Adult bearded dragon nibbling on face

[Austinjustice]

Hello, I am new to this forum and very happy to have access to this group of experts!

I got an adult bearded dragon a couple weeks ago. I’m not sure how much socialization he had before, but we take him out and let him explore frequently. This morning he was laying on my sons chest and he ran up to his face and nibbled on his face. Not a hard bite, but definitely a nibble. He had just turned down food, so he wasn’t hungry. He didn’t seem to feel threatened, but before he did it he kind of had his mouth open a little, I thought he was regulating his temperature because he wasn’t puffed out or anything. It kind of took us off guard and just wondering what this means.

Thank you!

 

[Sadie]

Hello, I am new to this forum and very happy to have access to this group of experts!

I got an adult bearded dragon a couple weeks ago. I’m not sure how much socialization he had before, but we take him out and let him explore frequently. This morning he was laying on my sons chest and he ran up to his face and nibbled on his face. Not a hard bite, but definitely a nibble. He had just turned down food, so he wasn’t hungry. He didn’t seem to feel threatened, but before he did it he kind of had his mouth open a little, I thought he was regulating his temperature because he wasn’t puffed out or anything. It kind of took us off guard and just wondering what this means.

Thank you!

Was he actually nibbling or licking? They will lick to see if it is the same person- mine lick all the time but have never nibbled-

 

[Austinjustice]

Was he actually nibbling or licking? They will lick to see if it is the same person- mine lick all the time but have never nibbled-

He definitely nibbled. He does lick a lot too, but this time he kind of lunged and nibbled. Not hard, my son said it didn’t hurt and there was no mark.

 

[Sadie]

He definitely nibbled. He does lick a lot too, but this time he kind of lunged and nibbled. Not hard, my son said it didn’t hurt and there was no mark.

I don't know the reason for that - I have never heard of dragons doing that---- was his beard black? No aggressiveness I am guessing-

 

[Austinjustice]

I don't know the reason for that - I have never heard of dragons doing that---- was his beard black? No aggressiveness I am guessing-

His beard was not more black than usual, he’s had speckles of black since we got him. It didn’t seem aggressive, but I’m just learning about these guys so I’m not sure. Thank you so much for your responses!

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

Definitely not an expert, but I would think that they are usually aggressive in response to something. Thinking they are more flight than fight creatures. It doesn't sound like your son was doing anything.

My guy has only tried to bite me once and it was more a warning nibble like that. I was lightly running my thumbs down both side of his cheeks while holding him and he didn't like it and let me know.

Wondering if you son was laughing or something that made him notice facial movement so he thought he'd take a nibble just to see if it was a different kind of food.

 

[Austinjustice]

Thank you for this, I’m still pondering the behavior. Our bearded dragon is 3 years old and we’ve only had him a couple of weeks. It sounds like his previous owner didn’t take him out much, and we’ve been having him out a lot...maybe we need to back off.
When he nibbled we were all just lying on the bed and he just kind of ran up to my sons face and gave him a little nibble. We’ve been very careful to not be too loud or fast movements because I know he’s probably trying to figure us out still. He likes to run up to our face and kind of stare at us....now I’m a little nervous when he does this haha.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

Thank you for this, I’m still pondering the behavior. Our bearded dragon is 3 years old and we’ve only had him a couple of weeks. It sounds like his previous owner didn’t take him out much, and we’ve been having him out a lot...maybe we need to back off.
When he nibbled we were all just lying on the bed and he just kind of ran up to my sons face and gave him a little nibble. We’ve been very careful to not be too loud or fast movements because I know he’s probably trying to figure us out still. He likes to run up to our face and kind of stare at us....now I’m a little nervous when he does this haha.

Lol. Try not to be nervous. It doesn’t sound like he’s being aggressive to me. I’m pretty sure you’d notice the aggression in him as it's not hard to miss. They’ll puff up, black beard, and get this whole aggressive, attack, leave me the heck alone, vibe about them. It can be intimidating. Where he wasn’t out that often, I’m thinking he’s just curious and not used to things. He’s not socialized and isn’t sure how to behave properly. To him a nibble is just his way of determining if it’s food. It’s moving so it’s gotta be food. When he’s completely used to being out and handled, he’ll more than likely realize that you’re not food just because you move and not do it. Like I said, no expert. Just my thoughts and dealing with my guy.

If it makes you feel better my guy often stares at me, the cat, the dog, and he always has a crazy look in his eye. He’s not a shy guy for sure. Aside from that one time he’s never bitten me. And that once, wasn’t very hard. More a warning. I seriously don't think he would have followed through on any more aggression either. He would have tried to escape first.

 

[Austinjustice]

Lol. Try not to be nervous. It doesn’t sound like he’s being aggressive to me. I’m pretty sure you’d notice the aggression in him as it's not hard to miss. They’ll puff up, black beard, and get this whole aggressive, attack, leave me the heck alone, vibe about them. It can be intimidating. Where he wasn’t out that often, I’m thinking he’s just curious and not used to things. He’s not socialized and isn’t sure how to behave properly. To him a nibble is just his way of determining if it’s food. It’s moving so it’s gotta be food. When he’s completely used to being out and handled, he’ll more than likely realize that you’re not food just because you move and not do it. Like I said, no expert. Just my thoughts and dealing with my guy.

If it makes you feel better my guy often stares at me, the cat, the dog, and he always has a crazy look in his eye. He’s not a shy guy for sure. Aside from that one time he’s never bitten me. And that once, wasn’t very hard. More a warning. I seriously don't think he would have followed through on any more aggression either. He would have tried to escape first.

I was teasing my son because he had just eaten a cookie and had a little chocolate on his face, made his face kind of irresistible haha
He definitely didn’t puff out and seem aggressive at all. His beard had been pretty black since we got him. But I’m not sure what to look for, looks black to me?? I’ll attach a pic, it always kind of has the black speckles.
Yes, it’s that crazy look in his eye stare!!
Thanks again for your responses!

 

[Sadie]

Full black beard is usually signs of distress and pain -- agression is full flared out beard open mouth - looks like attack mode

 

[Austinjustice]

Thanks Sadie, can you see the black in this picture? Do you think this looks like he’s distressed? Would a normal beard have no black? He’s been through a lot with a couple moves and change in owners, how long do you think it takes for them to adjust?

 

[Sadie]

Thanks Sadie, can you see the black in this picture? Do you think this looks like he’s distressed? Would a normal beard have no black? He’s been through a lot with a couple moves and change in owners, how long do you think it takes for them to adjust?

The beards change color w/ mood- he is outside so he isn't too stressed believe me you will notice the color being black-- colorful beards mean their happy- he needs to acclimate to his tank and surroundings- I would give him some time all dragons are different as far as time to adjusting- make sure he's got a good diet salads and a staple feeder - and he is hydrated-

 

[Austinjustice]

Ok, thank you so much!! He is eating very well, and we are doing our best to keep him hydrated. Thanks again!

 

[Zontar’s Mom]

Lol. Try not to be nervous. It doesn’t sound like he’s being aggressive to me. I’m pretty sure you’d notice the aggression in him as it's not hard to miss. They’ll puff up, black beard, and get this whole aggressive, attack, leave me the heck alone, vibe about them. It can be intimidating. Where he wasn’t out that often, I’m thinking he’s just curious and not used to things. He’s not socialized and isn’t sure how to behave properly. To him a nibble is just his way of determining if it’s food. It’s moving so it’s gotta be food. When he’s completely used to being out and handled, he’ll more than likely realize that you’re not food just because you move and not do it. Like I said, no expert. Just my thoughts and dealing with my guy.

If it makes you feel better my guy often stares at me, the cat, the dog, and he always has a crazy look in his eye. He’s not a shy guy for sure. Aside from that one time he’s never bitten me. And that once, wasn’t very hard. More a warning. I seriously don't think he would have followed through on any more aggression either. He would have tried to escape first.

Lol barb... he’s crazy staring cuz he’s deciding which one of you he’ll eat first hahaha

 

[Austinjustice]

Lol barb... he’s crazy staring cuz he’s deciding which one of you he’ll eat first hahaha

This may be true, the crazy stare is kind of how he looks right before snatching up a super worm...

 

[Skybug]

I was teasing my son because he had just eaten a cookie and had a little chocolate on his face, made his face kind of irresistible haha
He definitely didn’t puff out and seem aggressive at all. His beard had been pretty black since we got him. But I’m not sure what to look for, looks black to me?? I’ll attach a pic, it always kind of has the black speckles.
Yes, it’s that crazy look in his eye stare!!
Thanks again for your responses!

In ur pic thats normal, the scales will turn jet black, you’ll know when he’s upset, thats kinda cute he nibbled ur son maybe it was a love bite? My beardie always licks my hand before she climbs up my arm ive never heard of a nibble before he sounds sweet

 

[Skybug]

One defensive boi

 

[Austinjustice]

He does seem like a sweet guy. He does kind of lick up as he climbs up. Maybe a love nibble...we will just say it’s that!
Oh yes, that does look like a defensive one!! That would intimidate me!!

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

This may be true, the crazy stare is kind of how he looks right before snatching up a super worm...

Yeah, the prey comes out in them when they see wiggly things. lol My guys one thought is "FOOD! MUNCH! YUM YUM" lol My guy will scurry to get a roach from across my living room floor. 'Course I tend to put them a bit further away from him, just because he likes the hunt and munch aspect that he doesn't get in his tank.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

Lol barb... he’s crazy staring cuz he’s deciding which one of you he’ll eat first hahaha

I'm thinking the cat's toast then. ROFL!