Why Is My Bearded Dragon Aggressive All Of A Sudden? | Behavior Insights

Bearded dragons have very subtle moods. When you pet them or sit with them, they will not show their love or express their moods as other pets do. However, sometimes you may see your bearded dragon aggressive. Why does that happen? And what do they do when they feel angry about something?

There can be many reasons why bearded dragons are aggressive, and then there are ways to calm them down. Get to know all about the aggression of bearded dragons, and how you can calm them down. Go through the list of reasons and see which one matches the behavior pattern of your dragon pet.

8 Major Reasons For Bearded Dragon Aggression

The various reasons for bearded dragons’ aggressive behavior can be environmental and personal. Open mouth display, biting, running here and there, and head bobbing are some common signs of aggressive nature. Moreover, staring and scratching, along with a black beard or Bearded Dragon Stress Marks are also aggressive signs in dragons.

Hormonal Changes

Bearded dragons hiss and show stress marks when they are angry. Moreover, they scratch things around them and glass dancing is also one of the ways in which these creatures show they are not happy with something. Is your bearded dragon entering adulthood? Is it a hormonal change that is causing them to become aggressive and show moods?

Both male and female dragons can show aggression when they go through a sudden hormonal change that they are unaccustomed to. As bearded dragons grow into puberty and adulthood, their body changes and hormonal balances shift, making them uncomfortable.

A New Place

When you move to a new place, it takes some days to get used to the environment, but bearded dragon pets can take much longer and that too is not a very pleasant change for them! These pets will not adjust fast and what is more, is that they will show aggression! Reptilians are subtle creatures but when it comes to habitat, any kind of change, however big or small and makes them feel out of place. When they do not feel at home, they become aggressive!

Scared Feelings

If your bearded dragon feels isolated, or if there is another creature that seems threatening to your pet, it can get scared easily. Some smaller bearded dragons even get scared of a fast-speed fan overhead! When scared, bearded dragons put up an angry behavior as they believe that their aggressive behavior might make the intruder or threat feel intimidated by them, and therefore there will be no attack!

The scared bearded dragons also become very aggressive towards their owners, and in such a situation it is best to first get rid of the object, or creature that is threatening them. Then you can pet the dragon and show it love so that they feel more at home and comfortable with you!

Is Your Bearded Dragon New

New pets tend to behave aggressively and the reason behind that is that they are in a new place! New places and new people can be a problem for dragons as they are not fast to adjust. If you got a new pet dragon, there is a chance that it will react to everything. Even when you sit next to it, the bearded dragon will react to you because it is not yet attached to you as pets get attached.

Moreover, the new habitat, the tank, and even the aroma and vibe of the house are new to this creature. Be kind to it and make it a part of your home by setting up the tank and making the dragon feel at home.

Uncomfortable Temperatures

When it is too hot, or too cold, your bearded dragon will show signs of unease through aggression. The more it feels hot or cold, the more it will hiss, or bob its head. This behavior is a way of sending a signal that the temperatures are not favorable. Your bearded dragon requires an optimum temperature of up to 95⁰F and if it does not get this, it will get aggressive. Try to ensure that the temperatures are good so that the reptilian feel at home!

Shedding Skin

When bearded dragons are shedding skin, they become irritable and uncomfortable. Imagine how it would feel if you had to shed skin every few months! The bearded dragons get uncomfortable and hiss, they also scratch surfaces and become angry at their surroundings. Pet owners can make it easier by giving them warm baths and towel rubs so that the skin sheds easily. Moreover, you would love to read How Often Do Bearded Dragons Shed.

Breeding Season

The breeding season calls for some aggression as the bearded dragons go through hormonal upheavals and also become aggressive. They will scratch the walls of their tank and hiss at you. The breeding season is a challenging period for bearded dragons as their moods shift very quickly. Once the season is over, they return to normal behavior.

A New Pet

Did you get another pet or another bearded dragon? If yes, the older pet is bound to get touchy and whiny! The hissing, head bobbing and even the mood swings with hunger strikes can be common! Make sure that if you get a new pet, the space for your old one does not get disturbed and you give it the same kind of attention and time.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons show an aggressive side when they are upset. They can show mood swings due to various reasons and pet owners can always try and make it more relaxed and homely for them so that they do not feel threatened or angry at their surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my bearded dragon angry that I pet it too much?

You will have to understand the temperament of your bearded dragon. Is it at ease when it is on its own? If it only hisses when you pat it or touch its head, you must try to pat the lower back or tail. Bearded dragons feel threatened when anyone or anything comes near the third eye on their head.

How should I calm down my pet dragon?

Kindness and gentle behavior along with pacifying foods like insects and vegetables can be a way to divert their attention! Bearded dragons are usually aggressive due to the issues shared above. See what is bothering them and they will gradually get better.