Bearded dragon dark beard

Bearded dragon dark beard read on a forum that a black beard means your beardie is toast and they freak out! This guide is going to cover all the likely reasons why bearded dragon beards turn black. This will allow you to accurately diagnose the cause, and make adjustments if needed. Some of them are pretty harmless, and others are more concerning.

Has your bearded dragon turned black? There are a number of reasons why this may be happening. This article provides an overview of these reasons and how to address them. Bearded dragons will change color for various reasons, some of which are normal while others are not. Understanding why your bearded dragon turned black will require some detective work by you. I believe we should treat color change as a message our bearded dragons give us about their well-being. There are a number of factors that can cause your bearded dragon to turn black.

Bearded dragon dark beard

Bearded dragons get their names from the bristly spines under their throats and around their ears. Sometimes these reptiles will puff them out, making them look even more beardlike. They also have the ability to darken the areas, turning them gunmetal-gray or jet-black. The blackening has various meanings. Bearded dragons, particularly males, are territorial. A male will display a dark beard to indicate his authority over smaller males and females in his territory. He may accomplish this with head-bobbing, which also is a dominance indicator. Females do not generally exhibit black beards for territorial display. The beards of male bearded dragons are generally larger and darker than females' beards. During the breeding season male dragons will blacken their beards during courtship. A male will start to beard up when he spots a female nearby and may accompany this with slapping a hand on the ground and bobbing his head in a jerky manner.

For instance, a bearded dragon turning black and not eating is bearded dragon dark beard good indicator that there might be something wrong with them health-wise. This could mean metabolic bone diseasemouth rot, tail rot, impaction, respiratory distress, malnourishment…any number of problems.

While Supplies last! Order a Heat Pack to protect your bugs! When this happens, they are sending a message. Usually they are trying to tell you they are stressed or sick. Or, they might be ready to mate. But when I do, you better pay attention.

While Supplies last! Order a Heat Pack to protect your bugs! When this happens, they are sending a message. Usually they are trying to tell you they are stressed or sick. Or, they might be ready to mate. But when I do, you better pay attention. While a black beard isn't always cause for alarm, there are quite a few triggers that can cause your dragon's beard to turn black and puff out. It's important to understand the possible causes and know when to call a vet. Have you been handling your dragon a lot lately? Dragons may turn black when they miss you and want to be held and cuddled.

Bearded dragon dark beard

That said, is this truly something that you need to be worried about? However, knowing the exact cause is still important if you want to prevent it from becoming something serious. Without further ado, here are 12 potential reasons why your bearded dragon has a black beard. A rapidly darkening beard is a clear sign that your bearded dragon, whether male or female, feels unsafe or under threat.

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This is just their body responding to the changes in temperature and hormones. Also, make sure that you provide hiding places for your bearded dragon. These include sudden changes in the environment, too little or too much handling , and overcrowding, among many others. There are two main reasons for this. R Resources. Here are some environmental conditions that can trigger this stress response in your bearded dragon. Fortunately, making sure that your bearded dragon is happy and healthy is quite straightforward. He may accomplish this with head-bobbing, which also is a dominance indicator. With their backs turning black, bearded dragons can absorb more heat and spend less time basking. Keep in mind, though, that black beards are not always a definitive symptom of illness in a bearded dragon. Back to blog. You may have noticed your bearded dragon becoming more withdrawn and spending more time hiding. In addition to a black beard, s igns of stress include:.

Beard blackening is a form of communication for beardies.

Ask a Vet Now. Depending on the trigger and their individual personality, bearded dragons may be slightly stressed or severely stressed. It also includes providing a varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. It's important to understand the possible causes and know when to call a vet. Sometimes, when a dragon is temporarily scared or irritated, you just need to leave them alone or remove the source of stress say, a barking dog and they will calm down momentarily. In addition to a black beard, s igns of stress include:. Sometimes, the ladies respond with a regal wave. Doing this may help them shed. However, if it remains black, I recommend you check to see if you keep your bearded dragon at the correct temperature. To combat the cold, they darken their skin and beard to soak up solar heat or UV-B rays. Because of this increased anxiety and fear, they might turn their beards black just to send a message. You should also look out for other symptoms, such as:. When coming out of brumation, bearded dragons may be black in coloration, which is normal. We invite you to submit your questions or comments. During this period of inactivity, bearded dragon behavior can change significantly.