It’s a question that has puzzled many bearded dragon owners – why is my bearded dragon glass surfing? It doesn’t seem to make sense, but they do it anyway. So why do they do it? In this post, we will explore the possible reasons why your bearded dragon might be glass surfing. We’ll also provide some tips on how to stop your beardie from doing it.
What is Glass Surfing?
Glass surfing (Glass dancing) is a popular activity among bearded dragons and other reptile enthusiasts. This activity involves giving your pet dragon the opportunity to crawl across smooth glass surfaces, allowing it to experience the unique sensation of “surfing” on these surfaces.
There are many reasons why your dragon might enjoy glass surfing. For starters, it challenges the animal’s natural locomotive instincts, allowing it to explore its surroundings in a novel way.
Additionally, soft-shelled reptiles such as bearded dragons have adapted to dry environments over the course of evolutionary history, and gliding across smooth surfaces provides a great source of exercise for them in their natural habitat.
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Glass Surfing?
A bearded dragon’s natural habitat is a dry, arid climate with plenty of basking spots. In the wild, these lizards spend most of their time on rocks or in trees, soaking up the sun’s rays. When they are properly warmed, they are able to digest their food properly and stay healthy.
In captivity, bearded dragons are often kept in glass tanks which can make it difficult to provide adequate basking spots. As a result, some Beardies develop a behavior known as “glass surfing.” This is when the lizard repeatedly climbs up the side of the tank and then falls off, appearing to be surfing on the glass. While this may seem like harmless behavior, it can actually be quite harmful to your Beardie’s health.
Glass dancing can cause injuries and stress, and it can also lead to problems with digestion and metabolism. If you think your Beardie is glass surfing, try to provide more basking spots and cover part of the tank with paper or cloth to give your lizard a sense of security. You should also contact a reptile veterinarian for further advice.
Can Bearded Dragons Get Sick When They Glass Surf?
Bearded dragons are known for their high energy and playful personalities. One of their favorite activities is called “glass surfing,” which refers to the way they perch on the edge of their tank and surf along with the glass when someone walks by.
This activity can sometimes make bearded dragons feel sick or unwell, especially if it is performed frequently or for long periods of time. While there are a number of potential explanations for why glass surfing might make your beardie feel sick, some of the most common include changes in temperature, pressure fluctuations caused by passing over imperfections in the glass surface, or exposure to irritants like household cleaners or chemicals.
To help keep your beardie safe while they’re glass surfing, it is important to clean and maintain your tank regularly, be mindful of how long they spend exercising this behavior, and avoid stressing them out by rushing past them when they are riding the waves.
Can Glass Surfing Cause Any Damage To Bearded Dragons?
Anytime your bearded dragon is climbing the walls of its enclosure it is technically glass surfing. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can actually raise health concerns for you. The most common issue that arises from glass surfing is eye injuries. When a bearded dragon glass surfs, they are rubbing its eyes against the rough surface of the glass. This can lead to scratches on the cornea, which can be very painful and can even cause blindness if left untreated.
In addition to eye injuries, glass surfing can also cause problems with beardie’s skin. The constant friction can lead to irritation and even burns.
How Can I Prevent or Stop Glass Surfing
Whether you have a juvenile dragon or an adult bearded dragon, there are precautions you can take to stop them from glass dancing. One way to do this is to provide them with plenty of things to climb on in their enclosure so they don’t get bored and glass surf out of boredom.
You can also try using a sticky tape or decal on the inside of the enclosure to help prevent your bearded dragon from being able to get a good grip on the glass. Glass surfing is a common problem among bearded dragons, but it’s one that you can easily prevent by taking a few simple precautions.
Can A Baby Bearded Dragon Glass Surf?
Baby bearded dragons are known for their small size and energetic nature, often engaging in activities like glass surfing that can seem a bit puzzling to onlookers.
Many baby dragons also enjoy climbing and exploring, so perhaps glass surfing is just another way for them to test out their bodies and engage their natural curiosity. Additionally, climbing on smooth surfaces like windows or mirrors may help young beardies develop muscle control or hone their balancing skills.
Whatever the reason behind it, glass surfing is definitely something that you should keep an eye on if you’re raising baby bearded dragons. But with proper care and attention, there’s no reason why your little dragon can’t grow up to be a great stepper.
Other Reasons Why Your Bearded Dragon Is Glass Surfing
Glass surfing is a behavioral issue seen in baby and adult bearded dragons where they try to climb the sides of their enclosure until they fall off, sometimes injuring themselves in the process. While it’s most common in juvenile dragons, adults can also glass surf. Some possible reasons why bearded dragons glass surf includes:
- They are bored: If your dragon doesn’t have enough environmental enrichment, they may become restless and start glass surfing as a way to release energy. Be sure to provide plenty of hiding places, toys, and climbing structures to help keep them stimulated.
- They are stressed: Glass surfing can be a sign of stress in bearded dragons. Possible sources of stress include too much handling, changes in their environment, and introductions of new pets or people into the home. If you think stress may be contributing to their glass surfing behavior, try to create a more calming environment for them and reduce handling.
- They are sick: Glass surfing can sometimes be a symptom of illness in bearded dragons. If your dragon is suddenly glass surfing after being healthy previously, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any medical causes.
- Small Dragon Glass Tank: If your bearded dragon’s tank is too small, they may become stressed and start glass surfing as a way to release energy. As a bearded dragon grows, he or she will require a new enclosure. Be sure to provide them with a bigger tank space to roam and explore.
- Seeing Own Reflection: incidentally, some bearded dragons may start glass surfing because they mistake their own reflection for another dragon. If your dragon is fixated on the glass and seems to be trying to interact with its reflection, you may need to provide a visual barrier between them and the glass.
Conclusion: Why Is My Bearded Dragon Glass Surfing?
One of the most interesting attributes of bearded dragons is their tendency to glass surf. This behavior is characterized by a bearded dragon pressing its body as close as possible to a smooth surface, such as a sliding glass door or window pane. If your bearded dragon is glass surfing, it’s important to figure out the underlying cause so that you will know how to help them.
