Lifespan & Sizes

Bearded dragons are known for their long lifespan compare to other pets.

In the wild the lifespan is around 10 years of age but in captivity however, they are often not surviving beyond 4 or 5 years, which can be still considered as a long commitment.

In terms of sizes an adult Bearded Dragon (male or female) reaches his full size at approximately 1,5 year and will measure around 60cm.

An standard healthy Bearded Dragon with full length tail will be as follows:

Bearded Dragons get their name from their distinctive throat, which can flare out to make them look bigger. The colour of their ‘beard’ will, simultaneously turn black. This would happen either when they are threatened or, when two males are trying to put a show to attract sexually mature females. The colour of that ‘beard’ will, simultaneously turn black.

In addition to displaying the black beard, they also flatten their body to make themselves look wider and in effect bigger. Sometimes to scare the opponent even more they open their mouth. In captivity Bearded Dragons usually don´t need to put on such show. You may see it however in larger enclosures, were at least two males and several females are kept together.

Bearded Dragons have broad, strong triangular-shaped head. They have quite flat body and a long tail. The body is covered with scales which, on the throat and the sides of the head, have specialised spiny points. The scales covering the rest of the body also have these spiny points but they are slightly smaller and flatter. All this appearance is mainly to scare their predators.
Even though they are scaly and covered in those spiny points, don’t think they are not nice to touch. In contrary, the spikes are quite soft. To that the skin of their stomach is very soft which makes is nice when you pet your dragon.

Coloration is usually: a brownish-red background, with the yellow and gold pattern on the head and body. The underside of the body is a much paler colour. The colour may slightly change depending on their mood or body temperature.
Very often the breeders try to create their own “colour morphs” by mating 2 pogonas from different regions. The morphs can be compared to breeds of other domesticated animals.