Have you ever seen a bearded dragon with its eyes closed? It’s not uncommon.
Bearded dragons are often spotted closing their eyes for extended periods of time. Scientists have an explanation for why they keep their eyes closed so much.
In order to protect themselves, bearded dragons may close their eyes when scared or uncomfortable.
They may also close one eye to focus on an object or Sometimes they just want to avoid communication
Keeping their eyes closed allows bearded dragons to avoid hostile interactions and maintain peace.
Since UV rays can damage bearded dragon’s delicate skin and vision, they keep their eyes closed to reduce the risk of suffering by blocking out sunlight without moving away from it
Why Bearded Dragons Close Their Eyes When Being Pet Or Held? Meaning For Owners
Petting or holding bearded dragons often causes them to close their eyes, which draws people’s attention.
A study shows that 88% of bearded dragon owners experience this response once in a lifetime. What does this mean for owners?
Closed eyes indicate that your bearded dragon is comfortable and relaxed around you. It’s also possible that they simply like the sensation of being touched. This can be seen as a sign of trust between you and your lizard, which is always positive!
However, You should stop if you notice symptoms of discomfort, such as twitching. Take a break until they seem more relaxed. Too much petting may cause stress and lead to health problems down the road.
So, Pay attention to your lizard’s body language and adjust accordingly.
Infection
One of the reasons why bearded dragons keep their eyes closed is to prevent infection. Beardie’s eyes are vulnerable to foreign particles such as bacteria and fungi which can cause eye irritation or even sight-threatening diseases. A high level of chlorine or ammonia may cause eye infections as well.
Bearded dragons should be kept away from dust, pet dander, cigarette smoke, and other airborne allergens like pollen.
Here are four specific steps you can take to help protect your dragon’s vision:
- Keep the tank clean by regularly changing out the water and scrubbing algae off all surfaces.
- Provide plenty of fresh air circulation around the vivarium; use fans when necessary.
- Use only non-toxic cleaning products approved for reptiles on all surfaces within the enclosure
- Monitor temperatures closely and adjust accordingly to ensure optimal temperature ranges between 75°F–90°F (25°C–32°C).
Closed eyes may also indicate that something isn’t quite right with its health.
Whenever you notice any symptoms like excessive scratching, sneezing, redness in the eyes, cloudy pupils, or signs of distress, immediately Seek veterinarian advice because some eye conditions can become serious in no time if left untreated!
Dehydration
Dehydration may cause a bearded dragon to close its eyes. When they are not getting enough water, they close their eyes in order to preserve moisture.
Signs of dehydration in bearded dragons include sunken eyes, muscle weakness, gout, decreased body weight, reduced appetite, wrinkled skin, lethargy, loose skin test along with other symptoms like dry or puckered skin, loss of skin elasticity and flexibility, sticky or dry membranes and flaky skin
If your bearded dragon is dehydrated, provide fresh water or diluted electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks, as well as fruit and vegetables with every meal.
Mites
Mites can cause bearded dragons to close their eyes in pain and discomfort.
They often develop this due to stress or poor living conditions.
These mites are small parasites that feed on the bearded dragon’s blood. They cause irritation and can lead to infections in most cases.
The presence of mites is typically revealed through excess scratching, loss of appetite, and excessive eye-closing during the day. In case you observe any of these symptoms, be sure to consult your veterinarian immediately.
The best way to prevent mites is to keep your beardie in a clean environment free of debris and dust.
Shedding Issues Around The Eye
Bearded dragons sometimes experience shedding issues around the eyes. It can be caused by several factors, including poor humidity levels and inadequate husbandry practices.
The most common cause of eye-shedding is dehydration.
Having too little humidity in a dragon’s enclosure can result in this. To prevent this, it is important to maintain adequate humidity levels in the enclosure. An automated sprayer system can help.
Each day, give your bearded dragon access to fresh water and include plenty of leafy greens and vegetables for hydration in their diet.
Make sure that your bearded dragon’s environment is not overly warm or dry because both of these conditions can contribute to shedding problems around the eyes.
The ideal temperature range for a healthy beardie should hover between 78–85°F (25–29°C) with proper basking spots reaching up to 95–100°F (35–38°C).
Also, monitor any UVB exposure as overexposure could lead to burning on sensitive areas like the eyes.
| Causes | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydration | Excessive eye-shedding | Increase Humidity Levels & Fresh Water Access |
| Overly Warm/Dry Environments | Irritation Around Eyes | Lower Temperature & Monitor UVB Exposure |
| Poor Husbandry Practices | Redness & Swelling | Improve Diet With Leafy Greens & Vegetables |
However, by taking proactive steps such as providing ample moisture, monitoring temperatures and UVB exposure, and ensuring they have an appropriate diet with enough leafy greens, you can reduce the chances of experiencing shedding issues around the eyes in your beloved pet reptile companion!
Is This Behavior Different For Baby Bearded Dragons?
Baby bearded dragons keep their eyes closed for the same reasons as adult bearded dragons.
First of all, baby bearded dragons conserve energy by closing their eyes while they sleep like any other animal.
As a second reason, it can act as an effective defense against predators while keeping them hidden from view.
Lastly, closing their eyes serves to block out bright lights and intrusive sounds that could disturb them while they’re sleeping.
For these three primary reasons, young and old alike are likely to shut their eyes when in need of rest or relaxation.
This behavior is innate among bearded dragons, which means that even if exposed to direct sunlight or loud noises, bearded dragons will still find comfort in closing their eyelids and retreating into a peaceful slumber.
Does Closing One Eye Mean Something?
When a bearded dragon only closes one eye, it could be due to many different causes.
The most common reason bearded dragons close one eye is a sign of submission when they are being threatened or scared by another animal. This response protects them from potential predators and also serves as a way of communication with other animals in the wild.
This behavior can still occur if there is an overly aggressive tank mate that intimidates them or if something outside the enclosure startles them.
Another possibility is that your dragon has an infection in the eyes which is called conjunctivitis (pink eye). A veterinarian should evaluate the dragon if you notice swollen eyelids or discharge.
If none of these scenarios apply then it’s likely nothing serious and simply part of their normal behavior.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons close their eyes for a number of reasons. Despite not fully understanding why they do this, taking steps to ensure your pet dragon remains healthy and happy is important.
In addition, you should keep track of your beardie friend’s health by visiting the vet regularly. Pay attention to any changes in behavior and address anything concerning quickly.
In the end, understanding why your furry friend keeps its eyes closed will help you provide the best care!
