Do Bearded Dragons Bond? The Science Behind Lizard Love

Why Do Bearded Dragons Bond with Humans?

Ever wondered what makes someone choose a bearded dragon over a Golden Retriever? Or why we might talk about our gecko or skink like it’s our child? Have you questioned whether your bearded dragons bond with you is real? You’re not alone – and science has some fascinating answers about these unique pet relationships.

Can Bearded Dragons Bond with You? Understanding Reptile Relationships

Reptile companionship, where cold-blooded (actually, ectotherm) creatures are warming hearts in ways that might surprise you. These attachments, while different from those formed with traditional pets, often involve unique elements of fascination and admiration.

Research reveals that reptile owners develop genuine emotional connections with our scaly friends, with many considering them full-fledged family members (Azevdeo et al., 2022). And we’re not talking about a small group – a whopping 65.6% of reptile keepers say emotional connection is their primary motivation for having these unique pets (de la Fuente et al., 2023).

What Draws us to Our Reptile Buddies?

But what draws people to reptile ownership in the first place? Beyond the emotional pull, some folks (32%) find these creatures genuinely entertaining, while others (18.2%) appreciate their relatively low-maintenance nature. Just a sprinkling of folks are in it for education (4%) or conservation (1.1%) (see the chart below).

Interestingly, many younger reptile enthusiasts credit their interest to that cool nature documentary or viral video they saw, while young adults often make the leap into reptile parenthood when they get their first place or steady job (RSPCA, 2023).

As it turns out, not many of us reptile owners report that our animals show loyalty, or that they could sense our emotional state, and show they understand us.

However, it turns out that our reptiles may be able to tell between humans they are familiar with as opposed to those they don’t know (Haddon et al., 2021). What do you think? Does your bearded dragon recognise you as opposed to a stranger?

Chart Showing the Reasons we Keep Reptiles

Lizards Win for Bonds but Snakes Win for Beauty

Here’s where it gets really interesting: different reptiles seem to inspire different levels of connection. Lizard owners typically report the strongest bonds (sorry, snake parents!), though snake owners aren’t far behind (Haddon., et al, 2021).

Tortoises, despite their longevity, often inspire slightly different types of attachment (Azevdeo et al., 2022).

Poor old snakes are less frequently viewed as family members and are perceived as having lower communication abilities compared to other reptiles (Azevdeo et al., 2022). Plus, there is this fear issue that many people have with snakes.

However, it turns out the people find snakes and legless lizards as beautiful! The same didn’t hold true for lizards. If the lizard was ugly and feared then we didn’t see it as beautiful.

What Gets in the Way of Bonding with Our Reptiles

Now, let’s be real – reptile parenting isn’t always a walk in the park (actually it often isn’t because they are not all walkable!). Even the most devoted owners sometimes struggle with getting all the care details just right.

The path to forming these bonds isn’t without challenges. Studies indicate that 85% of reptile owners struggle to meet at least one of four essential care needs: temperature, lighting, diet, or refuge (Azevedo et al., 2021). It’s like trying to learn a new language – these scaled sweethearts communicate differently than fur babies, and it takes time to understand their subtle cues.

Additionally, reptiles’ subtle behavioral cues can be difficult to interpret, particularly for inexperienced owners who might mistake stress indicators as normal behavior, like glass surfing.

Why do some of Us have Better Bonds with Our Reptiles than Others?

What makes some people better at forming these unique bonds? Studies suggest it’s a mix of factors, including how much time you spend with your reptile, how well you understand their needs, and even your own personality traits. Those who tend to be more empathetic and open to new experiences often form stronger connections with their reptilian friends (Hawkins & Williams, 2022).

Here are the factors that influence the strength of our bonds with reptiles:

• Which reptile we have: As we saw, lizards tend to be easier to bond with than snakes or tortoises. They just seem to have more personality and are a bit more expressive, which makes connecting with them a little easier (Azevedo et al., 2022). We know that to be true for bearded dragons!
• How much time we spend with our reptiles: The more time we hang out with our reptiles, the better our bond becomes. Regular, positive interactions make all the difference in how close we feel to them (Bayne, 2022).
• When we know how they tick we bond even more: Knowing what makes our reptile tick—like their behaviors, habits, and needs—really helps us understand them better. When we know what they need and how they show it, it makes our bond that much stronger (Azevedo et al., 2014; De la Fuente et al., 2023).
• Seeing a bit of ourselves in them: This goes with pretty much any animal. We like to see our reptiles as having some human-like qualities. We all do it, and it can make us feel more connected. Just remember, though, they might not always feel the same way, so we need to understand their unique cues too (Prato-Previde et al., 2022). This is called anthropomorphism.
• Early Socialization: If our reptiles are used to being handled gently from a young age, they’re usually much more comfortable around us. Starting off on the right foot (or claw!) really helps set the stage for a good relationship.
• Their vibe: Just like us, every reptile has its own personality. Some reptiles are naturally more curious or tolerant of handling, facilitating stronger bonds (Azevedo et al., 2014). It’s all about finding what makes them comfortable and letting them come to us at their own pace.
• Our own ability to empathize makes all the difference: If we’re open-minded, patient, and empathetic, we’re going to find it easier to bond with our reptilian friends. They may not be fluffy, but they’re just as deserving of our care and understanding (Azevedo et al., 2022; Prato-Previde et al., 2022).

Who Would Have Thought We Are So Emotional!

The emotional spectrum of human-reptile relationships ranges from basic appreciation to deep affection. Studies have revealed that over 80% of owners believe their reptiles can experience stress or fear, with 74% acknowledging their ability to feel pain or discomfort (Azevdeo et al., 2022). Yes, we believe reptiles, like our bearded dragons, are sentient beings. Go us!

Perhaps most striking is that 64% of reptile owners consider their scaled companions to be family members, demonstrating the depth of these cross-species bonds.

Do Bearded Dragons Bond Like Traditional Pets?

While we know bearded dragons can recognize familiar humans and show preference through their behaviors (Haddon et al., 2021), the nature of these relationships differs significantly from traditional pets.

When comparing these relationships to traditional pets, research shows that owners who have both dogs and reptiles typically show stronger attachment to their canine companions. Plus, their overall capacity for forming pet bonds tends to be higher than average (Azevdeo et al., 2022).

The foundation of human-reptile relationships shares similar elements with mammalian pet bonds, including aspects of convenience, entertainment, companionship, and responsibility.

Multiple factors influence the strength of human-reptile bonds, including species characteristics, time spent together, owner knowledge, and the individual personalities of both the reptile and owner. Those with higher levels of empathy and openness to experience tend to form stronger attachments to their reptilian pets (Hawkins & Williams, 2022).

In our continued exploration of behaviors, here we looked at whether bearded dragons bond with us. Do they bond with us like cats or dogs might? Tell us what you think in the comments.

References

• Azevedo, A., Guimarães, L., Ferraz, J., Whiting, M., & Magalhães-Sant’Ana, M. (2021). Pet Reptiles—Are We Meeting Their Needs? Animals, 11(10), 2964.
• Azevedo, A., Guimarães, L., Ferraz, J., Whiting, M., & Magalhães-Sant’Ana, M. (2022). Understanding the Human–Reptile Bond: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study. Anthrozoös, 35(6), 1–18.
• Bayne, K. (2002). Development of the Human-Research Animal Bond and Its Impact on Animal Well-being. ILAR Journal, 43(1), 4–9.
• De la Fuente, M. F., de Araújo, B., da Silva Policarpo, I., Borges, A. K. M., Vieira, W. L. S., Pereira Filho, G. A., & Alves, R. R. N. (2023). Keeping reptiles as pets in Brazil: keepers’ motivations and husbandry practices. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19(1).
• Haddon, C., Burman, O. H. P., Assheton, P., & Wilkinson, A. (2021). Love in Cold Blood: Are Reptile Owners Emotionally Attached to Their Pets? Anthrozoös, 34(5), 739–749.
• Prato-Previde, E., Basso Ricci, E., & Colombo, E. S. (2022). The Complexity of the Human–Animal Bond: Empathy, Attachment and Anthropomorphism in Human–Animal Relationships and Animal Hoarding. Animals, 12(20), 2835.
• White, N., & Barber, H. (2017, November 27). Understanding the motivations of beginner reptile owners.