Do Bearded Dragons Yawn?

[maspar]

My friend brought a beardie (HenryLawsoni) about two weeks ago. Everything seems to be going well. He eats alot, is very active and is having his first shed... but a few days ago we saw him 'yawning'? It really just looks like a yawn. Then after that he hiccups a few times.

We'd only seen him do it once or twice, so we thought maybe it was just something they did. Then this morning when he woke up, he did it about five times over a 20min period.

He seems to be well. No other signs of an RI. So yes, my question is, is this normal for beardies?

Thanks

 

[the moof]

3 points of interest.

how hot is it where he's sitting? typically reptiles will "yawn" when they experience high levels of heat in a certain area

how old is he? Beardies start doing this more and more as they mature, and it can be part of sexual preperation

the "hiccups" you note, what do they look like? can you describe them? is it like a head bobbing? that would also indicate that he is becoming more mature.


in answer to your fundamental question though: yes, all reptiles sometimes yawn, not as a demonstration of fatigue, but more as a communication usually.

best regards,
Mark

 

[maspar]

Thanks for your reply

He's only about... 7 weeks old, I'd say.

The hiccups are just like a persons hiccup. Sort of body shuddering and jumpy like. Not just located in his head. Doesn't look like head bobbing.

The temp would be about 37c on the warm side, right up near the light, so 98f. He's got a 30 gallon tank with lots of levels and hides to escape the heat or get up closer to it

So they can yawn Cool. I was trying to google it and didn't come up with much. I figured lizards may 'yawn' for one reason or another... but I do wonder if this is a RI. My friend found a reptile vet (yay) and has made an appointment. Hopefully it's nothing... It's better to be safe though

Thanks again for your answer

 

[the moof]

yeah, doesn't sound like anything severe

nobody actually knows why we yawn really. theories have been passed which say that it is a primordial form of communication that it is time to sleep. haha. i don't really know much on the topic unfortunately.

 

[maspar]

I yawn because it's fun to make other people yawn in responce That and I'm just lazy most of the time... *yawns*

Glad you don't think it's anything to serious though. Thanks for your help

We'll get him checked out just incase, but hopefully it's nothing.

 

[Allstar]

I haven't seen them yawn (I have four). I had one hiccup a couple times but he ended up puking his mealworms up, but those are hard for some dragons to digest. Just be on the look out of what they are feeding him. Somethings are tougher for the to keep down.