Is my beardie done growing?

[bdlover13]

I have had my bearded dragon for almost a year. I bought him from the petstore when he was a baby and now he is 15 1/2 in. long. Is he completely done growing?

 

[RioReptiles]

No, he will definitely grow a little more. Most dragons fill out during the second year, females growing more than males because they eat and bask more due to higher hormone levels and breeding season. Dragons never really stop growing, when they become adults their eating and basking habits decrease considerably so they grow at a very slow rate. Most male adults will shed about once per year, females two or three times. This is why most females are bigger and fatter while males tend to stay thinner and more athletic looking. Their growth rate is directly related to how much they eat and bask so it really depends on the individual dragon.