Bearded Dragons are popular pets, known for their distinctive appearance and friendly temperament.
In this article, we’ll explore the different growth stages of Bearded Dragons and the factors that influence their size such as;
- Subspecies
- Gender
- Genetics
- Diet
- Environment
- Husbandry
Bearded Dragon Growth Chart
| Age (months) | Size (Inches) | Weight (Grams) |
| 1 | 3”-4” | 4-6 |
| 2 | 5”-9” | 8-40 |
| 3 | 8”-11” | 22-110 |
| 4 | 9”-12” | 40-115 |
| 5 | 11”-16” | 100-115 |
| 6 | 11”-18” | 180-188 |
| 7 | 13”-18” | 230-280 |
| 8 | 14”-20” | 252-327 |
| 9-10 | 16”-22” | 280-360 |
| 11-12 | 16”-24” | 350-465 |
| 12+ | 18”-24” | 380-510 |
Baby Bearded Dragon Size
Upon hatching, baby beardies come out at 3 inches in size and only 4 grams in weight.
The first two months are when they’ll be packing on the size. They’ll grow at a rate of 1”-1.5” per week and gain 5-35 grams in weight.
To support their rapid growth, baby bearded dragons require a diet high in protein and calcium. This can be achieved by feeding them various insects, such as crickets and mealworms, and offering leafy greens and vegetables. It is essential to provide them with a source of UVB lighting, which helps their bodies absorb calcium and maintain their overall health.
Juvenile Bearded Dragon Size
Your beardie will be in the juvenile stage at 6-12 months. Their growth rate will slow down to 1”-3” per month
When housing your juvenile beardie, they’ll need a minimum space of 40 gallons in their habitat. Anything smaller is an unhealthy size for their growth and overall health.
At this age, Bearded Dragons will start to show their territorial tendencies and will need to be separated if currently living in cohabitant environments. This is because, smaller or submissive beardies will be bullied off food, water, and basking spots causing stress, injury, and illnesses.
It’s important to continue offering a balanced diet and providing them with proper care. This includes offering them a variety of insects, vegetables, and a source of UVB lighting.
Adult Bearded Dragon Size
Bearded Dragons typically hit the adult stage at 12 months, however, they can keep growing up until 18 months of age. Reaching sizes of 16”-24” and weight ranges of 380-510 grams.
If your beardie has grown larger than 24”, there is a chance you’ve acquired a German Giant, this is a specific morph of Bearded Dragon. A German Giant can reach a size of up to 30” and a weight of 1000 grams.
Morphs are the outcome of specific breeding to create unique dragons, altering their coloration, spike patterns, and scales.
Subspecies Specific Growth Chart
There are 8 subspecies of Bearded Dragon, each of which is from a different area in Australia.
They’ve evolved to grow to the sizes they require in each region.
| Subspecies | Size (Inches) | Weight (Grams) |
| Pogona Microlepidota | 4”-6” | 6-40 |
| Pogona Henrylawsoni | 9”-12” | 50-200 |
| Pogona Minor Mina | 10”-12” | 100-200 |
| Pogona Nullarbor | 12”-”14” | 200-250 |
| Pogona Minor | 14”-18” | 250-450 |
| Pogona Minor Mitchelli | 16”-18” | 380-450 |
| Pogona Vitticeps | 16”-24” | 380-510 |
| Pogona Barbata | 20”-24” | 400-510 |
What Influences a Bearded Dragons Size?
Gender
Bearded Dragons are sexually dimorphic, meaning males are typically bigger than females.
You can determine the sex of your beardie by the femoral pores and physical size.
Genetics
Genetics can alter what size a Bearded Dragon will be. This is determined by the genes they’ve inherited from their parents.
Although we’re able to create different morphs through breeding, we can’t always determine what we’ll get because we can’t decide what genes are passed on by the parents. We can only help direct the process.
Diet
You should always provide your beardie with a balanced diet, not providing the correct nutrients can lead to stunted growth.
As your Bearded Dragon ages, you’ll need to alter its diet to accommodate its growth rate and eating habits.
Environment
The size of your Bearded Dragon can be affected by the environment, specifically the sizing of their habitat.
When providing your beardie with a habitat, you’ll need to ensure you have the correct size tank for your Bearded Dragons age.
- Baby: 40-55 gallons
- Juvenile: 55-75 gallons
- Adult: 75-120 gallons
You’ll also need to provide the correct lighting for your beardie because faulty, or incorrect lighting can stunt its growth.
Husbandry
Neglect of health care and husbandry will reduce the size of your Bearded Dragon, having a lack of husbandry can lead to illnesses such as impaction and parasites. These cause your dragon to lack the nutrients they require to grow and impact its overall health.
Bearded Dragon Weight
In addition to monitoring their size, it’s essential to monitor the weight of your bearded dragon.
Obesity is a concern for reptiles, especially if they’re not receiving an appropriate diet and exercise. Ensure you’re providing a balanced diet of greens and proteins.
Obesity can be caused by the temperature within the habitat. If it’s warmer than 100°F, your beardie will be hungrier than needed, causing overeating.
On the other hand, bearded dragons can also become malnourished if they’re not receiving enough nutrients.
Ensure you’re dusting your beardies food with supplements like calcium to keep them nourished.
A veterinarian can help you determine if your pet is at a healthy weight and provide recommendations for maintaining its health.
Summary
In conclusion, bearded dragons can grow to be 18-24 inches in length from head to tail. The size of a bearded dragon can be influenced by factors such as;
- Gender
- Genetics
- Diet
- Environment
- Husbandry
It is important to monitor their growth and weight to ensure they’re receiving proper care and are at a healthy weight.
