Many reptile species are nocturnal creatures that sleep all day and become active at night. Before bringing bearded dragons home, it is essential to know their sleep schedule to determine the feasibility of raising them based on your own schedule.

This article answers the question “Are Bearded Dragons Nocturnal?” by discussing what time of the day these pet lizards sleep and wake up. We also reveal how to ensure better rest for bearded dragons to achieve good health and overall well-being.

Are Bearded Dragons Nocturnal?

Bearded dragons are diurnal animals that stay active for 10 to 13 hours during the daytime and retire to bed at night. In the wild, they prefer burrowing in caves or sand during the night to conceal themselves from predators. Domesticated breeds should be placed in dark environments at night for better sleep.

Wild bearded dragons come out of their sleeping spots in the late morning to look for food and water as the day begins. They bask in the sun to warm up their internal temperatures before heading off to hunt for food.

Since domesticated beardies do not forage for food their chow should be ready at their usual wake up time in the morning. Once their body temperatures warm up after turning on the heat lamps, the next step is to offer some food and water.

Knowing the beardie’s sleep schedule can ensure better bonding by providing owners the freedom to schedule playtime at convenient hours. Planning your day around the reptile’s schedule to minimize sleep disturbance is easy due to their diurnal tendencies.

Do Bearded Dragons Sleep At Night Or Day?

Bearded dragons sleep during the night and spring into physical activity in the daytime. The number of hours of sleep could range from 10 to 13 hours depending on factors like what time of the year it is and the level of comfort in their cages.

The degree of serenity in the beardie’s environment coupled with the additional factors like the availability of heat sources may also determine the duration and quality of their sleep. Bearded dragons rely on darkness and light to determine what time of day it is.

A thermostat-controlled heat lamp that switches on and off automatically at predetermined time frames can ensure bearded dragons sleep and wake up at the right times to promote good health and overall well-being. (Source)

What Time Do Bearded Dragons Go To Sleep?

The majority of bearded dragons go to sleep around 9 pm and wake up anywhere from 7 am to 10 am. They instinctively know when it is time to drift off and usually head to bed by 9 pm ready to snooze through the night .

Why Is My Bearded Dragon Sleeping During The Daytime?

This is a sign that something is wrong because bearded dragons are neither lazy nor nocturnal. Short naps during the day are possible when exhausted beardies need a break from climbing, walking, head bobbing, and other physical activities.

Here are the top reasons why domesticated bearded dragons may be sleeping during the daytime.

Poor Nutrition

Poor nutrition can also mess up the sleep schedule of bearded dragons. Feeding the wrong nutrients may result in low energy levels that force them to stay immobile even during the daytime when they are supposed to naturally spring into action.

Sickness

Sickness could also alter the bearded dragons’ sleep schedule forcing daytime shuteye even when their tank setup is correct with adequate lighting and healthy nutrition. An exotics vet should diagnose the underlying condition and prescribe the right medication after thorough examinations.

Sleep Disturbances At Night

Sleep disturbances can prevent domesticated bearded dragons from enjoying good sleep at night. The result is long daytime naps as their bodies catch up on the lost sleep. This is one of the reasons why waking up sleeping bearded dragons at night is such a bad idea.

Poor Lighting & Temperature

Poor lighting is a surefire way to mess up a pet bearded dragon’s sleep schedule. Heat lamps are supposed to offer the necessary warmth to increase the reptile’s body temperature since they are unable to do it on their own.

Unfortunately, the UVB output in most lights is mediocre which translates to failure to fire up the beardie’s temperature to comfortable levels. This leads to an inability to stay active during the daytime making sleep the default action.

Choosing the right heat lamps could be literally lifesaving for domesticated bearded dragons because they are able to stay active during the daytime and sleep peacefully when nighttime comes.

How Do You Get A Bearded Dragon To Sleep?

Switching off the heat lamp or other sources of lighting in their cages is the best way to get bearded dragons to sleep. This subconsciously tells their bodies that it is time to retire because the darkness is here.

Switching on the lights in the bearded dragon’s tank in the morning also makes it clear that it is daytime which automatically triggers waking up.

Do Bearded Dragons Need Heat Lamp At Night?

Heat lamps are not the best source of heat for bearded dragons at night because the illumination may interrupt their ability to drift off and stay asleep. While they can be a great source of warmth during the daytime, switching heat lamps off at night is the best way to guarantee a good sleep.

Is It Ok To Leave A Heat Lamp On Overnight?

Bearded dragons prefer dark environments at night and keeping the heat lamp on overnight could disturb their sleep. Besides, these creatures are used to temperatures naturally tumbling during nighttime so leaving the heat lamp on overnight may also lead to sleeplessness.

Even during winter when temperatures plummet to dangerous levels at night, allowing heat lamps to stay on overnight is not the way to go. Turning off the lighting in favor of alternatives like heat mats may ensure comfort for the bearded dragon all night long.

Do Bearded Dragons Get Cold At Night?

Bearded dragons can get cold at night when atmospheric temperatures experience a natural decline. Beardies are cold-blooded creatures unable to regulate their internal body temperature without external heat sources.

Bearded dragons could also get cold at night due to brumation, power outages, and illness. Their temperatures should be raised immediately if it hits 15 degrees celsius.

Signs of cold in bearded dragons include their heads turning black, the inability to move, idleness, and lack of responsiveness to the owner’s touch. Also, It is not uncommon for extremely cold bearded dragons to display basking behavior.

Do Beardies Like Beds?

Bearded dragons enjoy sleeping in the most comfortable spots including beds, cloth lounges, and hammock loungers. Failure to provide beds or alternatives like blankets that provide cozy comfort during the night could interfere with their sleep quality.

Sleep-deprived bearded dragons often wake up stressed, disoriented, and in bad moods which can affect their interest in daily activities like bonding with their owners.

Can You Wake A Sleeping Bearded Dragon?

Avoid waking up sleeping bearded dragons unless it is necessary. Not only does it mess up their sleep routine but it may also trigger aggressive behaviors like biting and scratching. Others could react to the situation by trying to crawl out of their enclosures.

Most bearded dragons struggle to get back to sleep when rattled out of Dreamland, which explains why you should have a good reason for doing so. Beardies are creatures of habit that go to sleep around the same time each night and wake up at the same time in the morning.

Do Bearded Dragons Need A Soft Place To Sleep?

Bearded dragons like to feel cozy and comfortable in bed meaning soft spots like comfy blankets can come in handy. Even when fully awake, they prefer maximum comfort which explains why they like to rest on old towels and other fabrics that insulate their bodies from the harsh physical conditions in their environment.

What Does It Mean When A Bearded Dragon Closes Its Eyes?

A bearded dragon closes both eyes during sleep like humans and the majority of other animals both in the wild and domesticated. Sometimes, these pets close one eye during the daytime when they are physically active and this only means they are trying to improve their vision of something.

For instance, the majority close one eye during feeding as a means of getting better visualization of what is on their plates. Closing one eye is nothing to worry about in most cases.

Conclusion: Are Bearded Dragons Nocturnal?

Bearded dragons are diurnal reptiles that stay awake during the daytime and sleep at night for 11 to 13 hours. Factors like the comfort level of their beds, tank temperatures, and the level of serenity in their environments could determine their sleep quality.

Getting an automatic lighting system that shuts on and off at pre-set hours without the owner’s manual intervention is one of the best ways to guarantee a good sleep. Heat sources like heat mats can come in handy at night when heat lamps need to be switched off for the beardie to enjoy a restful shuteye.