Can Bearded Dragon Swim?

As a bearded dragon owner have you ever wondered if your little reptile can in fact swim in water? You have come to the right place for the answer. To put it simply bearded Dragons can swim.

That is to say, they cannot stay longer in water. Do you want to know more about this matter? Then read our article on can bearded dragon swim.

One thing most bearded dragon owners find surprising is that for an animal that looks it belongs to a desert it does surprisingly well in water.

Most commonly, these small reptiles are known to roam around the vast deserts of Africa and Australia.

Usually, sand creatures like to stay far away from water as they possibly can. But not Bearded Dragon. 

They can stay underwater for a maximum of 15 minutes. However, the real question is do they like to swim? Should you incorporate swimming into your daily activities? You will find answers to all of your questions regarding this matter in our article. So, let’s get to it.

I would advise you to keep a bowl of water in the beardies tank. That way it can get used to the water and its own pace can explore. But note to self, don’t force anything. Some creatures naturally avoid water. So, if your Bearded dragon refuse to get in water, you should respect its choice. Otherwise, it may turn hostile and try to escape.

How To Know if Bearded Dragon Like Swimming

There are a few signs that you might look out for to know whether your bearded Dragon in fact likes swimming. You can easily notice them while giving your pet a bath.  For instance:

While taking a bath they might try to crawl out of the water bowl. Or they might shrink away if water is sprayed on them. Another good way to know if your bearded dragon likes swimming or if will they ever try to take any interest in swimming is by putting a bowl of water inside their tank. Now, observe for a few days.

If after a few days your bearded dragon takes any interest in the water source and goes near it frequently then you can be sure that your pet likes the company of the water. however, if your pet almost always ignores the water pot except for when he has to consume it then know that your beardie doesn’t have much of an interest in swimming.

How your pet enjoys it there but also says a lot here. If while taking a bath they close their eyes and enjoy the feel then it is a clear indication that they like their time in the water. But in the case that they make a fuss at bath time and hiss away, it shows that they have less tolerance for water.

Don’t put extra pressure on your bearded dragon by forcing them to learn swimming.  If they don’t enjoy their time in the water, they won’t savor the moment. 

How Can Bearded Dragon Swim?

So, it is natural that people often get confused and think that bearded dragons are completely ineffective swimmers.  So, many often search the internet for information on how can bearded dragons swim.

Especially since beardies don’t really possess diaphragms like most animals. So, what is a diaphragm?

To put it simply, A diaphragm detaches the chest from the abdomen. But since bearded dragons don’t have them how do they breathe?

The beardies take their breath by using muscles that are located between the ribs known as intercostal muscles. These muscles dilate and contract the bearded dragons’ chests while taking breaths.

When put in any source of water, your bearded dragon will hold its head up and wiggle the body to make a swimming pattern. It moves the lower body to keep its body afloat in the water.

Can Bearded Dragon Swim Deep Water?

Beardies can swim pretty much any water source. Like I have said before they are prominent swimmers. However, they are not natural swimmers. And they are certainly not water-based animals.  So, can bearded dragons swim underwater?

Well, bearded dragons can hold their breath and swim in the water for about 12 to 15 minutes. That’s higher than what humans can do. But we have a diving suit which we can use to dive underwater and explore the wonders.

Bearded dragons don’t have that opportunity. It is true that the paw-shaped hands help them to swim and not to mention the tail that contributes to propelling them.

However, it is no way near enough support to work under deep waters. bearded Dragons cannot stay afloat for more than 15 minutes. So, if they stay underwater more than that they might drown. We would never advise you to take them underwaters. Normal casual light water swims are perfect for them.

Can All Bearded Dragon Swim?

If you are planning to incorporate watery fun activities means your bearded Dragons routine and wondering can bearded dragons swim in a pool or aquarium then you have come to the right place.

Unfortunately, not all bearded dragons can swim.  If it is for survival, they might try to hold themselves in the water.

But if your bearded dragon is from a wild region Anne had no previous training underwater then it might not swim at all.

You need to train your pet when it was a baby. But if your pet is an adult and has been in the desert for a long then there is a hard possibility that it never saw swam before.

The beardie might take an interest in water and then again it might not. Not all animals are the same. So, if not adult, can juvenile bearded dragons swim?

The answer is also the same here. If you have taken your beardie from any desert then chances are he is not accustomed to the water. But he might get used to the water if you train it. That is if he shows any liking to it. All animals have their own personality like us humans. Like humans, you can train it to swim at any age too.

But only if they show any interest. Don’t put any access pressure on it. And don’t use their survival instinct to teach them anything. That is not love. That’s animal cruelty. Swimming is not a primary necessity for them. It is just and recreational activity

Benefits of Swimming

Swimming has many health benefits. It takes care of our physical and mental health. And not to mention swimming helps in development.  It is also true for the bearded Dragons who take an interest in swimming. Overall, we have found 5 benefits of swimming for your beloved pet. Let’s talk about them.

• It aids in shedding
• Stimulates the Environment
• Activity and exercise
• Hydration
• Time in the water often encourages bowel movements

Shedding

Your bearded dragon savors its time under a basking lamp. So, it is important that you set to make that humid atmosphere by setting the right temperature.  But then again too much temp can also harm them. When it begins to look dull, lifeless, and flaky, you can blame the surplus time under that humid atmosphere.

But first, we would advise you to check your thermometer and hygrometer. The inside temperature might not always be the cause here. It could be due to age or any disease also.

But if it is due to the hot atmosphere then you might need to take some steps. Sometimes just its regular bath time in cold may not cut it.  you need to provide the extra moisture that its scales are earning for by incorporating some swim time in the pool.

A quick swim will do the trick. Nothing fancy. The additional hydration from the occasional swim can aid your pet reptile to look fresh and feel great. 

The constant humid environment in its tank sometimes may pull the stored moisture out of its system. In the desert Beardies often go under the sand to protect themselves from the heat. And when comfortable enough they come out.

However, it is quite impossible to create the exact same wild environment at your home. So, you need to make some adjustments.

And that adjustment is the swim time. Moreover, if you use artificial plants instead of living plants, no extra water is entering the enclosure. It sometimes puts a toll on a bearded dragon’s scales. A dip in the water can put the balance back in order.

Shedding is a difficult as well as a stressful time for a beardie. It puts a lot of pressure on the scales. Long baths or swimming can help to access the process better.

 Bowel Movements

Let me give you a heads up. Bearded Dragons poop when they enter the water. I know this is not what you are going for but sometimes you may need to go to these lengths.

Many a time your bearded dragon can end up impacted. It is the result of improper diets and activities. For example, wrong insects’ intake like too many worms or crickets or wrong substance intake.

The humid atmosphere and a nice, relaxing dip can help the impaction smoothly move out of the beardie’s system. This is also the case for female bearded dragons having problems with laying eggs.

The swim calms its body’s muscles. So, she can better settle. Provided that your beardie in fact likes water and doesn’t become stressed out.

Hydration

Hydration is one of the obvious reasons to put your reptile in the water.   As the bearded dragon’s body absorbs the water, its system goes into their GI tracts.  The process aids everything to move along smoothly out of the system.    For a dessert beast beardie often becomes dehydrated. They’re whole system shifts if it happens. So, a nice swim helps to put that extra hydration back in their body.

Enrichment

Pets often get bored.  Four walls don’t interest them for long. Nothing’s more exhausting than similar four-class walls for a long time. Is Without a doubt that you take your pet reptile out of its case and out for a stroll. However, a great everyday recreation is, in fact, can be swimming and you don’t have to put much effort into making that environment too.

 Permitting your beardie, the opportunity for a dip sometimes switches things around. They get to see, smell, feel, AND accomplish something else. That invigorates new muscles (their tail will get an exercise), and it gets their psyche working in new ways.

 All beardies need mental and natural enhancement to remain sound. At the point when you permit them to take swim breaks, you’re taking into account both.

Even if all your pet reptile does is stay float the water for a few minutes, they are still getting the proper stimulation they require.  Moreover, relaxation is always good for brain development.

Bearded Dragon Swim Gym

On the off chance that you are keen on permitting your beardie to swim for work out or fun, think about setting up a swimming center for them. 

A small bath or mini pool are both appropriate for this.  A dip swimming center is basically an activity station that you make using water for recreation.

Filling a small pool with warm to cool water and putting different toys inside for your bearded dragon to get on and swim around is an amazing good source of amusement for them.

I would advise you not to put too much water or too much cold water in the source. 

Assuming the water level is excessively high, you create the opportunity for your reptile to drown. Remember they are not natural water-based animals.

And if you put too much cold water, you create a condition where your beardie can freeze or become ill.  Naturally speaking, these beardies are wild animals, which means they depend on their environmental factors to direct their internal heat levels.  They are used to the heat. Not the cold.

So, should you put chlorine in the pool to help them swim? Can bearded dragons swim in chlorine pools? No, never place your reptiles in too cool water. This compound will aggravate their eyes and is unsafe to them when ingested.

On the off chance that you are using a mini pool or enormous holder outside for your swim gym center for your bearded dragon, filling it with new water from the hose is a simple choice.

It is quite hard to direct the temperature of your hose water.  If somehow that the water coming from the hose is cool, warm it up by adding a couple of gallons of boiling water.

In case you are uncertain whether your hose water is spotless enough for your beardie to play in, add a water conditioner tablet. These conditioners will clean the water and are easily available on the web or at most pet inventory stores. Carefully look for the items like shakes and branches in the swimming pool.

 Indeed, even little floats and kids’ toys are extraordinary augmentations.  These items will give your beardies little islands to swim to and hop on while swimming.

How Often Should I Let My Bearded Dragon to Swim?

When you observe you have a swimming beardie, it is tempting to bring out the mini pool ALL the time.  What’s more, it’s difficult to recall that they’re not water-based creatures.  It is feasible to have an overdose of something that is otherwise good.

Don’t ever stop the shower routine of your bearded dragon. They’re fundamental for cleanliness. What’s more essential a shower and a dip? They’re not exactly the same thing (except if you choose to incorporate the two into one). 

In any case, assuming you need to add a dip into your schedule each and every other week, your pet reptile wouldn’t oppose it. This will keep them hydrated without making them become waterlogged.

FAQ

Conclusion

So, after reading the whole article, now you know the answer to your question can bearded dragons can swim. If your beardie has the personality of frequently hopping into the water then try to incorporate swimming as a fun activity. But always remember not to force it. If they naturally like swimming, they will reciprocate. Habits change and so does hubby. Your juvenile beardie might like swimming but as it grows older it might start to lose interest. Always lookout for the signs and patterns. If the water starts to stress them out then immediately stop the activity.