Do you ever find yourself wondering, “How old is my bearded dragon?”
It’s totally normal to want to know, especially if you’ve recently adopted or rescued one!
But don’t worry, even though they don’t come with birth certificates, there are some easy ways to figure out their age. In this guide, we’ll go over different methods and signs that can help you determine your bearded dragon’s age. By knowing their age, you’ll be able to give them the best care possible.
There are two ways to get an estimate of the age of your bearded dragon. For the first year of its life, you can tell your bearded dragon’s age by measuring the animal from head to tail. You can also gauge their age by when they reach sexual maturity. For the most accurate measure of your beardy’s age, if you can, contact the breeder.
So, if you’re curious about your scaly friend’s age, keep reading to uncover all the secrets!
Table of Contents
How To Tell The Age Of A Bearded Dragon
As discussed above, there are two ways to estimate the age of your bearded dragon.
These will not give you an exact age, but they will provide you with a good idea.
Contacting the bearded dragon breeder is your best option for the exact birth date.
And once you’ve figured out how old your bearded dragon is, we have a post diving into the details on how long bearded dragons live you’ll love!
Measuring
An excellent way to get an estimate on the age of your inland bearded dragon is to measure.
This is most effective only if your baby bearded dragon is not yet full-grown, which means they are under a year old.
Once they reach full maturity, it can be even more difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint the age of this reptile.
Growth in a female bearded dragon will slow down at the six-month mark, and they can begin to measure up to an inch shorter than the male bearded dragon of their species.
Below you will find a chart of lengths and ages to help you determine the age of your beardie based on their length in inches.
| Age | Length |
| 0 to 1 month | 3″ to 4″ inches |
| 2 months | 5″ to 9″ inches |
| 3 months | 8″ to 11″ inches |
| 4 months | 9″ to 12″ inches |
| 5 months | 11″ to 16″ inches |
| 6 months | 11″ to 18″ inches |
| 8 months | 13″ to 20″ inches |
| 12 months | 16″ to 22″ inches |
As you can see, there are some overlaps in the measurement sizes of the bearded dragons, again showing that this is not an exact science.
This can also be slightly different based on your bearded dragon species, so be sure to check the average sizes of the specific breed that you own to know if you have a healthy bearded dragon.
If you’re unsure what species you have, we have a post on the different species of bearded dragons that can help you.
Some members of this species will reach maximum growth at 18″ inches while others can measure in at two feet.
A small breed of bearded dragons will only grow to about a foot, and the smallest breed might only grow to a size of 4″ – 6″ inches.
The most common breeds are:
- Eastern Bearded Dragon (pogona barbata)
- Central Bearded Dragon
- Inland Bearded Dragon
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Sexual Maturity
When your pet bearded dragon is young, another way to tell their age is to determine when they reach sexual maturity.
Bearded dragons reach sexual maturity between the ages of 8 to 12 months and are considered adult bearded dragons.
You will be able to tell it has reached sexual maturity by looking under its tail, above the vent.
When these bulges become visible, your animal has reached this age.
If there are two bulges, your pet is likely a male, and if you only see one bulge, your pet reptile is likely a female.
Again, this will not give you the exact age of your pet lizard, but you will be able to narrow it to within a few months.
Contact The Breeder
If possible, contacting the breeder is the best and most accurate way to determine the age of your lizard.
If you can contact the pet store, they will have the exact date of birth of your bearded dragon, and you will also be able to get a wealth of other information.
In addition to the bearded dragon age, you might also be able to learn about their medical history and make an accurate guess about your male and female bearded dragon lifespan.
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Factors That Can Put A Monkey Wrench In Telling Age
The first two ways to tell the age of your bearded dragon will only give you an estimate.
They will not give you an exact date of birth because only your breeder can do that.
Also, keep in mind that, like people, every animal will be a little different.
They might not grow as quickly or get as big as some other members of their breed or species.
Besides that, there are a few things that can make determining your pet’s age even more difficult.
Your bearded dragon’s environment can play a crucial role in how it develops.
If the enclosure is too small, your pet will have its growth stunted and not reach the typical size you might see in other beardies its age.
The size, temperature, and hygiene of your enclosure will correlate with the growth and development of your pet.
Like any human or pet, if your bearded dragon does not have the proper nutrition, it might not reach its potential when it comes to length and weight.
If your animal’s growth is stunted, you are likely to have a challenging time determining the animal’s age without a breeder.
Be sure to properly care for your animal by giving them an ideal place to live and proper nutrition.
This will ensure that your bearded dragon is healthy and lives up to its potential growth size.
And for more information on your pet’s size read our post on how big bearded dragons get.
Conclusion
Whether you have picked out a bearded dragon at the store or rescued one, you are likely to be curious about its age.
Measuring your young bearded dragon or identifying when it reaches sexual maturity will give you a good idea of its general age.
The only way to have the most accurate information on the age of your bearded dragon is to go directly to your breeder.
Remember that several factors can come into play when making an age determination on your pet.
So, if you’re wondering how old is a juvenile bearded dragon, this article will give you a better idea regarding your pet’s age.
