Knowing when a beardie is asleep and awake can be critical to its health and well-being because it prevents unnecessary disturbances that could disrupt much-needed rest. Many folks wonder whether bearded dragons sleep with their eyes open or closed especially at night.

This article answers the question “Can Bearded Dragons Sleep With Their Eyes Open?” by revealing key indicators that show whether the beardie is asleep or awake. We also discuss multiple causes of sleep disruptions in these beloved pet lizards.

Can Bearded Dragons Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Bearded dragons sleep with their eyes closed but may occasionally lay down at night with open eyes. Sleeping beardies open their eyes when light is suddenly thrown in that direction at night since they enjoy better rest in darkness.

It can be confusing for many first-time beardie owners to determine when their pet lizards are sleeping. However, figuring out the differences between snoozing and wakefulness in these reptiles is essential to being a responsible owner.

Caring owners do not want to engage in loud conversations or other activities that could potentially disrupt their beloved bearded dragon’s sleep.

Signs of A Sleeping Bearded Dragon

Closed eyes are the first sign of sleeping bearded dragons, especially when accompanied by additional clues like laying down flat with no movement. Sleeping beardies also display rhythmic breathing with instances of eye movement possible during the REM sleep phase.

Bearded dragons may also sleep standing up either as a sign of stress or simply because they enjoy that position.Good sleep is essential to the beardie’s health and overall well-being after a hard day of gallivanting, climbing, and engaging in other physical activities.

Sudden illumination, loud shouting matches by owners, and disturbing dog barks can wake sleeping beardies up leading to disorientation from the disrupted rest.

Can You Wake A Sleeping Bearded Dragon?

Avoid waking up sleeping bearded dragons because it may disrupt their sleep cycles. Disturbing sleeping beardies can increase the risk of aggressive behaviors like biting or even scratches as a defense mechanism when the owner is mistaken for a predator.

Only wake up sleeping bearded dragons during daytime naps for important activities like medicine administration or tank cleaning.

Can You Keep A Bearded Dragon In Your Bedroom?

Keeping a bearded dragon in your bedroom is not recommended when it lacks the necessary temperature control to ensure the lizard’s internal body heat remains within the required range. Beardies could be exposed to extreme colds that may lead to brumation or even sickness. (Source)

Why Do Bearded Dragon Eyes Pop Out When They Sleep?

Signs of eye-bulging in bearded dragons often occur when the reptile is preparing to shed some skin. Popped-out eyes loosen the skin around the eyeballs and surrounding areas which eases the molting process.

Occasional eye-bulging can also be the lizard’s way of yawning or even indicate high blood pressure especially when it occurs for an hour or more. Immediate veterinary attention could confirm or rule out the presence of high blood pressure. (Source)

Can Bearded Dragons Have Dreams?

Bearded dragons do dream just like humans and other creatures. They experience REM and slow-wave sleep which may last 60 to 80 seconds. These two sleep phases were previously thought to only exist in mammals and birds until the notion was debunked by recent studies.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is characterized by dreaming so it can be safely assumed that bearded dragons experience the phenomenon. (Source)

Why Does My Beardie Close Its Eyes When Stroked?

Closing their eyes during petting is a sign of discomfort in bearded dragons. While these creatures are some of the most docile exotic pets available, stroking does not always lead to a positive response, especially during periods of sickness.

Stop petting immediately if the beardie exhibits eye closure signs to identify the source of the discomfort. Sometimes, the eye closure only means leaving the beardie alone for now and resuming later when the prevailing conditions are more comfortable.

Do Bearded Dragons Sleep All Night?

Bearded dragons are diurnal creatures that sleep all night and become active during the daytime. Beardies require 10-12 hours of shuteye per night which translates to waking up late in the morning since they typically drift off around 9 pm.

Being robbed of the right amount of sleep could interfere with the beardie’s health and overall well-being resulting in signs of stress and sickness.

Why Does My Beaded Dragon Go Crazy At Night?

Bearded dragons may go crazy at night as a response to unhealthy temperatures, humidity, and lighting. They are cold-blooded creatures that require the right temperatures, illumination, and humidity to thrive. Warming up their enclosures increases the beardie’s internal temperatures to healthy levels which prevents unnecessary brumation. The right lighting schedule communicates a clear day and night cycle for effective sleep and waking up.

Signs of stress become apparent in beardies when they are robbed of critical heating and lighting sources in their tanks.

Why Does My Beaded Dragon Turn Black At Night?

Bearded dragons turn black at night when tank temperatures drop significantly. The darker color increases heat absorption which promotes comfort throughout the night when heat lamps are usually turned off.

Since black is a great heat conductor, the darkened body color enables maximum warmth which translates to more restful sleep while their internal temperatures stay within a healthy range.

What Temperatures Do Bearded Dragons Need At Night?

Temperatures naturally drop at night so bearded dragons thrive at a minimum of 59F at the coolest end of their enclosures. However, the opposite side of the tank should be warmer to guarantee that the domesticated lizard enjoys the ideal thermogradient to survive regardless of what time of the year it is.

Do Bearded Dragons Snore?

Bearded dragons and other reptiles snore just like mammals do. Many long-term owners also report signs of dreaming in sleeping beardies known for enjoying their nighttime shuteye just as much as other creatures including humans.

Waking up sleeping bearded dragons could disrupt snoring, dreaming, and other active characteristics of deep sleep. This may interfere with the ability to wake up energized and fully rested to take on their day. Signs of loud breathing in sleeping beardies can indicate snoring so not be perturbed unless the beardie is showing signs of distress.

Conclusion: Can Bearded Dragons Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Bearded dragons sleep with their eyes closed but could be opened sometimes as a result of sudden illumination in their enclosures. Beardies are also known for opening their eyes as a response to loud disturbances in the middle of the night.

Knowing when a beardie is asleep can eliminate disruptions that may affect its sleep cycle and overall health. Bearded dragons should be kept in temperature-controlled tanks instead of bedrooms where prevailing conditions can be unpredictable.

The right bearded dragon tank should feature a well-setup thermoregulation gradient as well as humidity and lighting to help beardies thrive.