We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Treatments

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Treat a Bearded Dragon Bite?

M.C. Huguelet
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 34,852
Share

Bearded dragons, also called Pogonas, are small- to medium-sized lizards which are native to Australia, and which are kept as pets in many countries worldwide. Due to their fairly docile temperaments, bearded dragons rarely bite humans. When a bearded dragon bite does occur, it is generally not serious, but nevertheless does require attention to prevent infection. It is generally possible to avoid a bearded dragon bite by learning to recognize the aggressive behaviors typical of these lizards.

The bearded dragon is not venomous, nor does it have sharp teeth. Further, it usually has a calm temperament and even seems to enjoy being handled by humans. For these reasons, bearded dragon bites are rare, and when they do occur, they are usually not serious. In fact, it is partly because bearded dragons rarely bite that they are considered by many to be good pets.

From time to time, however, a bearded dragon bite can happen, usually because something has caused the animal to become extremely stressed or frightened. Even though such bites are not usually dangerous, they still require attention and minor treatment. Bearded dragons often carry salmonella on their skin or in their mouths which can be passed to their handlers through a bite, causing infection. Thus, no matter how minor a bite, it is important to immediately and thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. Further, if the bite has broken the skin, those who have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years may want to consult their physician about receiving a booster.

It is generally possible to avoid a bearded dragon bite by learning to identify the aggression behaviors typical to these lizards. When feeling stressed or defensive, a bearded dragon may attempt to create a threatening appearance by extending the “beard” of spikes which frames his face. He may also hold his mouth in an open position, a posture known among reptile experts as “gaping.” If a bearded dragon displays these behaviors prior to being picked up, it may be best to leave him alone until he becomes relaxed. Should he begin displaying the behaviors while he is being handled, he should be quickly but calmly placed back into his habitat.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
M.C. Huguelet
By M.C. Huguelet
Cate Huguelet, a Chicago-based freelance writer with a passion for storytelling, crafts engaging content for a wide range of publications, including The Health Board. With degrees in Writing and English, she brings a unique perspective and a commitment to clean, precise copy that resonates with readers. Her ability to understand and connect with audiences makes her a valuable asset to any content creation team.
Discussion Comments
By anon1004876 — On May 07, 2021

My bearded dragon only tries to bite me when my nails are painted. He's very calm and never attacks. But a time I painted my nails (any color that's not light) he will try to bite me. It shocked me at first but when I took the nail polish off, he didn't try to bite me. Does he mistake my nails for an insect? Or food?

By anon990944 — On May 17, 2015

I have one beardie that is really calm, the other one not so much. When I first got him, he was very aggressive. He has calmed down quite a bit but still he bites accidentally whenever I feed him so I try to trick him by distracting him with one hand. He has caught on to that and it no longer works. So now I'm trying a different tactic. He doesn't get fed until stops trying to bite my hand. He is fed regularly so I think the prior people who had him did him very badly and taught him to be aggressive. This training is slow going but starting to work. Now he he is sitting there waiting for me to put the food in his bowl then he goes for it, leaving my hand and skin alone.

M.C. Huguelet
M.C. Huguelet
Cate Huguelet, a Chicago-based freelance writer with a passion for storytelling, crafts engaging content for a wide...
Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/how-do-i-treat-a-bearded-dragon-bite.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.