10 Surprising Bearded Dragon Facts

Bearded dragons are already pretty fascinating animals, but even long time owners are sometimes surprised by some of the things these lizards can do. Here are ten facts that still catch people off guard.

1. They can run surprisingly fast. In short bursts they can hit speeds around 9 miles per hour. It is pretty impressive to see one take off across the yard.

2. Their color can change based on mood and temperature. They often get darker when they are cold or stressed and lighter when they are warm and relaxed. It is not as dramatic as a chameleon, but it is still noticeable.

3. They have a third eye. On top of their head is something called the parietal eye. It does not see images the way their main eyes do, but it can detect light and helps them regulate their daily rhythms.

4. In the wild they come from arid parts of Australia. They are excellent at conserving water and getting most of what they need from their food and the occasional drink.

5. They wave at each other. That slow arm wave you sometimes see is a form of communication. It can be a submissive gesture or just a way of saying hello without starting a fight.

6. With good care they can live a long time. Ten to fifteen years is common, and some well cared for dragons have reached twenty years old.

7. They actually enjoy gentle interaction once they trust you. A lot of people are surprised how calm and even affectionate their beardie can become with regular gentle handling.

8. They can see more colors than we can. Their vision extends into parts of the ultraviolet spectrum, which is probably why they react so strongly to certain lights and colors.

9. Glass surfing is not always a sign of stress. Sometimes they just do not understand that the glass is there and they are trying to get to something on the other side.

10. Their beard is not just for show. They can puff it out and darken it when they feel threatened or when they are trying to look bigger and more dominant.

The third eye thing still weirds me out a little, honestly. Which fact caught you off guard? Tell me in the comments.

One of these is less optional than the others. Our guide on why bearded dragons need UVB lighting explains what happens without it.