Can Your Bearded Dragons Sleep with You at Night?

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet reptiles. They are friendly, easy to care for, and can make great companions for those who love reptiles. If you have a bearded dragon, it’s important to ensure that they are comfortable and safe in their habitat. One of the questions that many bearded dragon owners ask is whether or not they can sleep with their beardies.

Beardies Sleeping Habits

Bearded dragons are diurnal animals which means that they are active during the day and sleep at night. During the day, they spend their time basking under heat lamps or UV lamps, searching for food, and exploring their habitat. When the sun goes down, they will usually become less active and start preparing for bedtime.

Most bearded dragons will sleep for around 12 hours a night. They will usually find a comfortable spot to curl up in, such as a hiding spot or a branch in their habitat. As a bearded dragon owner, it’s important to ensure that your pet has a suitable sleeping area where they can get a good night’s rest.

Is It Safe for Your Bearded Dragon to Sleep with You?

While it may be tempting to let your bearded dragon sleep with you at night, it’s not recommended. There are a few reasons why this can be unsafe for your pet, as well as for you.

Firstly, bearded dragons require a specific temperature and humidity level in order to be comfortable and healthy. Sleeping with your beardie can disrupt these conditions and make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. This can result in health problems and even death for your pet.

Secondly, bearded dragons can carry salmonella, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness in humans. While the risk of contracting salmonella from your pet is relatively low, it’s still a possibility. Sleeping with your beardie increases the risk of exposure to this bacteria.

Lastly, even if your bearded dragon is a friendly pet, they are still wild animals at heart. If they are stressed or feel threatened, they may lash out and bite or scratch you. This can cause injury and infections that can be difficult to treat.

How to Ensure That Your Bearded Dragon Gets a Good Night’s Sleep

To ensure that your bearded dragon gets a good night’s sleep, it’s important to create a suitable sleeping area for them in their habitat. This should be a quiet and dark area where they can curl up and feel safe. Here are some tips on how to create a suitable sleeping area for your beardie:

• Provide a hiding spot: Bearded dragons like to have a hiding spot where they can curl up and feel safe. This can be a branch, a box, or a cave-like structure.
• Use a night light: While bearded dragons need darkness to sleep, they may become disoriented in complete darkness. A low-wattage night light can help them feel more secure.
• Provide a comfortable substrate: Your bearded dragon’s bedding should be soft and comfortable. Avoid using substrate that can be ingested, such as sand or gravel.
• Maintain suitable temperatures: Bearded dragons require specific temperatures in order to be comfortable and healthy. Ensure that their habitat is at the correct temperature range. A temperature of around 75°F (24°C) is suitable for sleeping.
• Ensure that their habitat is secure: Bearded dragons are escape artists, and they may try to escape their habitat at night. Ensure that their habitat is secure and that they cannot escape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to let your bearded dragon sleep with you at night, it’s not recommended. Bearded dragons require specific temperature and humidity levels to be healthy, and sleeping with them can disrupt these conditions. Additionally, bearded dragons can carry salmonella, and sleeping with your pet increases the risk of exposure to this bacteria. To ensure that your bearded dragon gets a good night’s sleep, it’s important to create a suitable sleeping area for them in their habitat.