Bearded dragons are friendly lizards that come in a variety of sizes from 4 inches to 6 inches to even 24 inches long (60 cm) from their nose to the tip of their tail. As you can see, that’s a big range, so understanding more about the factors that affect the size of your bearded dragon is important.
How big do bearded dragons get? The size of your bearded dragon will depend on a range of factors, including the gender of the dragon, the quality of their environment and diet, whether they’re allowed to brumate within the first two years, as well as the bearded dragon’s specific breed and genetics.
The following information will be discussing how big a bearded dragon can get:
- how big your bearded dragon can get
- bearded dragons breeds
- sizes of bearded dragons breeds
- why bearded dragons species have such different sizes
- bearded dragons size based on age
- influence of environment on size of bearded dragons
- influence of gender on sizes of bearded dragons
How big do bearded dragons get?
Bearded dragons are friendly lizards that come in a variety of sizes from 4 inches to 6 inches to even 24 inches long (60 cm) right from their nose to the tip of their tail. As you can see, that’s a big range, so understanding more about the factors that affect the size of your dragon is important.
Thus, learning how big bearded dragons get is a cool topic with a lot to explore. Your bearded dragon’s
- species
- age
- the environment lives in
- its diet and general health, and
- even its sex, can all affect its length.
Therefore, understanding the influences on your bearded dragon’s size and length can help you give your beardie a healthy and happy life.
Bearded Dragons Breeds and Sizes
Bearded dragons are lizards that are native to Australia. Found mostly in the Northwest Territory, bearded dragons (or “beardies”) are often used to harsh environments.
In the wild, however, they prefer to hang around in
- deserts
- woodlands, and
- savannah areas. They love a hot, dry environment with quite warm rocks and a sun lamp.
Likewise, their spiny outsides suggest that they’re tough. But all types of bearded dragons are typically friendly and responsive to people.
Therefore, Bearded dragons got their name because underneath their chin is a flap of spiny skin.
When they become stressed or fearful, the dragons puff out that flap of skin and turn it a threatening black. So this makes them look like they’re wearing a full lumberjack beard.
This defensive gesture signals, “Hey, back down!” to other dragons and intimidates would-be predators.
What are the sizes of different bearded dragon breeds?
If you’re probably wondering, “How big do bearded dragons get?” you may be surprised. Bearded dragon length is substantially different based on the individual breed.
Measured from end to end, the longest of the bearded dragon breeds are the Pogona Vitticeps and Pogona Barbata. Both coming in at two feet or 24 inches.
Meanwhile, the smallest bearded dragons are the teeny Pogona Microlepidota. They are at a mere 4-6 inches, hardly longer than an average index card.
Many bearded dragons, however, fall somewhere in between those two edges of length. Also, a number of bearded dragon breeds live happily in the 12-18″ range.
Some of these include the Pogona Minor Mitchelli and the Pogona Minor Minor. Both of which can grow to between 14-18 inches long.
However, on the slightly smaller end is the Pogona Nullabor at 14 inches.
Likewise, the Pogona Nullabor has two smaller relatives, the Pogona Henrylawsoni and the Pogona Minor Minima. Therefore, both of these varieties average around 12 inches long.
When you’re therefore asking how big do bearded dragons grow, the answer is “It depends.”
This variability is an actual asset for pet ownership. Some people would actually prefer the teeny pocket size of the Pogona Minor Minima or the Microlepidota. However, you might be more intrigued by the heftier dragon breeds.
Thus, if you like the larger species, you’re in good company. The most common breed of a bearded dragon. however, is the Pogona Vitticeps, so if you’ve seen a beardie, it’s probably this kind.
Bearded dragons smaller than about 12-14 inches from tip to tip are rather rare. Why are bearded dragon species in such different sizes?
Size variation is pretty common among bearded dragons. Thus, it’s possible that because bearded dragons eat a similar diet, being larger or smaller gave an evolutionary advantage.
In fact, larger bearded dragons can hunt larger insects and smaller lizards. Also, smaller ones can easily hide from predatory birds.
Therefore, if you’re asking yourself, “How long do bearded dragons get?” look in eastern Australia. The bearded dragon species known as Pogona Barbata can stand to a full 29 inches (75 cm) from head to tail.
However, unlike many other lizards, bearded dragons cannot regrow their tails if they fall off, so it’s important to take care of them.
Bearded Dragon Size Based on Age
How can you tell the age of a bearded dragon by its size?
In captivity, breeders can easily tell by mere looking how old a bearded dragon is. Also, breeders typically keep careful track of the date on which the bearded dragon female laid her eggs and when they hatched.
However, in the wild, determining a bearded dragon’s age is not always so easy. Luckily, you can estimate the age of a bearded dragon just based on its size (or vice versa).
Thus, if you’re looking to buy a young bearded dragon, don’t think it will stay the same size it was when you bought it.
This is a very important consideration when you’re purchasing a tank or other home environment for your dragon.
Also, if your bearded dragon doesn’t have enough space, it won’t necessarily be able to achieve its full mature length.
Likewise, knowing that your four-month-old dragon may double in size by the time it’s a year old is crucial. This insight will allow you to plan ahead and get an environment that will allow your bearded dragon to grow and thrive.
However, A bearded dragon’s size is pretty predictable. That is, by the time they reach one month old, bearded dragons are approximately 4 inches long.
Thus, how fast do bearded dragons grow?
Bearded Dragon | Age & Average Growth Chart
| Age | Length |
| 0-1/months (Baby) | 3-4/inches |
| 2/months (Baby) | 5-9/inches |
| 3/months (Baby) | 5-9/inches |
| 4/months (Baby) | 9-12/inches |
| 5/months (Baby) | 11-16/inches |
| 6/months (Juvenile) | 11-18/inches |
| 8/months (Juvenile) | 13-20/inches |
| 12+/months (Adult) | 16-24/inches |
Influence of Environment on Sizes of Bearded Dragons
Your dragon’s environment will have a tremendous impact on its size and overall health. Similarly, lots of people know that fish will expand or limit their size to fit the tank they’re in.
The same is also true for bearded dragons. Knowing the average length of your adult bearded dragons will help you find the right-sized environment for them to live and grow.
Further, an environment that’s too small will ultimately restrict your beardie’s growth and make it difficult for it to move around.
Your dragon likes to climb branches and sun itself on warm rocks beneath a lamp. Thus, if possible, some beardies like to interact with other dragons and forage for food.
Therefore, a healthy range of activities for your bearded dragon requires some space. Here are some rough guidelines to help you choose the exact or right tank for your bearded dragon:
Baby Bearded Dragons: Baby dragons need a smaller 20-gallon tank to allow them the space to move around and interact with their immediate environment.
Thus, this is the stage where they learn the fundamental skills of running and climbing. At least for the time being, it’s very fine if they’re in a 20-gallon tank. They may be kept in a larger tank.
Juvenile Bearded Dragons: These more energetic dragons of 10-16 inches really need the space to play and have fun. Especially if you have more than one bearded dragon.
Larger Bearded Dragons: A bearded dragon 20 inches or more will need a significantly larger tank. However, at the minimum, a 75-gallon tank would be adequate, but 120 gallons or more would be ideal.
Influence of Gender on the Size of Bearded Dragons
How big can male and female bearded dragons get?
Gender has a major influence on the length of your bearded dragon. Therefore, before they are about six to eight months old, it’s hard to tell the sex of a bearded dragon.
Thus, all of the young dragons appear to be female and they tend to be of comparable length. By the time that they are between 12-18 months old, bearded dragons ought to reach their full adult size.
Meanwhile, after your beardie reaches sexual maturity, you will probably see a more visible difference in size between male and female lizards from the same clutch.
How big can male bearded dragons get?
Bearded dragons will generally grow to between 18-22 inches at their full length from the tip of their noses down to the tip of their tails.
However, in the wild, they may be longer, possibly up to 24 inches. Thus, like many species of animals, male bearded dragons are somewhat larger than females, although the distance is not dramatic.
Male bearded dragons will be closer to the 22-inch range if you properly feed and house them during their developmental periods.
How big can female bearded dragons get?
Female bearded dragons seem to be the smaller end of the range. Thus, if a fully adult dragon averages from 18-22 inches, your female bearded dragon is probably closer to 18 inches in captivity.
However, factors such as
- Environment
- Diet
- breed, and
- even UVB exposure can affect your bearded dragon’s length.
In other words, it may not always be able to tell which of two bearded dragons is female based on length alone.
