How Long Do Bearded Dragons Live?

Common Name: Bearded Dragon
Species:
Pogona vitticeps
Natural Habitat:
Bearded dragons are naturally found in the eastern and central parts of Australia. They usually live in deserts, woodlands, savannahs, rocky areas, dry forests, and scrublands.
Size:
Bearded Dragons can grow 18-24” from head to tail.
Difficulty Level:
Bearded dragons are social, easy to handle, and have an array of fascinating behaviors. They can be great pets even for beginners.

Bearded dragons were first introduced to the United States in the 1990s. Soon, it became one of the most popular pets and can be found in almost every pet store in the region.

One of the reasons why bearded dragons became so popular is their lifespan. When they were first introduced to the reptile trade, people didn’t think they could live for longer than eight years. However, thanks to better husbandry practices and increased research, we have discovered that bearded dragons can live up to 15 years.

There are a number of things that affect bearded dragons lifespan.


Factors Affecting Bearded Dragon Lifespan

How long do bearded dragons live? The answer to this question varies widely and depends on many factors. Below are some of the factors that play a vital role in the lifespan of bearded dragons.

  • Diet: A balanced diet will keep your bearded dragon healthy and increase its life span. By balanced diet, we mean that your dragon is getting enough protein, minerals and everything else.
  • Environment: Bearded dragons need proper lighting, heating, and the substrate to live a healthy life. If any of these are missing or incorrect, it can drastically reduce their lifespan.
  • Kept in captivity: They will usually live longer in captivity because there are no predators.
  • No breeding: This one applies to the female bearded dragons only. Breeding can drastically reduce their lifespan.
  • Separation/ isolation: A dragon living in isolation will usually outlive the ones living together. Because in isolation there are no territorial disputes, bullying or fights to risk injury or death.
  • Sex: Male bearded dragons generally live longer than females because females develop eggs that can create many problems for them.
  • Size of the species: Generally the larger species of bearded dragons live longer as compared to the smaller ones.
  • Space: Dragons needs space where they can move around to exercise.


Bearded Dragon Life Span

Below is the chart explaining the different age ranges for bearded dragons.

  • 5 to 8 Years: Out in the wild, they will hardly reach eight years of age. Because of the predators, diet, and diseases. Eight years is also the maximum it will live if the owner is not paying attention to its diet and health.
  • 8 to 12 Years:  A bearded dragon will live for 12 years if it is kept healthy.
  • 12 to 14 Years: This is generally the max lifespan of bearded dragons in captivity under proper care.
  • 14+ Years: There are cases where some dragons have lived for more than 15 years. However, these are very rare cases. There are rumors that some bearded dragons have died at the age of 19. However, these could never be confirmed.

Author: Eileen Araujo

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