Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet reptiles in North America and they can make an excellent pet for beginner or experienced reptile keepers. However, if you’re considering adopting a bearded dragon, you need to know its size requirements first.
What is the size of this unique reptile? How big do bearded dragons get?
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer that question confidently. I’ll share the average-sized bearded dragon, as well as tips on how to care for your own dragon that will ensure they grow to its full potential size.
How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get?
If you’re planning on owning a bearded dragon as a pet, then you might be asking yourself “How big do they get?” It’s important to know the answer as it will help you plan accordingly as far as how much room you need to keep one healthy.
Bearded dragons grow relatively fast and can reach full size within a year – depending on species and other factors. Most adult dragons of the Pogona Vitticeps species typically reach up to 24 inches in length and weigh about 550 grams (1.21 pounds).
Factors that determine the size of your beloved scaly friend vary from age, diet, environment, hormones, etc. To monitor its growth properly and make sure there are no issues, it’s best to take your dragon for checkups at the vet regularly. With regular checkups, you’ll be able to ensure that your dragon is growing appropriately for their particular breed.
Bearded Dragon Lifespan
Bearded dragons are typically healthy and long-lived lizards, but their lifespan is heavily dependent on a variety of factors. If a bearded dragon’s owner just follows the basics – that is to say, keeping them well-fed, housed in appropriate habitats, and generally taking good care of them – then they can be expected to live between 5 and 8 years.
If you pay more attention to your dragon’s diet, environment, and overall well-being, it is not uncommon for them to reach 8 to 12 years old. It is even more remarkable for a bearded dragon to live up to 14 years of age – an age very rarely seen in dragons kept in captivity.
A small minority have apparently even exceeded this number and surpassed 19 years old; however, so far there have been no scientific studies or proof that validate these claims.
Bearded Dragon Growth Chart
If you’re the proud owner of a Bearded Dragon, it’s important to pay attention to its growth. To help you keep track of your dragon’s development and ensure that it’s healthy and thriving, we have a Bearded Dragon Growth Chart for you! It includes a range of normal lengths and weights for bearded dragons at various stages.
| Age | Length | Weight |
| Hatchlings | 3 inches | 4-6 grams |
| Babies (1-3 months) | 3-9 inches | 4-20 grams |
| Juveniles (3 to 11 months) | 8-24 inches | 20-400 grams |
| Adults (12-18 months) | Female: 16-19 inches Male: 19-24 inches | 400-550 grams |
Sizes By Species
Are you curious about how big different species of bearded dragons get when they’re fully grown? The sizes can actually differ quite a bit, depending on the species.
| Species | Size When Fully Grown (in inches) |
| Pogona Vitticeps* | 18″ – 22″ inches (up to 24″ inches rarely) |
| Pogona Minor Mitchelli | 18″ inches |
| Pogona Barbata | 24″ inches |
| Pogona Nullarbor | 14″ inches |
| Pogona Minima | 14″ inches |
| Pogona Microlepidota | 4″ – 6″ inches |
| Pogona Henrylawsoni | 12″ inches |
Male And Female Size Differences
The size of males and females in the species of bearded dragon may vary significantly. While there may be slight differences in average size, the biggest differences are actually in the head size. Male beardies tend to have noticeably larger head sizes than their female counterparts.
However, without having a female to compare against it can be difficult to spot this distinct difference in size. The best way to distinguish between male and female is by lifting up the tail and taking a look at where it meets the body. Females will have two lumps for reproductive organs, while males will just have one lump.
Overall though, other than slight average size variations and differences in head sizes, there isn’t much difference when it comes to the sizes of male and female bearded dragons!
How Long Does It Take For Bearded Dragons To Grow To Full Size?
Bearded dragons are beautiful creatures and a great addition to any home. But how long does it take for them to reach full size? Typically, bearded dragons reach maturity in 8-12 months if they are provided with the proper diet, habitat, and lighting.
At this time, they may have reached their maximum size, however, some can continue growing beyond this point. Generally speaking, beardies tend to grow at their fastest rate up until around the one-year mark, after which growth slows down significantly.
And although some can reach sexual maturity in as little as six months – meaning that they’re no longer juvenile – their size will likely stay relatively consistent until about one year and six months old.
How Fast Do Bearded Dragons Grow?
Bearded dragons are impressive creatures, capable of tremendous growth in their first year. From hatchlings at just 3 inches to an average adult length of 24 inches, they experienced an incredible rate of growth during the juvenile stage between 3 to 11 months old – up to 1-3 inches per month!
Adult growth slows down, typically stopping after 12-18 months although some dragons continue growing until they are 24 months old. During this time, it’s important to ensure that your adult dragon has a diet that is high in vegetables and greens and low in proteins, otherwise the risk of obesity increases.
Knowing the various stages of bearded dragon growth allows for a better understanding of their nutritional needs.
What Is A Healthy Weight For A Bearded Dragon?
Knowing what a healthy weight should be for your bearded dragon is an important part of keeping it in optimal health.
Bearded dragons gain quite a bit of weight as they grow and reach different life stages. Babies typically weigh between 4 to 6 grams, while juveniles can range from 20-400 grams. An adult bearded dragon can weigh up to 400 grams or more.
It’s very possible that a beardie can become obese if it is consuming too much food and not getting enough exercise. To help ensure your dragon doesn’t become overweight, you should provide them with a healthy diet, an appropriate-sized tank, and activities that promote exercise – such as climbing branches or playing with interactive toys in their environment.
If your adult beardie weighs over 500g, then keep an eye out for signs of obesity such as a very thick tail base or stomach dragging on the ground. Regular vet checkups are also important to make sure your dragon is growing normally and remaining healthy.
When Do Bearded Dragons Reach Their Full Size?
Bearded dragons are incredible creatures and as a reptile, they reach their full size by 18 months old. On average, an adult beardie measures between 15 to 24 inches long and weighs around 11 to 18 ounces.
It’s absolutely essential to take your beloved pet for regular vet checkups during their first year, as this provides vital information on their development and growth. A proper diet is key in helping them reach their full size within the normal timespan of 18 months. So make sure you keep up with those visits!
Ideal Diet for Optimal Growth
When it comes to ensuring optimal growth in your beardie, you’ll want to make sure that you provide it with a well-balanced diet. This means providing the right amount of calcium-rich, gut-loaded insects and fresh fruits and veggies. It is recommended that 75% of your beardie’s diet should consist of insects, while the remaining 25% consists of fruits and veggies.
Baby Beardies, need more protein in order to develop, so you’ll want to feed them small insects such as crickets at least once a day, or even two to three times per day – depending on how much they eat within a 15-minute feeding. As for adult Beardies, they don’t need as much protein so you can feed them at least once every two days.
Beardies don’t need vegetation until they reach the 1-year mark or more.
An ideal diet for optimal growth should include 75% insects, 20% vegetables, and 5% fruit as a whole. Be sure to only let them interact with the crickets during mealtime, as they can become aggressive when present constantly in the cage.
Factors That Influence How Big A Bearded Dragon Can Get
When it comes to a bearded dragon’s growth, there are several factors that can play a role. Gender can be one as males will generally grow bigger than females. Lighting and temperature, diet, cleanliness of their terrarium, and how hydrated they are can also influence their growth.
Calcium supplementation and brumation before 12 months can also affect how big they’ll eventually become. Other aspects like the stress levels of your bearded dragon, as well as any illnesses or diseases, especially those associated with periods of growth, should also be taken into consideration when trying to determine how large your dragon may eventually get.
Ultimately, providing proper care – such as closely recreating the natural environment – and a balanced diet gives your dragon the best chance at growing to its full potential.
What Other Factors Affect Bearded Dragon Growth?
When it comes to understanding the factors that affect a Bearded Dragon’s growth, there are a few key things to be aware of. Enclosure size, genetics, gender, diet, health issues, and tank conditions all play an important role in influencing their growth and development.
Enclosure size should not be underestimated; if it’s too small your dragon will struggle to reach its full potential size-wise. Additionally, genetics can have an impact on the size of your bearded dragon, with larger parents often resulting in bigger adult mass and structure for their young offspring. There is also a slight variance in size between male and female dragons – females tend to be slightly smaller than males.
It’s also essential for your pet’s well-being that you provide them with a healthy diet. As they develop, young animals require adequate amounts of protein and fat in order to support the growth of their skin, bones, and muscles.
Additionally, keeping an eye on tank conditions like temperature and humidity is wise; any shifts could potentially lead to metabolic bone disease or other potential health concerns that can stand in the way of proper growth.
And lastly – keeping their environment clean is (pardon the pun) key! That way they’ll remain healthy while growing at their full potential!
Why Is My Bearded Dragon Not Growing?
If your bearded dragon isn’t growing, it can be caused by a few things. Poor lighting, inadequate diet, parasitic infection, and disease can all lead to stunted growth in baby beardies.
Lighting is especially important for growth. insufficient UVB rays make it difficult for lizards to absorb Vitamin D, which is necessary for proper development and bone health. Plus, if you don’t have consistent feeding habits or you’re not providing enough food, then your bearded dragon may not receive the nutrients they need to grow properly.
Parasite infections are also quite common and can cause a baby lizard to become malnourished, leading to slow development or even regressive growth. The same thing can happen when your beardie has a certain kind of bone disease.
Finally, brumation—which is essentially like hibernation—can stunt growth if the temperature is too low and the UVB levels aren’t consistently monitored. To prevent this from happening make sure your pet gets between 10-12 hours of daylight every day!
How Can I Tell if My Bearded Dragon is Overweight or Underweight?
If you’re wondering if your bearded dragon is over or underweight, then it’s time to take a closer look. A healthy weight for a bearded dragon will depend largely on the life stage they’re in, so if you want to keep your pet at the best possible weight, it’s important to provide them with an appropriate diet.
The two main ways of determining if your bearded dragon is overweight or underweight are to observe them visually and measure them using a weighing scale. If your bearded dragon looks pudgy, then this could be a sign that they are overweight and don’t have enough exercise. On the other hand, if your pet looks skinny or malnourished, then this could mean that they are underweight and need more food in their diet.
A fifth of an ounce (about 5 grams) may not seem like much but it matters when it comes to keeping your pet healthy and happy!
Underweight Bearded Dragons
A healthy bearded dragon should never be thin or flat-looking. If your Beardie is underweight, you’ll likely notice some major differences in size and shape. You’ll see their legs and tail looking thinner, their hip bones protruding, a large head with a small body, sunken fat pads, and a pronounced rib cage.
These signs of being underweight indicate that your Dragon isn’t getting the nutrition and caloric intake it needs to stay healthy. To ensure that your Bearded Dragon stays at its ideal weight, make sure to feed them nutritious food and provide them with enough exercise throughout the day.
Overweight Bearded Dragons
For many pet owners, seeing their lovable Bearded Dragon put on a few ounces can be a concern. Being overweight isn’t healthy for pets, so it’s important to know the signs of an overweight beardie.
One of the main indicators that your dragon has packed on some extra pounds is a large round belly. Their tail might also appear thicker than usual, while the jawline may become distended with excess weight gain. If you notice these changes in your beardie, it’s best to make dietary and lifestyle adjustments to help them get back in shape.
Healthy Bearded Dragons
If you have a bearded dragon as a pet, then you want to make sure they stay in good health. The best way to tell if your bearded dragon is doing well is by looking at their behavior and appearance.
A healthy dragon will be alert and curious with bright, clear eyes. There should also be no discharge coming from any openings. Additionally, a healthy bearded dragon will have a large appetite and a filled-out body.
These are all signs that your pet is getting the proper care and nutrition they need in order to maintain good health. If you notice any of these behaviors in your pet, then chances are you’re doing something right!
Conclusion:
Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizards due to their unique personalities, charming appearance, and ease of care. When considering a new pet, be sure to consider the size of your bearded dragon and how much space it needs to live comfortably.
With appropriate nutrition and maintenance, a bearded dragon can make an excellent addition to any home, growing up to 24 inches long or more in some cases!
