Bearded dragon pups eat many crickets a day.
In general, there are six stages in the life cycle of a bearded dragon. The first stage is the preincubation, or egg, phase, followed by the hatching phase. The bearded dragon then enters the subadult stage, which is followed by the sexually mature stage. The fifth stage of a bearded dragon’s life cycle is adulthood, where it reaches full maturity. It then proceeds to the sixth and final stage, sometimes known as the final stage.
The fifth stage of a bearded dragon’s life is maturity.
Female bearded dragons typically lay eggs in batches of about 20 at a time. The egg, or pre-hatching stage, is the first stage of a bearded dragon’s life cycle. Bearded dragon eggs usually hatch after about 55 to 75 days, thus ending the first stage.
Once the egg hatches, the bearded dragon enters the second stage of its life cycle, known as the hatching stage. When the hatches are born, they range in size from about 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 cm). The chicks grow rapidly and often have a voracious appetite, consuming 20 to 60 crickets a day, along with fresh greens and vegetables. This stage usually lasts three to four months, and when the dragon grows to about 8 inches (20 cm) in length, it advances to the next stage of its life cycle.
Bearded dragons tend to live up to about 12 years.
The third stage of the bearded dragon life cycle is known as the sub-adult stage. During this phase, the bearded dragon normally still has a healthy appetite and continues to grow at a rapid rate. Adult behaviors begin to become more prominent. For example, males will begin to demonstrate dominant traits, such as a nod or beard lift, or more subservient traits, such as “waving,” where the dragon will raise its front leg and wave it in a circle at a challenging male.
When the bearded dragon reaches about 12 inches (about 30 cm) in length, it is considered to have entered the fourth stage of sexual maturity. During this phase, which normally occurs around three years of age, the bearded dragon is a young adult capable of reproducing. Many dragons at this stage begin to demonstrate mating behaviors. Also, a female dragon at this stage is considered mature enough to safely transport eggs, something that should not be attempted before this stage of the life cycle. The bearded dragon’s appetite will also level off and probably won’t be as voracious.
After the young adult stage, the bearded dragon enters the fifth stage of adulthood. Typically, during this phase of the bearded dragon’s life cycle, it has reached its full size. A bearded dragon normally grows to between 18 and 20 inches (about 45 to 51 cm) in length. At this stage, reproduction slows down and appetite decreases. Shedding, which normally occurs during growth spurts, also becomes much less frequent. This stage usually lasts between four and seven years.
The sixth and final stage of a bearded dragon’s life cycle is known as the end stage or old age. There is no growth during this phase and little or no reproduction. The bearded dragon’s appetite decreases drastically. Some people notice that their dragons also become lethargic and uninterested in their surroundings. This is a normal and natural stage of the dragon’s life, as the dragon’s body is in the process of shutting down. Most bearded dragons live 10-12 years, although some may live for longer or shorter periods, depending on their environment and build.