So you are watching TV with your Beardie as it rests on your shoulder. Then, all of a sudden, you feel a bubbling sensation come from your lizard’s underside. A small sound of wheezing and whisping follows this sensation. It’s the strangest thing because you’ve never heard it before from your Bearded Dragon.
Well, do Bearded Dragons actually fart? Yes, they do. It’s very common for them to do this after a good meal and just before they have to go drop a deuce. It’s a sign they’re healthy and have the right amount of food and water intake. Therefore, don’t freak out; it’s just a natural process for them, like most other living beings.
Do Bearded Dragons fart?
Upon perusing online videos online about Bearded Dragons, you will find an amazing number that features these lizards performing monster air biscuits. Although infantile and hilarious at the same time, it does provide irrefutable proof that Bearded Dragons fart.
You wouldn’t think a small thing like a Beardie would break such an enormous wind, but they do. The plethora of online forums about this stinky subject confirms the visual evidence. And the experience stories from owners are unending, with some downright fit for a comedy skit.
Everyone Farts
Although it may seem like a strange prospect, all creatures with complex digestive systems, including Bearded Dragons, can, do, and will fart. As a matter of fact, it’s probably a good thing they do. This allows them to release any air they might have swallowed while eating.
Endogenous vs. Exogenous Gasses
Endogenous gasses are those produced from inhaling air from the immediate environment. Since carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen primarily compose inhaled gases, they make exogenous air while eating. These gasses must experience release to relieve discomfort.
Therefore, Bearded Dragons will be flatulent and produce endogenous gas, comprising substances like oxygen and methane. Endogenous gasses are what the body produces upon breaking down food and processing inhaled air.
How often do Bearded Dragons fart?
Bearded Dragons will pass gas on occasion; it’s not something you should often expect or with any amount of frequency. However, sometimes, a Beardie will fart to relieve itself of excess air and gas pressure. As a matter of fact, most lizards do.
Scientific Awareness of; Attention to Beardie Farts
But, it’s interesting to note that there is a certain amount of attention around Beardie farts. In recent years, the scientists at Queen Mary’s College in London found it necessary to actually track all the animals on earth which break wind.
There really is a publicly viewable spreadsheet on Google Docs detailing such things. Bearded Dragons made it onto the list, so they must do it often enough for scientists to notice it. And, if you refer to the online forums about the topic, they take their owners by surprise when they do.
Does it mean something is wrong when a Bearded Dragon farts?
When your Bearded Dragon executes a rear-end blowout, it’s a perfectly normal and natural function. All it means is that your lizard’s colon is breaking down food. Some of it needs more digestive activity to make it into useful energy. This shouldn’t be cause for too much alarm or concern.
Bloating; Excessive Farting
However, if bloating accompanies frequent farting, then there could be a digestive issue taking place. It could be parasites or some other bacterial infection. So bloating is a sign of something definitely more serious going on and could signal fatality ahead.
In these instances, you should take your lizard to the vet right away. This will be especially true when the physical puffiness accompanies lethargy, a loss of color, and not drinking enough water.
Conclusion
As you can clearly see, Bearded Dragons can and do fart. It’s a sign they’re in good health and getting the right diet. So, this activity is completely normal, albeit a strange, awkward, and, sometimes, hilarious event. But, this is true for any living creature with a good, robust and complex digestive system.
Although this shouldn’t happen often, make sure that your Beardie isn’t experiencing constipation or other digestive ailments. Signs of bloating can indicate something more serious is afoot. In the event this happens or when in doubt, contact your vet and make an appointment as soon as you can.
FAQs
Is there any odor when Bearded Dragons fart?
Sometimes there will be a horrid odor when your Beardie farts. This is because of the methane and other gasses produced, which create that classic flatulent smell. But the good news is you shouldn’t smell or even hear the fart every time your lizard lets one loose.
What should I do when my Bearded Dragon farts?
There’s nothing to do per se, but you may want to grab a napkin, tissue, or paper towel if you can’t put your Beardie back in its cage. This is because a fart means they are about to defecate, and you don’t want them doing that on your shoulder, furniture, or carpeting.
Why do Bearded Dragons fart?
Bearded Dragons have varied diets that include meat, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Certain foods require more robust digestive activity. The gut enzymes and bacteria combined with such a variety will inevitably produce a fart from time to time.
Why isn’t my Bearded Dragon farting?
If you suspect your Bearded Dragon isn’t farting, you may be feeding it too much meat and not enough plant material. It could also be due to things like dehydration, parasites, or a poor quality substrate. For dehydration and substrate, check out the situation and observe your Beardie. When you have any doubt, call the vet.
When will Bearded Dragons fart?
Most of the time, Beardies will fart when they about to or while they defecate. This isn’t in the same manner as humans, where we’ll pass gas without needing to use the toilet. This is because of the bacteria and enzymes that comprise a Bearded Dragon’s digestive system when processing and breaking down food.
