The most confusing part of bearded dragon care is knowing how often and how much to feed. The answer changes as your dragon grows — and feeding an adult like a baby (or vice versa) causes obesity, malnutrition, and a shortened lifespan.
This bearded dragon feeding chart breaks down the exact feeding schedule by age, with portion guidance and a printable checklist you can stick on your tank.
The Master Feeding Chart
| Age | Insects | Greens/veg | Feeding frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling (0–3 months) | 70–80% of diet | 20–30% | Insects 2–3x daily; greens daily |
| Juvenile (3–12 months) | 60–70% | 30–40% | Insects 1–2x daily; greens daily |
| Adult (12+ months) | 20–30% | 70–80% | Insects every other day; greens daily |
The golden rule of portion size: offer insects for 10–15 minutes, then remove whatever’s left. For greens, offer a salad roughly the size of your dragon’s head each day.
Feeding by Life Stage (Detailed)
Hatchlings (0–3 months)
- Insects: 2–3 times per day, as many as they’ll eat in 10–15 minutes each session.
- Greens: fresh salad daily, finely chopped.
- Why so much? They’re growing fast and need protein.
Juveniles (3–12 months)
- Insects: 1–2 times per day.
- Greens: daily, chopped to bite size.
- You’ll notice them gradually eating more greens during this stage — that’s normal and healthy.
Adults (12+ months)
- Insects: every other day (or 2–3 times a week).
- Greens: daily — this is now the bulk of the diet.
- Warning: many adult dragons become overweight because owners keep feeding insects daily. An adult eating too much protein can develop fatty liver disease.
What Counts as a “Feeding”
- Staple insects: dubia roaches, crickets, black soldier fly larvae, silkworms, hornworms.
- Treat insects (sparingly): mealworms, superworms, waxworms.
- Daily greens: collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, butternut squash, bell pepper.
- Occasional fruit (10% or less): blueberries, strawberries, mango, papaya.
Always dust insects with calcium before feeding, and add a multivitamin 1–2 times a week.
Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding adults daily insects — leads to obesity and fatty liver.
- Insects too big — longer than the space between the eyes = choking/impaction risk.
- Skipping greens for babies — they need the fiber and vitamins even when protein-heavy.
- Leaving live insects in the tank overnight — crickets can bite your dragon.
- Feeding cold food — room-temperature or slightly warmed insects/greens are easier to digest.
Printable Feeding Schedule
Copy this quick-reference chart onto a card and tape it near the tank:
HATCHLING (0-3 mo): insects 2-3x/day (10-15 min each) + greens daily JUVENILE (3-12 mo): insects 1-2x/day + greens daily ADULT (12+ mo): insects every other day + greens daily ALWAYS: dust insects with calcium - fresh water daily - remove uneaten insects
Disclaimer: This feeding chart is for general education and does not replace professional veterinary advice. If your bearded dragon shows signs of illness or sudden appetite loss, contact a qualified reptile veterinarian.
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