When Do Bearded Dragons Stop Growing?
Bearded dragons are fascinating creatures, beloved by reptile lovers for their gentle disposition and relative ease of care. All types of bearded dragons grow quickly, so it’s natural to want to know when they stop getting bigger.
Growth slowing down & Stopping
At maturity, most bearded dragons range in size from 16 to 24 inches. However, they don’t grow this size all at once. Your dragon will go through several growth spurts as they age, with the last being between 12 and 18 months. After this age, their growth rate will slow significantly, and they will reach their full size by the age of 2 to 3 years.
Factors That Affect Growth
When caring for dragons, it is important to provide them with the best possible diet, environment and care. Doing so will help ensure that your pet grows to their full potential, so it’s important to be aware of what can affect them, such as:
- Temperature: Bearded dragons need temperatures in the range of 90 to 105°F.
- Diet: Feeding a varied, calcium and nutrient-rich diet is essential for helping dragons grow.
- Exercise: Giving your dragon enough activity will help them stay healthy and promote growth.
- Hormones: Imbalanced or inadequate hormones can affect growth.
- Genetics: Some populations of dragons may grow differently than others due to genetic differences.
Signs A Dragon Has Stopped Growing
When it’s time for your dragon to stop growing, they may begin to slow down and become less energetic. This is especially true of males, who usually reach their full size at around 2 years of age.
Additionally, its tail may become shorter and thicker. This is an indication that the growth plates of the tail vertebrae have fused together as a physical sign of adulthood.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons have a life span of between 8 to 10 years, and in this time, they will grow from hatchlings to adults. The process can take more than 2 years, and in order to ensure their growth is healthy and complete, it is essential to provide them with the right environment, diet, and exercise. At around 2 years of age, they will reach their fully grown size, although their growth may be affected by genetics and hormones. You can assume your dragon has reached its full size when its tail becomes shorter and thicker.
