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Bearded Dragons are not technically “pregnant.” They do not carry their babies inside their bodies like mammals, as they are lizards. Bearded Dragons lay eggs, which incubate outside of their body.
However, there is a short period of 3 to 4 weeks after mating before the female lays her eggs. The female will lay many eggs at one time, sometimes up to 30. It depends on the size and age of the female.
The eggs are incubated by their environment; the female does not sit on them like birds. Therefore, the maturation rate depends on the environment’s temperature and humidity. The warmer it is, the faster the babies develop inside their eggs. It usually takes 50 to 80 days for the eggs to hatch, with an average duration of around 60 days.
Bearded Dragon Reproduction: The Basics
Bearded Dragons lay their eggs in the spring or summer months after they are exposed to colder temperatures in the winter. In the wild, Bearded Dragons experience many seasonal temperature fluctuations, so warming temperatures after a cold period indicate spring. In captivity, this process must be artificially encouraged. Therefore, breeding can be encouraged at any time as long as the temperatures are controlled correctly.
After mating, the female digs into the substrate and lays eggs 3–4 weeks later. Material is usually provided for her to dig in, though this isn’t necessarily required. In the wild, females dig in the sand or dirt.
The nesting area provided should be large enough for the eggs and humid enough to encourage their proper development. It can take about 50 to 80 days for the eggs to hatch. In captivity, the eggs are often placed into a separate enclosure to prevent accidents. The temperature is usually kept warm to encourage faster development.
Bearded Dragon mating is complicated and dangerous. Bearded Dragons must first go through a period of brumation brought on by colder temperatures. Brumation can be potentially deadly for all Dragons, even those in captivity.
After that, mating and laying eggs can be dangerous for the female. Eggs can “get stuck” in the female’s body, causing all sorts of problems and potentially death. Breeding Bearded Dragons isn’t an easy job and should only be done by a professional with plenty of experience.
Gravid Bearded Dragons
A “pregnant” Bearded Dragon is referred to as “gravid.” A female that becomes gravid is carrying eggs inside of her body. The eggs start developing after mating and will continue to grow for about 3–4 weeks. When carrying eggs, female Bearded Dragons exhibit a range of physical and behavioral changes.
These changes may differ from dragon to dragon, and not all of these signs will always be obvious.
- Increased appetite: Like any pregnant animal, gravid Bearded Dragons will eat more as they devote extra energy to developing their eggs. They need extra calcium during this time, which is often provided through a supplement.
- Restlessness: Gravid females often exhibit more restless behaviors as they try to find somewhere to lay their eggs. They may spend more time digging in their enclosure or try to escape more than usual. You’d imagine this behavior would only occur when the female is close to laying eggs, but gravid females can become restless at any time.
- Swollen abdomen: Gravid females may have swollen and distended stomachs, as their eggs occupy quite a bit of room. Because of this, they may have a harder time moving around or climbing. Their stomach gets in the way.
- Other changes: Females may exhibit various changes when gravid. Some may become friendlier, others more aggressive, and many become shyer and spend more time hiding.
When your female is gravid, you should provide a suitable nesting area for her to lay eggs. You can use sand or soil that’s moist enough to hold its shape but not so wet that it becomes waterlogged. Ensure that the temperature and humidity of the cage are in the right zone.
Parthenogenesis
Most female Bearded Dragons only lay eggs after mating with a male. However, that isn’t always the case. Female Bearded Dragons can also reproduce asexually without a male through a process known as parthenogenesis.
A female’s unfertilized eggs will begin to develop into embryos, even though they aren’t technically fertilized. The offspring are exact copies of the mother and can develop into healthy, independent lizards under the right conditions.
In this way, a female kept in her enclosure alone can suddenly become pregnant and lay eggs that hatch. It is important to note that parthenogenesis is relatively rare in Bearded Dragons and is not a reliable method of reproduction for breeders.
Furthermore, parthenogenetic offspring may be more prone to specific genetic abnormalities, as they lack genetic diversity from a male parent. Female Dragons can reproduce without a male partner. However, it isn’t encouraged.
Do Bearded Dragons Lay Unfertilized Eggs?
Bearded Dragons can lay unfertilized eggs if they haven’t mated with a male during a perceived mating season. Females begin developing eggs before they mate. If the female never mates, she is stuck with unfertilized eggs. They cannot stay in her body, so she lays them, even though they will never hatch.
Females can usually lay multiple clutches of unfertilized eggs throughout a mating season. This is most common in younger females. However, laying many eggs can deplete a female’s body and lead to calcium deficiency. Therefore, providing the female with extra care and calcium is crucial during this period. Otherwise, she may develop bone problems.
Don’t forget to provide a suitable nesting period, as well. While you may know that the eggs aren’t fertile, the female doesn’t. Therefore, she will try to lay them in the perfect spot. Laying several clutches of eggs can also be a sign of an underlying health condition or stress. Improper enclosure setups can lead to stress and may make the female spread out her clutches. Always speak to your vet if you have questions about your Bearded Dragon’s egg-laying behavior.
Conclusion
Bearded Dragons do not experience traditional pregnancy like mammals. Instead, they lay eggs. The female Bearded Dragon waits 3–4 weeks after mating before laying her eggs. During this period, she is called “gravid,” which is the reptile term for “pregnant.”
The number of eggs laid at once can range from one to 30, depending on the size and age of the female. The eggs are not incubated inside the female’s body; they are laid outside and develop in the surrounding environment. Unlike birds, the female does not sit on the eggs.
The environment’s temperature and humidity play a crucial role in the maturation rate of the eggs. Warmer temperatures generally result in faster development of the babies inside the eggs. The eggs usually take about 2 months to hatch, but environmental factors can affect the hatch dates.
Featured Image Credit: C. Nass, Shutterstock
