Bearded dragons are a popular pet choice, and they have some interesting behaviors. One behavior that is often seen in bearded dragons is the tendency to turn white when sleeping. This can be alarming for owners who may wonder why their bearded dragon has suddenly changed color while they sleep.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why bearded dragons turn white when sleeping, and provide tips on how to make sure your bearded dragon gets enough restful sleep.
What Causes Bearded Dragons To Change Color While Sleeping?
Bearded dragons turn white when sleeping for a few possible reasons. The most likely explanation is that it is an evolutionary adaptation to help them blend in with their environment and avoid predators. By turning white, they can hide more easily during the night. Another possible reason could be due to stress or fear, as some reptiles may change color as a way of protecting themselves from potential threats.
How Can You Make Sure Your Bearded Dragon Gets Enough Sleep?
It’s important for bearded dragons to get enough restful sleep in order to stay healthy and active throughout the day. Here are some tips on how you can make sure your pet gets enough quality sleep:
- Provide a Quiet Environment: It’s important to create a quiet space for your bearded dragon where there won’t be too much noise or activity that might disturb its sleep.
- Maintain Proper Lighting: For optimal sleeping conditions, provide 12-14 hours of darkness each day by using either natural light cycles or artificial lighting.
- Keep Temperatures Stable: Maintaining consistent temperatures between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65-70 degrees at night will help ensure your pet has comfortable sleeping conditions.
- Provide Adequate Space: Be sure to give your dragon plenty of room to move around so it can find a comfortable spot to rest without feeling cramped.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Get White?
Bearded dragons, or Pogona vitticeps, are a type of lizards native to Australia. They are popular pets and can be found in pet stores all over the world. One thing that bearded dragons may experience is getting white spots on their skin. This condition is also known as leucism, and it can cause some confusion for owners who don’t understand why this is happening.
Leucism occurs when there is a lack of pigment cells called melanocytes in the body. It affects animals of different species and can vary in severity from mild depigmentation to complete albinism, where no coloration exists at all.
In bearded dragons specifically, leucism often appears as white patches on the head or body but sometimes it may even manifest itself as total albinism throughout the entire body. Leucism is not caused by any specific disease or health issue; rather, it’s just an outward sign of genetic abnormality within the animal’s DNA that results in its unique appearance.
There are several theories about why leucism occurs in bearded dragons specifically but none have been proven definitively yet so the exact cause remains unknown. Some experts believe that environmental stressors like temperature fluctuations or dietary deficiencies could trigger leucistic traits while others theorize that these patches appear randomly due to mutations occurring within individual genes during embryo development.
No matter what causes it though, one thing is certain: if you own a bearded dragon with white patches then they should still be well taken care of with proper nutrition and environment control to ensure their long-term health and happiness!
Why Do Bearded Dragons Flatten Out When Sleeping?
Bearded dragons flatten out when sleeping for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation that helps them conserve energy and remain hidden from predators in their natural environment. When they are laying flat, their body profile blends in with the terrain and makes them less visible.
Secondly, by flattening out their entire body against the ground, bearded dragons are able to regulate their body temperature more efficiently. This helps them stay cool during hot days as heat rises away from the ground and into the air while cold air sinks down towards the surface of the earth.
In addition to thermoregulation purposes, flattening out also allows bearded dragons to sleep more comfortably on hard surfaces like rocks or desert sand. When positioned flat against the ground, they can lay there undisturbed without having any pressure points on their body which could cause discomfort or pain while trying to rest.
Furthermore, flattened-out positions make it easier for bearded dragons to quickly react if they sense a potential threat nearby as they can spring up into action right away instead of having to move around first and then take off running. All these factors provide bearded dragons with greater protection when sleeping which is why this position has become so common among these reptiles in nature!
What Does A Bearded Dragon Look Like When Hibernating?
A bearded dragon in hibernation typically appears to be in a deep sleep. They may appear motionless and unresponsive, even when touched or moved. Bearded dragons will often curl up into a tight ball while they are hibernating, with their head tucked under one of their legs. The eyes of the dragon may also be closed during this time.
Bearded dragons enter into a state of torpor during hibernation which is similar to dormancy and involves slowing down metabolic processes such as breathing and heart rate. This helps them conserve energy until conditions become more favorable for activity again.
During this time, it is important that the environment remains comfortable for the dragon as drastic changes can cause them to wake from hibernation prematurely which can lead to serious health problems. To ensure that your bearded dragon is safe during hibernation, provide them with an appropriate temperature range (75-85°F) and make sure that the enclosure does not become too hot or cold throughout the day.
What Does Bearded Dragon Brumation Look Like?
Brumation is a period of dormancy and inactivity that bearded dragons go through during the winter season. The brumation process looks different for each individual dragon, but there are some general things to look out for.
During brumation, most bearded dragons will become less active and less interested in their food or treats. They may also spend more time hiding under rocks or logs than usual. In addition to this, you may notice your dragon sleeping for longer periods of time and not wanting to be handled as much as before.
Some other signs of brumation include decreased appetite and weight loss, increased lethargy, lack of interest in activities they previously enjoyed such as basking and exploring, and a decrease in energy levels overall.
It’s important to remember that while these behavior changes can indicate that your dragon is going through brumation, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian if you’re unsure about your beardie’s health or wellbeing. Additionally, make sure your dragon has access to clean water at all times during brumation!
What Color Do Bearded Dragons Turn When Stressed?
Bearded dragons can turn a variety of colors when they are stressed. The most common color change is the darkening of their skin, which can range from black to brown. This color change is the dragon’s way of trying to make itself look bigger and more intimidating in order to ward off potential threats or predators. Additionally, some bearded dragons may exhibit yellow or orange coloring on their sides during stressful situations as well.
The other main sign that a bearded dragon is feeling stressed is if it displays a white, almost chalky appearance all over its body or along its side. This indicates that your bearded dragon has become so scared that it’s curling up into a ball in order to protect itself from danger.
If you notice this type of behavior, it’s important to take steps to reduce your pet’s stress levels by providing them with an optimal habitat and environment for their species – such as ensuring sufficient lighting and temperature control within the enclosure – as well as making sure they have plenty of hiding spots available should they need them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to understand why your bearded dragon might turn white when sleeping. Knowing the behavior of these reptiles and their natural environment can help owners provide them with a healthy habitat and lifestyle.
This includes providing an appropriate temperature range, avoiding over-handling, ensuring they have adequate access to food and water, and maintaining proper humidity levels in its enclosure. Understanding that turning white while sleeping is a normal behavior for bearded dragons will also ensure that owners do not become overly concerned if they observe this phenomenon in their pet.

Alexander is the owner of AnimalQnA. He is a pet lover. He has created this blog to share some of his knowledge on different kinds of pets.