Does a small environment REALLY stunt growth?

[AnthonysGotMilk]

I'm sure we've all heard that a bearded dragon will grow into it's environment, and will not grow to be very big if constrained by the size of their terrarium. I got my bearded dragon from PetSmart about two and a half weeks ago and I was wondering if she could be older than she looks because of their setup. I saw a few things online that said that it is just a myth, and the only thing that would keep them from growing in a smaller environment is possibly the stress of the smaller space, or a lack of food and nutrients in an environment. Just wanted to see what the truth is.

 

[Taterbug]

Pretty much all of those sort of things are myths - an animals size depends on health and genetic factors. Some dragons are smaller naturally but stunted growth is from poor care. Too small of a cage is usually also combined with other poor care, like inadequate lighting, poor diet and malnutrition which will stunt growth.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Short answer = NO.

Long answer , the main factors that effect growth are :
-- genetics
-- amount quality food and it's qualities at each of the stages of life/growth/development
-- amount of UVA and UVB
-- exposure to deseases and accidents can effect growth
-- dominance issues (important in reptiles).

Enclosure SIZE has very little impact (on growth). Though the bigger the enclosure the better for the reptiles quality of life and ability to exercise (move about).

 

[AnthonysGotMilk]

Short answer = NO.

Long answer , the main factors that effect growth are :
-- genetics
-- amount quality food and it's qualities at each of the stages of life/growth/development
-- amount of UVA and UVB
-- exposure to deseases and accidents can effect growth
-- dominance issues (important in reptiles).

Enclosure SIZE has very little impact (on growth). Though the bigger the enclosure the better for the reptiles quality of life and ability to exercise (move about).

Alright, that makes more sense. Thank you for the response!

 

[kingofnobbys]

Short answer = NO.

Long answer , the main factors that effect growth are :
-- genetics
-- amount quality food and it's qualities at each of the stages of life/growth/development
-- amount of UVA and UVB
-- exposure to deseases and accidents can effect growth
-- dominance issues (important in reptiles).

Enclosure SIZE has very little impact (on growth). Though the bigger the enclosure the better for the reptiles quality of life and ability to exercise (move about).

Alright, that makes more sense. Thank you for the response!

And of cause there are many lizard keepers who regard their lizards as little more then exotic items in their home (like exotic goldfish) and never let their lizards out of their enclosures to explore and run about in the house (or yard) and who's only interaction with their "pet" is giving it food and water and sometimes removing poos.
IMO this kind of person should never be allowed to keep a pet lizard, they should only be allowed to keep a pet rock or fish in a tank IMO.

 

[AnthonysGotMilk]

Short answer = NO.

Long answer , the main factors that effect growth are :
-- genetics
-- amount quality food and it's qualities at each of the stages of life/growth/development
-- amount of UVA and UVB
-- exposure to deseases and accidents can effect growth
-- dominance issues (important in reptiles).

Enclosure SIZE has very little impact (on growth). Though the bigger the enclosure the better for the reptiles quality of life and ability to exercise (move about).

Alright, that makes more sense. Thank you for the response!

And of cause there are many lizard keepers who regard their lizards as little more then exotic items in their home (like exotic goldfish) and never let their lizards out of their enclosures to explore and run about in the house (or yard) and who's only interaction with their "pet" is giving it food and water and sometimes removing poos.
IMO this kind of person should never be allowed to keep a pet lizard, they should only be allowed to keep a pet rock or fish in a tank IMO.

Every day I make sure to have at LEAST 30 minutes of out of the cage time with me. We have two cats and she is very small still so I am not comfortable with her roaming around the house on her own. I let her run around on my bed and also cuddle with me and I will let her climb freely on me daily though.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Short answer = NO.

Long answer , the main factors that effect growth are :
-- genetics
-- amount quality food and it's qualities at each of the stages of life/growth/development
-- amount of UVA and UVB
-- exposure to deseases and accidents can effect growth
-- dominance issues (important in reptiles).

Enclosure SIZE has very little impact (on growth). Though the bigger the enclosure the better for the reptiles quality of life and ability to exercise (move about).

Alright, that makes more sense. Thank you for the response!

And of cause there are many lizard keepers who regard their lizards as little more then exotic items in their home (like exotic goldfish) and never let their lizards out of their enclosures to explore and run about in the house (or yard) and who's only interaction with their "pet" is giving it food and water and sometimes removing poos.
IMO this kind of person should never be allowed to keep a pet lizard, they should only be allowed to keep a pet rock or fish in a tank IMO.

Every day I make sure to have at LEAST 30 minutes of out of the cage time with me. We have two cats and she is very small still so I am not comfortable with her roaming around the house on her own. I let her run around on my bed and also cuddle with me and I will let her climb freely on me daily though.

All my pet lizards (the ones whi have been with us a long time) love lots of time on the floor , and their mum and dad snuggles/cuddles/playtime.
Peppa and Toothless have only been with us for about a month so they are not big enough or ready for more contact time on us, and wont be big enough for free range time inside until they about 8 - 9 months old.