Let’s get right to the point: why is my bearded dragon licking his lips as if he were going to reveal the most exciting tidbit of information in the reptile community? I initially assumed it was simply a strange little trick my beardie performed to make himself look great. But then I became increasingly aware of it. It happened more than once or twice. It was rather typical. I had questions, of course. Does he have hunger? Does he have a message for me? Do I need to worry? Or are we pet owners overthinking these rare reptilian behaviors? You’re definitely not alone if you’ve observed your scaly friend engaging in the same behavior. This article explores the motivations behind all of that lip-licking, and believe me, there’s more to it than you think.
1. Normal Grooming Behavior (Yep, They’re Just That Clean)
It may surprise you to learn that a bearded dragon licking his lips can actually be his way of cleaning up. He may be trying to remove any leftovers after chowing down on some juicy dubia cockroaches or perhaps some leafy greens. Similar to how we clean our teeth after eating—or at least how we ought to.
Some beardies are tidy freaks who enjoy licking themselves to keep themselves clean. Unless it is quite excessive, there is no reason to be concerned. If so, continue reading.
2. Sensing the Environment (AKA Beardie Detective Mode)
Beardies collect information from their environment by using their tongues. It’s somewhat more licky than when a dog notices about. Your bearded dragon may be “tasting” the air or picking up scents as he licks his lips. The Jacobson’s organ, which aids in their analysis of airborne chemicals, is the organ in charge of this.
Therefore, licking his lips could simply indicate that he is detecting something novel or intriguing in his surroundings, like as a new pet, an object in his tank, or just you!
3. Temperature Regulation
Temperature control is something you most likely didn’t consider at first. Since bearded dragons have cold blood, which sounds much colder than it actually is, they must regulate their body temperature. In addition to helping them control the amount of fluids in their mouth, licking may also be a coping mechanism for heat or dryness.
Your dragon may begin licking his lips more than usual if his tank is a little too warm or dry. Just to be sure, check the humidity and temperature.
4. Shedding Season Shenanigans
It’s time to shed. Beardies may be quite the adventure if you’ve owned one for even a short period of time. Their skin becomes extremely irritable and itchy when they are either mid-shedding or about to shed. To cope with the discomfort, your beardie may lick his lips or the area surrounding his mouth.
Consider it similar to how our lips grow parched throughout the winter. Very bothersome. So, if you see any dry patches around his face while he’s licking, that’s definitely it.
5. Health Issues You Shouldn’t Ignore
Alright, let’s get a little serious now. Lip-licking may occasionally indicate a medical condition, such as metabolic bone disease (MBD), parasites, or a mouth infection. It’s time for a veterinarian visit if your dragon is licking his lips a lot and you also observe swelling or discharge, or if he’s acting strangely (not eating, acting very slow, hiding more than usual).
Another warning sign is if he continues to lick and rub his mouth on objects. Keep an eye out, but don’t freak out.
6. He’s Just Hungry or Curious
Let’s avoid overanalyzing things. Your bearded dragon may occasionally be licking his lips in excitement of food. It’s similar to when we start to sweat when we sense something delicious cooking.
Or he might simply be interested. Beardies are far more intelligent than most people realize. They may lick to explore if anything captures their eye.
7. Hormones and Mating Season Drama
Yes, reptiles also experience the emotions of hormones. Male beardies in particular may exhibit peculiar behaviors during mating season, such as head bobbing, glass surfing, black bearding, and yes, lip-licking. It’s all part of their egotistical, “Hey, look at me!” behavior.
That might be the problem if it’s that particular time of year and he’s also displaying other mating behaviors.
What You Can Do?
So now that you know the “why,” here’s the “what now”:
- Observe his environment – Is anything new or changed?
- Check tank conditions – Temps, humidity, UVB light, etc.
- Look for other symptoms – Is he eating normally? Active? Any visible irritation?
- Offer variety – Switch up his diet occasionally to see if he’s more satisfied.
- Keep it clean – Make sure there’s no leftover food or debris irritating him.
- Vet time – If you’re unsure or it seems out of the ordinary, it’s always better to get a pro’s opinion.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! There are several causes to think about if you’ve been worrying about why your bearded dragon is licking his lips so much. In most cases, it’s quite natural and shouldn’t cause you to lose sleep. However, it all comes down to identifying trends and playing detective, just like with any pet. Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to consult a knowledgeable veterinarian about reptiles if something seems strange.
In all honesty, beardies are quite interesting little animals with far more character than most people realize. Therefore, simply smile a little the next time your spiky friend licks his lips. and perhaps see how he’s doing with snacks.
