Bearded dragons are well-liked pets, and their lifespan might be as much as 10 years. Nonetheless, it may be tough to inform the age of a bearded dragon with out some prior data. On this article, we’ll give you some recommendations on how one can inform the age of a bearded dragon so as to higher care in your pet.
One of the necessary issues to contemplate when making an attempt to find out the age of a bearded dragon is its dimension. Bearded dragons sometimes develop to be between 18 and 24 inches lengthy, they usually attain their full dimension by the point they’re 2 years outdated. Nonetheless, there might be some variation in dimension relying on the person dragon’s genetics and weight-reduction plan. If you’re not sure about how outdated a bearded dragon is, it’s all the time finest to seek the advice of with a veterinarian.
One other option to inform the age of a bearded dragon is by taking a look at 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 could shed its pores and skin each few weeks, whereas an grownup dragon could solely shed its pores and skin a few times a 12 months. The scales of a younger bearded dragon are additionally extra prone to be easy and glossy, whereas the scales of an older dragon could also be extra tough and uninteresting.
Analyzing Scale Texture and Coloration
Bearded dragons bear important bodily adjustments as they age, and their scales present invaluable clues in figuring out their age.
Scale Texture
As bearded dragons mature, their scales step by step change in texture. Juveniles have easy, shiny scales, whereas older dragons develop rougher, drier scales. That is because of the pure put on and tear that happens over time. Moreover, juvenile dragons usually have a velvety look because of the presence of small scales referred to as keeled scales. As dragons attain maturity, these keeled scales grow to be much less pronounced, giving the scales a extra uniform look.
Coloration
The coloration of a bearded dragon’s scales additionally offers invaluable age-related info. Juveniles are likely to have vivid, vibrant colours, equivalent to yellow, orange, or pink. As they mature, their colours sometimes grow to be extra subdued, with shades of brown, olive, or grey changing into extra widespread.
Analyzing the feel and coloration of a bearded dragon’s scales can present a basic estimate of its age. Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that these elements can range relying on particular person genetics, environmental circumstances, 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 atmosphere. Nonetheless, there are some basic patterns that may enable you estimate your dragon’s age primarily based on its nail size.
Here’s a desk that reveals the typical 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 |
You will need to word that these are simply basic tips. The precise nail size of your bearded dragon could range relying on its particular person development fee. If you’re not sure about your dragon’s age, it’s all the time finest to seek the advice of with a veterinarian.
Along with nail size, you can too have a look at the form of your dragon’s nails to assist estimate its age. Youthful dragons could have nails which might be extra pointed and sharp. As they age, their nails will grow to be extra rounded and blunt.
Assessing Eye Traits
Inspecting the eyes of a bearded dragon can present invaluable clues about its age:
Bulging Eyes
In younger bearded dragons, the eyes are sometimes massive and bulging. As they age, the eyes are likely to grow to be smaller and fewer distinguished.
Pupil Measurement
The pupils of younger bearded dragons are often massive and darkish. As they mature, the pupils grow to be smaller and extra oval in form.
Iris Shade
The colour of the iris (the coloured a part of the attention) may change with age. Younger bearded dragons usually have vivid inexperienced irises, whereas older people could have irises which might be 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 distinguished |
Inspecting the Beard
One of the noticeable traits of bearded dragons is their beard. As they age, the beard undergoes some adjustments that may present clues to their age.
**Juvenile Bearded Dragons (0-6 months):** Younger bearded dragons have a easy, 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 grow to be 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 massive and broadly spaced.
| Age | Beard Look |
|---|---|
| Juvenile | Clean, unwrinkled |
| Subadult | Wrinkled, with bigger, extra spaced-out scales |
| Grownup | Full, bushy beard with deep wrinkles and huge, broadly spaced scales |
Studying Development Bands on the Tail
Inspecting the tail of a bearded dragon can present invaluable clues about its age. The tail incorporates development bands, that are skinny, darkish traces that run perpendicular to the size of the tail. These bands are fashioned during times of speedy development, much like the expansion rings on a tree trunk. Counting the variety of development bands can provide you an approximate thought 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 means 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 tough to rely. On this case, divide the world with overlapping bands into equal sections and rely every part as a band.
- Upon getting counted all the expansion bands to the tip of the tail, add one 12 months to the entire rely. It’s because the primary 12 months of a bearded dragon’s life will not be often marked by development bands.
Bearded dragons sometimes develop about 12-13 development bands per 12 months. Nonetheless, this may range relying on elements equivalent to diet, temperature, and total well being. Subsequently, the age estimate obtained from development band counting is an approximation and might not be actual.
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 grow to be 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 primarily based on the extent of ossification and the closure of the expansion plates.
Components that Have an effect on Bone Density
You will need to word that the bone density of bearded dragons might be affected by numerous elements, together with:
- Diet: A nutritious diet is important for correct bone improvement and density.
- Exercise degree: Dragons which might be lively and have entry to acceptable basking areas are likely to have stronger bones.
- Well being circumstances: 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 totally ossified, and the epiphyseal development plates are closed. |
| 18 months+ | Bones could present indicators of wear and tear and tear, equivalent to small fractures or spurs. |
Checking for Tooth Improvement
Figuring out a bearded dragon’s age primarily based on tooth improvement requires analyzing its mouth. Child dragons initially have a small, pale pinkish bump on the roof of their mouths, referred to as 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, referred to as 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 main 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 | Main enamel |
| 6-8 weeks | Everlasting enamel (starting) |
| 12-18 months | Everlasting enamel (full) |
It is necessary to notice that tooth improvement can range barely relying on the person dragon’s development fee and environmental elements.
Consulting a Veterinarian
Consulting a good and skilled veterinarian is probably 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 here are some particular elements {that a} veterinarian may 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 dimension | 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 | Energetic, alert, and responsive: youthful dragons Much less lively, extra sedentary, and presumably exhibiting indicators of well being points: older dragons |
It is necessary to notice that these are basic tips, and particular person bearded dragons could range in improvement. Consulting a veterinarian for an correct age evaluation is all the time really useful.
How To Inform A Bearded Dragons Age
Bearded dragons are well-liked pets, and one of the crucial widespread questions individuals have about them is how one can inform their age. There are a number of methods to do that, and probably the most correct technique will range relying on the age of the dragon.
For younger bearded dragons, one of the simplest ways to inform their age is by their dimension. Child bearded dragons are sometimes round 4-6 inches lengthy, and they’ll develop about 1 inch monthly till they attain maturity. By the point they’re 6 months outdated, they are going to be round 12 inches lengthy.
As soon as a bearded dragon reaches maturity, it will likely be harder to inform their age. Nonetheless, there are some things you may search for. Grownup bearded dragons could have a full set of enamel, and their claws can be lengthy and sharp. They may also have a extra outlined beard, and their pores and skin can be much less wrinkled than once they had been youthful.
Folks Additionally Ask
How will you inform the age of a bearded dragon by its tail?
You can’t inform the age of a bearded dragon by its tail.
How will you inform the age of a bearded dragon by its dimension?
Child bearded dragons are sometimes round 4-6 inches lengthy, and they’ll develop about 1 inch monthly till they attain maturity. By the point they’re 6 months outdated, 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 could have a full set of enamel.
