bearded dragon lifespan

[demiblood]

How long do beardies actually live?
I've read everything from 3 years, to upwards of 20+ years
that is quite a large variable in their age, most pages say 10-12 years should be the 'average' life-span,
but then some say 3-10 years, while others say 15-19 years if properly taken care of.

Where are the experts?
everyone who owns a bearded dragon obviously thinks they're an expert, only they know the truth.
but what is the actual life expectancy of a 'healthy' and 'well taken care of' dragon, who doesn't have an immune disorder, is fed healthy food, and has consistent UVB, and no parasites.

 

[citrusdragon]

I sold one last month to a lady who had her 13 year old dragon die recently.

Jeff

 

[DragonMomSandy]

Personally, I think that beardies can live to around 15 years, maybe a little longer. My vet had one that reached 11 years, and currently she has a female who is 9 years old. I think, as with any other animal in capativity, that the more WE learn about caring for them, the more their life expectancy is increased. Better husbandry, healthier dragon=longer life span. In the wild, I believe at last estimate, life span is around 8 years. But remember, they are subject to predation, freak weather occurances, sometimes lack of food/water, disease and parasites that are not treated like a captive bred animal would be.

 

[smurfthebeardie]

My neighbor had one to the age of 14. It died just recently.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

My oldest was 17 years old! It was documented with the vet! Although he spent most of his time on my shoulder, blind, almost fully crippled and pooped him self every day he was in great spirits! We had to hand feed him the last 2 years of his great life!!

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

In the wild the life span is 3 to 5 years.
In captivity 8 to 10 is the average.
11-14 is the extreme, with some living much longer, but i would call them exceptional.
Thats why you see so many different answers.

 

[DragonMomSandy]

Sorry Tom, I read an article not too long ago where the author mentioned the estimated life span for wild beardies being about 8 years. I stand corrected by one of the Beardie Masters It is possible for them to live to 15 years or older, just as Lance's old fellow made it to 17, but, I think in your wisdom and experience you are correct that those would be the rare examples.

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

I dont claim to have all the answers....lol, Just passing on what Ive read, and adding in some personal opinion.

 

[DragonMomSandy]

But, Tom,
You have a LOT of experience that you base that opinion on, and thats worth listening to. No one knows everything-always learning. I've been in this hobby for 3 and 1/2 years and have learned alot from experiencing the process and have done a lot of reading and research, but not all research is equal. We all know there's some bad info out there. I would defer to your judgement on this one, as I said, I had seen this in an online article not too long ago, and there is always the possibilty of discrepency.

BTW, was on your site yesterday, you've got some really good looking dragons there!

 

[demiblood]

Thanks guys,

I'll take it that, 8-10 years is his 'captive' life expectancy with a possibility of 15+ under certain circumstances...
I wanted to know mostly for health and care reasons.

 

[DragonMomSandy]

Good husbandry, thats what it boils down too. There are of course things/illnesses that can happen that are beyond control (viruses, etc) but for the most part, provide the basics and tweek it from there. As long as you provide those essential basics, your beardie will be with you for a good long time.