How to Tell the Age of a Bearded Dragon: 5 Vet-Approved Ways

It can be very difficult to tell the age of a Bearded Dragon, especially once it reaches 12 months of age, and if you cannot get reliable records from a breeder or the person who sold the Beardie to you. Before its first birthday, you can measure a Bearded Dragon and get a reasonable approximation of age according to its length, although this isn’t 100% reliable because different individuals will grow at different rates and males and females do grow at different rates.

In all cases, your best bet is through detailed records from the breeder. Once the Bearded Dragon is over 12 months of age, a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles can help, but even they have limited information to go on. Below, we look at the ways you can use to try and determine a Bearded Dragon’s age.

The 5 Ways to Tell the Age of a Bearded Dragon

1. Consult the Breeder

The single most reliable means of determining the age of a Bearded Dragon is to get reliable birth records from the breeder. Most breeders keep detailed records of clutches and the resulting reptiles, although that isn’t true of all breeders. If you bought the lizard through a store or other third party, it may not be possible to get these records, but where they are available, they are the most reliable and accurate measure of the reptile’s age.

2. Consult the Seller

If you did buy your Bearded Dragon through a third party, for example from a specialist reptile store, you can ask them for any information they have available. The seller’s details are likely not as detailed as those belonging to the breeder, however, and they may have gotten rid of any records following the sale of the Bearded Dragon.

3. Measure the Beardie

Bearded Dragons typically reach full size at about 12 months of age, and most do follow a similar growth pattern up until this point. However, there are differences in the rate at which male and female Beardies grow. These differences can be attributed to their genetics, nutrition, environment, and health status. Generally speaking, a bearded dragon (of either sex) will pack on at least 1-3 inches every month for the first year of life. It is important to note that fully grown Bearded Dragons can measure anywhere from 16 inches to nearly 2 feet.

This broad range also shows how different the growth rate can be in younger Bearded Dragons. Generally, though, if your Dragon is still growing, it is under 12 months old, and you can use the following measurements as a guide to the approximate age.

To measure your bearded dragon, use a soft tape measure and measure from the tip of the tail to the end of the nose when the Beardie is stretched out straight. Alternatively, you can place your dragon on a surface that's pre-marked with measurements. It's best to measure your bearded dragon when they're relaxed and laying down peacefully.

4. Determine Sexual Maturity

Bearded Dragons reach sexual maturity between the ages of 9 months and 12 months, in most cases. By monitoring your Beardie and determining when their sexual organs become prominent. Lift the Beardie’s tail. Males will have two bulges above the vent, females will have one. If they are showing these bulges, it means that the Bearded Dragon is at least 9 months old. If you notice when the bulges appear, you can get a rough estimate that the Bearded Dragon is around 10 months at that time.

5. Consult a Veterinarian

If you’ve adopted a Bearded Dragon or have taken one on and have no idea of its age, a veterinarian might be able to help, although they won’t have much more to go on than measuring and checking sexual maturity.

Can You Tell by Condition?

Bearded Dragons shed their skin. They shed more often when they are young but still shed their skin once or twice a year as adults. This means that even if a Beardie has battered skin or cuts and injuries to its skin, this only signifies that it has endured some kind of injury in the past year. Bearded Dragons do have teeth, and they can lose their teeth, which may help identify how old one is, but this isn’t a reliable means of determining age, either. Poor condition is more likely a sign of poor living conditions, poor diet, or poor care.

How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?

Bearded Dragons can live up to 15 years or potentially even more, although some will only live around 10 years. This longevity, combined with the lack of ways to determine an adult Beardie’s age, makes it difficult to be able to accurately determine their age.

Conclusion

Bearded Dragons are popular pets and are likely the most popular of all reptile pets. They have a decent lifespan of up to 15 years, will tolerate being handled, and they are fascinating little lizards that can bring a lot of joy to their owners. They can be quite difficult to age accurately, especially if they are over the age of 12 months.

The most reliable way to determine the age of a Beardie is by getting detailed records from the breeder. Failing this, if the lizard is under 12 months of age, you can get a reasonably accurate idea of its age by measuring it from tail to nose and considering its gender.

Featured Image Credit: Ery Azmeer, Shutterstock