What are bearded dragon shoulder pads used for?

[traceyb73]

I asked Mr Dargon what they are.

he just stared at me. now i feel stupid.

Don't you hate when that happens?

 

[TheWerewolf]

Beardeds do not puff them up when they black beard. Nim's are like little flaps of skin. It does kind of look like wing remnants. They may be fat storage. That may mean that little Zoey needs to eat more. No offense to you Tracey. I'm just throwing out a tip to Zoey. :wink:

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

Maybe Tracie will know. (Drache613) She's the most knowledgable beardie person I know. Or maybe Sweetiepie. She has tons of experience. :?

 

[traceyb73]

Beardeds do not puff them up when they black beard. Nim's are like little flaps of skin. It does kind of look like wing remnants. They may be fat storage. That may mean that little Zoey needs to eat more. No offense to you Tracey. I'm just throwing out a tip to Zoey. :wink:

Hey now! I offer the little angel all she can eat. lol She's finally starting to get a little belly on her! More than she had when I got her anyway.

 

[TheWerewolf]

I know. My Nim is just so plump. I'm just telling Zoey that she should stop being such a picky girl.

 

[traceyb73]

Hey, leave my baby out of this or your gonna give her a complex.

 

[reneebb]

You mentioned black beard. What is that?

 

[TheWerewolf]

It is a sign that the beardie is angry. Here is a picture. Not mine got it off the web.

This is called black bearding.

 

[kjinxx2]

I always thought they were some sort of predator deterrent - maybe eyes or something.

 

[TheWerewolf]

Yeah that would work, but why do inland bearded dragons have shoulder pads and coastal beardeds don't? Predator deterrent just doesn't match up. Neither does wing remnants. LOL Besides, the spikes deter enough. LOL, they hurt!

 

[kcarello]

That does it!! If Mr. Dargon won't tell you,,it is time to ask Tracie!! I will pm her, maybe she will be on later to give us a final answer..lol. Kind of don't want one,,want to see who else comes up with ideals...

 

[Jess]

I vote that they are either a way to scare off predators, or maybe a way to attract more sunlight when they bask because of the dark color.

I don't think that they are fat pads. Dudley is a chunker and he has very obvious fat stores (Armpits, head, tail base...) and the shoulders definitely aren't one of them.