Metabolic Bone Disease is the most common serious condition in captive bearded dragons, and it's preventable
MBD results from calcium deficiency, D3 deficiency (from inadequate UVB and/or supplementation), or a poor calcium-to-phosphorus dietary ratio. Symptoms include softened or swollen limbs and jaw, tremors, difficulty walking, and lethargy. Given that UVB is close to mandatory for this species and its diet leans on calcium-rich greens, most cases trace back to missing or degraded UVB bulbs, or insufficient calcium dusting.
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Unlike many popular pet reptiles, bearded dragons are fully day-active baskers native to the arid interior of Australia.
The dark, puffed-out throat that gives this species its name can signal several different things: feeling threatened, asserting dominance over another dragon, stress from handling, or simple excitement around feeding time.
The slow, circular wave of a front leg is a bearded dragon's way of signalling submission or acknowledgement — often seen when a smaller or younger dragon is near a larger one, or simply as a response to seeing another dragon (including a reflection).
A fast, sharp head bob is typically a dominance display, most often from males, sometimes directed at a reflection or another dragon.
Adult bearded dragons often slow down, eat less, and sleep more for weeks to a couple of months, typically in the cooler months, even in a climate-controlled indoor enclosure.
Darkening — especially on the beard and belly — helps absorb more heat during basking and can also signal stress or agitation.