Bearded Dragon Googly Eyes: Should You Be Worried? - Beardie basics (2023)

Every now and then a bearded dragon pokes out their eyes. While this can be alarming, especially when you first see it, it is typical behavior.

Usually, the googly eye lasts for a moment before your bearded dragon returns to normal. Nobody really knows why they do it, but a few theories are floating around.

In this article, we examine the possible reasons why bearded dragon eyes pop out so you can figure out why your bearded dragon's eyes look slightly different.

Anatomy of the Bartagamenauges

A bearded dragon's two eyes are located on the sides of its skull. Because of their location, bearded dragons can see more than humans and have broader vision.

In humans, with our eyes forward, our focus is on what lies ahead. Although some peripheral vision reaches our shoulders, we have to move our body or neck to change what we see.

With bearded dragons, they can see over their shoulders and in front of them at the same time.

You may also have heard that bearded dragons have a third eye! This is barely visible and isn't like your other two eyes. This third eye appears as a gray patch between his other eyes and the top of his skull.

IsBearded dragons third eyeit will not bulge! Although it has no vision, it is vital to the bearded dragon's survival. It recognizes changes in light, protecting the bearded dragons from predators and regulating their circadian rhythm.

Bearded Dragon Googly Eyes: Why Does It Happen?

There are many fascinating behaviors when it comes to bearded dragons. However, the bearded dragon's bulging eye is one of its most intriguing and unusual behaviors.

It can be unsettling and disconcerting when you see the bulging eyes of a bearded dragon; Realistically, nobody knows why they do it. Experts are trying to figure out why this is happening, but have a few theories.

Possible reasons are:

• Asupport the relocation process
• Because of high blood pressure
• eye problems
• yawning
• genetic traits

Let's take a closer look at these.

To support the molting process

The most debated theory about bearded dragons' protruding eyes relates to the molting process.

Bearded dragons are believed to pout their eyes to loosen up the tight skin around the eyes and on the eyelids in preparation for molting. Experts believe this is because bearded dragons tend to do this more frequently when they are younger and baby dragons shed much more frequently than adults.

Unlike snakes with their one-piece scales, bearded dragons shed in different places, making it more difficult. In addition, there are often stubborn dandruff that take longer to disappear. This is usually in the tail area and around the toes but can also affect the face.

The molting process isn't pleasant either, so the protruding eye could help speed it up so it ends quicker.

Before, during or after the shed?

Some bearded dragon owners report their beards bulging before and during the molting process. However, some report that this happens for a short time after the shed is completed.

This could be explained by the fact that the bearded dragon ensures that all loose skin is removed.

hypertension

Although bulging eyes can be a normal behavior, they can also be a concern. Another expert reason suggests that high blood pressure could cause bulging eyes.

Some other lizards, like the horned lizard, are known to raise blood pressure behind their eyes to defend themselves. Bearded dragons can do this too.

There is no concrete evidence for this theory. Still, it would be logical to assume that the bulging eyes of bearded men could also be due to this.

However, if your bearded man is doing this for more than an hour or several times in a short period of time, you should have his blood pressure checked by a reptile vet.

eye problems

Another reason bearded men have protruding eyes could be due to actual eye problems. This can be as simple as an itch, a foreign object in the eye, or a bacterial infection.

If you suspect an infection, whether bacterial or fungal, you should always have your bearded dragon checked out by a reptile veterinarian.

A bearded dragon eye infection can also show swollen, bulging eyes.

Yawning and bulging eyes

Many bearded dragon owners think that bulging eyes occur when a bearded dragon yawns or after they yawn. But then again, there's no evidence to support this theory, so it could be a connection.

genetic traits

Sometransform bearded dragonshave more bulging eyes than other episodes. Silkbacks are notorious for this, and it's perfectly normal behavior to googly-eyed at these morphs.

It's just something they do and has nothing to do with the presence of a foreign body or high blood pressure.

What do bearded dragons googly eyes look like?

If you've heard of it but never seen it, you'll be surprised.

The bulging eye that bearded dragons make is quite memorable and not subtle at all. You should familiarize yourself with what it looks like so you don't mistake an eye infection for a simple nodule.

Do all bearded dragons have protruding eyes?

Although all bearded dragons will likely bulge their eyes, some will not do so at all.

Some bearded dragons often buckle, others rarely or never. So it might be possible to have a bearded dragon and not see his googly eyes until a few years later.

It's coincidence: you can see a googly eye several times in a row and never see it again.

How long do bulging eyes last?

If you notice a bearded dragon's eyes popping out, it will likely take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. After that, you probably won't see them for a while.

You may see your pet doing this for over an hour from time to time, especially if you are trying to loosen all of the skin around the eyes to shed them.

You can still see this when you're not moving for other reasons. However, in terms of time head start, they are generally short.

Are Bearded Dragons' Bulging Eyes Unhealthy?

Most bearded dragons have protruding eyes for innocuous reasons. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your beard. However, as always, if you're concerned, have your bearded dragons checked out.

After all, nobody really knows what causes bulging eyes, so it's worth getting checked out by your doctor.

If the eye bulge occurs from a fall, it's probably nothing to worry about. However, if bearded ones show this behavior for several days and do not go through the molt, you should seek advice.

It's probably nothing sinister, but it's always best to get it checked out.

Is there anything I can do to help bearded protruding eyes?

There isn't much you can or should do when your bearded man has bulging eyes. However, if you're concerned about your barber's blood pressure or his eyes popping out repeatedly for more than an hour, it's probably good to see a veterinarian.

Whatever the reason, it's a good idea to take this opportunity to check out your bearded dragon's habitat to make sure it's set up properly. That meansControl of temperature and humidity.

Regarding the temperature, you need to check that it is right in the coolest areas of the enclosure and in the basking spot. You can buy some relatively cheap temperature guns online if you don't have a reliable temperature gauge.

As far as humidity is concerned, it is also important to get it right. Although shedding is natural, bearded dragons will find it difficult to shed if the humidity is not right, which can result in more bulging eyes.

Signs of eye problems in bearded dragons

Healthy bearded dragons have bright, clear, and alert eyes.

Aside from the bump in the eye, there may be other things wrong with your bearded dragon's eyes.

If you notice dull eyes, it could be due to molting or it could mean something isn't quite right. If there is a discharge, it likely indicates that there is an infection that needs treatment.

Swollen eyes

Suppose your bearded dragon has a swollen eye instead of an eye bump. In this case, it could be due to hypervitaminosis A, which means they've been consuming too much vitamin A.

Vitamin A is important for a healthy immune system and contributes to organ and eye health. However, bearded dragons can also consume too much. This is unlikely to be the case if you feed your bearded man an appropriate diet and do not supplement him with vitamin A.

However, you should pay attention to foods that are rich in vitamin A and not overfeed your beloved darling.

eye injury

If your bearded man has an injury or a scratch on his eye, you can see his eye is swollen. Because even bearded dragons close their eyes with such injuries.

Here are some common reasons for eye injuries:

• bad substrate
• Sharp objects in close proximity
• Live food not eaten on site.

Using a loose particulate substrate like sand can cause eye irritation. In this case, you should change the substrate to, for example, reptile carpet or ceramic tiles and then get eye drops from your reptile vet.

To avoid this and use a solid substrate, be sure to remove uneaten live feeder insects after 20 minutes. Released insects can cause damage when they attack.

Cancer

Another possible eye problem is due to tumors. These can be growths around the eye or in the eye itself. But again, you'll need to take your bearded dragon to the vet if you suspect tumors.

Final Thoughts on the Bearded Dragon's Googly Eyes

While it's hard to say why your bearded dragon's eyes are popping out, it's important to remember that most of the time it's completely harmless.

First, it could be due to skin shedding or some other innate behavior to regulate blood pressure.

All you need to do is monitor your bearded dragon and see a vet if the bulging eye lasts for more than an hour.

It's also important to know what bulging eyes look like so you don't confuse puffy eyes with the bulging eyes of a bearded man.