Can Bearded Dragons Absorb Water Through Their Skin?
When a Bearded Dragon appears to be raising its level of hydration when submerged in water, it can give the impression that the skin is absorbing water, but it is generally the vent that is taking in the water and replenishing the Dragon’s hydration levels. Bearded dragons do not absorb water via their skin. This myth stems from the unique hydration tactics used by bearded dragons, such as water droplet storage and water intake through their vent.
The vent is the orifice through which a bearded dragon urinates and defecates; it is found on the underside of your bearded dragon towards the base of its tail.
Bearded dragons are desert lizards that are endemic to the arid and warm environment of Australia. Water and hydration are essential parts of every animal’s nutrition and health, even if they are found naturally in a dry area. Bearded dragons do not absorb water via their skin. This myth stems from the unique hydration tactics used by bearded dragons, such as water droplet storage and water intake through their vent.
Can bearded dragons absorb water through their vent?
Yes, Bearded dragons hydrate through their vent. They can drink through their vent if they are dehydrated and in other ingenious ways. If you want to give your bearded dragon a cool way to get water, you can put a bowl of ice in their tank and let them drink through the vent. Bearded Dragons are not able to drink through their skin. They can absorb water through their vent.
How Does My Bearded Dragon Absorb Water If Not Through Their Skin?
Bearded dragons can absorb water through their vent which is why they don’t drink much. However, there are other ways they can absorb water and stay hydrated.
Absorption through Soaking
Bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin, but they also have the ability to soak it up. They will often soak up a small amount of water and then play on it for a while.
It’s commonly known that placing your bearded dragon in a warm pool of water can help it stay hydrated, but why? Bearded dragons urinate and defecate through a vent on their underside at the base of their tail, however, the same vent may also be utilized to take in water if necessary, which contributes to the misconception that bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin.
Bathing your bearded dragon at least once a week should already be part of your routine, especially if you don’t provide your bearded dragon with a new pool of water every day. Baths and soaks are an important way for bearded dragons to stay hydrated, either by mouth or via the vent, and keep the skin moisturized, which helps with appearance and shedding.
Regular baths and soaks not only allow for appropriate hydration procedures but also assist keep them free of any bacteria, which is an important component of maintaining their health. If you’re worried that your bearded dragon isn’t getting enough water and maybe dehydrated, consider giving it more frequent baths or a soaking dish filled with fresh water every day.
Absorption Through Misting
Bearded dragons don’t soak water through their skin but they are able to absorb water through their face and eyes. It catches droplets on the head with its outstretched tongue and then takes them into the mouth.
Bearded dragons are able to absorb water by tilting their entire body up and forward. They then quickly close their mouth, which allows the water to run down their body and into their mouth.
One method of hydration is through misting. Mist your bearded dragon to assist in hydration. Bearded dragons absorb water through their skin.
This practice is more frequent in wild bearded dragons since it is employed as a survival tactic to battle thirst in the desert, but your pet bearded dragon may participate in this intriguing ritual on occasion as well because some bearded dragons prefer not to drink from water dishes or bowls. If you don’t want to give your bearded dragon a soaking dish, you can spray their body once a day to keep them hydrated.
This practice of misting water over your bearded dragon’s body has led to the belief that bearded dragons can absorb water through their skin. While this would be an intriguing method, it is not the case with bearded dragons. When misting your bearded dragon, be sure to use warm water rather than cold.
Absorption Through Food Consumption
Bearded dragons depend on a balanced diet to maintain water and protein needs. They absorb water through their food consumption, which is why it’s important to provide them with a variety of vegetables, fruits, and greens.
Bearded Dragons can absorb water through food consumption. The different types of fruit and vegetables contain a certain amount of moisture that will assist your bearded dragon in staying properly hydrated.
Bearded Dragons drink water through their mouth and absorb it into the body.
Conclusion
They do not absorb water via their skin, but only through their vent and/or if it is given to them orally. Misting isn’t necessary unless they’re swallowing the water droplets. Misting your beardie while in the tank, as previously said, might enhance the humidity level, therefore this is not recommended.
Always stay with your bearded dragon when washing them. If the infants are left unattended, they may drown.
Another approach to keep your beardie hydrated is to sprinkle water over their vegetables on a daily basis. Due to the heat, this will also assist the vegetables to remain fresher longer in the tank.
