Why is my bearded dragon hiding in his cave? I got this question recently from my reader. She was basically worried about how her bearded dragon acted in the past few days.
Well, hiding is normal for bearded dragons. However, there are some instances when hiding can mean something. When beardies are hiding all day long, it is not normal and should concern you.
So, why is your bearded dragon hiding in his cave?
There are a few reasons why beardies stay in their cave for a long period of time. It may be due to high temperature in the enclosure, they want to feel safe, they are stressed or sick, or feel threatened by other bearded dragons.
If your bearded dragon is hiding constantly, you might want to check any of these factors. Something must be wrong.
Related Article: Bearded Dragon Sleeping in Corner: Here’s What You Should Know
Table of Contents
The Common Reasons Why Bearded Dragons Hide in Their Cave
As mentioned, hiding is a natural behavior for bearded dragons. However, in extreme cases, it could be a signal for health issues. If you notice this behavior in your reptile, I strongly recommend that you check what is going on.
In most cases, there are four main reasons why beardies hide in their cave. Let’s discuss each one of those below.
1. High Temperature in the Enclosure
One of the most common reasons why bearded dragons hide in their cave is that they try to avoid the heat in the enclosure. They do the same in the wild. In captivity, they find a spot in the enclosure that could somehow protect them from the heat.
If you notice that your beardie hides in his cave all the time, check the temperature. It could be that the temperature is too high for your reptile.
2. They Want to Feel Safe
Another possible reason why a bearded dragon hides in the cave is that he/she wants to feel safe. This is true especially in beardies you just bought from the pet shop.
The new unfamiliar environment makes them feel vulnerable and therefore forces them to find a safer place. This is the reason why a hide is very important to have in the tank.
3. If They Are Stressed or Sick
Stress is another reason why a bearded dragon hides in the cave. If beardies are stressed, they tend to find comfort in a hiding spot. They stay there often for a long period of time.
I see this behavior with my beardies too when they are under stress. This happens when they are relocated or if there are changes in their habitat.
If this is the case in your bearded dragon, bring him/her to the vet. Act quickly before everything gets worse.
If you are reading this blog for a while now, you might already know that I lost a bearded dragon before. I was a new owner back then who knew almost nothing about bearded dragon.
The hardest lesson I learned was that if there is something wrong going on with your bearded dragon, seek help from a vet immediately. This is the best thing you can do.
Related Article: Bearded Dragon Turning Black Not Moving: Here’s Why
4. Feel Threaten by Other Bearded Dragons
The final reason I can think of why bearded dragons hide in the cave is the presence of other beardies. This is common in bearded dragons housed together in one tank.
It is important to remember that bearded dragons are solitary animals. This means that they live well alone. The presence of other beardies could only cause them stress and intimidation. As a result, they look for a spot where they can hide.
If this is the case, I suggest that you put your beardies in a separate tank. As you know, stress is detrimental to beardies’ health. Fix the issue as soon as possible.
Related Article: Why Is My Bearded Dragon Trying to Dig? (Things You Need to Know)
Final Thoughts on Why is My Bearded Dragon Hiding in His Cave
There are a number of reasons why a bearded dragon hides in the cave. In most cases, beardies hide when the temperature in the enclosure is high when they want to feel safe, when they are stressed or sick, and when they are threatened by other bearded dragons.
Any of these reasons can cause beardies to hide. If you notice this behavior in your reptile, check if any of the mentioned factors are present.
If the behavior persists, I suggest that you bring your reptile to a vet. This is the safest and the best thing you can do. I strongly suggest that you always go on the safe route all the time.
I hope this helps. Thank you for reading.
Related Questions
Yes, hiding is a normal behavior in bearded dragons. However, hiding can also be a sign of some problems that they possibly encounter.
In most cases, bearded dragons hide under a food bowl, water dish, or smooth insect bowl, and sometimes under artificial plants.
When a bearded dragon is hiding in the corner, he/she might be unhappy. It could also a sign of a problem in the enclosure. Some beardies don’t like a dirty tank. Some issues may involve inappropriate temperature and light too.
Yes, some bearded dragons do hide when they shed. They are less active.
Bearded dragons can get threatened and stressed when they see their own reflection. They would consider their reflection as other bearded dragon looking at them. As a result, they would feel uncomfortable and threatened.
Without enough UVB light, bearded dragons may suffer from many potential health issues such as metabolic bone disease. Light is very important to help them develop strong bones.
Bearded dragons can last for two days without UVB light. But please remember that the absence of UVB is detrimental to beardies’ health. Give your reptile UVB light for about 8-12 hours a day.
