Introduction ✨
Every pet lover must have a question in mind; “How long bearded dragons can live?
Well, “Bearded dragons, which are native to Australia, are among the most popular reptile pets in the world because of their peaceful attitude, small stature, and fascinating habits. Because of their spiky, “beard-like” neck pouch, beardies get their moniker.
Whereas, Dragons can impress possible mates, scare off predators, and threaten their rivals by expanding this pouch. Moreover, when they are particularly agitated, they may make a “hissing” sound. The lifespans of bearded dragons in the wild and in captivity can differ greatly. Everything you need to know about their life expectancy and how to extend it, this article will cover it.
How Long do Bearded Dragons Live❓
The genus Pogona contains eight species of bearded dragons, which are classified as desert lizards. When given the right care, pet bearded dragons can outlive rabbits and possibly even outlive dogs or cats. Numerous factors, including genetics, living circumstances, proper habitat setup, appropriate care, and nutrition, affect how long your bearded dragon will live. The average lifespan of a bearded dragon in captivity is about ten years, yet the oldest known bearded dragon ever recorded lived for eighteen years.
Additionally, when fully grown, they can grow up to 25 inches in length and weigh up to 16 ounces. Their colors range from brownish to orange to yellowish to cream.
Bearded Dragons in the Wild vs. Captivity 🐉
You can greatly influence the circumstances that can affect your pet’s health and lifespan while they are in captivity. Therefore, bearded dragons can survive up to 15 years or even longer if given the best reptile care possible, which includes a balanced diet, a well-maintained environment, UVB lighting, calcium supplements and frequent veterinary examinations. Increased longevity is a result of early sickness detection and treatment made possible by receiving veterinary services. Furthermore, their chances of leading a full life greatly increase due to lack of environmental hazards and predators.
On the other hand, the many environmental hazards and unpredictability that wild bearded dragons encounter shorten their life expectancy. Yet these lizards also spend a lot of time in the wild dodging their natural predators. Large goannas (lizards), birds, and dingoes are among the bearded dragon’s natural predators. In the wild, bearded dragons often live up to eight years of age. A beardie is regarded as extremely elderly and fortunate if they survive in the wild for more than eight years.
Their shortened lifespan is also a result of severe weather, a lack of nutrition, and territorial disputes among dragons. In addition, wild dragons are more vulnerable to infections and disorders that can cause early death if left unchecked.
Average Lifespan by Environment 🐉⏳
Well, a bearded dragon’s lifespan greatly depends upon its surroundings and level of care. Predation, hostile environments, and erratic food sources are just a few of the many dangers these amazing reptiles confront.
However, theseincredible reptiles usually survive 10 to 15 years in their native Australian environment. For any reptile lover, a bearded dragon is a long-term commitment because, in the right circumstances and proper habitat setup, they can live for 20 years or longer.
╰┈➤Factors That Affect a Bearded Dragon’s Lifespan 🐉⏳
It’s crucial to keep in mind that there is never an absolute certainty regarding how long a bearded dragon (or any other pet) will live. Even if you take every precaution, your pet may still suffer from a misfortune-related sickness.
Nonetheless, taking the proper precautions, you can significantly enhance the likelihood that your bearded dragon will live a longer life. Health of your reptile depends on a number of important factors which are as follow:
① Diet and Nutrition
A healthy diet is essential whether it is an animal or human. The caliber of the food you give these reptiles will support their health and fight illness. In order to encourage their growth, young bearded dragons need a food high in protein, but adults need a diet higher in vegetables and lower in protein. Provide a daily supply of fresh greens, such as collard, mustard, and dandelion greens, as well as a range of insects of suitable sizes, such as crickets, dubia roaches, and black army fly larvae. Henceimproper diet can lead to metabolic bone disease (MBD), obesity, or other health conditions that limit their longevity.
Additionally, It is crucial to make sure that dragons receive enough calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, particularly if they are young and developing.
② Proper Lighting and Heating
Since calcium absorption and bone health depend on UVA and UVB lighting must be a crucial supply through the light bulbs. Without it, metabolic bone disease—which, if left untreated, can be lethal—can strike bearded dragons. Depending on your dragon’s age, it’s also critical to maintain proper temperatures between 96 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit and to make sure your habitat is stress-free and tidy. Inadequate settings can weaken their immune system and render them prone to sickness.
Therefore, during the summer, you should expose your bearded dragon to 14–16 hours of UVB light during the day and 8–10 hours at night.
Also make sure they receive 10–12 hours of UVB exposure during the day and 12–14 hours during the night during the fall and winter months.
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③ Clean and Spacious Enclosure
Keeping your pet clean is essential to their wellbeing. In order to reduce the possibility of bacteria or mold, clean and disinfect the enclosure on a regular basis, paying particular attention to the water dishes.
Maintain a humidity level between 30 and 40 percent. Keep an eye on levels with a hygrometer and adjust as necessary.
Keep the habitat from being very tightly sealed. Glass tanks may cause ventilation issues.
Make sure there is adequate airflow throughout the enclosure to avoid humid, stale situations.
④ Regular Health Checks
Well, health is wealth. Bearded dragons may gain benefit from routine checkups and physical tests, just like any other pet. For the prompt detection and treatment of health issues, routine examinations with a reptile veterinarian are crucial. A veterinarian can also offer helpful guidance on preventative care, husbandry, and nutrition.
How to Increase Your Bearded Dragon’s Lifespan❓
Well, honestly there is no guarantee of the long lifespan of any pet. But if you are a pet lover, you can keep this reptile pet healthy and fit following these golden husbandry tips.
Better Husbandry Tips for Bearded Dragon’s Life Longevity: 🐉
- What should you know before getting a bearded dragon as a pet?
Bearded dragons require adequate floor room to walk, dig, and exercise because they are desert lizards. - A bulb with 5–7% UVA and UVB radiation is what you need.
It is required to increase metabolism, promote healthy calcium and vitamin D3 absorption, and increase hunger. - The substrate you choose is a crucial factor to take into account. One benefit of loose substrates is that they encourage your pet’s natural digging and tunneling habits.
- Clean your bearded dragon’s teeth in safe and efficient ways. Learn what causes concerns with your bearded dragon’s teeth, how to identify them early, and the various remedies.
- Learn everything there is to know about mouth rots, including preventative techniques, treatment choices, and early warning indicators. Gums that are enlarged and discolored, excessive saliva, foul breath, and trouble eating are all signs of mouth rot. Unfortunately, it can spread to other areas of the body and cause major health problems if treatment is not received.
Signs of Aging in Bearded Dragons 🐉
A bearded dragon undergoes a number of behavioral and physical changes when it reaches its senior years.
- Senior beardies become less active like any other aging animal.
- To maintain their ease and overall health, individuals might need to make dietary and environmental changes, and their color might somewhat fade.
- Bearded dragons may experience joint issues like as arthritis as they age, which can cause rigidity, limb weakening, and trouble walking along.
- For elderly bearded dragons, losing weight may be an early indicator of health issues.
- Their nails become overgrown as a result of less activity.
- As they age, bearded dragons may experience cataracts or other eyesight issues that impair their ability to see.
Bearded Dragon Lifespan FAQs
What is the average lifespan of a pet bearded dragon❓
Based on a study by the University of Sydney, the average lifespan of bearded dragons in captivity is roughly 10-15 years.
Another study indicated that the longevity of bearded dragons in the wild is substantially shorter than in captivity, which is 5-10 years. This is because they encounter many hazards and obstacles, such as predators, infections, parasites, rivalry, and extreme temperatures.
Can bearded dragons live longer than 15 years❓
Well, on average bearded dragons can live 10-15 years if properly cared at home. Thus in wild this average life span is nearly impossible. On the other hand there is only one case where this reptile lived more than 15 years. Yes we are talking about that amazing bearded dragon named Sebastian died at the age of 18 years and 237 days on January 24, 2016.
How do I know how old my bearded dragon is❓
There are a few techniques you can use to estimate your bearded dragon’s age if you are unsure of it. You can estimate the age of a younger bearded dragon by measuring its length. More exactly, a beardie that is 4-12 inches in length is around 0-4 months old, a lizard measuring 12-24 inches is approximately 4-12 months old, and a bearded dragon measuring 24-34 inches is over 12 months old. Yetremember that a bearded dragon’s length depends on a variety of factors, such as the different species, habitat, and genes of the lizard.
On the other side, sex maturity can indicate your beardie’s age. It takes a bearded dragon eight to twelve months to attain its maturity in sex.
What is the oldest recorded bearded dragon❓
Sebastian, the oldest bearded dragon, must be included while discussing bearded dragon lifespan. On January 24, 2016, Sebastian died at the age of 18 years and 237 days. The reptile was born on June 1st, 1997, and lived in Middlesex, UK.
Does a bearded dragon’s gender affect its lifespan❓
The life expectancy of the male Bearded Dragon is usually longer than that of the female due to its bigger stature. Larger beardies are more resilient to harsh weather conditions and more durable overall. A female’s body is also weakened by having eggs. Their longevity is shortened as a result of this energy need.
