Have you ever noticed your bearded dragon licking the air and wondered why? It’s a common behavior that can leave many owners scratching their heads.
Well, it’s not as strange as you might think. In fact, it’s quite typical for these fascinating creatures.
We’re about to dive into understanding this quirky behavior, so let’s get started!
5 Interesting Reasons Why Your Bearded Dragon Is Licking the Air
- Exploring New Scents: Your bearded dragon’s tongue is a powerful tool for sensing the world. By licking the air, your pet captures scent particles, helping it understand its environment better.
- Looking for Food: Bearded dragons often lick the air when they are searching for food. This action helps them to detect the scent of potential prey or nearby edible plants.
- Feeling Threatened: If your bearded dragon feels threatened, it may lick the air to gather more information about the potential danger. This is a defensive strategy to help it decide on its next move.
- Checking Humidity Levels: Bearded dragons are native to arid environments and licking the air can be a way of checking humidity levels. Your pet’s action might be an attempt to keep itself comfortable in your home’s climate.
- Expressing Curiosity: Similar to cats and dogs, bearded dragons may lick the air simply out of curiosity. This behavior is often noticeable when you introduce new items or change their enclosure’s layout.
Addressing Air Licking Behavior In Bearded Dragons
You may be wondering how you can address this intriguing behavior in your beloved pet, the bearded dragon. Let’s delve into practical steps to ensure your scaly friend’s wellbeing.
Firstly, monitor the environment. Too dry or too cool conditions can make your bearded dragon lick the air to gauge the surroundings. An ideal temperature is between 100-110°F for basking, while humidity levels should sit at around 30-40%.
Next, check their diet. Ensuring they’re getting the right mix of veggies, fruits, and protein can eliminate nutritional deficiencies, a potential trigger for air licking.
Regular health check-ups are crucial. Bearded dragons can’t express their discomfort like we do, but regular vet visits can catch any underlying health issues early.
Lastly, provide mental stimulation. A bored bearded dragon may resort to air licking. Try interactive toys, different textured substrates, or even rearranging their habitat occasionally.
Remember, your pet’s behavior is a window into their health and happiness. Stay observant, proactive, and nurturing.
To further extend your knowledge about bearded dragons, here are a few more to explore:
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon Refusing His Food?
- Why Is My Bearded Dragon not Eating or Moving?
- Why Won’t My Bearded Dragon Eat Vegetables?
Each post offers in-depth insights, giving you all the details you need to take good care of your beardie.
Remember to research and prepare for your pet’s specific needs, and you’ll have a happy and healthy companion for years to come.
Happy pet-keeping!