How To Tell If Your Bearded Dragon Is Dead

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How-To-Tell-If-Your-Bearded-Dragon-Is-Dead

Bearded dragons are fairly hardy pets that can handle a lot of neglect.

However, like all animals, bearded dragons can perish if you don’t take care of them.

It’s not easy to tell if a bearded dragon is dead or just sleeping, so you shouldn’t panic if you suspect something might be amiss with your pet.

Here are some tips to confirm if you beardie is dead.

 

What To Look For

A dead bearded dragon is a sad sight to see, but it can sometimes be hard to tell if your bearded dragon is dead or just sleeping.

If you’re not sure whether your bearded dragon is alive, look for these signs:
Directly touching the bearded dragon is a bad idea as it may lead to infection or other issues. However, you can use a reptile thermometer or infrared thermometer to check and see if they are still alive.

A normal temperature for a bearded dragon is around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature reaches below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then it may be dead.
Also, if the rear end of the lizard darkens in color, then it is also an indication that the lizard might be dead.

The body temperature of a dead bearded dragon will remain at room temperature for about one hour after death.

After about one hour, the body temperature will drop quickly to room temperature.

 

Limbs That Are Knuckled Over

A bearded dragon that is dead will have limbs that are knuckled over.

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If a bearded dragon is dead and it is not obvious, the first thing to look for is if the limbs are knuckled over.

When a bearded dragon is alive, its limbs will be straight, but if it is dead it will be bent over.

 

In addition to looking at the limbs, you can also check the boody of the bearded dragon.

If the body is stiff and its limbs are bent over then it is likely that it is dead.
In addition to checking to see if a bearded dragon is dead, you should also make sure that it has been eating regularly.

If a bearded dragon has not been eating regularly, then it may be a sign that it is close to death.

Change In Skin Colour Or Appearance

Change in skin colour or appearance is one of the most common signs of death in bearded dragons.
If your bearded dragon’s skin starts to change colour, or it starts to look dull and wrinkly, it could be a sign that your dragon is dead, or close to death.
Skin colour changes can be due to a number of factors, including stress, illness, dehydration or exposure to toxins.

If your bearded dragon’s skin starts to look pale or grey, it could be a sign that they are dehydrated.

A change in skin appearance can also be an indication that the dragon is sick. It may not survive unless it’s treated quickly.
So if you notice any changes in your dragon’s skin, be sure to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

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Reptile Smell

Smells are often the first thing people notice when they enter a home.

They can also be useful in determining if a reptile is dead. Reptile smell indicating a bearded dragon is dead can include a strong, putrid odor from their cage or the smell of rotting food if they have died recently.

If you notice your bearded dragon has passed away, you should remove it from its cage immediately. This will prevent it from stinking up the rest of your house.
If you have a bearded dragon that has passed away, please reach out to a reptile expert for assistance with disposing of the body.

 

Conclusion

As mentioned, it can be difficult to tell if your bearded dragon is dead or just sleeping.
While some symptoms of death are obvious, others are not.

The best way to determine if your bearded dragon has passed away is to take it to a reptile specialist.

The vet will confirm the cause of death and ensure that it can be properly cared for.

 

Resources

 www.nyc-reptile-expert.com

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