Bearded dragon is an ideal pet for those who look for quiet animals. Something that does not make noise at night won’t cater to love and affection. But that does not mean that beardies are mute. Do bearded dragons make noise, then?
Yes, of course, they do. In fact, beardies can make different types of sounds, such as:
- Hiss
- Squeak
- Burp
- Purr
- Huff
- Rasp or wheeze
- Whistling
- Chirp
- Food eating noise
- Diggin, and
- Glass surfing
These are sounds that beardies usually make, and they have distinct meanings as well. Learning about the message of these sounds will help you take proper care of them. As a reptile enthusiast, I would be happy to help.
Different Types of Bearded Dragon Noise
Bearded dragons can actually make a lot of different types of noise, depending on their size. Thankfully, they are mostly not loud enough to disturb your sleep. Let’s find out more about them.
1. Hiss
A hissing is the most common form of sound you will hear your lizard pet making. They actually don’t like to do it very often. Hissing is often a coded message. Most often, it wants you not to disturb it.
Yes, you heard it right. Beardies hiss when they feel threatened or stressed. It’s a warning to back off. They hiss infrequently, usually only when feeling unsafe.
You must stop what you’re doing and leave your bearded dragon alone. Check the environment for stressors and create a calmer atmosphere. They don’t like excessive touching. Do bearded dragons like to be held at all? Yes.
2. Squeak
Squeaking in bearded dragons is not a regular occurrence. Since this is not something I have seen my beardies make, I was not clear about the message. But Lita, the lizard dragon of my friend, used to squeak a lot. We had to see the ver.
Squeaking hints at respiratory problems. Observe your bearded dragon closely. If squeaking is constant or happens during breathing, consult a veterinarian. However, sometimes it is not a serious issue at all.
The squeaking sound can often occur during the movement of dragons in their enclosure. Observe the pet carefully. Identify the source of the noise. If the sound appears only during their movement, then you are safe to let it go out of your mind.
3. Burp
Do bearded dragons actually burp? Yes, why not? They may burp after they are done eating. Though it is not the same kind of burping sound humans make, the noise is often audible. And the beardie may seem like it’s about to throw up.
If you hear a burping sound, observe your bearded dragon closely. If it is really a burp, then it might be releasing some gas from its stomach. However, if it is not a burn but a cough or wheeze, it can indicate respiratory problems.
Don’t like the sound? You could easily avoid this by providing them with an optimal amount of food. Overeating is not healthy. Give them no more than 50 crickets a day and maintain variation in their food. For this, educate yourself about what insects bearded dragons eat.
4. Purr
Ever heard a cat purring? That is the kind of sound a beardie can also make. Sadly, though, there is nothing to be happy about. Bearded dragons don’t purr like cats. The sound might be something else. Besides, cats may purr when they are happy, but bearded dragons are quite the opposite regarding this.
Identify the source of the sound. Observe your bearded dragon’s body language and breathing. If unsure, consult a veterinarian.
Basically, beardies are quite quiet animals. It is always a concern if they are making constant noises.
5. Huff
A huff from your bearded dragon is a short burst of air expelled through the nose. It can indicate mild annoyance or stress in your bearded dragon. It’s a warning before they escalate to a stronger display. Huffing is uncommon, only happening when they feel slightly bothered.
Pause your interaction and assess the situation. Check for stressors in the environment and offer a calm retreat if needed. Sometimes, it is a simple issue. It can be only an inhaling and exhaling sound. But constant sound can be concerning. I suggest you see a vet.
Initially, have a careful look at the enclosure environment. Did you set it up correctly? Improve your DIY bearded dragon enclosure ideas to make sure things are in their favor.
6. Rasp or wheeze
A rasping or wheezing sound from your bearded dragon is abnormal. It clearly indicates respiratory problems in your bearded dragon. It could be due to infection, parasites, or environmental irritants.
Other common parasite symptoms include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Droopy eyes
- Decreased appetite
If you happen to notice them, then you have to take immediate action. Some actions you can take at home. I have already given instructions in the linked article. If you are not skilled, then you want to take the reptile to a vet.
Remember that respiratory issues can worsen quickly and require professional treatment. Healthy bearded dragons shouldn’t wheeze or rasp.
7. Whistle
A whistling sound from your bearded dragon is extremely unlikely. Bearded dragons lack the physical anatomy to produce whistles. The sound might be something else entirely. But are you sure it is a whistling sound made by the bearded dragons?
Then, it can be something stuck in its throat or nose. You must try to help the bearded dragon. Wash its nose with a splash. Don’t put too much water, though. Nothing stuck in the throat or nose?
Identify the true source of the sound. Check your bearded dragon’s enclosure for insects or other animals that might be whistling. You must not remove any unfed food or insects in their enclosure to reduce such incidents.
8. Chirp
A chirp from your bearded dragon is a relatively uncommon sound. Rather, I would say beardies are not going to make any noise. They are not birds, after all.
But if you are sure about the sound, then you must check the enclosure. It can be other animals or insects. From my experience, I would rather suggest it is cricket. They often do this.
Bearded dragons do not eat dead crickets. Therefore, you have to provide them with live crickets. Beardies may not eat all the insects you provide. In that case, you have to remove the live uneaten crickets within 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Food eating noise
The food-eating noise of a bearded dragon depends on what they’re munching on. It is very normal for them. Crunching suggests hard feeders like crickets, while chomping might indicate veggies.
The sound occurs during feeding sessions. This means the sound happens daily or on every other day, considering how often you feed them.
What do you have to do? Nothing!
These sounds are a sign your bearded dragon is enjoying a healthy meal. Just ensure the feeder size is appropriate.
10. Digging
Digging itself doesn’t create much sound if it is mud or dust. However, when you are using a munching substrate, then the noise can make you go crazy.
Digging is a natural behavior for bearded dragons. It can indicate nesting (females), cooling down, brumation, or simply enjoyment.
Provide a safe dig box with an appropriate substrate, like a mix of topsoil and sand. If digging seems excessive, check the temperature and consider a vet visit to rule out health issues.
But if it is for brumation, don’t disturb it. Brumation is essential for beardies.
11. Glass surfing
Glass surfing doesn’t involve any sound itself. It’s the repetitive behavior of running back and forth against the terrarium walls. Glass surfing is a sign of stress in bearded dragons. It indicates they’re unhappy with their environment and want to explore or escape.
Identify the cause of stress. Check temperature, lighting, enclosure size, presence of other bearded dragons, and cleanliness. Address the issue and enrich the environment with hides and climbing branches.
FAQ
Beardies may make some other types of sound on rare occasions. Check the section below to learn about them.
1. Do Bearded Dragons Vocalize?
Bearded dragons have very limited vocalizations. They primarily use body language and visual cues to communicate. Their most common sound is a hiss to express threat or stress. Other sounds like chirps or squeaks are uncommon and might require a vet visit.
2. Why Is My Bearded Dragon Making Clicking Noises?
Clicking noises from your bearded dragon can be concerning. It might be a respiratory infection. It can be assisted by lethargy, gaping, or mucus. In this case, a vet visit is crucial. Clicking can also be caused by a stuck shed around the nose.
3. Why Is My Bearded Dragon Making A Croaking Noise?
While uncommon, croaking noises in bearded dragons aren’t well-understood. It could be a respiratory issue, but some beardies also croak during movement. Suppose the croaking is constant or happens with breathing. See a vet immediately in such cases.
4. Why Does My Bearded Dragon Make A Gurgling Sound?
Gurgling sounds in bearded dragons can be a sign of respiratory problems. It could be caused by fluids in the lungs due to infection or irritation. Observe for other signs like lethargy, gaping mouth, or bubbles from the nose.
5. How Do Bearded Dragons Show Anger?
Bearded dragons don’t experience anger in the same way we do. They display stress and defensiveness through a combination of body language and sounds. It can be a puffed black beard, hissing, gaping mouth, bobbing head, and sometimes a dark body coloration.
Conclusion
So, do bearded dragons make noise? Yes, they do. They make a different sort of noise. However, in most cases, these sounds are related to respiratory issues. Their most common sound, a hiss, expresses threat or discomfort.
While occasional chirps or clicks might be harmless, these sounds can also indicate health issues. If you hear unusual noises from your bearded dragon, observe their behavior and consult a veterinarian for any concerns.
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