Bearded dragons are common pets, and their lifespan might be as much as 10 years. Nevertheless, it may be troublesome to inform the age of a bearded dragon with out some prior data. On this article, we’ll offer you some recommendations on easy methods to inform the age of a bearded dragon so to higher care to your pet.
One of the essential issues to contemplate when making an attempt to find out the age of a bearded dragon is its measurement. Bearded dragons sometimes develop to be between 18 and 24 inches lengthy, they usually attain their full measurement by the point they’re 2 years previous. Nevertheless, there might be some variation in measurement relying on the person dragon’s genetics and weight loss program. In case you are uncertain about how previous a bearded dragon is, it’s all the time greatest to seek the advice of with a veterinarian.
One other method to inform the age of a bearded dragon is by its scales. As bearded dragons develop, they shed their pores and skin a number of occasions. The frequency of shedding decreases because the dragon will get older. A younger bearded dragon might shed its pores and skin each few weeks, whereas an grownup dragon might solely shed its pores and skin a few times a 12 months. The scales of a younger bearded dragon are additionally extra more likely to be clean and glossy, whereas the scales of an older dragon could also be extra tough and boring.
Analyzing Scale Texture and Coloration
Bearded dragons endure important bodily modifications as they age, and their scales present precious clues in figuring out their age.
Scale Texture
As bearded dragons mature, their scales step by step change in texture. Juveniles have clean, shiny scales, whereas older dragons develop rougher, drier scales. That is as a result of pure put on and tear that happens over time. Moreover, juvenile dragons usually have a velvety look as a result of presence of small scales referred to as keeled scales. As dragons attain maturity, these keeled scales change into much less pronounced, giving the scales a extra uniform look.
Coloration
The coloration of a bearded dragon’s scales additionally gives precious age-related info. Juveniles are likely to have vivid, vibrant colours, equivalent to yellow, orange, or pink. As they mature, their colours sometimes change into extra subdued, with shades of brown, olive, or grey turning into extra frequent.
Analyzing the feel and coloration of a bearded dragon’s scales can present a common estimate of its age. Nevertheless, it is essential to notice that these elements can range relying on particular person genetics, environmental situations, and well being standing.
Observing Nail Development
As bearded dragons age, their nails will step by step develop longer and thicker. The speed of development can range relying on the person dragon’s well being and setting. Nevertheless, there are some common patterns that may enable you to estimate your dragon’s age based mostly on its nail size.
Here’s a desk that exhibits the common nail size for bearded dragons of various ages:
| Age | Nail Size |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Lower than 1/2 inch |
| 6-12 months | 1/2 to 1 inch |
| 1-2 years | 1 to 1 1/2 inches |
| 2+ years | 1 1/2 inches or longer |
It is very important observe that these are simply common pointers. The precise nail size of your bearded dragon might range relying on its particular person development price. In case you are uncertain about your dragon’s age, it’s all the time greatest to seek the advice of with a veterinarian.
Along with nail size, it’s also possible to take a look at the form of your dragon’s nails to assist estimate its age. Youthful dragons can have nails which are extra pointed and sharp. As they age, their nails will change into extra rounded and blunt.
Assessing Eye Traits
Inspecting the eyes of a bearded dragon can present precious clues about its age:
Bulging Eyes
In younger bearded dragons, the eyes are sometimes giant and bulging. As they age, the eyes are likely to change into smaller and fewer outstanding.
Pupil Measurement
The pupils of younger bearded dragons are often giant and darkish. As they mature, the pupils change into smaller and extra oval in form.
Iris Colour
The colour of the iris (the coloured a part of the attention) can even change with age. Younger bearded dragons usually have vivid inexperienced irises, whereas older people might have irises which are extra brown or golden in shade.
Extra Traits
Along with the attention traits talked about above, there are a number of different bodily attributes that may assist decide a bearded dragon’s age:
| Attribute | Younger Dragons | Older Dragons |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Smaller | Bigger |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Tail | Shorter and thinner | Longer and thicker |
| Head | Smaller and rounder | Bigger and extra angular |
| Beard | Shorter and fewer developed | Longer and extra outstanding |
Inspecting the Beard
One of the noticeable traits of bearded dragons is their beard. As they age, the beard undergoes some modifications that may present clues to their age.
**Juvenile Bearded Dragons (0-6 months):** Younger bearded dragons have a clean, unwrinkled beard. The scales on the beard are small and tightly packed collectively.
**Subadult Bearded Dragons (6-12 months):** As bearded dragons enter adolescence, their beards start to develop wrinkles. The scales on the beard begin to change into bigger and extra spaced out.
**Grownup Bearded Dragons (12 months+):** Grownup bearded dragons have a full, bushy beard with deep wrinkles. The scales on the beard are giant and extensively spaced.
| Age | Beard Look |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | Clean, unwrinkled |
| Subadult | Wrinkled, with bigger, extra spaced-out scales |
| Grownup | Full, bushy beard with deep wrinkles and huge, extensively spaced scales |
Studying Development Bands on the Tail
Inspecting the tail of a bearded dragon can present precious clues about its age. The tail comprises development bands, that are skinny, darkish traces that run perpendicular to the size of the tail. These bands are shaped in periods of fast development, much like the expansion rings on a tree trunk. Counting the variety of development bands can provide you an approximate concept of the dragon’s age.
Process:
- Lay the bearded dragon on a flat floor, holding its tail firmly however gently.
- Begin counting the expansion bands closest to the physique and work your manner in the direction of the tip of the tail.
- Keep away from counting the very first band close to the physique, as it might be much less distinct or not seen in any respect.
- Rely every skinny, darkish line as a single band.
- Some bands could also be nearer collectively or overlap, making it troublesome to rely. On this case, divide the world with overlapping bands into equal sections and rely every part as a band.
- After you have counted all the expansion bands to the tip of the tail, add one 12 months to the entire rely. It is because the primary 12 months of a bearded dragon’s life shouldn’t be often marked by development bands.
Bearded dragons sometimes develop about 12-13 development bands per 12 months. Nevertheless, this could range relying on elements equivalent to vitamin, temperature, and general well being. Subsequently, the age estimate obtained from development band counting is an approximation and is probably not precise.
X-ray or Bone Density Scan
X-rays or bone density scans can be utilized to find out the age of a bearded dragon by analyzing the ossification of their bones. As dragons age, their bones change into extra dense and the epiphyseal development plates, or the areas the place the bones develop, begin to shut. By analyzing the X-rays, a veterinarian can estimate the age of a dragon based mostly on the extent of ossification and the closure of the expansion plates.
Components that Have an effect on Bone Density
It is very important observe that the bone density of bearded dragons might be affected by numerous elements, together with:
- Vitamin: A nutritious diet is crucial for correct bone improvement and density.
- Exercise stage: Dragons which are energetic and have entry to applicable basking areas are likely to have stronger bones.
- Well being situations: Underlying well being points can have an effect on bone metabolism and density.
| Age Vary | X-ray Look |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Bones are skinny and translucent, with open epiphyseal development plates. |
| 6-12 months | Bones seem denser, and the epiphyseal development plates start to shut. |
| 12-18 months | Bones are absolutely ossified, and the epiphyseal development plates are closed. |
| 18 months+ | Bones might present indicators of damage and tear, equivalent to small fractures or spurs. |
Checking for Tooth Improvement
Figuring out a bearded dragon’s age based mostly on tooth improvement requires analyzing its mouth. Child dragons initially have a small, pale pinkish bump on the roof of their mouths, often called an egg tooth. This tooth helps them escape of their eggs.
Round 2-3 weeks of age, the egg tooth begins to shed and is changed by the primary set of enamel, often called the first enamel. These enamel are small, sharp, and barely curved. The first enamel are step by step changed by everlasting enamel beginning round 6-8 weeks of age.
Everlasting enamel are bigger, flatter, and fewer sharp than major enamel. The event of everlasting enamel continues all through the dragon’s life, with the final everlasting enamel rising round 12-18 months of age.
The desk under summarizes the phases of tooth improvement in bearded dragons:
| Age | Enamel |
|---|---|
| Hatchling | Egg tooth |
| 2-3 weeks | Major enamel |
| 6-8 weeks | Everlasting enamel (starting) |
| 12-18 months | Everlasting enamel (full) |
It is essential to notice that tooth improvement can range barely relying on the person dragon’s development price and environmental elements.
Consulting a Veterinarian
Consulting a good and skilled veterinarian is essentially the most exact and dependable technique of figuring out your bearded dragon’s age. Veterinarians have specialised data and entry to instruments to precisely assess the dragon’s bodily attributes, equivalent to joint flexibility, bone density, and tooth put on.
Listed below are some particular elements {that a} veterinarian would possibly contemplate when estimating a bearded dragon’s age:
| **Attribute** | **Age Vary** |
| Weight | < 50 grams: 0-3 months 50-200 grams: 3-6 months 200-400 grams: 6-12 months 400+ grams: 12+ months |
| Snout-vent size (SVL) | < 5 inches: 0-3 months 5-8 inches: 3-6 months 8-11 inches: 6-12 months 11+ inches: 12+ months |
| Femoral pore improvement | Current in males: 6-12 months |
| Toe size | Shorter toes: youthful dragons Longer toes: older dragons |
| Head measurement | Smaller head: youthful dragons Bigger head: older dragons |
| Enamel | Sharp, white enamel: youthful dragons Worn, yellowish enamel: older dragons |
| Joint flexibility | Extra versatile joints: youthful dragons Much less versatile joints: older dragons |
| Bone density | Much less dense bones: youthful dragons Extra dense bones: older dragons |
| General well being and demeanor | Lively, alert, and responsive: youthful dragons Much less energetic, extra sedentary, and probably exhibiting indicators of well being points: older dragons |
It is essential to notice that these are common pointers, and particular person bearded dragons might range in improvement. Consulting a veterinarian for an correct age evaluation is all the time beneficial.
How To Inform A Bearded Dragons Age
Bearded dragons are common pets, and probably the most frequent questions individuals have about them is easy methods to inform their age. There are a number of methods to do that, and essentially the most correct technique will range relying on the age of the dragon.
For younger bearded dragons, one of the best ways to inform their age is by their measurement. Child bearded dragons are sometimes round 4-6 inches lengthy, and they’re going to develop about 1 inch per 30 days till they attain maturity. By the point they’re 6 months previous, they are going to be round 12 inches lengthy.
As soon as a bearded dragon reaches maturity, will probably be tougher to inform their age. Nevertheless, there are some things you possibly can search for. Grownup bearded dragons can have a full set of enamel, and their claws will likely be lengthy and sharp. They may also have a extra outlined beard, and their pores and skin will likely be much less wrinkled than after they have been youthful.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How will you inform the age of a bearded dragon by its tail?
You can not inform the age of a bearded dragon by its tail.
How will you inform the age of a bearded dragon by its measurement?
Child bearded dragons are sometimes round 4-6 inches lengthy, and they’re going to develop about 1 inch per 30 days till they attain maturity. By the point they’re 6 months previous, they are going to be round 12 inches lengthy.
How will you inform the age of a bearded dragon by its enamel?
Grownup bearded dragons can have a full set of enamel.
