Lifespan of German Giant Bearded Dragons

Reptile enthusiasts interested in welcoming a German giant bearded dragon into their home should familiarize themselves with the proper methods of caring for this type of lizard. German giant bearded dragons that are lovingly nurtured and nourished enjoy relatively long lives when compared to other domesticated reptiles -- so, before adopting a bearded dragon, make sure you're in it for the long haul.

  1. Average Lifespan

    • On average, you can expect your German giant bearded dragon to live between five to eight years. However, it is not uncommon for bearded dragons to live between 10 and 12 years. This makes them the ideal pet for reptile enthusiasts looking for lizards that will live a long time.

    Proper Diet

    • To help ensure that your bearded dragon reaches its maximum life expectancy, you'll need to properly feed it. Bearded dragons are primarily omnivorous and need to stick to a diet that consists of fruits, vegetables and live insects. The insects should be commercially bred, as insects caught outdoors may have been exposed to pesticides.

    Living Conditions

    • In much the same fashion as other domesticated reptiles, bearded dragons are typically housed in roomy glass aquariums. In the wild, these lizards enjoy sunbathing, so a quality heat lamp should be among the amenities offered to your bearded dragon. While wood chip flooring is a common feature in other reptile cages, sand and fine gravel are the preferred varieties of cage flooring for bearded dragons.

    Cohabitation

    • Do not keep male and female bearded dragons under 2 years of age in the same cage. Prior to reaching 2 years of age, female bearded dragons' bones are too undeveloped to properly lay eggs. At this point in their lives, they cannot afford to lose the amount of calcium that egg laying requires.