Bearded Dragon Randy Gets Head Stuck in Spongebob Toy: 'Cutest Emergency'

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Apparently, it's not just Spongebob Squarepants.

The New England Animal Medical Center in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, posted Wednesday on Facebook about a bearded dragon named Randy that ended up in the center's emergency room after getting its head stuck in a replica pineapple that mirrors the one on the popular children's television show.

"This is the cutest emergency we've ever had!" the Facebook post said. "Randy, the bearded dragon, tried to visit SpongeBob Square Pants yesterday and ended up in the ER. We're not laughing at you Randy, we are laughing with you. The pineapple didn't make it, but Randy is back home happily laying in the sun."

The post has been shared nearly 8,000 times and has over 2,700 comments.

Bearded Dragon
A bearded dragon in Massachusetts gained some internet notoriety recently after getting its head stuck in an object made famous by Spongebob Squarepants. iStock/Getty Images

Another post showed the "after" photo that involved breaking open the pineapple to get the mischievous animal out of the precarious situation. Randy was "looking as handsome as ever," the center added.

One Facebook user said the situation was neither "cute or funny," saying the unidentified owners were "irresponsible" in letting this happen.

"For the judgementals out there, stuff happens," a user retorted. "Beardies are occasionally mischievous. Randy saw the vet and all is well."

"Our dragon was out roaming like she always does, she ran into the dog crate and got stuck," another bearded dragon owner said. "Like she full on thought she would go through the bars to get inside the empty dog crate. Things happen. They're fast. And people need to stop judging."

Another user joked, "How do you know he didn't want to keep it on his head?"

National Geographic reports that bearded dragons are omnivores that live between four and 10 years. They weigh between 10 and 18 ounces on average, and are often between 18 and 22 inches in length.

The animal is called "bearded" because it has spiky scales underneath the chin that "puffs up" depending on mood. There are eight recognized species of bearded dragon, or "beardies" as they are commonly referred, and are common as pets due to their "gentle, inquisitive and active" lifestyle.

The species' shenanigans have been documented all over the internet, including in a YouTube video posted about three years ago by the account MashupZone. The video shows bearded dragons in their domestic habitats, riding toy tanks and floor vacuums; getting scared by their own image in a mirror, and even killing fake bugs with their tongue as part of a smartphone game.

Newsweek reached out to the medical center for comment.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek reporter based in Michigan. His focus is reporting on Ukraine and Russia, along with social ... Read more

To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go