Do Bearded Dragons Like to Be Held?

“Most that have acclimated well to captivity seem to at least not mind being held,” says Mark Pyle, a reptile educator and the former president of the DFW Herpetological Society in Texas.  

A few signs a bearded dragon wants to be picked up: 

• Approaching you when you open their enclosure 
• Staying calm when you approach them 
• Walking toward you or even climbing onto your hand 
• Relaxing their body language 

A few signs they’re not comfortable: 

• Running away or hiding  
• Puffing out their beard while it turns black (called black bearding) 
• Hissing or gaping their mouth 
• Thrashing their tail or twitching it rapidly 
• Flattening their body into a defensive posture 
• Rapid head-bobbing or arm-waving 

Reptiles may look like tiny dinosaurs, but even a small fall can cause big injuries.    

First off, wash your hands before and after handling. It protects you and your other pets from illness that can be shared, like salmonella.  

Then you should:  

• Approach your bearded dragon slowly from the side.   
• Hold your hand to the ground in front of them. Some beardies will walk right onto it.  
• If they don’t, you can scoop them up with both hands under their belly, while making sure you support their legs at the same time.  
• Baby bearded dragons may be small enough to be held in one hand, but make sure something soft, like a pillow cushion, is below them in case they jump.   
• Never flip any bearded dragon over onto their back.   
• Do not hug your bearded dragon close to your body. Some might be more cuddly than others, but you should never squeeze them.  

Beardies need to learn to trust you. Young dragons tend to move faster and are a bigger fall risk than older, calmer ones, so take extra precautions.  

Make sure the room is quiet and put any cats or dogs in a different room.   

“Like most baby animals they are very wary of dangers because of their small size,” Pyle says.  

In the end, like adult beardies, it might just depend on their personality and level of trust.  

Of course, not all bearded dragons want to be held. It’s up to you to read their body language. If you have a beardie who likes their alone time, there are other ways to give them enrichment.  

Even if picking up your bearded dragon isn’t an option, most still like being pet and getting gentle scratches, even in their enclosure. This activity also builds trust. 

A variety of basking areas and platforms gives your dragon options for exploration and thermoregulation. Bearded dragons love climbing, so a couple of nets at different heights can also be good. 

A bearded dragon’s diet is mostly live insects and vegetables. Treats include kale and various worms. Fruit may be treats, but experts stress that they should be given once a week maximum, as dental disease and gastrointestinal issues can be a serious issue with bearded dragons.  

• Watermelon  
• Apple 
• Blueberries 
• Strawberries  
• Carrots 
• Peas 
• Green beans 
• Waxworms 
• Hornworms 
• Butterworms 
• Black soldier fly larvae 

You can set up an outdoor supervised play area in an exercise pen for dogs (just make sure the gaps are not large enough for your beardie to fit through) or in a catio. Use rocks and logs inside to give your beardie things to climb on. 

Every bearded dragon has their own personality, and part of bonding with them is learning how they like to interact with you.  

Whether your beardie loves going for shoulder rides or just wants a nice head scratch, respecting their preferences will keep your beardie stress-free and happy. 

Can kids hold a bearded dragon?  

Children’s hands typically aren’t big enough to make a bearded dragon feel safe, so it’s best for adults to handle them.  

Do bearded dragons like to be cuddled? 

Possibly! The safer they feel around you, the more likely they are to curl up next to you—especially when you’re warmer than the air around them.  

Do bearded dragons get clingy? 

Beardies don’t have the same mental and emotional capacity as dogs or cats, so the likelihood of them being “clingy” is pretty low. 

Do bearded dragons pick a favorite person? 

They might, but it might be just as likely that the “favorite” person is the one who’s calmest and makes them feel safest. 

Are bearded dragons friendly? 

Every beardie is an individual, but many are quite friendly and interested in interacting with their humans.