If you’re a new bearded dragon owner, you might be wondering why does my bearded dragon sleep so much. It’s a common concern, especially when your pet seems to be napping more than they are exploring their tank. While some sleep is perfectly normal, the amount can tell you a lot about your dragon’s health and environment.
This article will help you understand the reasons behind your bearded dragon’s sleep patterns. We’ll look at normal habits, potential problems, and simple fixes you can try.
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Sleep So Much
This is the core question for many owners. The answer isn’t always simple. It depends on their age, the time of year, and their overall setup. Sometimes, lots of sleep is fine. Other times, it’s a sign that something needs to change.
Let’s break down the most common reasons, starting with the perfectly harmless ones.
Normal and Healthy Reasons for Sleep
Not all sleep is a problem. Bearded dragons have natural rhythms and behaviors that involve rest.
Brumation (Hibernation for Reptiles)
This is the biggest reason for a sudden increase in sleep. Brumation is a dormant state similar to hibernation. It often happens during cooler months, even in captivity.
Signs of brumation include:
- Sleeping for days or weeks at a time
- Hiding in a cool, dark spot
- Little to no interest in food
- Less frequent bowel movements
If your dragon is healthy and over a year old, brumation is usually normal. Always check with a vet first to rule out illness.
Age of Your Bearded Dragon
Baby and juvenile bearded dragons are growing rapidly. They need a lot of energy for this growth. You might find they sleep soundly after a big meal or a long day of activity.
Older, adult dragons tend to be less active in general. Their metabolism slows down. So, they may naturally sleep more than a hyperactive juvenile.
Digesting a Large Meal
Bearded dragons often become lethargic after eating a large amount, especially a big insect meal. The process of digestion requires energy and warmth. It’s common for them to find a basking spot and doze off to help their body process the food.
Environmental and Care-Related Causes
Often, sleepiness is linked to their tank setup. Small errors here can have a big impact on their energy.
Incorrect Temperatures
This is a very frequent cause. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded. They rely on external heat to function.
- Basking Spot Too Cool: If their basking area isn’t hot enough (95-110°F for adults), they can’t properly digest food or get energy. They become sluggish.
- Overall Tank Too Cool: If the cool side is too cold, they may enter a sleepy state to conserve energy.
- No Temperature Gradient: They need a hot side and a cool side to regulate. Without it, they become stressed and tired.
You must use high-quality digital thermometers to check temps daily.
Inadequate UVB Lighting
UVB light is non-negotiable. It allows them to produce Vitamin D3, which is essential for absorbing calcium.
Without proper UVB:
- They can develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which causes weakness and lethargy.
- They simply won’t have the proper energy levels.
Ensure your UVB tube bulb is the correct strength (10.0 or 12% for most setups) and is replaced every 6-12 months, even if it still lights up.
Wrong Light Cycles
Bearded dragons need a consistent day/night cycle. Aim for 12-14 hours of light followed by 10-12 hours of complete darkness and quiet.
If lights are on too long, they can’t rest properly. If room lights or TV lights disrupt their night, their sleep cycle gets messed up. This can make them sleepy during the day.
Stress and Relocation Blues
Moving to a new home is incredibly stressful. It’s normal for a new bearded dragon to sleep a lot, hide, and eat little for the first week or two as they adjust. Give them peace and time to settle in.
Health Problems That Cause Lethargy
Sometimes, excessive sleep points to a medical issue. It’s important to recognize the signs.
Impaction
This is a serious bowel blockage, often caused by eating substrate (like loose sand), food that’s too large, or not having enough heat to digest.
Signs include:
- Lethargy and lack of appetite
- A swollen or hard abdomen
- No bowel movements for a long time
Impaction requires immediate veterinary attention.
Parasites
Internal parasites (like pinworms or coccidia) are common in reptiles. They steal nutrients and make your dragon feel awful.
Symptoms include:
- Excessive sleepiness
- Weight loss or poor growth
- Runny, foul-smelling stools
- Loss of appetite
A vet can test a stool sample and prescribe medication.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Caused by lack of calcium, Vitamin D3, or improper UVB. Early signs include lethargy, weakness, and a soft jaw. In advanced stages, it causes severe deformities and is fatal.
Respiratory Infections
Often caused by a tank that is too cold or humid. A sick dragon will be lethargic. Look for other signs like mucus around the mouth or nose, wheezing, or open-mouth breathing.
What You Can Do: A Step-by-Step Checklist
If your bearded dragon is sleeping too much, don’t panic. Work through this list.
Step 1: Check Your Tank Setup
- Temperatures: Use digital probe thermometers. Verify the basking spot surface temp is 95-110°F (lower for adults) and the cool side is 75-85°F.
- UVB Light: Is it a tube bulb (not a coil/compact)? Is it mounted inside the tank or on a screen (which blocks some UVB)? How old is it? Replace if over 12 months old.
- Light Cycle: Put lights on a timer for 12-14 hours on, 10-12 hours off. Ensure the room is dark at night.
Step 2: Review Diet and Hydration
- Diet: Are you feeding appropriate foods for their age? Babies need more insects; adults need more veggies. Are the insects too big (no wider than space between their eyes)?
- Supplementation: Are you dusting insects with calcium powder (most feedings) and a multivitamin (once a week)?
- Hydration: Do they have fresh water? Do you bathe them 1-2 times a week? Dehydration causes lethargy.
Step 3: Reduce Stress
- Give them time to adjust if they are new.
- Limit handling until they seem more active.
- Provide plenty of hides so they feel secure.
- Place the tank in a low-traffic area away from loud noises or other pets.
Step 4: Know When to See a Vet
Contact an exotic vet if you see any of these red flags alongside the sleepiness:
- No improvement after fixing tank setup issues.
- Weight loss or refusal to eat for more than a few days.
- Signs of impaction (no poop, swollen belly).
- Visible signs of illness: mucus, wheezing, swollen joints, tremors.
- Runny or abnormal stools.
A vet visit can provide peace of mind and catch problems early.
Preventing Future Sleepiness Problems
Good, consistent care is the best prevention. Here’s a quick maintenance routine:
- Daily: Check temperatures, offer fresh food/water, observe behavior.
- Weekly: Clean the tank thoroughly, bathe your dragon, weigh them to track health.
- Monthly: Deep clean decor, check all equipment is working.
- Every 6-12 Months: Replace UVB tube bulb, even if it looks fine.
Keeping a simple log can help you spot changes in appetite, weight, or behavior early on.
FAQs About Bearded Dragon Sleep
Is it normal for my bearded dragon to sleep all day?
No, it’s not normal for a healthy dragon to sleep all day during their normal active period. Occasional naps are fine, but consistent all-day sleep suggests a problem with temperature, lighting, or health.
How long do bearded dragons usually sleep?
At night, they should sleep soundly for the entire 10-12 hour dark period. During the day, they may take short naps, especially after eating. But they should spend most of the daylight hours awake, basking, or moving around.
My bearded dragon is sleeping and not eating. What’s wrong?
This combination is a bigger concern. It’s common during brumation, but it can also signal illness, impaction, or severe stress. Check your tank temperatures and UVB first. If those are perfect and the behavior continues for more than a couple days, a vet visit is needed.
Can a bearded dragon sleep too much during brumation?
Brumation patterns vary wildly. Some dragons sleep for weeks with brief awakenings. Others are just very lethargic. The key is they were healthy before it started. Offer water weekly, but don’t force food. Monitor their weight.
Why is my baby bearded dragon always sleeping?
Babies do sleep, but they are typically very active when awake due to high metabolisms. A constantly sleepy baby is often a sign of temperatures being too low or inadequate UVB lighting, which is dangerous for their rapid growth.
Should I wake my bearded dragon up?
Generally, no. Let their cycle run its course, especially if it’s nighttime or they are brumating. If you need to check on them or give medication, do so gently. But frequent waking causes stress.
Understanding your bearded dragon’s sleep habits is a key part of being a good owner. While it’s easy to worry, often the solution is a simple adjustment to their light or heat. By providing the right environment and watching for signs of illness, you can ensure your scaly friend stays healthy and has a normal, active rhythm to their days. Remember, when in doubt, consulting with a reptile veterinarian is always the safest choice for your pet’s well-being.