Have you wondered how big a bearded dragon can get?
Is your bearded dragon over or underweight?
What factors influence the weight of your bearded dragon?
Here we will answer all the questions related to the weight of a bearded dragon, from factors affecting the weight of your bearded dragon to the chart so you can understand if your bearded dragon is under or overweight
Bearded Dragon Weight Chart By Growth Stages
Bearded Dragon Weight Chart By Growth Stages
There are 4 main growth stages of the bearded dragon which include Hatchings, Babies, Juveniles, and Adults
The following table includes their weight and size according to their age
Hatchlings and Babies : 0 – 3 Months
Newborn babies on average weigh around 25 grams to 8 grams, later in 0-1 month of age, they will weigh around 10 to 20 grams
At the end of the hatchling’s growth stage, it normally weighs around 15 to 25 grams
Anything above or below in this stage will be considered under or overweight
Juveniles: 3 – 11 Months
Starting from 3 months to 11 months, in this stage, they will gain weight from 25 grams to 400 grams
In some cases around 450 grams Anything above or below in this stage will be considered under or overweight
Adults: 12 – 18 Months
Between 12 to 18 months, they gain weight from 440 grams or 450 grams to 550 gramsAnything above or below in this stage will be considered under or overweight
However, it’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian if you need further clarification and guidance
However, it’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian if you need further clarification and guidance
However, it’s recommended to consult with your veterinarian if you need further clarification and guidance
How Frequently You Should Check Weight Of Your Bearded Dragon
How Frequently You Should Check Weight Of Your Bearded Dragon
You can compare its growth based on its life cycle and the chart we have given
Factors Affecting the Weight of Your Bearded Dragon
Factors Affecting the Weight of Your Bearded Dragon
Following are some major and minor factors that affect the weight of your bearded dragon
Enclosure size
Gender (Males are usually longer than females in all growth stages)
Brumation (brumating before 12 months can stunt growth)
Illness (especially metabolic bone disease or any illness that occurs during periods of growth)
How Bearded Dragon Gender Affect Their Weight
How Bearded Dragon Gender Affect Their Weight
When it comes to weight, the gender of your dragon will have an impact on its overall weight across its whole life cycle
Males will typically be slightly larger than females in the growth stages
Thanks for reading, check more important: charts and lists for your bearded dragon
If you’ve never had a bearded dragon before, now’s the best time to learn as much as you can about the reptile before purchasing it
One of the first aspects to learn is the animal’s diet; what it should eat, how much, how often, etc
As you will soon see, there’s a fine line between feeding your dragon properly and overfeeding or underfeeding it, both of which come with different health problems
Average Weight for Bearded Dragon
The average weight for a bearded dragon revolves around 450-500 grams
We’re talking about an adult dragon, 18 months of age or older
This is also the average weight for a male, but females fall lower on the spectrum, typically below 400 grams
Here’s a chart of the different stages of a bearded dragon’s life with the respective body weight for each phase:
Bearded Dragon Age
This chart exemplifies the standard weight gain for a bearded dragon regardless of sex, so these values can vary depending on a variety of factors
Some dragons can reach 650 grams or more, especially larger males, while others remain below the 500-gram mark
It all depends on your dragon’s profile, diet, genetic background, etc
Signs of Overweighted Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons can get overweight with ease, primarily because they have no self-control when it comes to eating
As juveniles, they eat several times per day and require one meal per day or every other day as adults
The signs suggesting that your bearded dragon is overweight include:
Fat deposits – These should be visible right away, informing you that your dragon’s diet is more calorie-rich than it should be
Bearded dragons store fat in their legs, tail, bellies, and under the chin, so check those areas first
In case of visible fat deposits, tweak the dragon’s diet to force the body to consume them
If that’s the case, your dragon may be overweight
The reptile may still be alert and healthy-looking, it’s just that it prefers to rest more
This is because the extra weight makes moving more strenuous, eventually discouraging the dragon from moving completely
This being said, you should always rely on the presence of fat deposits to diagnose your dragon’s health state
The following 2 points are only indicators of a weight problem if fat deposits are present
Signs of Underweighted Bearded Dragon
An underweight dragon is at more serious health risks than an overweight one
The clearest sign of an underweight problem is the dragon’s skinny appearance
You shouldn’t be able to see your dragon’s ribs and bones through the skin
Also, look for signs of saggy skin and lack of movement, as underfed dragons have very little energy to spend
However, as I’ve already mentioned, being underweight isn’t the real problem
The real problem is nutrient deficiency
If your dragon isn’t getting sufficient food, it will experience nutrient deficiency first and only after the signs of malnutrition will begin to appear
The problem is that nutrient deficiency is often deadly, because bearded dragons are prone to calcium deficiency
Severe calcium deficiency due to insufficient food or improper nutrition as a whole can degenerate into Metabolic Bone Disease which is lethal in advanced phases
Weighing Your Bearded Dragon
You ideally want to weigh your bearded dragon at different phases of its life to make sure it’s growing properly
You only need a kitchen scale for that, so long as you remember that some kitchen scales are capped at 500 grams
When preparing to weigh your bearded dragon for the first time, remember the following tips:
Baby and juvenile dragons are jumpier and more energetic; handle them with care to prevent them from escaping
Don’t hold your dragon’s tail during the handling, as the animal can freak out and lose it in the process
Use a tall container when weighing the dragon to prevent the reptile from running; most dragons take time to get used to the weighing process
You want to weigh your dragon more often when young because that’s when they grow faster
The dragon’s growth rate drops as the reptile matures, around 18 months of age
Keeping Your Bearded Dragon in Shape
The idea is to keep your dragon in shape so you won’t have to deal with any weight-related issues
Adjust the Meal Size and Frequency
First, you need to adapt to your dragon’s nutritional requirements
Baby and juvenile dragons eat far more often than the adults
A typical juvenile dragon may require 2-3 meals per day, while adults only eat once per day
As the dragon ages beyond the 18-month mark, it may even eat once every 2 days
Learn your dragon’s physiological needs and adjust the meal plan based on that
Only feed your dragon small portions each time, sufficient for the animal to consume with excitement
Once its eating excitement drops, you know the reptile has had its full
As a general idea, bearded dragons eat around 3-4 food items in one sitting whether that’s insects or fruit pieces
Meal size and frequency matters greatly in this sense
It’s also critical to learn your dragon’s nutritional requirements
Bearded dragons need more animal protein and fats when young and more fruits, veggies, and greens as they grow old
To consider some general values, the diet of baby and juvenile dragons consists of 80% insects and 20% fruits and veggies
The diet of a typical adult bearded dragon consists of 30% insects and 70% fruits and veggies
You should adapt to your dragon’s nutritional requirements and tweak its diet as it grows older
Bearded dragons also require commercial food, nutritionally optimized for them
So, consider gut-loading and dusting your feeder insects before serving them to your lizard
I recommend setting up an insect feeder tank to provide you with sufficient high-quality food daily
You should always watch your dragon’s food fiber content
These are generally present in fruits and veggies, which adult dragons need to eat plenty of
Fibers are great for preventing constipation and keeping the lizard’s digestive system in good condition
Bearded dragons need to remain physically active to stay in good shape
Also, make sure that your bearded dragons have sufficient moving space
You don’t want to keep your dragon in a small and claustrophobic setup
This will not only stress the animal, but limit its physical activity as well
The ideal tank size for an adult bearded dragon revolves around 55-75 gallons, depending on the reptile’s size and activity level
This allows you to vary your dragon’s layout the way you want it and according to your reptile’s needs
Finally, this is a pet you have here, so, feel free to engage in fun activities together once in a while
Not much, just enough to touch the dragon’s belly
This is an especially fun activity in sunny and hot days when dragons could use some bathing
Ball time – A ping-pong ball is often exactly what your dragon needs for some variation and physical activity
Don’t expect to teach your bearded dragon to fetch anytime soon, though
Handling – Sometimes, even handling your bearded dragon can help your reptile workout a bit
Just learn the difference between handling a baby vs
They will vary in size and weight significantly
You don’t need to do anything special during these handling sessions
Don’t hold your reptile pet if it squirms or seems reluctant to let you touch it
That means that the dragon may prefer solitude for the time being, needs more time to know you better, or maybe there’s something bothering it
You should always weigh and assess your bearded dragon’s health status frequently
Keep track of the reptile’s overall physical and mental health, assess its activity level, and check its overall behavior
By doing so, you will learn the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy specimen which often gives you the upper hand in case your reptile in unwell
Timely measures in case of sickness, nutrient deficiency, and other health-related problems are critical for avoiding more severe situations
You rarely get to see overweight or underweight bearded dragons in the wild
Food availability is also an important factor that keeps dragons in shape; it’s unlikely for a bearded dragon to find sufficient food to allow it to become overweight
Try to understand your reptile’s metabolic and nutritional requirements and stick to what fits their profile best
Related Posts:Bearded Dragon Overweighed – 5 Tips To Lose WeightBearded Dragon Diet: Complete Guide to Bearded Dragon FoodWhy Does My Bearded Dragon Feel Cold?Can a Bearded Dragon Survive a Fall?
Unlike cats and dogs, it can often times be a little tricky to estimate how large a baby bearded dragon will grow, especially if you’ve never been around one!
But, rest assured… if you find yourself wondering what the size of a full grown bearded dragon is, you’ve come to the RIGHT place!
Familiarizing yourself with the bearded dragon growth rate will provide you, at the very least, a basic understanding of when you’ll need to purchase a larger tank
Well, knowing what an adult bearded dragon looks like in terms of size will also help you decide if they’re the right pet for you AND your home
You see, in this article we’re leaving NO stone unturned when it comes to all things bearded dragon size
Specifically, This Article Will Answer the Following Questions Relating to Bearded Dragon Size:
What does a full grown bearded dragon look like?
So, if you’d like to discover bearded dragon size by age, just keep reading!
Baby Bearded Dragon SizeJuvenile Bearded Dragon Size Sub Adult Bearded Dragon SizeAdult/Full Grown Bearded Dragon SizeHow Fast do Bearded Dragons Grow?Bearded Dragon Growth RateBearded Dragon Size ChartBearded Dragon WeightBearded Dragon Weight Chart How to Tell If a Bearded Dragon Is OverweightHow to Tell If a Bearded Dragon Is UnderweightHow Long Do Bearded Dragons Get?Why Isn’t My Bearded Dragon Growing or Gaining Weight?Bearded Dragon Growth Problem #1: Inadequate UVB ExposureBearded Dragon Growth Problem #2: Insufficient DietBearded Dragon Growth Problem #3: BrumationBearded Dragon Growth Problem #4: Disease or illnessWrapping Up How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get
It is important to note, that whenever you measure your bearded dragon you must include their tail
A full-size bearded dragon will most often measure between 16 and 24 inches
These full grown bearded dragons will also most often weigh between 300 and 550 grams, with the average weight being around 400 grams
A bearded dragon grows to its full size by 18 months of age, at which point they are considered an adult and sexually mature
However, it is not uncommon for bearded dragons to be done growing by 12 months of age
Most bearded dragon owners will agree there are 3-4 primary age groups for a bearded dragon
Expect your bearded dragon’s growth rate to mirror the amounts in each category below…
Baby Bearded Dragon Size
A new born baby bearded dragon will typically measure around 3 inches long and will weigh as little as 4 grams
Bearded dragons are regarded as “hatchling” from the moment they’re born through 2 months of age
Once they reach 2 months of age, hatchlings will typically have doubled or even tripled their length, and gained anywhere from 4 to over 30 grams
Juvenile Bearded Dragon Size
A juvenile bearded dragon can range in size anywhere from 8 to 23 inches long and weigh between 20 and 400 grams
Juvenile bearded dragons are those that are between 3 and 11 months of age
These bearded dragons experience the MOST dramatic growth rate, with most having nearly reached their final size by month 11
This dramatic size range is due to the long 8 months of growing juveniles undergo
Sub Adult Bearded Dragon Size
Expect the average sub adult bearded dragon to measure between 15 and 24 inches and weigh between 300 and 500 grams
Sub adult bearded dragons are those that are between the ages of 12 and 17 months
During these months, a healthy bearded dragon’s size will change very little, if at all
For example, a sub adult bearded dragon may only grow an additional inch between 12 and 17 months of age
On top of this, they may only gain 20 grams
Adult/Full Grown Bearded Dragon Size
Although much bigger than their baby bearded dragon counterparts, adult bearded dragons are still a really manageable size compared to many other lizards
Not as small and frail as lizards like geckos, but smaller than iguanas and monitor lizards, their medium size makes them attractive to many pet owners who want a hardy yet small reptile
A full grown bearded dragon will typically be anywhere from 16 to 24 inches in length and will weigh on average between 300 and 550 grams
However, full grown bearded dragons can reach longer lengths, with some growing to be as long as 26 inches
As aforementioned, a beardie will be considered an adult bearded dragon at 18 months of age
It is at this point that 999% of owners will have their bearded dragon full size
Full grown bearded dragons that are male will almost always be a bigger size (longer) than full grown female bearded dragons
Males will typically measure 20 to 24 inches in size, whilst females will often measure 16 to 20 inches in size
As you may have already picked up on, full grown bearded dragons can vary amongst each other in size (weight and length) somewhat depending on a few factors
Because of this, there is no ONE size that is regarded as “normal”
An adult bearded dragon’s size is MOST determined by…
Enclosure quality & size
If you have adopted or are thinking of adopting a baby bearded dragon, be sure to cherish their baby size while it lasts!
Bearded dragons pretty much embody the old adage of “growing up too fast” with an astronomical growth rate witnessed in the first few months
Naturally, any new or prospective pet owner will want to know how long their pet will be growing for
Knowing such will allow for proper planning and strategy to ensure you have the time, energy, and resources to properly care for a baby for a specific amount of time
After all, what could be more overwhelming than to have your baby bearded dragon transform into an adult bearded dragon seemingly overnight?
So, just how long does it take a bearded dragon to grow?
And when do bearded dragons stop growing?
Although some dragons can continue growing a little bit into their second year of age, many dragons seem to dramatically slow down around 11 to 12 months, typically having reached their full size in length of anywhere from 15 to 18 inches!
Now, this isn’t to say that your dragon doesn’t have more growing ahead of them into their second year, but chances are, it is very little, as in an inch or two
Also, the speed at which your dragon will continue to grow will be so gradual you may not even notice it
So, don’t be surprised if their size doesn’t appear to change much aft 12 months
You can expect most bearded dragons to be 95% done growing by 12 months of age and 99-100% done by 18 months
Bearded Dragon Growth Rate
Obviously, this is in direct contrast to the growing boom witnessed within the first 6 months, with bearded dragons growing as quickly as an additional inch per week!
It should also be noted that around the year mark, give or take a few months, is when your dragon should start putting on some weight and bulking up
Expect your adult bearded dragon to begin filling out some and looking less lanky around the 12 month mark
Bearded Dragon Size Chart
Size (Length)
The bearded dragon size chart above will help give you a more specific idea of bearded dragon size by age
By consulting the chart, you will be able to better gauge by how long bearded dragons grow for and at what point this growth dramatically slows down
However, it is important to note that these lengths are all estimates and averages
So, if your bearded dragon’s size is shorter than the sizes listed below, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unhealthy or that their growth is stunted
Bearded Dragon Weight
Bearded Dragon Weight
Big, small, medium… there truly is no ONE accepted size for a bearded dragon to be
Just like with people, some bearded dragons are simply genetically inclined to be bigger
The important thing is you ensure your bearded dragon is not underweight or overweight and that if they are under 12 months of age, they are growing progressively and gaining weight each month
When they’re born, baby bearded dragons are tiny, weighing about the same as a single sheet of paper!
Yet, their size doesn’t stay small for long…
You see, these itty bitty babies can gain as much as 400x (or more!) their birth weight by the time they reach adulthood
And many of them will double their birth size within a week or less
Bearded Dragon Weight Chart
Bearded Dragon Weight Chart
Age
Age
Weight
On top of closely monitoring your bearded dragon’s length, you should also pay attention to their weight
How to Tell If a Bearded Dragon Is Overweight
An overweight bearded dragon will look especially round, with a belly that can be seen from above, fat legs, and a very full chest
If you believe your bearded dragon to be overweight, you should first check their tank’s temperatures to make sure they are where they need to be
If the temperatures get too high, this can lead to a bigger size bearded dragon, as the temps will trigger their appetite and cause them to eat more food than they would normally
As a reminder, you’ll want to aim for a basking spot between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit for bearded dragons a year and older
To help your bearded dragon lose weight you can…
Only offer low fat feeders, such as crickets and hornworms
Feed more vegetables and less feeders
How to Tell If a Bearded Dragon Is Underweight
An underweight bearded dragon will have skin that looks wrinkly and hangs from their body
They will also have a torso that appears flat in size
A normal bearded dragon’s fat pads will be slightly raised
If you believe your bearded dragon is underweight and they are under a year old, start monitoring their weight immediately!
You’ll want to ensure they are gaining weight week after week and are not experiencing a plateau in their size
One of the most common causes for an underweight bearded dragon is a cold cage
If your bearded dragon isn’t able to warm him or herself, then they will likely experience a decrease in appetite
Make sure your bearded dragon’s lighting and temperature setup is appropriate for their specific age
To help your bearded dragon grow in size and gain weight you can…
Offer feeders high in fat, such as superworms, waxworms, and butterworms
Supplement their feedings with a homemade bearded dragon slurry
These estimations in this bearded dragon growth chart are just approximations
However, they represent the majority of bearded dragons within these categories, and as such, depict healthy lengths for each specific age range
At one year old, your dragon should be anywhere from 16 to 18 inches long on average
It is at this age that your dragon will also begin to significantly slow down in their growing process
However, by 24 months of age they can grow to be as long as 24, 25, or even 26 inches!
However, more times than not, your dragon will reach it’s full length by around 18 months
Please note the Bearded Dragon Growth Chart above to get an idea of where the average bearded dragon falls in terms of length through the first 18 months of their life
If your bearded dragon is below average size and weight (see the bearded dragon size chart and bearded dragon weight chart above for reference)…
Chances are there’s either something wrong with their diet, their habitat isn’t set up correctly, or you’ve let them go through brumation at too young of any age
Read below to discover how each of these issues can lead to a small and underdeveloped bearded dragon!
Bearded Dragon Growth Problem #1: Inadequate UVB Exposure
If your dragon’s habitat doesn’t have a proper UVB bulb, then this can definitely lead to slower or stifled growth
Bearded dragons who don’t get adequate levels of UVB are not able to appropriately absorb calcium from their diet
This can lead to a bounty of serious health problems
Without calcium, bearded dragons can…
Experience stunted growth
Develop Metabolic Bone Disease
Also, without the right UVB setup, your bearded dragon can also have a suppressed appetite, leading to stunted growth
🤓 Expert Tip: To ensure your bearded dragon is absorbing optimal amounts of UVB, you’ll need to change their bulb(s) every 6 months
Now, if your bearded dragon has a high quality mercury vapor bulb, you can typically wait a little longer, say 6-10 months before changing it out
Just be sure to watch your pet’s energy levels, as they can become lethargic as bulbs weaken
Bearded Dragon Growth Problem #2: Insufficient Diet
Unlike more mature bearded dragons, babies need virtually as much protein as they will eat to grow up both big and strong
If your baby bearded dragon is under 3 months, you should be feeding them crickets 5 times a day for 5-10 minute intervals, allowing them to eat as much as they like
And although greens and salad are a staple in a bearded dragon’s diet, they don’t really become important until around 12 months of age
It is at this point that your bearded dragon will have most likely reached or nearly reached their full size, and as such, they will not be needing nearly as much protein
Bearded Dragon Growth Problem #3: Brumation
Although brumation is a perfectly normal bearded dragon behavior, allowing it to happen when your bearded dragon is still growing can irreversibly stunt their growth and lead to them being a smaller size
Brumation, which is essentially the reptile version of hibernation, is when a bearded dragon hunkers down and sleeps for long periods of time as they anticipate winter
When a dragon goes through brumation, they tend to lose quite a bit of weight as they spend a good deal of time sleeping and therefore, not needing food
Brumation can significantly stunt the growth of a younger dragon and as such, should be avoided if possible
Avoid brumation by ensuring the temperatures in the dragon’s cage stay where they should be year-round (both during night and day) and by also making sure the lighting cycle is normal as well (10 – 12 hours of light a day, every day! )
Bearded Dragon Growth Problem #4: Disease or illness
If your bearded dragon happens to become sick whilst they’re still growing, then the can experience stunted growth
Often times, sickly bearded dragons experience a loss of appetite
And if a growing bearded dragon is not consuming the food their body needs, then they can become weak and stop growing
Additionally, internal parasites can also lead to slower or stunted growth as they will rob your bearded dragon of the nutrients they consume
If your bearded dragon is experiencing diarrhea or their waste is abnormally smelly – yet their diet hasn’t changed – they may have parasites
Knowing what healthy bearded dragon poop looks like, can help you better recognize the potential presence of parasites
You can almost always prevent an illness by ensuring your bearded dragon’s diet and habitat are on point
To Keep Your Bearded Dragon Healthy And Help Them Grow…
Ensure temperatures are where they should be
Offer calcium and multi vitamin supplements
Feed a proper, well-rounded diet
If you manage to do all of the things listed above, your bearded dragon should enjoy the best possible chances of growing up big and strong!
🤓 Expert Tip: Knowing the signs of a sick bearded dragon can make all the difference in not only their recovery BUT also how much (or how little) you need to spend to get them feeling better
Brush up on the most common signs of sick bearded dragon to ensure you’re prepared in the event your pet becomes ill
Wrapping Up How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get
All bearded dragons come into the world the same way, tiny, fragile, and weighing no more than a handful of grams
However, with the right diet and care, their growth rate skyrockets as they double, triple, and quadruple in size over a few short months!
And while there is no one size that is the standard for bearded dragons, all owners should monitor the growth of their pet to ensure they don’t become underweight or overweight
Additionally, those that own babies or juveniles should regularly weigh and measure their pets to ensure their growth rate is not being stifled
And should they find their bearded dragon to have stopped growing before a year’s time?
Immediate action should be taken to ensure that the lighting and temperature setup is appropriate, their diet sufficient, and their pet healthy and free from parasites
Now, make sure you know all there is about how long bearded dragons (should) live!