Why do bearded dragons lick things?

Answer 1

Bearded dragons use their tongues for many purposes. For example, they stick their tongue out to "taste" danger or prey in the air - they can literally "taste" a predator creeping up on them from behind, just by sticking their tongues out. Snakes do the same.

When they stick their tongues out, particles in the air, such as odour particles, latch onto the sensitive tongue. When the tongue is returned to the mouth, chemical receptors in the mouth "process" and identify the particles and determine whether food or danger is nearby.

Most reptiles, bearded dragons included, have a very poor sense of smell. This is why they use their tongues to "taste" what is around them, rather than smelling.

So, when your bearded dragons lick each other, they are actually smelling each other, in a friendly way.

"Oh hello, where you been?"

"The other end of the tank"

*Lliicckkkk* - "Wow tastes great up that end of the tank!"

Answer 2

Sometimes they scratch to wear down their claws.

If they are scratching you, then their claws probably need clipping.

If they are scratching at the vivarium, they either want to come out to see you or the vivarium is too hot for them and they want to cool down.

Answer 3

Bearded Dragons lick things because that their way of feeling. They lick something they don't know of or is new to them.