it, and you can do something about it. They belong to the genus of reptiles Pogona in the family Agamidae. Surprisingly, female bearded dragons with a male genotype do not have many differences from genotypic females. It is more likely that your skin will be broken by their bite than anything else, and they will almost certainly hurt you when you first feel them bite you. A typical bite from a bearded dragon is around 130 psi, which is roughly equivalent to the bite force of a domestic dog. When they bite you, they may surprise you, so you may feel more pain than if the dragon had been expecting you to bite. They do not bite, and rarely show any signs of aggression. A bearded dragon is a lizard with a flat body that can range in size from small to medium in size. A bearded dragon is a member of the Pogona genus and the Agamidae family of lizards. Aside from their sharp teeth, bearded dragons can also consume their own shed skin. Furthermore, youll want to avoid swooping in from above to pick them up as this kind of motion can remind them of a large bird, a natural predator for them in the wild. While they can bite, and they may do so if they feel threatened, their bite is not strong enough to cause serious damage or to bite off a finger. It will also discuss the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for your bearded dragon and what to do in the event of a bite. They are generally quite placid and content to lounge around their enclosures, often taking naps. Once a week, change out the sand completely. It is therefore critical to take good care of your pet and to wash your hands after handling it. Regular handling and providing enrichment activities can help to keep your bearded dragon calm and reduce aggression. Youre far more likely to get intentionally scratched by a cat (because theyre demons) than bitten by a bearded dragon. Being educated on why bearded dragons bite will help you prevent bites in the future and build your confidence and bond with your pet. As sensitive as the skin on our nose is, if their bite was very strong I reckon Irwins response would have likely been one of less amusement and more discomfort has it really hurt much! What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion for herpetology, and a connection with the reptile community as a whole. They only eat if threatened or confused. For them to remain in this position for an extended period of time may not be a good idea. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae. The bottom teeth aren't quite the same as the top teeth. Bearded dragons are generally docile creatures and rarely bite. When compared to their counterparts, bearded dragons bites are more surprising than their painful bites. 1. Why is My Bearded Dragon Trying to Bite Me? As you approach, avoid touching him or his beard; if they puff it up, keep your distance. Because they are not yet ready for pickup, this indicates that they are not ready. And if so, how serious of an injury or pain can it cause? Can they draw blood or break the skin? Trauma was most likely to blame for the injury, though the exact cause is still unknown. Their bite will most likely not even break the skin. If they bite you and dont let go, simply use your other hand to open their mouth to free your precious finger. Stress and anger are frequently caused by issues in their environments or improper handling. If you notice a change in your bearded dragons coloration, it could be due to a shed coming. Expert Tip: Remember, theyre never biting just to be mean. There are 4 preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of your bearded dragon developing an underbite, these include: ensure you monitor the temperatures of the enclosure to have a basking area of 95f to 105f and a cool side of between 85f and 95f. After youve disinfected the bite with alcohol, Neosporin, or any other appropriate disinfectant, simply bandage it and youre good to go. There are several sharp teeth in beards [1], but younger beards may not be strong enough to break your skin. Make certain that they are not biting to make you feel bad. Some of the most common poisonous plants in the United Kingdom include hazel, carnation, daffodil, holly, horse chestnut, ivy, oak, and poppy. Read on to find out if a Bearded Dragon bite actually hurts, what can cause them to bite and more. The bite of a bearded dragon is used to communicate with one another, but it cannot communicate properly. Well briefly cover that in the following section, but theres really not much to do! You can keep your lizard happy (and prevent yourself from getting bitten) by recognizing these signs. Some of their venoms, such as that of the Mexican bearded dragon, have been used as medical treatments. With hundreds of articles on everything pertaining to lizards, turtles, and snakes, our experienced team provides reliable and accurate content you can trust. The best way to avoid this is by sticking with consistent handwashing habits before you handle them. Leave a comment below now, Reason#3: Youre Doing Something & They Want You to Stop, Reason#4: Youre Mishandling Them or Hurting Them, Reason#5: They Havent Been Properly Socialized. While bearded dragons may not experience the same level of emotions as humans or dogs, they still have basic emotions such as fear, aggression, and pleasure. Symptoms include bloody stools, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fever and chills, and can last anywhere from 2-7 days. In addition to its docile nature and distinctive coloration, bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptiles to keep as pets due to their docile nature and unique markings. A kiss from a bearded dragon is just as dangerous as a bite. Bearded dragon bites are trivial, and your main concern should be on why your beardie bit you-so as to prevent it from happening again. This pattern is further illustrated in the full sample by a lack of positive allometry of bite force in sex-reversed females that is observed in males. Salmonella can be transmitted through touching surfaces, but this is extremely rare. Komodo dragon, (Varanus komodoensis), largest extant lizard species. When their bites occur, there is a chance of swelling and bleeding, but there would be no long-term consequences. We want to make certain that children of all ages can participate in activities that are appropriate and suitable for them. The average bearded dragon's lifespan is 8-10 years, but the oldest ever recorded was 18 years old. The first step in owning a bearded dragon is learning how to care for it and how to understand its biology. The cool thing about bearded dragons is they will show you when you do something they don't like. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. The survival rate of an animal who has suffered from this type of injury is determined by its severity as well as its overall health. When in captivity their diet is easy to maintain. Either instance will naturally lead to a bite at some point as they try to communicate to you to simply knock it off. If your bearded dragon is being aggressive, there are some signs to look out for. Walking has become painfully tedious. When bitten by a bearded dragon, the bite can usually be mild or even cause only minor damage to the finger or skin. Even dragons with bad pasts can be tamed with patience and perseverance. Investigating The Vision Of Pogona Vitticeps, The Pros And Cons Of Using Puppy Pads For Bearded Dragons, Discovering The Sexy Leg In Bearded Dragons: Exploring The Leg Health Of Your Reptilian Pet, One Side Only: Understanding The Lighting & Heating Requirements For Bearded Dragons, Understanding The Complexities Of Keeping Bearded Dragons And Snakes Together, Weighing Your Bearded Dragon: How To Easily And Safely Measure Your Pets Weight. If you do not properly grasp the bearded dragon, it may cause serious harm to the beardy as well as you. They are trying to persuade you. Remove waste daily. And we totally understand why. Even though these lizards have tiny sharp teeth, it really just feels like a brief pinch or sting. Simply let them acclimate to their new home before you try and resume handling. Chances are, they will likely hiss and puff up their beard as a warning to you first. When a bearded dragon is agitated, it becomes black and can be understood more clearly and cared for properly. Regular and proper care and handling of your bearded dragon can eliminate all three of these causes. In many ways, the actions of your pet bearded dragon are easier to read than the actions of a human. Or perhaps your finger bears an uncanny resemblance to a worm. You see, bearded dragons are amongst some of the least aggressive domesticated lizards you can buy. A bearded dragon can bite and cause severe pain if startled or handled roughly. Bearded dragons also communicate by changing the color of their beards and bobbing their heads. Keeping them in separate enclosures is an effective way to protect them from stress and harm caused by intense aggression among them. As you can see, a bearded dragon bite is nothing to be afraid of. A bearded dragon can bite if it senses danger or if it smells food on your fingers. But as someone whos been scratched up by a cat, I can tell you there is NO comparison. Besides being pretty painless overall, a bearded dragon bite also poses virtually no health risks so long as you simply treat it properly. This means that their bite exerts 700 pounds of force on every square inch of whatever it is biting. Also, please try to bear no ill will towards your bearded dragon if they did in fact bite you. However, with all of this being said, it is not likely that your bearded dragon will come right out and bite you without warning. If you are bitten by a bearded dragon, there are five steps you must take. They have small teeth that are only visible if you take a closer look. Maybe you have other pets that are sniffing around their enclosure and making your beardie feel like theyre on the menu. In fact, many bearded dragon owners never get bitten at all (yet another reason why theyre such good pets). 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