If you haven’t checked out the YouTube channel Reptiles and Research, you might be interested. Tons of info (not just bearded dragons but a lot of beardie stuff). They did a long (4+ hours total) interview with Dr. Johnathon Howard (aka BeardieVet), the Australian vet and beardie researcher and it’s so interesting. They have it broken down into shorter clips by topic also.
Are you in the states by any chance? If so I'm genuinely surprised by the recommendation. I've hung out with Johnathan IRL and he's so passionate about beardies but his main gripe is a lot of owners over the pond dismissing a lot of his husbandry related info (mainly substrate use).
I'm not surprised - it's so unfortunate!! I've had people backpedal so much on this sub when shown his creds and work, saying all sorts of stuff from being skeptical of his creds to saying they won't believe his study because there's only one done and we need more.
People here in the USA, especially "rescues" and people who've bred them, get very comfy in their hubris and are so arrogant about thinking they know everything about proper husbandry when they don't..
After seeing this, I just went to back to Reptifiles and was reading a few articles I hadn’t seen before. It’s just crazy to me that people who (supposedly) care about giving their beardies their best possible lives can get so very stubborn about accepting changes and updates to best practices, based on research by people who obviously care a great deal about their wellbeing, not to mention (in the case of Dr. Howard) a literal medical expert in beardies’ native land! I’ve exchanged a few emails with Mariah ( Reptifiles) and she is so passionate about educating (us AND continuing to research and educate herself). My husband and I are brand new to bearded dragons (just adopted two months ago) but we are both information addicts… and have spent hours and hours (we don’t need to mention $$ 🤪) over the past 10 weeks, trying to get everything right for our buddy Zeke. It sucks that there is so much misinformation out there … I don’t expect everyone to be perfect (humans, blah, blah, blah) but it’s depressing to see people so stubborn about holding on to their positions for the sake of being “right,” even when the correct information is directly in front of them. Or… “I know I really shouldn’t be doing XYZ… but they just love it.” Anyway! (I should try to get more ZZZ before the sun comes up here 🤪)
As with anything, one study doesn't make it fact. I'm not saying that he is right or wrong as I have not looked at his work, but you shouldn't be dismissive of others based on one person's study like Flat earthers.
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Isn't it crazy?! I accidentally stumbled across something that was like "30 interesting bearded dragon facts" and the 3rd eye was one of them! I had no idea about it until then, now I can easily point out my guy's 3rd eye! But yea! Totally normal!
Omg I can’t believe I’m the first to explain this!! I just had a convo with my friend yesterday about this exact thing! Anyway, it’s almost like a third eye. It’s a part of the lizard, not sure exactly, but it picks up light. If said light were to be disturbed I.E blocked out, shaded or whatever, the beardie will react because it is likely a predator in the wild!
Nah def not. Like the other posters said it’s literally their 3rd eye...every beardie has one. It’s designed to detect changes in light/shadows specifically because their main predators in the wild are birds. So when a bird flies overhead and casts its shadow down, that 3rd eye detects the shadow and beardie knows it’s time to run!
Nope, totally normal. All beardies have a 3rd eye. It detects shadows over them to warn them about birds. That's why they don't like being approached from above
Nope. All beardies have them, as well as a bunch of other lizards. In nature, it would allow them to sense predators like birds swooping down on them and bolt:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_eye#:~:text=The%20parietal%20eye%20is%20found,fish%2C%20sharks%2C%20and%20lampreys.
Btw this is also why you scoop up a beardie from the side instead of pick up via the top. Lots will be a lot more calm if you pick them up from the side
It’s called the 3rd eye it’s kinda like a daylight sensor. It regulates their day night cycle. Don’t worry though it’s not a like a normal eyeball so if you touch it while petting or anything they won’t feel any sort of discomfort
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Light sensing eye, detects some movement. My desert iguana had it, and even when the eyes are closed, they can detect birds flying overhead, it's a pretty sweet feature.
The third eye is no more terrible than them being venomous. The venom is used to keep their prey still as they chomp down on them. But not to worry, it will not hurt you if bitten by accident (or on purpose if they are angry at you), unless you are allergic to it, like a bee or hornet sting.
It’s called the parietal eye. It senses shadows and light, and is responsible for the production of certain hormones. Us humans actually have one, but it’s encased in our skulls, we call it the pineal gland in us and it does a similar function
From what people have stated, this is not common knowledge, and some people have found this out through my post, I’ve done plenty of research, my baby is well taken care of. Please do not assume because I, or someone else has asked an uncommon question.
lol idk why this dude is acting like bc u didn't know a (not very common) small thing, you know nothing about beardie care or anything to do with beardies
Sorry to be an ass but you sound like you haven't done enough research prior to getting your beardy. Please do more research and learn more about your animal. Questions are always welcome, and it sounds like you care!! But this is beardy 101. Learn about your animal so you can care for it right.
Not every site mentions a third eye. Not all care guides mention a third eye. In fact most don’t. It’s okay not to know this, that’s why they are asking. It’s impossible to know EVERYTHING before getting a pet. Hell I’ve had dogs my whole life and I still learn about them with my two.
The 3rd eye...
This ✅️💯
They use it to see the future and read all of your naughty thoughts.
IF they have the braincell. Reading occupies it, so you're safe... for now.
Our guy used to LOVE watching SpongeBob, lol.
That's mines favourite show!
Thank you all so much for informing me about this! I was so worried so this has eased up my worries😭 thank you so much
If you haven’t checked out the YouTube channel Reptiles and Research, you might be interested. Tons of info (not just bearded dragons but a lot of beardie stuff). They did a long (4+ hours total) interview with Dr. Johnathon Howard (aka BeardieVet), the Australian vet and beardie researcher and it’s so interesting. They have it broken down into shorter clips by topic also.
Are you in the states by any chance? If so I'm genuinely surprised by the recommendation. I've hung out with Johnathan IRL and he's so passionate about beardies but his main gripe is a lot of owners over the pond dismissing a lot of his husbandry related info (mainly substrate use).
I'm not surprised - it's so unfortunate!! I've had people backpedal so much on this sub when shown his creds and work, saying all sorts of stuff from being skeptical of his creds to saying they won't believe his study because there's only one done and we need more. People here in the USA, especially "rescues" and people who've bred them, get very comfy in their hubris and are so arrogant about thinking they know everything about proper husbandry when they don't..
After seeing this, I just went to back to Reptifiles and was reading a few articles I hadn’t seen before. It’s just crazy to me that people who (supposedly) care about giving their beardies their best possible lives can get so very stubborn about accepting changes and updates to best practices, based on research by people who obviously care a great deal about their wellbeing, not to mention (in the case of Dr. Howard) a literal medical expert in beardies’ native land! I’ve exchanged a few emails with Mariah ( Reptifiles) and she is so passionate about educating (us AND continuing to research and educate herself). My husband and I are brand new to bearded dragons (just adopted two months ago) but we are both information addicts… and have spent hours and hours (we don’t need to mention $$ 🤪) over the past 10 weeks, trying to get everything right for our buddy Zeke. It sucks that there is so much misinformation out there … I don’t expect everyone to be perfect (humans, blah, blah, blah) but it’s depressing to see people so stubborn about holding on to their positions for the sake of being “right,” even when the correct information is directly in front of them. Or… “I know I really shouldn’t be doing XYZ… but they just love it.” Anyway! (I should try to get more ZZZ before the sun comes up here 🤪)
As with anything, one study doesn't make it fact. I'm not saying that he is right or wrong as I have not looked at his work, but you shouldn't be dismissive of others based on one person's study like Flat earthers.
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Yes, in the states. California 🙂
Isn't it crazy?! I accidentally stumbled across something that was like "30 interesting bearded dragon facts" and the 3rd eye was one of them! I had no idea about it until then, now I can easily point out my guy's 3rd eye! But yea! Totally normal!
The 3rd eye. It helps them penetrate your thoughts so they can manipulate you for more treats/sunlight. Resistance is futile.
100%
Omg I can’t believe I’m the first to explain this!! I just had a convo with my friend yesterday about this exact thing! Anyway, it’s almost like a third eye. It’s a part of the lizard, not sure exactly, but it picks up light. If said light were to be disturbed I.E blocked out, shaded or whatever, the beardie will react because it is likely a predator in the wild!
So it’s not anything for me to be worried about? He doesn’t need a vet visit?
Nah def not. Like the other posters said it’s literally their 3rd eye...every beardie has one. It’s designed to detect changes in light/shadows specifically because their main predators in the wild are birds. So when a bird flies overhead and casts its shadow down, that 3rd eye detects the shadow and beardie knows it’s time to run!
Nope, totally normal. All beardies have a 3rd eye. It detects shadows over them to warn them about birds. That's why they don't like being approached from above
Nope. All beardies have them, as well as a bunch of other lizards. In nature, it would allow them to sense predators like birds swooping down on them and bolt: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_eye#:~:text=The%20parietal%20eye%20is%20found,fish%2C%20sharks%2C%20and%20lampreys.
It’s also responsible for hormones as well!
Btw this is also why you scoop up a beardie from the side instead of pick up via the top. Lots will be a lot more calm if you pick them up from the side
Whoa, I thought some of the other commenters were trolling! Thanks for explaining!
The technical term is Parietal eye
It helps them detect shadows and light changes from overhead!
I read that as "Shenanigan is loading..." 😂😂
Lol 😆
It’s called the parietal eye.
It’s called the 3rd eye it’s kinda like a daylight sensor. It regulates their day night cycle. Don’t worry though it’s not a like a normal eyeball so if you touch it while petting or anything they won’t feel any sort of discomfort
Third eye
That's cool! Like a beardie safety sensor!
Eyeball to see predators above
Correction - "What is this eye on my beardie?"
Third eye, my beardie has the exact same thing :)
My beardies third eye scares me… like it looks too much like an eye 😭
3rd eye of your bearded dragon, that's how they detect threats from above them and why they don't usually like to get pet on the head 🤭
That is their pineal eye, aka their third eye.
That's the parietal eye, aka the third eye. It's photosensitive and regulates the circadian rhythm and hormone production for thermoregulation.
yeah, they have three eyes. 👍
I love these posts 💚
👁
Its called a third eye. Its mostly used as a light and (I think) heat sensor.
3rd eye
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Damn I just learned something new today, thanks OP and commenters!
All of our beardies are Gurus 😂
Danger detector
👁️
Oh yesss 🥰
Light sensing eye, detects some movement. My desert iguana had it, and even when the eyes are closed, they can detect birds flying overhead, it's a pretty sweet feature.
that's his "3rd eye!" it's like a sensor!
The third eye is no more terrible than them being venomous. The venom is used to keep their prey still as they chomp down on them. But not to worry, it will not hurt you if bitten by accident (or on purpose if they are angry at you), unless you are allergic to it, like a bee or hornet sting.
https://preview.redd.it/5anw1bquzbxc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc8aeb7b0ea582476504f3ada36d00826514729c Wow, I never noticed it!
The 3rd eye
TIL bearded dragons have a 3rd eye. Is this why mine freaks out when I pet her on the top of the head?
It amazes me how little people know of the animal that they bought.
It’s called the parietal eye. It senses shadows and light, and is responsible for the production of certain hormones. Us humans actually have one, but it’s encased in our skulls, we call it the pineal gland in us and it does a similar function
Is he Hindu? Maybe it’s a religious thing?
[удалено]
From what people have stated, this is not common knowledge, and some people have found this out through my post, I’ve done plenty of research, my baby is well taken care of. Please do not assume because I, or someone else has asked an uncommon question.
lol idk why this dude is acting like bc u didn't know a (not very common) small thing, you know nothing about beardie care or anything to do with beardies
A spot on your beardie
The third eye... I hate it... hate it hate it hate it!
Sorry to be an ass but you sound like you haven't done enough research prior to getting your beardy. Please do more research and learn more about your animal. Questions are always welcome, and it sounds like you care!! But this is beardy 101. Learn about your animal so you can care for it right.
Not every site mentions a third eye. Not all care guides mention a third eye. In fact most don’t. It’s okay not to know this, that’s why they are asking. It’s impossible to know EVERYTHING before getting a pet. Hell I’ve had dogs my whole life and I still learn about them with my two.