According to its name, the bearded dragon is a magnificent creature. It’s armored with spiky reptile scales, much like a dragon, and it has a spiked “beard” beneath its chin that puffs out depending on how it’s feeling. They are found in eight different species today; all are referred to as “beardies” by their owners and enthusiasts.
Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet reptiles, and they are known for being friendly, curious, and energetic throughout the day. It is most popular to keep a central bearded dragon as a pet, specifically Pogona vitticeps.
How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get?
When they achieve sexual maturity, they grow to their fullest size. A lizard’s sexual maturity ranges from 8 to 18 months, depending on the species. It’s most likely the German Giant morph if it’s taller than 24 or more inches. German giants may reach a maximum size of 32-34 inches, and their mass can increase up to 1Kg. After a year, a Beardie is deemed unhealthy if its height or weight is less than 16 inches or 300g.
For how many years bearded dragon can grow?
Different species of bearded dragons grow for different durations. Usually, they tend to grow for 11-12 months, but some species can grow for 17 months or two years.
When does a bearded dragon reach adulthood?
At the age of 12 months, an adult will be completely developed. Depending on their size and weight, they should be between 16 to 24 inches long and weigh 380 to 510g. Their tail accounts for the majority of their weight. The length of their tail is at least as long as their body.
What is the size of a baby bearded dragon?
Hatchling bearded dragons may grow to 9-11 inches in length and weigh up to 36g. When they are two months old, they start being referred to as “baby bearded dragons.” They can grow as quickly as 1-3 inches per week at this stage of rapid development, and they require frequent feeding to keep up with their rapid growth. Some dragons may need as many as 50 bugs a day to fulfill their ferocious appetites, thereby living up to their eponymous moniker of “dragon.”
What is the size of a bearded dragon at the juvenile stage?
These are termed juveniles when they are between the ages of 2 to7 months old, at which stage they may grow to be up to 18 inches long and weigh up to 50g. Each month, juveniles can grow between 1 and 3 inches and gain up to 50g of weight.
What is the size of an adult bearded dragon?
Adults may grow approximately 24 inches from head to tail when completely grown, although they are typically between 18-22 inches in length and weigh between 368-510g when fully matured. Adult dragons are considered fully developed after attaining sexual maturity, which occurs at a different age for each species and can occur anywhere between 8-and 18 months.
How fast does a bearded dragon grow?
Bearded dragons have a fast growth rate, reaching up to 11 inches in length and gaining up to 35g in weight in as little as 2-3 months. As they grow older, their growth rate decreases to 1-2 inches/month, with a total increase of 50g/month over their first year as juveniles.
How long does it take for a Bearded dragon to reach full size?
Bearded dragons require 8-18 months to attain sexual development and complete maturity. Bearded dragons may grow to be 22-24 inches long when fully grown.
Does the bearded dragon stop growing?
In most cases, bearded dragons cease growing at around 11-12 months, although some can continue to develop until they reach 18 months or even two years of age. Bearded dragons can grow even in their old age, although they tend to bulk up rather than lengthen in size.
Are there any factors that influence the size of a bearded dragon?
Yes, the following do affect the size of a bearded dragon;
- Diet
- Gender
- Genetic
Bearded Dragon Diet
During each developmental cycle, bearded dragons require a specific food tailored to their needs. In general, baby bearded dragons (under three months old) require high-protein foods such as insects to help them through their quick growth phase. After that, as they get older, their diet must be made of more vegetables (such as the majority of greens, sweet potatoes, and carrots) that are gradually introduced into their diet.
Baby Beardies that do not receive sufficient protein may have delayed growth and other health problems. Bearded dragons beyond five will require a more varied diet to avoid digestive issues. The fruit that dragons enjoy should be fed in moderation by 10% of the total diet.
Providing your Beardie with proper nutrients and a well-balanced diet will ensure that it develops healthily and can better resist sickness. Ensure that your insects are purchased from a trustworthy breeder to minimize exposure to poisons or insecticides.
Bearded Dragon Genetics
For the most part, in captive-bred reptiles, some characteristics and mutations are intentionally introduced into the population. For example, certain color variations, scale patterns, and spike patterns have been intentionally introduced into the population.
Bearded dragons have a variety of recognized morphs or genetic variants. Before caring for your bearded dragon, you should become well-versed in these since some morphs may require specific attention. You must get your Beardie from a trustworthy breeder to be confident the bearded dragons were raised responsibly and are not susceptible to illness.
Gender of the Bearded Dragon
A Bearded dragon can be affected by various factors, including gender. Males are often larger in length than females, for example. Even though males are typically bigger than females, certain females can be far larger than males. Males have broader and broader skulls than females, which is a common misconception. Females have slightly larger bodies than males, with thinner and more slender tails. Males are typically longer and have a broader or thicker tail base than females.
