German Giant Bearded Dragon (Breed Guide)

Are you interested in becoming a pet parent of a German giant bearded dragon? Do you know much about these lovely lizards? Whether you know much about these beautiful lizards or not, we’re glad you’re here.

In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about these lizards and how to care for them. Let’s get started!

What is a German Giant Bearded Dragon?

A German giant bearded dragon is what’s called a “morph” of a regular bearded dragon. A “morph” is a reptile specifically bred by breeders to create a specific “look” in a bearded dragon. For instance, when larger lizards are bred together, chances are their offspring will be even larger than the parents. When it comes to the German giant bearded dragon, the offspring can be as much as 50% larger than the standard bearded dragon. That’s quite a bit larger!

There are several ways to tell if you have a German giant bearded dragon or a standard version of these amazing lizards. For instance, you can tell by their size. Here’s a chart showing the differences between a German giant bearded dragon and a normal bearded dragon:

When it comes to the average lifespan of German giants, they can live anywhere between 8-12 years. However, in the wild, these lizards may live between 5-8 years. The key to their longevity in captivity is proper care and attention to their needs. With the right care, these lizards will be able to live up to 12 years.

However, with improper care, the lizard may not survive even 8 years.

German Giant Bearded Dragon Food

German giant bearded dragons need the right food in order to stay happy and healthy. It’s important to know that your German giant is an omnivore. This means he eats live food (prey, usually insects), fruits, vegetables, and even leafy greens.

When it comes to fruit, this is the smallest part of the German giant’s diet. They should only be given occasionally. The lizards obtain nutrients and water from the fruits they eat. You can safely feed these fruits to your German giant:

• Apples (peel first)
• Papaya
• Guavas
• Watermelon
• Red and green grapes
• Berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries)
• Plums
• Figs
• Apricots
• Seedless raisins
• Cherries (first remove the pit)
• Mandarin oranges
• Canned pineapples and prunes
• Honeydew and cantaloupe
• Peach

When it comes to veggies, your German giant bearded dragon can eat the following veggies:

• Mustard greens
• Okra
• Red & green cabbage
• Arugula
• Turnip greens
• Parsnip
• Raw kale
• Pumpkin
• Zucchini
• Leeks
• Radish
• Peeled cucumber
• Collard greens
• Squash (butternut, summer, spaghetti, and acorn)
• Green, yellow, or red bell peppers
• Basil
• Bok choy
• Dandelion greens
• Coriander
• Rocket
• Parsley

Your lizard baby will also need a source of protein. This means you’ll need to buy and/or raise insects for your German giant. They can safely eat these insects:

• Crickets
• Mealworms
• Dubia roaches
• Earthworms
• King worms
• Waxworms
• Silkworms
• Super worms
• Goliath worms
• Locusts
• Redworms
• Black soldier fly larvae
• Butterworm
• Cockroaches

While it may be tempting to try and catch wild prey for your German giant bearded dragon, it’s not a good idea. The reason is that these insects could carry parasites or even pesticides that could make your lizard very sick.

German Giant Bearded Dragon Habitat

When it comes to a place to live, your German giant will need a specialized habitat. He requires the proper environment to keep him healthy.

You’ll need a tank that’s at least 50 gallons to start out, depending on the size of your lizard. Next, the tank will need a screen to keep your lizard from climbing out of his home. You’ll also need a heat lamp to keep the lizard warm and comfortable. To check on the temperature inside the habitat, it’s also important to buy a thermometer.

Next, it will be necessary to buy a hygrometer to measure the humidity level inside your German giant’s habitat. The habitat will also require a substrate. Be sure to choose one that maintains moisture. You can also add plants, branches, and more to your German Giant’s habitat.

Your lizard’s habitat will need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Before cleaning the tank, be sure to move your German giant to a safe place. Then wipe down the habitat with warm, soapy water, and rinse thoroughly.

Common Health Problems in German Giant Bearded Dragons

Just like other pets, German giants can suffer from certain health issues, including:

• Kidney disease
• Parasites
• Nutritional disorders
• Respiratory infections
• Stress & anxiety
• Shedding problems

If your German giant is showing any symptoms of being ill, then it’s necessary to take him to the vet. The vet can check to see if there are any underlying health issues that could be causing the symptoms.

Do German Giant Bearded Dragons Bite?

This is a common question, and we have to say yes. They can definitely bite! And because these are large lizards, they do have stronger jaws. So, their bites can be painful. Also, keep in mind these lizards do have small, sharp teeth. It is possible the lizard could draw blood.

The lizards may bite out of fear or if they’ve been caught by surprise. They may also bite due to being handled too roughly, restricting their movement, if they’re hungry and more. In other words, they only bite for a reason.

There are some things you can do to stop your German giant from biting. Try to go slowly when moving around your German giant. Remember to handle the lizard gently and do not cause it to be afraid. One more tip—always pick up your German giant from the side and do so slowly. This is because predators swoop down from above to pick up the lizard. So, pick your lizard up slowly and from the side. This may help him not to feel like he’s under attack.

There you have it! We hope this guide has given you the basics on how to care for your German Giant Bearded Dragon. With proper care, your German giant can live a long time, bringing you both much happiness through the years!