Bearded dragons: does naturalistic enrichment really change their behaviour?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The bearded dragon is one of the most widely kept terrarium reptiles, and the question of enriching its enclosure comes up often: does a richer setup really change its behaviour, or is it mostly a comfort for the keeper? A UK study published in 2025 gives a fairly clear answer. Our setup guidance is gathered on the bearded dragon profile and in the reptile toys and enrichment section.
A study comparing standard and enriched terrariums
Alexandra Crisante, Anna Wilkinson, Trenton Pike, Sam Rickman and Oliver Burman published a study in 2025, in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, on the effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour and welfare of bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) (see the study). The researchers compared bearded dragons housed in standard terrariums to individuals housed in enriched terrariums, then ran a preference test between several types of setup.
What the comparison shows
Bearded dragons in enriched terrariums were more active and showed fewer signs of behaviour associated with anxiety than those in standard terrariums. In the preference test, the animals chose naturalistic enrichment (branches, terrain features, varied substrate) far more often than artificial enrichment or no enrichment at all. Individuals in standard terrariums also spent more time interacting with the enclosure walls — a behaviour treated as a sign of poorer welfare — than those in an enriched environment.
- Favour naturalistic-looking enrichment (wood, rock, plants, features to climb) over artificial items: this is the type that drew the clearest preference in the study.
- Watch for glass- or wall-directed behaviour as a warning sign: its frequency drops sharply once suitable enrichment is provided.
- Don't reserve enrichment for young dragons: the study looked at adult animals, and the behavioural benefits measured aren't limited to the growth phase.
This finding builds on our existing guidance on insect-hunting enrichment for bearded dragons. See also the dedicated toys and enrichment page on the bearded dragon profile.
Frequently asked questions
Is artificial enrichment (plastic toys, coloured tunnels) useless?
It isn't useless, but the study shows a clear preference for naturalistic decor when both options are available: on a limited budget or time, a more natural setup is the choice best supported by the results.
Is wall-directed behaviour dangerous for a bearded dragon?
It isn't described as dangerous in itself in the study, but it is linked to poorer welfare and is worth treating as a signal to address rather than ignore.
Does an existing standard terrarium need a full overhaul?
Not necessarily all at once: gradually adding natural elements (a branch, a terrain feature, a hide) and watching behaviour is a safer approach than a complete redesign. Find all our guides on the reptile hub.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Ventilated clear box for feeder insects, transport and quarantine, 19 cm (€17.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
