How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live And Why?

by Editorial Staff | Updated on August 4th, 2022

15 years is the exact answer.

Every creature alive on Earth that belongs to the kingdom Animalia is categorized as an animal. They are, however, divided into reptiles, amphibians, and various other groups.

Some animals flourish in the wild, while others may be kept as pets. Every animal lives longer in captivity because it is not exposed to the hazards it would otherwise encounter.

Some living things are more numerous than others, and reptiles are among them. Bearded dragons, popular for many of their characteristics, are one of the reptiles that are increasingly widely bred as pets.

A bearded dragon’s typical lifespan in or out of captivity is roughly 15 years.

What exactly is a bearded dragon?

Pogona is the scientific name for bearded dragons, which are a kind of reptile. They range in weight from ten to eighteen ounces. They are omnivores and range in length from eighteen to twenty-two inches. They consume live invertebrates, sometimes known as insects, as well as vegetables. They, like any other living entity, require enough food supplementation.

They may reach 45 cm in length, including their lengthy tails. They have between 30 and 40 percent humidity in their bodies. The maximum temperature they can live comfortably in is roughly 38-42 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest temperature is 22 degrees Fahrenheit. They loose skin like any other reptile and tend to slow down in the cooler months. They sleep longer and consume less during their hibernating phase, known as brumation.

They are also known as beardies and are one of the most popular reptiles in captivity in the United Kingdom. They, like all other living beings, have an average life span. The duration, on the other hand, varies depending on a variety of conditions. Everything depends on what they consume, where they reside, and other factors.

According to studies, bearded dragons, like all other animals, live longer in captivity than in the wild. They are better cared for as pets, and they are not in any danger.

Bearded Dragon Life Cycle

Your dragon will go through six life phases as it develops and ages. These are the natural phases of development that every dragon will go through.

Embryonic Development

This is the beginning of a person’s life. The embryonic stage occurs within the egg. The mother’s stress levels and nutrition at this time will impact the offspring and its quality of life.

Hatchlings

Most dragon hatchlings start at about 3 inches and grow to be about 7-8 inches in a little more than 2 months. Dragons develop from 1-3 inches in length each month during the hatchling stage.

Juvenile

Juvenile dragons measure 7-8 inches in length. These sub-adult dragons are developing at a rate of roughly 1 inch each month and will be classified as juveniles until they reach the age of one year. Juveniles consume around 75% insect matter and 25% plant matter, such as fruits and vegetables.

Adolescent

A dragon is considered a young adult after a year or longer. They’re not developing as swiftly as they used to, but they’re getting close to sexual maturity. As a result, social activities are becoming more visible. These dragons should consume around half of their diet as plant material and half as insects.

Adult (Maturity)

A dragon is considered an adult when it is between the ages of 4 and 7. They should be consuming the opposite diet of a juvenile at this time because they are fully matured. As adults, dragons consume around 75% plant materials and roughly 25% insects.

Senior

For a bearded dragon, old age begins at seven years. Your dragon will begin to move less, and feedings will become less frequent. These benefits may take longer depending on how well your dragon was cared for when it was younger.

If your dragon was well-cared for, it might live to be 15 years old or older. On the other hand, dragons that got poor care may live just 8 or 10 years before dying.

Bearded Dragons Live How Long?

• In captivity, the habitat time is 12 years; 
• in the wild, the habitat time is 8 years.

A Bearded Dragon’s Lifespan in the Wild

In the wild, bearded dragons often live for five to eight years.

Natural predators are one of the key reasons why natural creatures live for such a short time.

Birds that hunt on bearded dragons include hawks and vultures. Wolves and large cats also prey on them. When assaulted, bearded dragons can be badly injured or killed, substantially reducing the population’s average lifetime.

Bears in the wild may also struggle to obtain food and experience droughts. Droughts and food shortages make survival more challenging.

Bearded dragons must drink 20 to 30 mL of water per kilo daily to be hydrated. This is sometimes challenging due to their arid desert-like environment.

Predation, food shortages, and droughts limit their potential lifespan by three to six years when combined.

Bearded Dragons in Captivity: How Long Do They Live?

A well-cared-for pet, Bearded Dragons have a lifespan of eight to twelve years. Predators do not threaten bearded Dragons in captivity. They should not have to deal with issues like a shortage of food or water. When paired with consuming a balanced diet, these elements extend their longevity.

Captive beardies can live significantly longer lives than their wild counterparts. On the other hand, pets that are not adequately cared for will outlive wild species.

A bearded dragon needs proper lighting, temperature, humidity, space, feed, and supplements to flourish.

Spending a few additional minutes on lizard care daily can keep your lizard healthy and happy. It will also extend their lives.

What Causes Bearded Dragons to Live So Long?

The life expectancy of bearded dragons has been determined based on numerous study results, and experts have finally concluded. According to RSPCA veterinary specialists, the typical lifetime in captivity is 12 to 15 years with proper care. They survive for at least 6 to 8 years in the wild.

The decrease in life is because they are exposed to different risks like food scarcity, predators, and habitat degradation. The life span of any animal may be accurately predicted based on the care they get. A bearded dragon may survive for at least eight years if given inadequate care.

They sometimes get ordinary care, ensuring they survive for about twelve years.

They may survive for 15 years if given proper care. They are well cared for and given the proper nutrition and vitamins while in captivity. In captivity, however, predators may attack them, destroy their habitat, and even face food deprivation.

Bearded dragons hunt their food in the wild. Ensure that all vital nutrients are included when providing them with a diet. They require calcium-rich diets, as well as green vegetables. Birds, dingoes, cats, black-headed pythons, and foxes are among the native predators of bearded dragons.

How to Determine the Age of Your Bearded Dragon

If you don’t know how old your bearded dragon is, there are a few ways you may use to acquire a rough estimate.

Regarding younger bearded dragons, gauging their length might give you an idea of their age. A bearded dragon that is 3-11 inches long is roughly 0-3 months old, a lizard that is 9-22 inches long is around 4-12 months old, and a bearded dragon that is 12-24 inches long is over 12 months old.

It is crucial to note that a bearded dragon’s length is controlled by various factors, including the lizard’s species, genetics, and environment.

Sexual development is another factor that might help you estimate your beardie’s age. A bearded dragon achieves sexual maturity between the ages of 8 and 12 months. Once you’ve determined the gender of your beardie, you may estimate their age to be between 8 and 12 months.

How to Extend the Life of Your Bearded Dragon

1. Make use of safe items.

Protecting your bearded dragon from unfavorable scenarios produced by dangerous goods should be a top priority. One of the most typical disasters is impaction caused by loose ground such as sand and tiny stones. Make sure your thermometer and hygrometer are of excellent quality to precisely check your tank’s parameters.

In terms of food, make sure you get your live feed (insects, crickets, etc.) from reputable breeders, so you know it’s free of parasites and illnesses. Wash vegetables and fruits properly to reduce the chance of pesticide contamination.

2. Provide them with vitamins.

Bearded dragons in captivity require a little assistance balancing their food and nutrients. Giving them multivitamins, calcium, and vitamin D3 supplements will help them meet their dietary requirements.

These supplements can be ingested or sprinkled on your bug feeders. These are especially crucial for pregnant women, who require a higher calcium intake than usual.

3. They should clean their tank regularly.

Keeping your beardies’ house clean will lower the danger of illness and give a more comfortable living environment for your animal. Remove uneaten food regularly, spot clean for droppings, and clean the entire tank at least once a month.

4. hydration

Hydration is an important part of bearded dragon maintenance that is sometimes disregarded. Aside from always offering your beardie fresh, clean water, a good, warm bath for approximately 20 minutes may also keep them hydrated. This also aids in loosening their skin when shedding, reducing the possibility of constriction, which can lead to tail rot.

5. Maintain a stress-free environment for your beardie

One of the greatest methods to extend a bearded dragon’s life is to keep it stress-free. Aside from providing the care mentioned above, you also need to ensure that it is free of any stress.

Other animals and excessive noise in the room can typically cause chronic stress in bearded dragons. Glass terrariums can also reflect that your dragon may confuse for another dragon, leading them to grow agitated. Prevent this by covering one side of your glass cage with fabric or a backdrop.

Conclusion

Temperature also has a significant impact on the life span of bearded dragons. They should be exposed to the same degree of temperature and illumination throughout their lives. The environment and weather also have an important impact. They spend their time hunting in the wild, so if maintained in captivity, make sure the bearded dragons receive adequate exercise.

If there are any health difficulties, illnesses, or complications, one should always contact and see a veterinarian. Some of the causes of a short lifetime include having too many proteins, putting them in a remote location without allowing them to stretch, inconsistent humidity and temperature management, and not supplying them with adequate shade.

Bearded dragons may live for 15 years if all of this is avoided.

Editorial Staff

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