Bearded dragon is a popular pet but even the owners accept that it is an unusual pet. Human were unaware of this reptile creature since recent times. So it is not easy to understand their gestures and also difficult to estimate what are its abilities and inabilities. As this is a reptile whose original habitat is sandy desert, it is difficult to be sure of its swimming ability.
Unlike cats and dogs, which we find commonly around us, bearded dragons are somehow alien in nature. So when you actually plan to get a bearded dragon as your pet, you must be aware of the facts by researching about it.
Bearded dragon’s relation with water is not much popular. They live in deserts and drinks water scantily. They need to bath only once a week and that too can be skipped. So swimming should not be in the list of their natural activity.
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Can Bearded Dragons Swim?
Inability to swim can cause them drowning, so the question arises is, if this cute looking reptile can swim? The answer is, yes. Bearded dragons can swim. They may seem reluctance to swim when you place them on the shallow tub for bathing.
Also the owners are asked to fill the tub up to the middle of the body of the reptile to avoid chance of getting drowned. But when they are in their natural habitat, that is, in desert, they easily swim on the large water bodies.
Facts about swimming of bearded dragon:
Bearded dragons are able to swim.
They can inhale air while floating on the water.
They can stay underwater for a few minutes too, and during that period they can hold their breath.
There are chances of the dragons’ get drowned when they are under water for too long a period. They can stay underwater for more than 5 minutes; there can be chance of drowning and suffocation.
They inhale a bit more than regular when they are floating, and then they float like any rubber toy on the water surface. When they float on the water they can move fast and the head along with the neck is kept above the water.
Symptoms that your bearded dragon is might drown
It can happen so that, when you are putting it inside the water bowl, it can get drowned. It happens in the case of smaller ones, but the advice is, never let it bath on its own or leave the place. If you see the dragon staying under the water for more than 2 minutes, check on it. If it seems too still, it may have faced drowning.
Other symptoms you will find in a drowned dragon is, the beard will go jet black. The eyes will go black and puffy and it will look tired.
Chance is, it has inhaled water through its nose and thus the water drops will drip from the nostrils. You may see the water dripping out from its nose and it may try to turn to its side. Drooling is another important symptom which you may find in your drowned dragon.
How to save bearded dragon from drowning?
When you try to do CPR in order to make it conscious, it may utter drool, which will be a way of excreting the excess water from its respiratory system. You must wipe away the drool and saliva that is coming out of its mouth and nostril with a soft towel or paper napkin.
If there is too much drool stuck at his nostril and on the trachea then it may choke it and it will not be able to breathe freely. The suffocation may cause lack of oxygen in its body. Taking a dropper (a baby one) to suck the drool out of its mouth is a good idea, and it may give the dragon some relief.
This suctioning process should be done with maximum caution as the mouth is a small place and you may scratch the inner surface of the mouth with the dropper.
You will see that the dragon is breathing. You can make it breathe easily if you hold its mouth open for a few seconds. It may happen so that, after a few first breaths again some drool may appear, and you have to wipe them out. After a few minutes it will regain its consciousness and act normally.
If you find this process too complicated then surely you can call for a vet. But taking immediate measure is must to save the life of your pet. So following the above mentioned suggestion may help you and the pet immediately.
Can you let the bearded dragon swim?
Bearded dragons are not a lover of swimming. It comes to most of them naturally though. When you keep on at home and within enclosure, you can let it swim once in a while to see it in action. This is a fun activity for it and it can enjoy the swimming session if the period is not too long. However, you must maintain a few measures for its swimming.
The water should be warm, and not chilled. As these are reptiles of desert, they may not feel very comfortable. So provide it with some lukewarm water so it can enjoy its bathing come swimming session. It will provide the dragon with some much needed exercise and change of place from the surrounded cage through day and night. The necessary stimuli will also make it healthy and happy.
Fill the pot with water that comes up to half of the middle of their body. This will minimize the chance drowning of the dragon. Also you need to stay the whole time with the dragon and should not leave it alone while it is swimming.
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Conclusion:
Not all bearded dragons love to swim, so it depends upon the preference. You can know that by taking your dragon to the water bowl. Getting adjusted with swimming will take some time, but do not force it or keep it in water when you feel it is not enjoying the experience.
The more you will spend time with the dragon the more you will understand its behavioral pattern. If it is drowning or showing any sign of discomfort, take it out immediately. This way you will be able to save it from drowning or any unwanted situation.
