How to Pet a Bearded Dragon

Petting your bearded dragon is one of the easiest ways to show it how much you care, and it helps to establish a bond between the two of you. To avoid startling your pet, use slow and careful movements. Stroke the bearded dragon with your fingers from head to tail, picking up your pet from underneath if it looks relaxed and happy. Make sure you wash your hands after handling your dragon, and watch out for body language that indicates your pet might not be in a mood to be pet.

Part 1

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Handling Your Bearded Dragon

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1
Lower your hand slowly towards the bearded dragon. When your pet is in its cage, you want to use very slow movements to avoid startling it. Try to get the dragon's attention before you slowly put your hand into its habitat to make sure your pet doesn't feel threatened.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Check to make sure the bearded dragon is not eating or hunting before you reach for it.
2
Stroke your pet gently using 1 or 2 fingers. While you can use any of your fingers to pet the bearded dragon, your index finger is the easiest. Start slowly stroking the dragon's head and sides of the face. You can also pet it from head to tail, going slowly and using gentle pressure.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Avoid positioning yourself right over the bearded dragon's head as you're petting it—bearded dragons feel threatened by movement above them.
- If you and your dragon are still getting used to one another, feel free to use food to encourage the interaction. Associating treats with getting handled can help some beardies relax.
- Never stroke a bearded dragon from the tail to the head.
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3
Pick up the bearded dragon if it appears to be relaxed. If you're petting your bearded dragon and its eyes become droopy, this means it's relaxed and probably wouldn't mind being picked up. Slide your hand under the bearded dragon, carefully scooping it up while making sure to support the weight of its body and tail.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Baby beardies are more skittish and can panic when they are picked up. Try to keep the baby calm and keep one finger under its chin while holding it.
- Never grab or hold a bearded dragon by its legs or tail.
4
Hold the bearded dragon close to your body. Your pet will feel safer and more secure if they're close to your chest as you're holding them. You can rest their tail on your forearm and use your other hand to gently stroke the dragon, making it happy and content.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Continue to keep their body supported by holding them in the palm of your hand.
5
Let the dragon walk from hand to hand as they move. If your dragon is restless and doesn't want to sit calmly in your hand, let it stretch its legs a bit. Support its weight as it walks from your right hand to your left, or your left hand to your right.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Keep a close eye on your bearded dragon as it's moving to ensure it doesn't fall.
6
Release the dragon back to its habitat when you're finished petting it. When you are finished petting and bonding with the bearded dragon, slowly move your arm away from your body and lower it into the habitat. Once your hand has touched down, lift up from your elbow to give the dragon a ramp down into its home.^{[6]XResearch source}
- After a nice, long handling, you can reward your beardie with a treat.

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Recognizing Bearded Dragon Body Language

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Back off if your bearded dragon fluffs its beard. This is the behavior that gave the bearded dragon its name. When a dragon inflates its beard, it seems larger and more fearsome. It's considered a defensive move and can mean the animal is feeling threatened.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Bearded dragons also fluff their beards occasionally when not threatened. Once the two of you know each other better, it will be easier for you to determine when the fluffing is a defensive move and when it isn't.
Beardies’ bodies are already flat, but when they're stressed they can flatten their bodies even more. If your pet is twitching its tail, it could be feeling threatened or agitated.^{[8]XResearch source}
3
Avoid contact with a bearded dragon that is hissing. This is a very clear-cut signal that you should give the animal its space. Just like you wouldn't want to pet a dog that's growling, it's best to wait until your bearded dragon has stopped hissing to avoid being bitten.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you do get bitten by a bearded dragon, be sure to clean the wound thoroughly with an anti-bacterial soap and apply an antibiotic ointment.
4
Avoid interrupting two dragons that are bobbing their heads at one another. If you are reaching into a habitat that houses more than one dragon, be on the lookout for a face-off between the animals that includes head bobbing. This is a show of dominance, usually between males, and it means that the animals are not in the mood for a gentle pet or being held.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The faster their heads are bobbing, the more aggressive the behavior.
5
Proceed with caution if you see mouth gaping. While bearded dragons will sometimes leave their mouth open when sunbathing to help adjust to the change in temperature, other times mouth gaping is a sign that they're agitated. Either way, this behavior might be a signal to give your dragon some time before you pet it.^{[11]XResearch source}
- As you get to know the animal, you will be able to tell the difference between a stressed state and a relaxed one.
Just like in many other animals, droopy eyelids are a sign that there's a high degree of relaxation and trust. If your dragon is closing its eyes while you pet him, you’re in!^{[12]XResearch source}

Part 3

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Maintaining Good Hygiene

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Wash your hands before and after handling a bearded dragon. Reptiles carry a bacteria called Salmonella bongori, which can be passed on to other reptiles. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after petting your dragon to keep your other reptiles and your dragon healthy.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Be sure to lather up when washing and scrub all parts of your hands for a full 20 seconds.
2
Clean scratches or bites thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap. If your bearded dragon bites or scratches you, don't worry, it happens! Clean the cut with anti-bacterial soap and water and apply an ointment to help it heal. Cover the cut with a band-aid to help protect it from dirt and other bacteria.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Biting is extremely rare in bearded dragons and scratching will generally only occur if the animal is trying to regain its balance.
3
Avoid eating while handling a bearded dragon. Since reptiles such as bearded dragons can spread bacteria, don't eat or prepare food while you're playing with your pet. Save snacking or meal time for after you've finished petting the bearded dragon and have washed your hands thoroughly.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Avoid putting your hands near your mouth while handling the bearded dragon, and advise others to do the same if they're playing with your pet as well.

How Can You Tell If Your Bearded Dragon Does Not Want To Be Held?

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How do you pick up a skittish bearded dragon?
Anthony Menendez
Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary
Anthony Menendez is a Reptile Expert and Founder of Shadow's Reptiles. Anthony founded Shadow's Reptiles in 2018, starting as a small tortoise breeder in Miami, Florida. He quickly gained traction on social media and started taking in mistreated and unwanted reptiles. Shadow's sanctuary has turned into a haven for more than just reptiles and has taken in a variety of birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals like prairie dogs, sugar gliders, lemurs and more. Anthony also does educational shows for schools and children’s birthday parties to spread love and awareness for animals.
Anthony Menendez
Reptile Expert & Animal Sanctuary
Expert Answer
Lift up the tail slightly (don't pick them up by the tail, though!), slide your hand under, and then pick them up by the belly. Make sure that you're supporting the feet; if not, the bearded dragon will kick their legs and you might and up getting scratched.
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Tips

If you're feeling nervous about handling a bearded dragon or want to protect your hands from cuts or scrapes, put on gloves before picking up the pet.
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The more you handle your bearded dragon, the faster they'll become comfortable with you.
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Always handle your bearded dragon carefully and respectfully.
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Warnings

If your bearded dragon is fidgeting or trying to escape your hands, don't squeeze or put lots of pressure on it while you're trying to hold it.
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Make sure children are supervised when they're handling a bearded dragon.
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