Why is My Bearded Dragon Sitting with Mouth Slightly Open?

If you’re a new bearded dragon owner, you might be alarmed when you see your pet sitting with its mouth slightly open. After all, it’s not something you see every day. However, this behavior is actually quite common and it has a number of different explanations. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at why bearded dragons might sit with their mouths slightly open and what you need to know to keep your pet healthy and happy.

Bearded Dragons Regulate Temperature Through Their Mouths

One of the most common reasons why bearded dragons sit with their mouths open is to regulate their body temperature. Like all cold-blooded reptiles, bearded dragons need to bask in the sun to raise their body temperature high enough to digest food properly and stay healthy. However, they can easily overheat under the intense heat of many reptile lights, which means that they need to regulate their temperature in different ways. One such way is to open and close their mouths - this helps them to cool down through a process called evaporative cooling.

You’ll often see bearded dragons gaping, which means they’ll open their mouths very wide and hold them like this for some time. This behavior is thought to be closely related to their thermoregulatory needs. When they sit under a heat lamp that feels too warm, their body temperature goes up. Likewise, a cooler area indicates a lower body temperature. To ensure that their body temperature doesn’t get too hot or too cold, a bearded dragon will open its mouth to adjust it. The gape usually isn’t long-lasting; instead, they’ll open and close their mouths from time to time to manage their body heat. When the bearded dragon cools down, it will stop gapping and will sit still with its mouth slightly open.

Stress and Anxiety Can Cause Bearded Dragons to Gape

Another reason why a bearded dragon might sit with its mouth open is due to stress or anxiety. If your pet is stressed out or uncomfortable for any reason, it may begin to gape. This could be due to a number of factors, including:

• A change in environment or routine
• Being housed with another bearded dragon that it doesn’t get along with
• Being harassed by other pets in the home
• A recent move or new enclosure
• Illness or injury

If your bearded dragon is displaying other signs of stress, such as hiding, not eating, or showing a lack of interest in its surroundings, you should take steps to address the underlying problem. This may include providing a more suitable environment or changing its diet.

Respiratory Infections Can Also Cause Mouth Gaping

Finally, it’s important to note that bearded dragons can develop respiratory infections easily, and one of the symptoms of this condition is mouth gaping. A respiratory infection can cause a bearded dragon to have difficulty breathing, and therefore, it might leave its mouth open or show signs of labored breathing.

If you suspect that your bearded dragon has a respiratory infection, it’s important to take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. This type of infection can be life-threatening if left untreated, and it’s something you definitely don’t want to ignore.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many reasons why a bearded dragon might sit with its mouth slightly open, and not all of them are cause for concern. However, it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on your pet and look out for any other signs of distress or illness. With the right care and attention, your bearded dragon will thrive and continue to be a great addition to your family.