Bearded dragon are not just pets, they are an exotic variety of pets. The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon is the one that is most popular. Bearded dragons are native to Australia and there a variety of species that are found there.

When upset, the bearded dragon, they inhale and puff themselves up and in the process also enlarge a pouch under their jaw which resembles a beard. This is how they get their name as bearded dragons. Although referred to as a dragon, this is in fact a hardy lizard with a mild temperament and a trusting nature. This is why they are very popular as pets even amongst children. Bearded dragons tend to have triangular heads and flattened bodies. The adult of the species grows up to approximately 16 – 22 inches. Their growth generally ranges from 3 to 6 inches from birth to the end of their first month (measurements being head to tail). For your beloved bearded dragon to gain weight steadily, you have to feed it a wholesome nutritious diet. 

Bearded dragons are classified as omnivores i.e. they feed on both vegetation and insects.  If you are queasy about handling bugs, then having a bearded dragon for a pet may not be for you! They eat crickets primarily and also some mealworms. It is also important for you to have greens available for them to feed on although baby bearded dragons do not consume as much greens as their adult counterparts. Crickets work as the main food for them. Mealworms should only be given in small quantities as they have a hard outer chitin, making it difficult for bearded dragons to digest them. If you over feed your bearded dragon mealworms, this could eventually result in impaction leading to death. You also need to be careful of the fact that the insects you choose to feed your baby bearded dragon should not be bigger than their mouth. If you feed a baby or young bearded dragon a large cricket that is larger than the bearded dragon’s mouth, this could potentially result in choking or a blockage and even digestive problems. Obviously as your baby bearded dragon grows, you can increase the size of the crickets and mealworms that you feed your pet. 

If your baby bearded dragon is receiving a nutritious diet and proper care, you could see it grow up to 8 or 9 inches at the end of two months. After this stage, up to approximately six months of age, you could see your pet grow at the rate of half an inch per week on an average. 

As with all pets, bearded dragons also require that their diet is monitored as they grow from a baby to an adult. A baby bearded dragon will take 2 or 3 feedings of insects like crickets in a day. But let your pet guide you and never over feed it. As the baby bearded dragon grows, it will be capable of eating a few greens, but the diet will still constitute a maximum of crickets.