Is Wrinkled Bearded Dragon Skin Normal? How To Tell and Diagnose

One day, your bearded dragon could just be relaxing, taking up the much-needed warmth from his or her heat lamp. Then, the next day, you’re filled with fear when you see your little one isn’t looking quite right. When this happens, owners wonder if it is natural for the skin of their bearded dragon to wrinkle?

If you notice your bearded dragon’s skin becoming wrinkled, this can, unfortunately, be a sign that they aren’t well. Many bearded dragons develop wrinkles because their skin does not extend as much as other creatures’. As a result, if you see this with your lizard, you should seek immediate advice from your local reptile vet since this can be an indication that they are sick or dehydrated.

Continue reading to learn more about whether it is normal for a bearded dragon to have wrinkled skin, why bearded dragons get wrinkled skin, whether it is an indication of an illness, if they will survive, and more.

Is It Normal for A Bearded Dragon to Have Wrinkled Skin?

Typically, no, it is not considered normal for a bearded dragon to develop wrinkled skin. Overall, the amount of wrinkles on a bearded dragon’s skin is determined by weight and moisture, not age.

As a result, your bearded dragon’s wrinkled skin suggests that he or she is dehydrated, underweight, or both. So, while a small amount of wrinkled skin is ok, if there is a significant amount, you should act quickly.

Typically, wrinkly skin on a bearded dragon is an indication of a more serious underlying health ailment. As a result, it is best to determine the cause of the wrinkly skin immediately in order to get your bearded dragon on the best treatment plan and back on the path to peak health.

Why Does My Bearded Dragon Have Wrinkled Skin?

While younger bearded dragons are known to have more wrinkled skin, a dragon with excessive wrinkles is most likely dehydrated.

In order to try rectifying the situation and hydrate your reptile, one can try misting the bearded dragon’s enclosure. This trick can also work to rule out the fact that your bearded dragon isn’t suffering from a more serious health issue.

If your bearded dragon’s wrinkles appear to improve after a few days of misting, your lizard was simply dehydrated.

Misting every now and then is totally safe for your dragon because it raises the humidity levels in your habitat. If you don’t want to interfere with your tank’s humidity levels, consider spraying in a Tupperware container.

Is My Bearded Dragon’s Wrinkled Skin an Indication That Their Sick?

Owners should take note that typically, a bearded dragon’s skin should remain tight and not wrinkled. Therefore, wrinkled skin in an adult beardie can signify a more serious health condition like dehydration, metabolic bone disease, and more.

If My Bearded Dragon Has Wrinkled Skin, Will They Survive?

There should be no reason to be concerned about your bearded dragon’s lifespan if owners discover their bearded dragon’s skin has begun to wrinkle and act quickly to investigate the source and remedy the condition.

However, like with all living things, if you ignore this indicator that your lizard isn’t feeling well, things can swiftly spiral out of control, and could possibly even result in the bearded dragon’s death.

Final Thoughts

If you see your bearded dragon’s skin wrinkle, this can, unfortunately, be an indication that they could be sick or dehydrated. As a result, if you notice this in your lizard, you should contact your local reptile vet for assistance in diagnosing the problem.

After all, weight, and moisture, not age, dictate the number of wrinkles on a bearded dragon’s skin. However, wrinkly skin on a bearded dragon can also indicate a more significant underlying health problem. As a result, it’s critical to figure out what’s causing your bearded dragon’s wrinkled skin as soon as possible so that you can put them on the best treatment plan and nurse them back to full health.