Quick Answer
Bearded dragons are pregnant for 4-6 weeks on average. The gestation period can vary from 30-35 days depending on factors like the age and health of the female. Younger, first-time breeding females may have slightly longer pregnancies up to 45 days.
Typical Gestation Timeline
Here is the typical timeline for a bearded dragon pregnancy:
- Breeding/mating – This occurs about 2-4 weeks before eggs are laid
- Fertilization – The eggs are fertilized inside the female shortly after breeding
- Gestation – The fertilized eggs incubate inside the female for 4-6 weeks on average
- Digging/nesting – 1-2 weeks before laying eggs, the female will start digging and becoming restless
- Egg laying – The female will lay her clutch of eggs around 4-6 weeks after breeding
So in total, the window between breeding and babies hatching is 6-10 weeks. The actual pregnancy portion lasts about 30-45 days.
Factors Affecting Gestation Length
Several factors can influence how long a bearded dragon is pregnant before laying eggs:
Age of the Female
Younger, first-time breeding females often have slightly longer gestation periods around 6-7 weeks. Older, more experienced females tend to have pregnancies lasting 4-5 weeks.
Health of the Female
Females in good health and condition tend to have normal length pregnancies. Poor health, malnutrition, obesity or other issues can sometimes prolong gestation.
Incubation Temperatures
Warmer incubation temperatures inside the female’s body may shorten gestation length slightly. Cooler body temps can lengthen the pregnancy.
Genetics
Some bloodlines or morphs of bearded dragons seem more prone to having longer gestation periods. This may be due to genetic factors.
Stress
High stress levels in the female could potentially delay egg laying and extend the pregnancy. Minimizing stress is ideal during breeding.
First Clutch vs Later Clutches
Females tend to have longer initial pregnancies their first time breeding compared to subsequent clutches later in life.
Signs a Bearded Dragon is Pregnant
Here are some signs that a female bearded dragon may be gravid (pregnant) after breeding:
- Increased appetite – Eating more to support the developing eggs
- Weight gain – Putting on weight rapidly, especially in the abdomen/belly region
- Lethargy – Being less active and slower moving
- Change in belly shape – The abdomen swells and widens
- Distended belly – The lower belly may become enlarged and distended
- Visible eggs – Larger eggs may even be visible through the belly skin
- Increased basking – Spending more time basking to warm eggs
- Nesting behavior – Digging, becoming restless, decreased appetite in the 1-2 weeks before laying
If a female shows most or all of these signs within 4-6 weeks after breeding, she is likely pregnant. An x-ray or palpation by an experienced reptile vet can confirm pregnancy.
Why Gestation Length Varies
There are a few reasons why bearded dragon pregnancy length is not always exactly 4-6 weeks:
- Age – Younger females seem to require longer for proper egg development
- Health – Poor health or malnutrition may interfere with normal gestation
- Genetics – Some lines seem prone to shorter or longer pregnancies
- Temperature – Incubation temperature impacts embryo growth rate
- Stress – Environmental stress can potentially delay egg laying
- Individual variation – Each female’s body and situation is unique
So while 4-6 weeks is the norm, a healthy range can be anywhere from 30-45 days depending on the bearded dragon.
Do Bearded Dragons Lay Eggs Without Breeding?
Bearded dragons generally only lay fertile, developing eggs after successfully breeding with a male. However, there are some exceptions where a female may lay infertile eggs even without breeding:
- Older females may lay slugs – Older dragons nearing the end of fertility may lay infertile “dud” eggs called slugs
- Some may lay infertile eggs rarely – Even without breeding, a random infertile egg is possible
- Stress or poor health can trigger it – Environmental stressors sometimes prompt egg laying
- No male required – Sperm can be stored long term for several clutches, so no recent breeding may have occurred
- Rare in young females – Young females under 18 months almost always require breeding to lay eggs
While possible, laying eggs without breeding is relatively uncommon in healthy adult bearded dragons. Breeding is required for fertile, developing eggs in most cases.
Do Bearded Dragons Show Signs of Pregnancy Before Breeding?
No, bearded dragons do not demonstrate signs of pregnancy until after breeding has occurred. Here is why:
- Ovulation is induced by breeding – Female reptiles ovulate in response to mating stimulus
- Fertilization happens post-breeding – Sperm fertilizes the eggs shortly after breeding
- Development begins after fertilization – Embryo development takes 4-6 weeks from fertilization
- No external fetus – Reptile pregnancy involves internal egg development, not a growing fetus
- Changes require egg growth – Most signs of gravidity are due to enlargement of eggs internally
So the typical sequence is breeding first, then ovulation and fertilization, followed by egg development and pregnancy signs. Without breeding, the hormones won’t be present to initiate ovulation and egg production.
Can You Palpate a Bearded Dragon to Detect Pregnancy?
Yes, an experienced reptile veterinarian can palpate a bearded dragon to detect pregnancy and estimate how far along they are. Here’s what vets look for when palpating for gravidity:
- Palpable mass in the abdomen – Depending on stage, eggs may be felt as a firm mass
- Enlarged abdominal girth – The lower belly increases in size noticeably
- Asymmetrical distension – More pronounced on side with more eggs
- Change in abdominal tone – Loss of muscle tone as eggs enlarge
- Possible to feel individual eggs – Large or late-stage eggs may be distinguished
Caution must be taken not to squeeze the abdomen too firmly, as this risks damaging the eggs. Gentle, experienced palpation can estimate pregnancy status and stage fairly accurately.
Can You X-ray a Bearded Dragon to Confirm Pregnancy?
Yes, abdominal x-rays can be used to diagnose pregnancy and determine how many eggs a bearded dragon is carrying. What vets look for on x-rays includes:
- Visible calcified eggs – Eggs appear as round or oval shapes with dense white shells
- Number of eggs – X-rays allow vets to accurately count the egg number
- Size of eggs – Gives an estimate of embryo developmental stage
- Egg position – Location in the abdomen, often asymmetric
- Abdominal swell – Distension and muscle tone changes are visible
X-rays are considered safe during bearded dragon pregnancy. They allow egg development monitoring without invasive procedures. Palpation combined with x-rays give the most complete pregnancy evaluation.
What is the Best Method to Confirm Pregnancy?
The best and most thorough way to confirm a bearded dragon is gravid is:
- Behavioral signs – Note resting, basking, nesting, appetite changes
- Physical exam – Belly size/shape, weight gain, palpation
- X-rays – Visualize and count eggs, check development
- Bloodwork (optional) – Elevated calcium and estrogen levels
Ideally, a vet combines physical exam signs, x-rays, and blood tests for an accurate pregnancy diagnosis and health assessment of the female and embryos.
Tracking a female’s behaviors at home is also important to determine her stage based on digging, nesting, and appetite changes. Multimodal evaluation gives the best results.
How Many Eggs Do Bearded Dragons Lay?
Most bearded dragons lay 20-40 eggs per clutch on average. But clutch size can vary from as few as 5-10 eggs to as many as 60+:
- Age – Younger females lay smaller clutches, older dragons larger
- Size – Larger females lay more eggs than smaller ones
- Health – Poor health results in fewer, smaller eggs
- Genetics – Some bloodlines tend to produce more eggs
- First vs later clutches – Earlier clutches often have fewer eggs
- Incubation temps – Warmer incubation equals more eggs
- Individual variation – Each female differs in egg number
With optimal breeding conditions for a healthy adult, an average of 20-40 eggs is common. But clutch size varies quite a bit based on the individual and circumstances.
How Long After Mating do Bearded Dragons Lay Eggs?
Bearded dragons typically lay their eggs 4-6 weeks after breeding. Here is an overview of what to expect:
- Mating – Breeding occurs 2-4 weeks before eggs are laid
- Fertilization – Eggs are fertilized shortly after successful breeding
- Gestation – Eggs incubate inside female for 4-6 weeks on average
- Nesting – Female will become restless 1-2 weeks before laying
- Egg laying – Eggs are laid about 4-6 weeks after breeding
So the full timeline from mating to egg laying is usually between 30-45 days on average. But a healthy range can be from 4 to 7 weeks post-breeding.
Do Bearded Dragons Change Behavior Before Laying Eggs?
Yes, female bearded dragons demonstrate several behavioral changes in the 1-2 weeks leading up to laying eggs:
- Increased digging/scratching at the ground
- Reduced appetite and less interest in food
- Restlessness, constantly shifting around
- Seeking secluded nesting sites
- More frequent basking
- Defensive of abdomen if touched
- May become somewhat aggressive
These signs indicate labor is nearing and the female is seeking a nesting site. Providing a suitable nest box with a lay bin at this time is recommended. Behavior changes give advance notice of upcoming egg laying.
How to Care for a Gravid Bearded Dragon
Here are some tips for properly caring for a pregnant bearded dragon:
- Increase food – Offer extra prey, feed 3x daily to support egg development
- Add calcium – Boost calcium intake via dusting and supplementation
- Provide UVB – Ensure 12-14 hours per day of UV light for calcium metabolism
- Increase hydration – Provide a bowl or regular mistings for extra hydration
- Elevate basking area – Allow easy access to 100-110*F basking area to incubate eggs
- Provide lay box – Add a nest box 1-2 weeks pre-laying for egg deposit
- Avoid handling – Limit handling stress, especially as laying approaches
- Watch for complications – Monitor for egg binding, decreased appetite, lethargy
- Separate from male – House alone 1-2 weeks before eggs are due
With increased, tailored care, most gravid females can pass the pregnancy stage smoothly and have healthy hatchling eggs.
How to Tell if Bearded Dragon Eggs are Fertile?
Here are some ways to determine if bearded dragon eggs are fertile and developing vs infertile duds:
- Appearance – Fertile eggs will be symmetrical, rounded, with smooth shells
- Color – Good eggs will be bright white, pale yellow, or bone colored
- Candling – Fertile eggs will show a spiderweb of vessels when candled
- Movement – Live embryos may demonstrate slight movement if candled
- Size – Fertile eggs maintain consistent size, duds may shrivel over time
- Weight – Viable eggs feel heavier than duds when gently weighed
If in doubt, incubating for several weeks can demonstrate whether embryos are growing and developing inside the eggs. Candling and professional assessment provide the best results.
Incubation Period for Bearded Dragon Eggs
Bearded dragon eggs should be incubated for 50-80 days for best results. Here are incubation factors to consider:
- Incubation temperature – 85-92°F is ideal, with 88-90°F optimal
- Temperature stability – Maintain consistent stable temps, avoid fluctuations
- Humidity – Keep humidity around 40% early, increase to 60% mid-incubation, then lower back to 40%
- Ventilation – Circulate air to provide oxygen, prevent mold
- Egg rotation – Rotate eggs gently 180 degrees once daily
- Hatchling care setup – Have habitat ready for neonates when they emerge
With proper incubation conditions, hatching success rates can be maximized. Most eggs hatch around 60-75 days.
Conclusion
The typical bearded dragon pregnancy lasts 4-6 weeks from breeding to egg laying. However, gestation length can range from 30-45 days depending on the individual female, her age, health, genetics, and environmental conditions. Careful monitoring for physical and behavioral changes can help determine pregnancy status and how far along a female is. Providing proper care tailored to a gravid bearded dragon’s needs can help support healthy egg development. With the right incubation setup, the eggs have high chances of successful hatching after 50-80 days. Understanding the pregnancy timeline and indicators allows bearded dragon owners and breeders to be fully prepared for the egg laying and hatching process.
