Bearded dragons are like no other when it comes to quirky behavior and laying with their legs straight back is one of the most common positions discovered by owners. Does this indicate a sign of illness or trouble? or is it normal behavior owners should not freak out over?

This article discusses the topic “bearded dragon laying with legs straight back” by revealing the reasons why beardies may exhibit the behavior. We also delve into what actions to take when bearded dragons in captivity lie down in the stipulated position.

Bearded Dragon Laying With Legs Straight Back

Bearded dragons lay with their legs straight back to enjoy maximum warmth during basking in their tanks. Known as Sexy Legs, the behavior is common in the morning after waking up or during different parts of the day when the bearded dragon begins to feel cold. Laying with the legs straight back at night indicates relaxation which proves that the beardie is in a pleasant mood.

Bearded dragons should be left alone in peace when found in this position as the basking is critical to ramping up their internal temperatures for normal body functionality. As long as the little pet lizard is not exhibiting signs of discomfort, owners can go on with their daily activities without concern.

Bearded dragons are cold-blooded reptiles that struggle to regulate their body temperatures and often require external heat sources. Low tank temperatures lead to health problems which explains why proper heating is critical, especially during the winter months.

Heating systems come in handy even during the summer because beardies require consistent temperatures ranging from 70 F to 75 F throughout the day regardless of the temperature in the atmosphere.

Additional Reasons Why Bearded Dragons May Lay Flat

Sexy Legs is not the only flat position bearded dragons pose because there are a variety of styles depending on the prevailing conditions in their environment and the reptile’s state of health. Here are the top supplementary reasons why beardies may lay flat.

Head Trauma

Head trauma is a leading cause of flattening out among bearded dragons when accidentally attacked by tank mates. Beardies are naturally solitary animals that struggle to share their tanks with other reptiles because territorial issues always pop up.

Head injuries may result from the constant fights between two or more bearded dragons in the same enclosure forcing the stricken ones to flatten out in the tank. Sometimes, beardies fall after unsuccessful attempts at climbing out of the glass tanks to escape from threatening tank mates which leads to head trauma.

Owners could accidentally hit the beardie’s head resulting in trauma or injury that forces the adorable pet lizard to flatten its body in the tank.

Illness

Sick beardies often lie down flat in their vivarium during recuperation after receiving medications and other forms of treatment that may cause temporary weakness. Even in the absence of veterinary treatments, bearded dragons suffer energy losses when sick leading to flattened bodies in their tanks as the effects of the illness take a toll.

Beardies that flatten their bodies and display additional signs of illness like mobility issues and declined appetites should be taken to a reptile vet as soon as possible. The vet can prescribe the right treatment after conducting extensive tests to identify the prevailing illness.

Lethargy

Sometimes, bearded dragons lie down flat in their vivarium as a sign of lethargy. This could be triggered by illness or a lack of proper tank setups such as inadequate lighting and heating. Lethargic beardies lose interest in their surroundings and often decline invitations to play.

Even the most physically active beardies become moody all of a sudden with no interest in food, water, and other essentials when lethargy kicks in.

Why Is My Bearded Dragon Laying On The Ground?

Bearded dragons lay on the ground to build up energy levels for mobility since low temperatures interfere with the ability to move. Laying on the ground allows these domesticated lizards to increase their internal temperatures from the lighting and heat source in their tanks.

Once their internal temperature reaches optimal levels, beardies are able to engage in eating, playing, and other rigorous daily physical activities. Lying down flat enables bearded dragons to bask in the tank heat which staves off diseases.

Laying on the ground may also be a sign of illness especially when characterized by symptoms like fever, fatigue, and low appetite.

Why Do Baby Bearded Dragons Lay Flat?

Baby bearded dragons lay flat all day in an attempt to ramp up internal temperatures. However, illness could also force baby beardies to lay flat all day when their energy levels drop to the point where mobility problems become inevitable.

Suspected illness can be resolved by taking the beardie to a vet for proper examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Vets may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to ramp up the beardie’s immunity against the existing condition.

What Does Bearded Dragon Pancaking Mean?

Cold-blooded reptiles like beardies focus on absorbing maximum heat to guarantee healthy internal temperatures for proper functionality. The flatter position speeds up the heat absorption process to enable normal daily activity without delay.

They often leave the basking area after absorbing enough heat quantities to engage in regular activities like eating and digestion as well as healthy physical activity to regulate body weight via calorie expenditure.

What To Do When Baby Bearded Dragons Pancake?

Bearded dragon pancaking is not a sign of distress or illness and owners are required to do nothing more than observe. Pancaking enables more heat absorption to increase internal temperatures which keep their metabolism in check by releasing healthy hormones for normal body functionality.

The term pancaking comes from the art of flattening their bodies perfectly as a response to the prevailing conditions in their tanks. It is not uncommon for beardies to also flatten out their bodies when in some sort of distress.

Baby Bearded Dragon Laying Flat With Head Down

Bearded dragons lay flat with their head down as they bask in light and heat because it offers superior relaxation. This is often characterized by the beardie moving to the basking area to absorb maximum heat.

Sometimes, the captive lizard also lay flat with the head down as a result of illness or even hunger. We recommend that owners pay attention to the bearded dragon for clues that can indicate whether the flat position is a sign of illness or hunger and respond accordingly.

Sick bearded dragons should be transported to the exotic vet’s office for identification of the underlying condition and treatment prescription.

Bearded Dragon Lying Down With Puffed Up Belly

Bearded dragons lie down with puffed-up bellies as a sign of hunger even after eating. They puff up their stomach to enable proper storage of the consumed food in the event that more chow fails to arrive.

However, avoid feeding beardies more food just because they puff up their bellies because greed is a common trait when being fed. The best option is to offer a slightly lower amount of food during the next feeding time and look for signs of more belly puffing.

The absence of additional belly puffing is a clue that the previous food portion is exactly what they need and an increase is unnecessary.

Bearded Dragon Flattening After Egg Laying

Egg laying is an exhaustive process that forces bearded dragons to lay down flat in order to catch their breath. Even the healthiest females require at least an hour to recalibrate their bodies after laying eggs so do not be surprised that they lay down limp and flat afterward.

Cleaning body areas like the head freshens up exhausted bearded dragons to feel more energized after the resting period. They should be allowed to sleep directly under the tank lighting to enjoy optimal relaxation.

This could be lifesaving for exhausted bearded dragons that require full and extended body stretching after engaging in egg-laying. (Source)

Bearded Dragon Laying On The Back

Bearded dragons often lie down flat on their tummies as a result of illness, satisfaction, or basking in heat to increase their body temperatures. However, laying down on the back is often a sign of discomfort since they struggle to stay consistent in that position.

Up and down head movements are common when beardies try to lay down on their backs comfortably to streamline blood flow and other core functionalities. Although owners should keep an eye on the beardie in this position, it is usually nothing to worry about.

They eventually shake off whatever is causing the discomfort resulting in a return to normalcy in terms of sleeping position and other key aspects of their lives. Laying in the back is common when beardies are allowed to sleep in their owner’s beds for the first time.

Baby Bearded Dragon Laying Flat After Eating

Laying down flat after eating is a sign of satisfaction in baby bearded dragons. This is often common in tanks featuring the right temperature and lighting conditions that promote relaxation after enjoyable meals.

As long as the beardie remains in this condition, additional feeding should be held off. Alternatively, removal from the tank and placement in a warm tile or towel for 15 minutes may help them get ready to eat again.

Bearded Dragon Laying In A Corner

Bearded dragons lay in the corner of their tanks as a means of escaping from poor lighting conditions or getting out of the way of tank mates. Beardies require hiding spots to feel safe when threatened and choose to lie down in the corners in the absence of such spots.

Brumation, lethargy, and excessive heat in their tanks are additional reasons that could stimulate tank corner sleeping among domesticated bearded dragons.

Bearded Dragon Laying Upside Down

Laying upside down is a sign of trouble in the bearded dragon’s diet, particularly the amount of calcium consumed. This is especially true when the following signs are also spotted in the beardie:

• Muscle twitching
• Declined appetite
• Weakened bones

Allowing beardies to suffer calcium deficiency for long periods may lead to severe health complications which is why the condition should be treated rapidly.

Baby Bearded Dragon Laying Flat At Night

Bearded dragons require solitary daily feeding but occasional hunger could creep in resulting in flattened-out positions at night. Do not hesitate to offer food like crickets when beardies are found in this position even if they ate earlier.

They may be laying down flat due to a lack of energy after expending the consumed calories through physical activity like playing with their owners. No sense in waiting until the next morning to feed hungry bearded dragons all in the name of sticking to a standard feeding schedule.

Conclusion: Bearded Dragon Laying With Legs Straight Back

Bearded dragons lay flat with their legs straight back during basking in the morning or middle of the day to increase their internal temperatures. These cold-blooded reptiles thrive on access to external heat to meet their temperature needs throughout the day regardless of what time of the year it is.

At night, beardies can also lay flat with their legs straight back when enjoying relaxation after a hard day of physical activity. It is a positive sign that should not trigger fear or worry in owners because the position indicates that bearded dragons are in a good place.