Fast Facts

 

The gestation period for a Bearded Dragon is between 50 to 80 days. 

 

Bearded dragons typically lay about 20 eggs at a time in groupings called clutches, and they can lay several clutches in a four month season (but some have laid as many as five).

 

Bearded dragons receive no maternal care. In fact, if the mother encounters her hatchlings, she might try to eat them. In captivity you must incubate bearded dragon eggs in order for them to hatch successfully.

 

Fun Facts

 

The Dance

During courtship, males and females will perform a dance of sorts, signaling to each other their acceptance. In captivity, a female who is unwilling or unready to mate will try to escape the male, often by clawing at the sides of the enclosure. A willing female, however, will perform the dance with her prospective mate. The male will bob his head rather ferociously and display his beard, which often darkens in color. A submissive female will respond with slower head bobs, and in many cases will perform the submissive "arm wave," a gesture used by both males and females to show submission.

 

Copulation and Gravidity

The dance may be the longest part of the courtship cycle, as actual copulation can take less than one minute. Once the mates have accepted each other, the male will quickly mount the female's back, oftentimes biting her on the fleshy part of her neck. The two intertwine their tails and copulation takes place. The female can reside with the male until she shows signs of needing to lay her eggs. Females generally lay their eggs three to five weeks after successful copulation.