While keeping a beardie, one may wonder if bearded dragons like to be out of their cage or not. If yes, then why do bearded Dragons want to be out of their cage?
This article will get to know everything regarding getting a bearded dragon out of a cage and its consequences.
I will also tell you about the positive and negative signs that you need to look at and make sure they are relaxed outside their cage.
It is essential to make sure they are comfortable and keep an eye out for danger. Let’s first know do Bearded Dragons like to be out of their cage or not.
Do Bearded Dragons like to be out of their cage? Yes. Most Bearded Dragons like spending time and interacting with their owners outside of their cage.
However, the degree of wanting to be out of the cage depends on each individual and their personality. Some bearded Dragons can also get stressed out being out of their cage.
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Do Bearded Dragons Like To Be Out Of Their Cage?
Before getting them out of their tank, one should learn about their tolerance for such excursions. You should avoid any stress and observe their movement.
Their behavior should be appropriately administered during and after each session of getting him out of the tank.
It is also essential to get the appropriate holding container when traveling with his cage, keep ’em comfortable, safe and healthy.
There are many things that one needs to consider before getting them out of their cage. It would help if you looked at the personality of your bearded dragon along with some positive signs before getting him out of their cage.
Here are a few factors that you need to consider to know if they like to be out of the cage or not. Each preference depends on each individual personality.
3 Factors To Look If They Like To Be Out Of Their Cage
Personality
It would be best to look at the personality when they are being handed or outside of their cage. Some bearded Dragons may appreciate being handled by the keeper.
Some also like being addressed more and spending time. But, few beardies will not even tolerate being touched by humans. Some bearded Dragon tends to get very angry when they are brought out of their cage.
You should look if their happy or nervous using their movement. It is essential to find out if they are feeling stressed or scared outside the tank or not.
These are some checkpoints that may help you understand the personality of your bearded dragon if they like it or not. You must do a personality test because each individual’s behavior decides if they like being outside or not.
If they exhibit any sign of stress, then get him returned to his tank. He must enjoy and feel relaxed while exploring outside. If their behavior doesn’t show that, then return him to his cage.
A bearded dragon can exhibit behaviors like
- gaping their mouth,
- closing their eyes,
- biting,
- hissing,
- attempting to run away,
- extending their beard when stressed.
These are a few signs that help you know if they are stressed or not. When a bearded dragon is relaxed, it will either be very still or start walking around slowly.
A curious dragon who wants to explore will cØck their head from one side to another and licking the ground. Observing this behavior will help you understand how your pet behaves.
After observing such behavior and movement, get him back in his cage as well. Now, you may think that everything is OK, but you also need to look over after they are locked in the cage as well.
You should check if he behaves normally, eats, and usually drinks after being returned or not. Daily routine and behavior should not be disturbed or troubled by such excursion. If you notice any depression or irritation signs, consider reducing the trek duration in the future session.
Positive Signs
When your bearded dragon is walking slowly or still, it ultimately means that they are comfortable, feeling safe, and relaxed. You should know that this kind of sign is always exhibited when they are either very happy or feel very flexible.
I hope that positive signs like being still, moving slowly, cØcking their head, and cheerful vocal sounds indicate that everything is alright when they are out of their cage.
Negative Signs
If your bearded dragon is trying to hide or close their eyes, they feel either scared or stressed. Some may also be trying to bite you or run away. This kind of sign always indicates that a bearded dragon is feeling stressed. Dark coloration near the mouth and the stomach also help you know what state they are in.
At first, the bearded dragon that had never been out of the cage may act very anxiously and stressed. If they display any negative sign, then return him to the tank as soon as possible. It would be best to gradually introduce them to the outside environment for a small amount of time each day.
In such a way, your bearded dragon will get used to being out of their tank and held by you. If you do this regularly and gradually increase the period of such excursions sessions, then they are more likely to get relaxed over time while they are out and being handled.
How Long Can Bearded Dragons Be Out Of Their Cage?
You can keep bearded dragons out of their cage as long as they feel relaxed, happy, and comfortable. Here are the things to know if they want to be outside or not. Most bearded Dragons tolerate spending time outside their cage for a maximum of 20 to 30 minutes.
Some may also enjoy being held and interacting with their owners for one hour or as long as possible. Each beardie wanting to be out of their cage depends upon its personality, tolerance degree, and experience when being out of their cage.
3 Things To Know Of They Want To Be Outside
Comfort Level
Since it’s essential to periodically get your bearded dragon out of its tank, you should check the comfort level of your room for your bearded dragon; if the air conditioner is on in the room where you will bring your bearded dragon out of their cage, consider turning it off. It is essential to create a good comfort level around the room where your bearded dragon will be out.
Once the outside condition is an ideal and low-stressed environment for them, you can get them out. It is vital to keep the comfort level of a bearded dragon at top-notch.
Always keep the room temperature between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level between 30% to 40%.
Personality
It is essential to know the personality of your bearded dragon by observing its behavior, expression, and movement. Some bearded Dragon tends to have a history with outdoor experience being out of their cage. Some bearded Dragons may never have any account or interaction with the outdoor condition.
So, make sure to observe a bearded dragon’s behavior and movement when they are outside of their cage to know the personality. Their personality decides if they like to be out of their cage or not. If they ever had any good experience or history out of their cage, they will have an outgoing personality.
If a bearded dragon had a bad experience like being scared or threatened by a Predator or any threat, then they may have a very vulnerable outgoing personality. All in all, their nature helps decide how long a bearded dragon can be outside of its cage.
Curiosity
The curiosity level through their movement and behavior will help you know how long they like to be out of their cage. If your bearded dragon strolls while cØcking its head, then it wants to be outside for a more extended period.
If you get a dragon that has been still for more than an hour, then maybe your bearded dragon is feeling a bit relaxed, and now it is OK to get them to return to its cage.
A curious and exploring bearded Dragon will try moving slowly and tilting or cØcking its head. It consistently exhibits that they are more interested in being outside of their tank.
When Bearded Dragon Can Be Outside Of Their Cage?
There are specific scenarios when bearded dragons can be kept outside of their cage.
To Clean Room/Tank
When you need to clean your bearded dragon enclosure, you may need to move them to another tank or Habitat as well. In that situation, you must carefully get your bearded dragon out of their cage and keep them somewhere protected where they can’t escape or get harmed.
Another case, like cleaning your home, can also make you get your dragon out of its cage. The room where the tank is located should also be cleaned for better temperature and humidity control.
Traveling
In case of traveling, you may want to get your beardie to get out of their cage and sit on your shoulder. You might have noticed many reptile enthusiasts doing that.
You can also do that, but when traveling, you should be very careful. The bearded dragon should have enough experience being on the top of your shoulder.
Other than that, you should also have a good experience and habit of handling them around your body. Make sure to do a practice session of such excursions in your home with your bearded dragon before traveling with them or getting them outdoors walking around the blocks.
Vet Visits
Unfortunately, there could be a situation when you may need to visit the veterinarian’s office with a bearded dragon. At that moment, you should get your bearded dragon out without thinking twice in case of an emergency.
A bearded dragon that never has been out of its cage may get stressed when visiting the Vet office. Make sure to have a suitable container to get your Bearded Dragon to the nearest vet office.
How Often Should You Take Bearded Dragon Out?
The bearded dragon can be kept outside for as long as they are feeling comfortable. It depends upon each individual and their personality.
Plus, you don’t necessarily need to make a dragon out every day. However, taking a bearded dragon out will help them acclimate to you and become more comfortable around the environment outside that cage.
Practicing such excursions will hopefully have them enjoy their time with you. You can keep them as long as you want or as long as they are feeling relaxed. You should only get them out if they are feeling interested or wanted.
Avoid getting them out, if they’re feeling stressed, or uninterested. Most of the time, bearded dragons don’t like change to their environment.
It is common for them to adjust according to the environmental change in the wild, but in an enclosure, change doesn’t happen regularly, so they may reject.
Instead of that, try getting a bearded dragon out of their cage only once a week for 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
This should be part of their daily schedule and your routine until they get used to it. Here is what you need to know about getting them out of their cage according to their age and life.
Hatchlings
You should avoid getting the hatchlings out of their cage in the first two weeks. Yes, hatchling tends to be very delicate to touch, and you need a little bit of handling in the first week of life.
You should only handle them when necessary. Most of the bearded Dragon babies hatch with an egg sac attached to them.
Moving them or touching them can result in tearing the egg sac while ripping off your bearded dragon skin or body.
It would be best if you prevented touching them or holding them. Touch them or have them only when you need them to be moved to a new habitat or when required.
Young Ones
When they cross two weeks of life, you can count them into the young ones. Now, you can hold your bearded dragon babies more frequently and get them out of their cage but with little extra care. By now, the egg sac must have fallen off, but when handling, make sure to use a firm hand due to their still soft bodies.
Be extra careful when picking up and getting them out of their cage. Being so delicate, only allow them to be in your hand and walk around your fingers.
You should let your baby bearded Dragon climb on your hands and arm. Remember to keep your palm flat.
You may feel clinging to your fingers by many baby Dragons. If you notice anyone trying to escape or run, then grab them firmly and avoid squeezing them.
Keep the baby beards out of young children’s reach. Avoid getting young ones out of their cage in case of a threat, Predator, children, and poor room temperature.
Adult Ones
Adult Bearded Dragon tends to be more sturdy and ready to explore outdoors. You can get the adult bearded dragon out of their cage anytime as long as they’re feeling comfortable and relaxed.
However, it would be best to keep the temperature and humidity according to the bearded dragon’s needs.
Avoid getting the bearded dragon out of their cage at night because the humidity goes up at night outdoor, which is not suitable for their health.
Make sure to only get your dragon out of the tank when the room temperature is around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level is between 30% to 40%. Sometimes, you may find a bearded dragon humidity 70 at night in case of poor room temperature.
Bearded Dragons can exhibit many behavior and sign. You may wonder if they have feelings or not too. I have also written an article on do bearded Dragons have feelings to check. Hence, staying on the topic, adult Dragons can be kept outside as long as everything is ok.
Final Thoughts
A bearded Dragon may like or may not like being outside its cage depending on experience, behavior, comfort level, and personality.
A bearded Dragon that has never been outside of its cage can also be kept outdoors if practiced such excursions gradually. At first, get your bearded dragon out of its cage for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
As time goes on, you can gradually increase the time of such excursions session. I hope I gave you all the information on do bearded dragon likes to be out of their cage.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding it, then comment below and ask me. Make sure to share this article with the other reptile keepers and bearded Dragon enthusiasts. I hope that I will get to see you at another article as well, till then take care and goodbye. Follow us on social media
94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day. In 2007, I realized that I was made for saving Animals. My father is a Vet, and I think every pet deserves one. I started this blog, “InPetCare”, in 2019 with my father to enlighten a wider audience.