A bearded dragon typically reaches full growth by the age of two years old. Growth rate can depend on the individual, and males tend to reach maturity a bit faster than females. To ensure a healthy growth rate and best development, regular vet visits should be scheduled at least once per year, ensuring your bearded dragon is getting the appropriate nutrition and care for its age.
Proper nutrition should include a balanced diet of calcium-rich live insects and plants. Water should also be available at all times. Additionally, supplementing their diet with multivitamins and minerals will help keep them healthy and provide essential vitamins and minerals their diet may not be supplying.
Bearded dragons grow gradually, and growth slows down with age. They stop gaining weight and begin to reach their full size between two and two and a half years of age.
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What age is considered a baby bearded dragon?
A baby bearded dragon is generally considered to be between 0-3 months old, but this can vary slightly depending on the species. Bearded dragons reach sexual maturity around 12-18 months. At the age of 3 months, a bearded dragon’s size will have doubled from when it was born, and at this age, it will begin to eat solid foods such as worms, vegetables, and fruits.
It is important to introduce these sources of nutrients gradually, as this will provide a balanced diet for your bearded dragon. Baby bearded dragons should also be provided with plenty of water and a well-illuminated habitat.
At this age, they can be quite active, so they need plenty of accessories to provide a stimulating environment.
What are the age stages of a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons, or Pogona vitticeps, are fascinating creatures that go through three distinct age stages as they grow. The first and most important stage of the bearded dragon’s life is the hatchling period.
This stage typically lasts the first four to six months and is characterized by the dragon’s small size and rapid growth. At this age, they should be kept in a larger and taller tank and kept very warm, as their fragile immune systems need special care.
The next stage is the juvenile period, which usually runs from four to eight months. During this stage, the dragon’s growth slows, and they begin to show certain behaviors and morphological changes, such as changing from their original all-brown color to their adult, multi-colored one.
This is also when they begin to show territorial and defensive behaviors, such as bobbing their heads and hissing.
The last stage is the adult stage, and this usually starts between eight and 12 months after the dragon hatches. During this stage, the dragon’s growth has slowed and they are considered full grown adults.
At this time, they will be able to be maintained in a typical 20-gallon tank, just like in the wild. They will also reach their full size and weight and show most of their adult behaviors and physical features, such as having their full set of adult teeth and a full beard.
How long are bearded dragons considered babies?
Bearded dragons are considered babies for the first 6-8 months of their lives. During this time, they should be given specialized care to ensure proper health and growth. The baby bearded dragon diet should consist of live insects, such as small crickets, mealworms, waxworms and various vegetable matter (e.
g. butternut squash, zucchini, kale, collard greens, etc. ). When feeding the baby bearded dragon, it is important to only give it food items that are no bigger than the distance between its eyes – this will ensure the baby dragon is able to consume its food properly and is not at risk of choking.
Proper hydration is also essential during this stage, as bearded dragons require a humid environment to stay hydrated. Additionally, baby bearded dragons should be given ample opportunities to bask, as this helps them regulate their body temperature.
In short, attentive care and the right environment are essential to ensure that baby bearded dragons remain healthy and strong throughout their early developmental stages.
Is my bearded dragon a baby or juvenile?
It is difficult to determine whether your bearded dragon is a baby or juvenile without having seen the dragon in person. Juvenile bearded dragons typically have a length of about 8 inches for females and 10 inches for males.
Additionally, males have larger heads and larger femoral pores than females. If the dragon is younger than 8 months old, then it is considered a baby; if it is 8 months to 18 months, it is considered a juvenile.
You may also notice some other traits that can help you determine the age of your bearded dragon. For instance, young dragons usually have a grayish-brown or greenish-brown base color, which gradually shifts to yellow and orange as the dragon matures.
The presence of light stripes on body of your bearded dragon is another indication of a juvenile dragon. Ultimately, the best way to determine the age of your bearded dragon is to take it to a veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper who can assess its size and other characteristics.
How long is 1 year for a bearded dragon?
One year for a bearded dragon is approximately 12-14 months long. The exact length of a year for an individual bearded dragon can depend on age, gender, location, diet, health, and many other factors.
When a bearded dragon is born, it is expected to reach maturity within 7-8 months. A mature bearded dragon can live anywhere from 5-8 years in captivity, although old age can extend their life expectancy.
During the first year of a bearded dragon’s life, it is important to keep it in optimal conditions, including the proper temperature, UVB light, and diet, to ensure a healthy and long life.
What age does Petsmart sell bearded dragons?
Petsmart does not sell bearded dragons as a standard in-store offering, but they may occasionally carry them as part of their Live Pet department. It is not recommended to purchase a bearded dragon from that source, as they may not be properly sourced or cared for.
Pet stores should also not be used as a source of captive-bred reptiles, as they are likely to be imported wild-caught specimens. Bearded dragons require specialized housing, a specific diet, and the right temperature and humidity levels, which can all be difficult to maintain properly in a pet store setting.
If you are looking for a bearded dragon, it is always best to get it from a reputable breeder or rescue organization. These places tend to have more knowledge about the species, and their captive-bred animals will be healthy and more likely to be acclimated to a captive environment.
Breeder-sourced bearded dragons are typically 6-8 months old or older, while rescue reptiles can range from 2 weeks old to adults.
How many babies do bearded dragons have a year?
Bearded dragons typically lay clutches of 20 to 30 eggs once or twice a year, depending on the age, size, health, and diet of the female. They typically require a two-month incubation period before hatching.
After hatching, it can take another month or two before the young start to venture outside their hiding spots and reach maturity. So, in a given year, a single female bearded dragon can be expected to lay around 20-30 offspring, although the average is likely lower due to the many environmental factors.
Additionally, young bearded dragons have a high mortality rate, further reducing their potential reproductive output. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when trying to determine an accurate estimate of the number of babies a beardie lays each year.
Why not buy a bearded dragon from PetSmart?
First, PetSmart doesn’t always have the most knowledgeable staff when it comes to reptile care and typically advises customers on basic care but may not provide detailed advice on the species-specific needs of a bearded dragon.
Additionally, the quality of the animals sold at PetSmart may be lower than what you could find in a specialty pet store or from a breeder. Furthermore, there is typically less control over the environments in which the animals are kept in the store, making them more susceptible to developing stress-related illnesses.
Lastly, PetSmart is known for having high-end prices for the animals they sell, meaning you may pay more for your new pet than if you shopped around for other options. All of these factors can make purchasing a bearded dragon from PetSmart a less preferable choice.
Do pet bearded dragons get lonely?
Bearded dragons are social creatures and they do enjoy being around other bearded dragons, as they can interact and play together. Since bearded dragons in captivity typically don’t have the same opportunities to interact with other dragons as they would in the wild, it is important for pet owners to provide their bearded dragon with enough stimulation to prevent loneliness and boredom.
Interacting with the dragon by talking to it or hand-feeding it may help reduce its feeling of isolation. Additionally providing the dragon with plenty of different items to climb on, hide in and explore, as well as interesting textures, colors and objects may help to stimulate the dragon and keep it from getting bored or lonely.
Ultimately, being mindful of the needs of your pet bearded dragon and paying attention to its behavior are the best ways to ensure it does not become lonely.
How old is my bearded dragon by size?
It is difficult to accurately estimate the age of a bearded dragon based solely on its size. As with all animals, age and size can vary depending on a variety of factors such as genetics, diet, environment, and care.
On average, a bearded dragon reaches juvenile maturity at 8-10 inches in length. An adult bearded dragon typically grows to 18-24 inches long. Hatchlings are typically no larger than 4 inches in length when they first emerge from their eggs.
That being said, determining the age of a bearded dragon by size is not an exact science. If you are looking to roughly estimate the age of your bearded dragon by size, a safe rule of thumb is that one inch in length roughly corresponds to 2-3 months of age.
For example, a 12-inch bearded dragon might be 4-6 months old.
In addition to size, other signs of aging in bearded dragons can include changes in coloration (especially on the head), slight wrinkling of the skin as they age, and cage-enlargement in adults. An experienced veterinarian may also be able to tell you the age of your bearded dragon by assessing their teeth, which typically wear down with age.
How can you tell how old a bearded dragon is?
Bearded dragons are a long-lived species, and it can be difficult to accurately age them. However, there are some clues you can look for that can help you estimate their age.
Young bearded dragons (1-12 months old) are usually up to 12 inches in length and have a bright, vivid color to their skin. Their scales are larger, and they tend to be more active throughout the day.
Middle-aged bearded dragons (2-4 years old) tend to grow up to 20 inches in length, have a slightly mottled skin color and patterns, and their scales become smaller. They are usually less active during the day, but become more active when temperatures drop at night.
Adult bearded dragons (4-10 years old) grow up to 24 inches in length, their skin is more mottled, and their scales become progressively smaller. Their activity level should remain consistent throughout the day and night.
Very old bearded dragons (10+ years old) have larger, rounder scales and darker, mottled skin. They may become less active throughout the day as they age.
In addition, you can look for any signs of wear and tear, like scratches and scars. This can be an indication of age, as older bearded dragons tend to show signs of use and of past fights with other dragons.
Do bearded dragons need to be held every day?
No, bearded Dragons do not need to be held every day. Being held often or regularly is beneficial for bearded dragons as it can help them become tame and comfortable human interaction. However, holding them too often can be stressful, so it’s best to hold them a few times a week rather than every day.
Bearded dragons enjoy being in a cozy, warm spot and should be given plenty of playtime outside of their enclosure to explore, climb, bask in the sunshine, and get comfortable with their human friends.
Additionally, like all reptiles, they should also be left alone while they sleep and should never be handled while they are eating or shedding.
Do you have to feed bearded dragons daily?
No, you don’t have to feed bearded dragons daily. It is best to feed them every other day so that their digestive systems can take a break. A good rule of thumb when it comes to feeding bearded dragons is to feed them as much as they can eat in a 10-15 minute period.
You should feed juveniles enough food for three meals a day and adults only need two meals a day. Be sure to offer a variety of foods such as insects, vegetables, fruits, and commercial feeder diets.
Not only is variety important for their diet, but it also helps to keep their interest in eating. Another thing to consider is offering your dragon food at the same time each day to help with the feeding schedule and digestion.
Do reptiles only grow to the size of their tank?
No, reptiles do not only grow to the size of their tank. Unlike fish, reptiles depend on their metabolism to regulate growth and can actually grow quite large in size depending on the species. Although having a tank that is too small can cause health problems in reptiles, they typically adjust their growth depending on what food is available and the nutrition it provides.
For example, if a larger number of smaller crickets are provided instead of fewer large crickets, the reptile will not grow as large. Therefore, having a larger tank does not guarantee that a reptile will grow to a large size as it does not provide additional nutrients or food; however, the reptile will not be restricted by the size of the tank.
Additionally, proper lighting and heating sources in the enclosure can also help to optimize the reptile’s growth by providing the proper environment to digest its food.
