Bearded dragons are popular pets for reptile lovers of all ages. With their friendly demeanor, they make great first-time reptiles for those who are new to the hobby, but are bearded dragons venomous? Despite this docile exterior, bearded dragons have a small amount of venom that they can use as a defense mechanism.
But don’t worry! Your pet is unlikely to bite you. Venom glands in their mouths need to be injected with a chemical before the glands produce more venom, and they typically only do this when they feel threatened or cornered. These tips will help you avoid any accidents and keep your beardie happy and healthy.
The Bearded Dragon’s Venom
In the wild, bearded dragons are known for their ability to use their venomous bite in defense against predators. However, in captivity, this behavior is rarely seen. This is because most people who own bearded dragons treat them like a pet rather than wild animals.
The bearded dragon’s venom is not strong enough to kill humans, but it can cause pain and swelling if you’re bitten by one. The best way to avoid getting hurt by your bearded dragon is to be aware of its surroundings and make sure that you never try to handle it when it’s not calm or relaxed.
Why Would A Bearded Dragon Bite Me?
The most important thing to remember is that bearded dragons will only bite when they feel threatened. As a result, it’s important to make sure they have plenty of room to roam and lots of hiding places in their habitat. By providing your beardie with a happy home, you’ll reduce their chances of getting defensive.
Some people believe that bearded dragons are more likely to bite humans because we’re not natural prey for them. This could be true, but it’s hard to know for sure since studies on the topic have been inconclusive thus far. Reptiles have different levels of aggression depending on their species and gender. While male bearded dragons may be more aggressive than females, the species usually doesn’t matter too much in terms of aggressiveness.
If you want to keep your bearded dragon from biting you, provide them with enough space and hideaways so they can feel safe if they need to escape from a stressful situation or encounter an unfamiliar person or animal. If there’s ever any doubt about how your beardie feels, just give them some space rather than reaching in and grabbing them!
When Do Bearded Dragons Bite?
There are rare cases where a bearded dragon may bite you. One would be if it is frightened or feels cornered. In these cases, the bearded dragon’s glands in its mouth will release venom. However, this process takes time to occur- the glands need to be injected with a chemical before they produce more venom. When bearded dragons bite, they’re typically doing so as a last resort to defend themselves.
Signs That a Bearded Dragon is Getting Aggressive
It’s easy to tell when a bearded dragon is getting aggressive. When they feel threatened, they will pull their head back and open their mouth wide. They may also hiss or make a growling sound.
If you see your beardie doing this, it’s best to move away from them as quickly as possible.
How Can I Avoid My Bearded Dragon From Biting Me?
If you have a bearded dragon, chances are you’ll have to handle him occasionally. But it’s important not to scare your pet during these interactions. Bearded dragons aren’t naturally aggressive creatures. They tend to bite more when they feel threatened or cornered, so make sure you give your beardie plenty of room.
Keep in mind that they are also nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and get active at night–so anytime you’re handling them, it’s best to do it at night or in the early morning hours. Also, be sure to handle them gently–this will help ensure that there is no accidental biting on your end.
What Happens If The Bearded Dragon Bites Me?
Bites from bearded dragons are rare, but they can happen. If your bearded dragon bites you, you will feel a sharp prick followed by swelling and pain. The pain typically goes away within 24 hours without any treatment.
Bites should be taken seriously because the venom can lead to an infection if it enters the bloodstream or makes contact with someone who has an allergy to lizard saliva.
Related Questions
Do bearded dragons have teeth?
Bearded dragons have a mouth full of teeth that they use to eat their prey. They have a small number of fangs in the back of their mouths, but these teeth are not venomous. The teeth at the front of their mouths are mostly used for gripping.
The threat of a bearded dragon’s bite comes from the venom glands in its mouth, but it is unlikely that your pet will bite you. The glands need to be injected with a chemical before they produce more venom, and they do this only when they feel cornered or threatened. Reptiles typically only attack using their mouths if they are stressed or scared, which makes them an unlikely danger for most people who own one as a pet.
If you do find yourself bitten by your beardie, make sure to clean the wound with soap and water and seek attention from your vet as soon as possible. Venom differs between different reptiles, so there is no set treatment for all cases. However, some common symptoms include swelling, general pain, nausea, confusion, difficulty breathing, vomiting blood or other fluids around the wound’s area, fever, and difficulty swallowing.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are popular pets for reptile lovers of all ages. With their friendly demeanor, they make great first-time reptiles for those who are new to the hobby. Despite this docile exterior, bearded dragons have a small amount of venom that they can use as a defense mechanism. But don’t worry! Your pet is unlikely to bite you. Venom glands in their mouths need to be injected with a chemical before the glands produce more venom, and they typically only do this when they feel threatened or cornered.
These tips will help you avoid any accidents and keep your beardie happy and healthy.