Bearded Dragon Aging: Guide to the Senior Golden Years

Bearded dragon aging is a natural part of their life cycle. Chances are you have arrived at this article because your bearded dragon has reached a stage of life that not all pets do—old age. That’s a testament to the care, love, and attention you’ve given them.

As bearded dragons move into their senior years, their needs change. They slow down, their habits shift, but their bodies may only show subtle signs of time, if at all.

In captivity, bearded dragons typically live between 8 to 12 years, with some reporting much older.

In their early years, they are energetic explorers eager to discover every corner of their world. As they mature, their pace becomes more measured, savoring the warmth of their basking spot and the familiarity of their surroundings.

How Old Is Old? Signs of Bearded Dragon Aging

Bearded dragons age slowly, and this process is called gradual senescence. This means that physical and behavioral changes happen over time rather than all at once. According to Hoekstra et al. (2019), gradual aging is common in reptiles, increasing health risks and declining reproductive activity as they age.

As senior bearded dragons age, you may notice some signs:

• Less frequent shedding and duller, rougher skin.
• Overgrown nails from reduced activity.
• Slower movements and muscle loss, especially in the legs and base of their tail (Pare & Lentini, 2010).
• More time spent basking and less exploring their habitat.

Bearded dragon aging also impacts digestion, which may also slow, sometimes leading to constipation, and joint stiffness or arthritis can make climbing more difficult. Simple adjustments like ramps or lowered basking platforms can help them move comfortably. Appetite changes are common too; while eating less might be natural for an aging bearded dragon, consistent loss of appetite is a reason to visit the vet (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

1. Secrets of Senior Bearded Dragons and How they Handle the Challenge

Bearded dragons, like all reptiles, depend on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Hoekstra et al. (2019) suggest that reptiles relying on heat from their environment reduces metabolic stress, which may help slow down aging compared to mammals.

Weight loss can be an early sign of health problems in senior bearded dragons. Pare & Lentini (2010) recommend weighing your bearded dragon regularly with a digital scale. Tracking their weight, activity, and eating habits over time and documenting it will help your vet spot issues.

As bearded dragons age, their digestion may slow, sometimes leading to constipation. Appetite changes are common, but if your dragon consistently eats less or stops eating, it’s important to visit the vet (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Joint stiffness or arthritis can make it harder for them to move around. Simple changes, like adding ramps or lowering basking spots, can make their habitat more comfortable.

Reptiles also experience oxidative stress, which is a natural process as cells age. However, bearded dragons seem to handle it better than mammals. Hoekstra et al. (2019) note that they have adaptations that protect their cells, which may help them stay healthier as they grow older.

2. Why It’s So Hard to Tell How Old Your Bearded Dragon Really Is

Determining how old a bearded dragon is can be tricky, and that’s because reptiles don’t show their age the way humans or even other animals do. Unlike us, they don’t get wrinkles or grey hair. Instead, they age gradually, and there aren’t many clear markers to tell how old they are (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Size might seem like a clue, but it’s not always reliable. Reptiles keep growing throughout their lives. However, how much they grow depends on things like diet, temperature, and overall care.

A bearded dragon that’s been well-fed in a warm, stable environment might grow faster, while one with less ideal conditions could stay smaller. This means two bearded dragons of the same age could look very different based on how they’ve been raised (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Some animals, like trees, have growth rings that can be counted to determine age, but reptiles don’t have anything quite like that. While some scientists might use advanced methods like studying bones or cells, these techniques aren’t practical or safe for living pets (Pare & Lentini, 2010). Even things like scales can be misleading because their wear and tear depend more on the environment and lifestyle than on age.

If you adopted your bearded dragon after they were already grown, it can be even harder to know their exact age since it probably didn’t come with any history.

Captivity adds another layer of complexity. Bearded dragons in the wild often have shorter lifespans because of predators, limited food, and harsh conditions. In captivity, with proper care, beardies can live much longer, but their environment also shapes how they age (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

3. Shedding in Senior Bearded Dragons: What to Expect and How to Help

As your bearded dragon ages, its skin may become duller and less glossy and shedding frequency will decrease. If your bearded dragon has shedding issues try increasing the humidity (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

4. Caring for Overgrown Nails in Your Senior Bearded Dragon

As your bearded dragon becomes less active, its nails will likely become overgrown. Long nails can interfere with your reptile’s ability to get around and will require regular trimming ​(Pare and Lentini, 2010).

5. Digestion During Bearded Dragon Aging: What to Watch For

As your bearded dragon ages, its digestion can slow down. This means it might take longer for food to move through their system. Sometimes, swelling in their kidneys can press against their digestive tract, making things even harder (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Hoekstra et al. (2019) also explain that things like poor hydration or uneven temperatures can add extra stress to the body, making digestion less efficient.

6. Skeletal Issues in Senior Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons, like many reptiles, experience gradual musculoskeletal decline as they age. Muscle wasting, joint stiffness, and degenerative bone changes such as arthritis are unfortunately common (Pare & Lentini, 2010). According to Hoekstra et al. (2019), their slow, continuous growth after maturity (indeterminate growth) may influence how and when these age-related changes appear.

7. Urinary Health and Care in Senior Bearded Dragons

Chronic kidney disease and renal swelling are also prevalent in older reptiles. According to Pare & Lentini (2010), renal swelling may press against the colon, causing constipation. What is more, dehydration often accompanies kidney issues, making the symptoms even worse.

So, make sure your bearded dragon is given water. Offering shallow water dishes or lightly misting their food can help prevent or reduce this issue. Keep a watch for changes in urates and poop for catching early signs of kidney dysfunction​.

8. Supporting Your Senior Bearded Dragon’s Heart Health

Older reptiles can develop cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels) and high cholesterol, which can cause them to feel lethargic or other symptoms (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Keeping up with your annual vet checkup can help detect these issues. Your vet may require blood work to monitor cholesterol levels and organ function during geriatric check-ups​.

9. Bearded Dragon Aging and Fertility Declines: What You Should Know

As bearded dragons grow older, they can’t reproduce as they once could. This is normal and part of getting older (Pare & Lentini, 2010). However, for older female bearded dragons, trying to lay eggs can sometimes cause serious problems. They might develop something called follicular stasis or get “egg-bound,” which means they can’t lay their eggs properly. This can happen if they don’t have enough calcium in their diet to keep their bodies strong.

To help your senior female bearded dragon stay healthy, make sure she eats calcium-rich foods and has access to UVB lighting. The UVB light helps her body use calcium to keep her bones and muscles strong. It’s also best not to breed older females, as laying eggs puts extra strain on their bodies and can lead to health issues. If you have helped your bearded dragon get to a ripe old age then chances are you already know about this, it has been a standard part of your care regime.

10. Bearded Dragon Aging and Brain Health: How to Help

As bearded dragons get older, you might notice things like trembling, trouble moving smoothly, or even seizures. These signs can seem scary, but they’re often caused by a lack of calcium in their bodies rather than problems with their brain (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

Providing calcium to senior bearded dragons is still important and of course, plenty of UVB light, preferably direct sunlight.

If you ever notice tremors, unsteady movements, or seizures, take your bearded dragon to the vet right away.

Caring for your Senior Bearded Dragon: Your Essential Guide

Caring for your senior bearded dragon means paying attention to the small details that can make a big difference in their golden years. Here’s how you can help them:

1. Support the Bearded Dragons Aging Body: Easy Adjustments for Comfort

Senior bearded dragons may struggle with mobility or physical discomfort as they age. Help them by:

• Making movement easier: Use ramps and flat basking platforms to replace tall or narrow climbing spots.
• Hydration-friendly spaces: Keep water bowls within easy reach and ensure they can access basking spots without effort.

2. Protect Reproductive Health: Preventing Stress for Older Females

The bearded dragon aging progress for females includes risks, such as egg binding or follicular stasis (Pare & Lentini, 2010). These conditions can be painful and life-threatening.

• Don’t breed the old girl: Don’t breed old females, it places unnecessary strain on her body.
• Give her the right diet: Offer a calcium-rich diet with UVB lighting to support bone and reproductive health.
• Watch her for signs: If your senior bearded dragon appears lethargic, bloated, or shows changes in appetite, consult a vet immediately.

3. Diet Tips for Senior Bearded Dragons

Senior bearded dragons can have slower digestion. Give them high-fiber vegetables, along with plenty of fresh water, to help keep things moving. Proper basking temperatures remain as important now as it always has been in their life, for their digestive system to work smoothly.

• Give seniors high-fiber vegetables: Include greens like collard, mustard, and dandelion to keep digestion moving smoothly. Keep a variety of foods in your bearded dragons diet.
• Keep them Hydrated: Lightly mist vegetables to add moisture to their diet.
• Maybe not too much protein: Reduce insect feeding if they become less active but ensure insects offered are easy to digest.
• Might need to adjust supplements: Consult your vet about calcium and vitamin D3 needs, as these may need fine-tuning to maintain healthy bones.

4. Keep Their Minds Sharp: Mental Stimulation for Senior Bearded Dragons

Even in their later years, bearded dragons enjoy mental engagement. Simple activities can keep their aging brain active:

• Let your senior explore: Let your senior bearded dragon explore a safe, supervised area outside their enclosure occasionally.
• Give them a variety of things to look at: Place their enclosure near windows or add new decorations they can observe without stress.
• Make feeding interesting: Use methods like hiding greens in different parts of their enclosure to encourage light activity and curiosity.

5. Help Them Stay Calm: Reduce Stress for Aging Dragons

Stress can impact a senior bearded dragon’s overall health. Create a calm, predictable environment by:

• Minimize stress from what they can see: Block views of other pets or younger bearded dragons that might make them feel territorial.
• Limit noise: Keep their enclosure away from loud or high-traffic areas.
• Handle gently: Limit handling to short, gentle sessions, respecting their slower energy levels.

6. Monitor Their Aging Brain: Signs and Solutions

Neurological changes, like tremors or incoordination, are sometimes seen in senior bearded dragons (Pare & Lentini, 2010).

• Make sure they still get all the UVB they need: Proper lighting ensures they produce enough vitamin D³, reducing risks linked to hypocalcemia. Taking your bearded dragon out in the sunshine is still the best possible way to provide UVB.
• Keep a routine: Stick to predictable feeding and handling schedules to reduce cognitive stress.
• Speak to your vet: If you notice tremors or unsteady movements, speak with your vet.

7. Be Proactive with Veterinary Care

Regular check-ups are vital for catching issues before they worsen:

• Keep up with your annual vet check ups: Schedule regular exams, including blood work and X-rays, to monitor their heart, kidneys, and bones.
• Record their weight and significant events: Even small changes in weight can tell you a lot about your bearded dragon’s health. Use a digital scale to weigh them weekly or monthly. This helps your vet detect issues quicker and gives them data to work with (Pare & Lentini, 2010). Record any other significant events as well, the more information your vet has to work with the easier it is for them to help.

8. Dehydration is Dangerous: Helping Senior Dragons Stay Hydrated

Aging reptiles are more prone to dehydration, which can lead to kidney issues or constipation:

• Make sure you keep up with your hydration schedule: Keep your senior bearded dragon hydrated using all the standard hydrating techniques.
• Humid hides can help: A hide with slightly higher humidity can keep their skin healthy and aid in shedding.

Bearded Dragon Aging: A Journey Worth Cherishing

Caring for a senior bearded dragon can feel like a new challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to celebrate everything they’ve shared with you over the years—the silly head bobs, the lazy basking poses, and their unique personality. You’re giving them the best possible golden years by making small adjustments, watching them, and keeping up with their changing needs.

You’ve already done so much to get them to this point. With a little extra care, your bearded dragon can enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling senior life. They’ve been lucky to have you; well done!

References

Hoekstra, L. A., Schwartz, T. S., Sparkman, A. M., Miller, D. A. W., & Bronikowski, A. M. (2019). The untapped potential of reptile biodiversity for understanding how and why animals age. Functional Ecology, 34(1), 38–54.

Paré, J. A., & Lentini, A. M. (2010). Reptile Geriatrics. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 13(1), 15–25.