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Table of Contents
As humans, when we know a person or an animal that poses a threat to our life, we try as much as possible to avoid the person so we could stay safe. This is the same thing in all animals. When faced with danger, our system stimulates either the fight or flight mechanism in our bodies. Lizards are no different; this also happens in them; when they are faced with grave danger, they escape. Sometimes it might not be a danger, but if it poses as though it is dangerous, they find a way of escape. This is no science; we all want to live, so do these lovely creatures.
Most birds of prey feast on lizards in the wild and bearded dragons are not left out. These birds tear their prey with their beak till it ends up dead in a mess of blood and flesh. Bearded dragons are a species of lizards, which means they are natural prey for birds of prey. It is only natural for these beautiful creatures, the bearded dragons, to scurry away in fear for their lives when they see a bird. Despite the size of the bird, they would only see it as a threat to their existence. To answer the long-awaited question, “Do bearded dragons get along with birds?” the answer is no, they cannot get along with birds because they would be too scared to do that. It is a good thing that they don’t get along because that would mean they are in a very toxic relationship with the bird because they would end up dead. If you have a bird and a bearded dragon, hide the bird away from the bearded dragon so the bearded dragon doesn’t get too scared.


Do Beardies Like Birds?
Is it possible to like something that would cause your death? I don’t think it is possible. Even in that kind of situation, it is a very hard thing to do. Furthermore, only humans can love what kills them, even though it is a hard thing to do, because of their very developed cerebral cortex and higher intellectual capacity. This is something even the mammals that are in the same family as humans lack, not to talk about reptiles.
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Bearded dragons, just like other reptiles, do not have a high intellectual capacity as well as developed cerebral functions. This only entails that whenever they are faced with something or anything that is dangerous or seems dangerous, they run away. They cannot think, “Is this dangerous?” or “can this thing kill me?” or “maybe it might not be dangerous; maybe I can stay back to watch what it wants to do.” They cannot reflect on their actions; all they can do is run when they feel threatened. This flight mode is activated whenever they encounter a bird, no matter how small it is. Their instincts to run whenever they see a bird kicks in, so they run for shelter or coverage from the bird that they sense is their “threat.” This is why it is not advisable to keep a bearded dragon along with a bird. The bearded dragon will end up being uncomfortable, and it wouldn’t enjoy being domesticated in that kind of way. This only means that a bearded dragon would not only avoid getting along with a bird, but it would also hide throughout the bird’s stay. This only shows one thing, “fear.” Fear and like are not synonyms. The combination is something that can be very sour and feel like sorrow and pain all in one cup. You cannot like what you fear; you can only give it its way. So, no beardies do not like birds; they only fear them.
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What Animals Can You Keep With A Bearded Dragon?
No matter how much we love sharing, there are just some things we can’t share, simply because we feel they belong to us and no one else should have the audacity to use them. This is how many animals see their living spaces. They might not have the ability to be jealous when their living spaces are taken, but they sure can put up a very good fight when they feel they are being cheated by fellow animals. Bearded dragons are just the same in this area, with the same amount of fierceness other animals might exhibit. Despite their calm demeanor, they are not stopped from displaying aggressiveness and anger when they feel like what is theirs is being taken. This is why most animals fight both in the wild and when they are kept as pets. They might fight because of food or because another animal is encroaching into their personal space.
Personal space is very important in most species; they do not go playing around when their ownership of their personal space is being threatened. Bearded dragons are very playful animals, and they need lots of space to be able to do that without being hindered. This is why when bearded dragons are kept with other bearded dragons; it might have consequences that cannot be afforded. When kept with the opposite sex, they might end up breeding and having lots of young ones. When kept with the same sex, they fight for territory or food. This does not mean that they cannot be kept with other animals; it is just a good decision to keep them alone to have a wide space to crawl around. Still, if you still want to find a companion for it, it’s wise to go for animals that it can get along with. Even when getting those animals that get along with it, it’s good to get the ones of the same size, so they don’t prey on each other. Some reptiles that can get along with these beardies are; blue tongue skinks and shingleback lizards, and nocturnal lizards. Why nocturnal lizards are a good choice is because of the timing of their activity, one at night and the other during the day, giving them not much time for interaction. Also, another very good choice when looking for another animal to keep with beardies is a tortoise. This is only a good choice if you have enough space in your reptile tank. Cats, too, are not bad choices, so if you already have a cat and you are planning to get a bearded dragon, it’s not a bad choice.
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Do Bearded Dragons Get Along With Other Animals?
Despite being friendly animals, especially to their owners, it’s however very important to keep them with animals that can get along with them. Bearded dragons are very active animals during the day; they spend most of their time exploring their environment. When they explore, they find new spaces, crevices, and holes to hide in, sometimes for fun when they want to play or for shelter from prey. This is how they spend their whole day, playing with themselves and not looking for company from other animals, except for mating season. Another way they spend their day is being petted by their owners. This cuddling session with their owner is something most bearded dragons look forward to every day.
This only implies that they do not appreciate playing with other animals; they would rather be left alone to their own devices. It cannot be said that they have animals that they get along with. However, it can be said that they tolerate some other animals living with them in the same space. The only way they tolerate these animals is when they are kept in a pretty large area with favorable conditions; this is the only way they can stay with other animals. Although you would not see them playing with the other animal that is kept as their roommate, if the space is wide enough, you would not see them fight with them. This is as much as they can get along with any other animal.
Do Bearded Dragons Get Lonely?
In the human world, some people enjoy their own company but can tolerate a limited amount of contact with other people. Bearded dragons have similar behavior to those kinds of people. They love contact with their human only once in a while. Although they love cuddling whenever they are picked up by their owner, this does not mean they love the contact every time. They have a solitary and shy nature; this means they appreciate their own company more than the company of many other animals. They would rather be left to play on their own, in their personal space, than come out to play or socialize with other animals.
Animals that are solitary and lack social skills prefer being alone, and they are not afraid of the silence or the solitary nature of their hideout. This means, no matter what happens, bearded dragons never get lonely. They prefer being left alone, so if this is done, do not worry about them being lonely. Their solitary nature makes them even more comfortable when kept in captivity. When your bearded dragon is prancing around its tank, searching for nothing but just enjoying itself. Do not be tempted to get it a play buddy because you think it needs company; it doesn’t need company, it needs solitude. The answer to “do bearded dragons get lonely?” is no, they do not. They are solitary animals, so they do not like the constant contact or company, even with their humans that they might have gotten attached to. If they are being fed well, with good living conditions that make it feel like they are still in the wild, then they don’t have any problem being left alone.
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Can Bearded Dragons Live With Chameleons?
Chameleons are solitary animals that enjoy being left to themselves, with little or no handling. They are very solitary animals in nature; they also lack social skills. This means they would rather be alone than being in constant contact with people and other animals. This is why when they are kept as pets; they are kept away from other animals so that they do not get stressed and fall ill, making them somewhat similar to fishes. This character is also found in bearded dragons, as said earlier. Although bearded dragons tolerate or might even enjoy handling more than chameleons. Still, they share the same character when it comes to loving, living in solitude, and avoiding contact with other animals. The external contact being talked about does not exclude other reptiles like them; all contact is almost always prohibited. This solitary behavior is found in all reptiles. It has been said that reptiles should never be kept together even if they are of different or the same type. This is why chameleons should not be kept with a bearded dragon.
So for the question, Can bearded dragons live with chameleons? The answer is not straightforward because it depends on the kind of “living” being referred to. If the living being referred to is keeping them in the same tank, it is advisable to disembark from that kind of thought. It would be very unfavorable to the two reptiles. They live in far different climates when in the wild, and this living condition is usually replicated when they are in captivity—imitating the exact type of humidity and temperature that suits them when they are in the wild. Considering this, you would notice that they would not be able to survive if kept to live in the same tank. If different tanks are the ones in question, if the proximity is much, they might feel threatened, but not all the time. So it is important to observe if they are compatible with living together when in different tanks. It is safe to avoid making them too close to each other, so they do not have to be stressed or feel uncomfortable. If they are kept in the different rooms of the same house, then there is no problem in that because they would both be comfortable in their solitary confinements.
Can Bearded Dragons Live With Turtles?
Bearded dragons are generally and naturally accustomed to their dry habitat, and turtles are aquatic animals. Even though not put in water, they need to be kept in a moist environment for them to be able to function well. Although bearded dragons love swimming in their leisure, still the temperature of water needed by both is different. If they are kept together in one tank, it means that one would be cheated of a favorable living condition, which might lead to sickness or illness in the one that is being cheated. If they both are housed in one tank, there is a high possibility that the humidity might be increased or decreased to favor one, which will be detrimental to the other. In the case where they are in different tanks, it would not be a problem even if the tanks are close to each other. They are both solitary, and turtles have their shells where they can hide; this means it wouldn’t pose a threat to the bearded dragon’s happiness.
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What Do Bearded Dragons Love?
Bearded dragons enjoy it when their living situation in captivity mimics their natural habitat. They would be happy if they have things to climb on and be physically active every day. As solitary animals, they also love having a good place to hide away from prey or just a place to sleep. Just like other pets, they love it when they are treated by their owners with various treats. Despite being accustomed to a dry natural habitat, they love swimming in the water now and then, although this is not frequent. They love it when they are taken out for adventures, to bask under the sunlight to mimic the way they were when in the wild. Most importantly, they love being left alone.
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Bearded Dragon Stress Signs
A bearded dragon being stressed is much similar to a stressed fish. When a bearded dragon is stressed, it will avoid eating whatever food is given to it, including the treats it once loved. Also, some marks would show on its body, somewhat like discoloration, this is called stress marks, and it means it is stressed. There’s also something similar to the stress marks; it is the change of its color to a darker shade. Furthermore, it would avoid coming out to play like it usually does. Instead, it would spend time hiding away and not doing anything. Finally, just like fishes, they use their fingers and claw at their tank when they are stressed. Whenever these things are noticed, it is said that the beardie is stressed.
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Conclusion
Bearded dragons are relatively easy reptiles to handle because of their solitary nature. Once they are fed and given good living conditions, they are happy and content. They are solitary; hence the need for contact every time is not important. This is why it is advisable to keep a bearded dragon alone, in a tank, since it doesn’t fancy social interactions.

Hazel Buckley
About Hazel Buckley
Hazel is an animal enthusiast and educator who grew up on a farm which her parents owned in Ingogo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The farm was situated right under the Majuba Mountains - the site where the Anglo-Boer War was fought.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information published on this website is accurate, the author and owners of this website take no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result of relience upon the information contained therein. Furthermore the bulk of the information is derived from information in 2018 and use therefore is at your on risk. In addition you should consult professional advice if required.