Quick Take
- A bearded dragon's wave looks friendly, yet what it actually signals could mean the difference between survival and a lethal confrontation. See what waving signals →
- Central bearded dragons have a gesture that does the opposite of their famous beard display, and this distinction is everything during a territory dispute. Explore beard vs. wave gestures →
- There's a specific reason these lizards default to visual signals over physical fights, and that reason has nothing to do with avoiding pain. Discover why visual signals win →
- Two bearded dragons spotting each other from a distance must immediately 'say' the right thing. Otherwise, the encounter can go very wrong. See how first contact unfolds →
All animals communicate in one way or another. Whether it’s vocally or visually, there are so many messages that can be conveyed through simple actions. One example of a unique communicator is the central bearded dragon and their small waves. This YouTube video by David Martin shows one of these lizards waving their arms. Read on to learn more about why they do this.
When the central bearded dragon expands its throat, it becomes a nearly black color.
©Sara Stanojevic/Shutterstock.com
How Central Bearded Dragons Communicate
Central bearded dragons have a few ways that they communicate with each other, and they are all important for their survival. Found in Australia’s woodlands and scrublands, these reptiles live on lots of open land with plenty of visibility. Because of this, long-distance visual communication is one of the most effective ways for them to settle disputes without escalating to physical contact. Since fights can waste energy and lead to injury, this can truly be a lifesaver. In the video above, the central bearded dragon is seemingly waving. While a friendly gesture to humans, it’s a display of submission for these lizards. Most often done by smaller and less dominant lizards when encountering a larger individual, it advertises that they are not competing for territory or social status. This lowers the chance of aggression.
This message of submission is a clear example of intra-species recognition, where members of the same species communicate. When two central bearded lizards spot each other at a distance, the gesture signals awareness of the others presence, and establishes an understanding between the two. Other gestures can signal the opposite of understanding. For example, when one lizard bobs its head, it’s signaling dominance and ownership over territory. Another example is their expandable beards. Central bearded dragons can inflate their throats, which will darken to a nearly black color. This creates a much more intimidating appearance used during disputes such as courtship rivalries or territorial conflicts. All of their amazing forms of communication highlight how these solitary lizards find ways to exchange important information with each other.
