Stopping a bearded dragon from glass surfing primarily involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause, which often stems from environmental stress, unmet needs, or perceived threats within their enclosure or surroundings. By carefully observing your pet's behavior and making appropriate adjustments, you can help alleviate this common stress indicator.
Understanding Glass Surfing
Glass surfing, also known as "glass dancing," is when a bearded dragon repeatedly scratches, digs, or climbs against the glass walls of its enclosure. While it might look like a funny dance, it's typically a sign of stress, discomfort, or an unmet instinct. Identifying the root cause is key to resolving the behavior.
Common Causes and Effective Solutions
Several factors can trigger glass surfing. Here's a breakdown of the most frequent reasons and how to address them:
1. Enclosure Size and Space
One of the most common reasons for glass surfing is an inadequate enclosure size. Bearded dragons are active creatures that need ample space to roam, climb, and thermoregulate.
- Cause:
- Tank is too small for the bearded dragon's size, leading to feelings of confinement.
- Lack of vertical space or enrichment.
- Solution:
- Upgrade the Enclosure: For adult bearded dragons, a minimum of a 75-gallon tank is recommended, with 120 gallons or larger being ideal. Juveniles can start in a 40-gallon breeder, but will quickly outgrow it.
- Provide Ample Enrichment: Ensure the tank has various climbing opportunities (branches, hammocks), hiding spots, and different textures.
2. Incorrect Temperatures and Lighting
Improper environmental conditions are major stress factors for bearded dragons and can directly lead to glass surfing.
- Cause:
- Basking spot is too hot or too cold.
- Ambient temperatures are incorrect.
- Insufficient or incorrect type of UVB lighting.
- Incorrect day/night cycle.
- Solution:
- Verify Temperatures: Use a reliable digital thermometer with a probe to measure the basking spot (100-105°F or 38-41°C), cool side (75-80°F or 24-27°C), and ambient temperatures.
- Optimize Lighting:
- Provide appropriate UVB lighting (e.g., T5 linear fluorescent bulb with 10-12% UVB output), ensuring it covers a significant portion of the tank.
- Replace UVB bulbs every 6-12 months, as their UVB output diminishes over time even if they still emit visible light.
- Maintain a consistent 12-14 hour light cycle during the day and complete darkness at night.
3. External Stimuli and Recent Enclosure Changes
Bearded dragons can be sensitive to their surroundings and even minor changes within their habitat.
- Cause:
- Seeing their own reflection, other pets (cats, dogs), or people walking by the tank.
- The introduction of new items or a change in the tank's setup.
- Seeing another reptile (if you have multiple).
- Solution:
- Reduce Visual Stimulation:
- Cover three sides of the enclosure (back and sides) with opaque paper, cardboard, or a decorative background to minimize reflections and external views.
- Relocate the tank to a quieter area of the house, away from high traffic or other pets.
- Revert Recent Changes: If the glass surfing behavior started shortly after introducing new items or making changes to the enclosure layout, it's crucial to revert those changes. This might involve removing a recently added decoration from the tank or ensuring that your bearded dragon cannot see a new reptile or pet that has been introduced into your home. Returning the environment to its previous state can quickly alleviate the stressor.
- Reduce Visual Stimulation:
4. Lack of Enrichment or Boredom
Intelligent and curious creatures, bearded dragons can get bored if their environment lacks stimulation.
- Cause:
- Not enough opportunities for climbing, exploring, or digging.
- A static, unchanging environment.
- Solution:
- Add Diverse Decor: Incorporate various branches, rocks, artificial plants, hammocks, and hides. These provide climbing surfaces, places to bask, and areas for security.
- Offer Digging Opportunities: If not already using a loose substrate, consider a reptile-safe substrate (like a 50/50 mix of organic topsoil and play sand) in a portion of the tank to allow for natural digging behaviors.
- Supervised Out-of-Tank Time: Allow your bearded dragon supervised time outside their enclosure to explore a safe, designated area.
5. Hunger or Thirst
Basic needs like food and water can also trigger stress and associated behaviors if not met consistently.
- Cause:
- Not receiving enough food or appropriate hydration.
- Solution:
- Consistent Feeding: Offer a varied diet of appropriate feeder insects (crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae) and fresh, leafy greens daily, according to your bearded dragon's age and size.
- Hydration: Always provide a shallow dish of fresh water. Many bearded dragons don't drink from standing water, so offer regular misting or brief, warm baths (ensure the water level is shallow enough for them to stand comfortably).
6. Health Issues
Sometimes, glass surfing can be a symptom of an underlying health problem.
- Cause:
- Pain, discomfort, parasites, or other illnesses.
- Solution:
- Consult a Veterinarian: If you've addressed all environmental and behavioral factors and the glass surfing persists, or if you notice other signs of illness (lethargy, appetite loss, unusual droppings), it's essential to consult an exotic veterinarian immediately.
Quick Reference Table for Glass Surfing Solutions
| Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Small Enclosure | Upgrade to a 75-120+ gallon tank for adults; ensure adequate climbing/hiding spots. |
| Incorrect Temps/Lighting | Verify basking spot (100-105°F), cool side (75-80°F), proper UVB (10-12% T5), and 12-14 hr light cycle. |
| External Stress/New Items | Cover three tank sides, move to a quiet area, revert any recent enclosure changes (e.g., removing new decor or ensuring no visible external threats like new pets). |
| Lack of Enrichment | Add branches, rocks, hammocks, and hides; offer supervised out-of-tank time; consider a digging substrate. |
| Hunger/Thirst | Provide daily fresh food (insects/greens) and water; offer regular misting or shallow baths. |
| Health Issues | If other solutions fail, or if accompanied by other symptoms, consult an exotic veterinarian. |
By systematically evaluating and addressing these potential causes, you can often successfully stop your bearded dragon from glass surfing and ensure they live a comfortable, stress-free life.
