Bearded dragons sleep in similar ways to humans. They sleep well at night with lights off. They usually lay down to sleep, but some might opt for strange positions to sleep.
Some of the bearded dragons also have strange sleeping habits which appear to be totally healthy. If you make sure that your reptile sleeps well at night you can stay assured that you are taking proper care of it.
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When do Bearded Dragons sleep?
The bearded dragons are similar to the humans. They are also awake during the day and sleep at night. The bearded dragons usually love to sleep in their natural habitat when there is dark and the sun is not up. For most of the pet owners it would mean that the bearded dragons should sleep when they do.
The bearded dragons usually prefer more sleep than you. Typically they sleep for around 8-12 hours. So as they sleep in the dark it important that you build dark atmosphere for them to sleep.
There sleep cycles are difficult to understand, but as per research we see that most of them are researched and sleep cycles are noted.
How do bearded dragons sleep, with their eye closed or open?
Bearded dragons usually sleep closing their eyes. No bearded dragon sleeps with eyes open, but they open their eyes if the lights are switched on. They are sensitive towards light and it disturbs there sleep.
Do bearded dragons dream?
This is not researched as yet if they dream or not. But the reports show that the bearded dragons might experience REM or slow wave sleep like other mammals.
The sleep cycle might last up to 60-90 minutes and these may be interrupted with slow waves. The REM period is when the dragons usually sleep.
The sleep cycle of the bearded dragons is shorter and is also very regular. The cycle lasts for 80 seconds split in between the REM sleep.
Let us now have a look at some of the interesting sleeping habits:
Sleeping positions
The bearded dragons might sleep lying on their stomach and they might opt for some other positions too. In the forests, these bearded dragons sleep on the tree, vertically. Those who sleep upright in the wild might not have a tree.
Sleeping for long
The bearded dragons usually sleep for days, weeks and even months during winters. You need not worry as this period is the brumation period in which the reptiles hibernate.
Changing of colour
You might see that your bearded dragon appears light in colour during sleep. This is normal and nothing to panic. Researches show that the beardies turn into a lighter shade at nights.
Rolling themselves in sand
Sometimes it might be there that the bearded dragons cover themselves with sand. If you see the beaded dragons rolled in sand, then you are not the only one who has seen this.
But you should make sure that there is nothing negative for this, lights should be off otherwise it might be irritating for the dragon. There might not be something abnormal in this habit.
Slow breathing
You might feel shocked to see that your bearded dragon is sleeping and do not hear any breathing. You don’t need to worry they breathe slowly during sleep. The bearded dragons have slow metabolic and respiratory rate when they are in sleep.
Sometimes they breathe so slow that you cannot even tell if they are sleeping. But you can check for that case that everything is ok
Conclusion
The sleeping habits of bearded dragon are similar to that of human, the behaviour might vary and might feel strange sometimes. Some habits might seem unhealthy to you but it is normal.
If you find your bearded dragon unhealthy then it is surely because you are not fulfilling the necessary conditions required for a good sleep.
Do they have REM sleep?
Yes it lasts for about 60-80 seconds.
How long they sleep?
They usually sleep for 8-10 hours but it might vary for winters. As in that case they sleep quite long.
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