Bearded Dragon Growth Cycle
Bearded dragons are an increasingly popular reptile pet. As they are so easy to care for, they make excellent beginner reptiles. One of the most common questions prospective bearded dragon owners have is: “How long does it take for bearded dragons to grow?”
Factors Affecting Growth
In general, it takes roughly one year for a bearded dragon to reach their full size. However, there are various factors that can affect a bearded dragon’s growth cycle, including:
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- Gender: Male bearded dragons tend to grow larger than female bearded dragons.
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- Diet: An unhealthy diet can slow down growth.
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- Genetics: Genetics play a role in how quickly a bearded dragon grows.
Stages of Growth
The bearded dragon growth cycle has three main stages:
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- Hatchling: Upon hatching, a bearded dragon is just 4-8 inches in length. As they feed and grow, they quickly hit the juvenile stage.
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- Juvenile: Juvenile bearded dragons usually reach their adult length of 14 to 22 inches within 9 months to 1 year.
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- Adult: As adults, beardies do not typically get any bigger. They can reach a maximum age of 8 or 10 years in captivity.
With the proper care, nutrition, and environment, a bearded dragon should reach its full size in the juvenile stage in just 1 year.
