Expert: Joe Zarnick - 12/5/2010

Question
I got my bearded dragon in late Aug. She is almost 6 months
old.

Setup
75 Gallon tank (divided during feeding)
Reptisun 10.0 tube
Basking temp is 105F
Fed Salad (mustard greens, squash, collards, cactus pad,
turnip greens, etc)
Insects (Dubia roaches, Turkistan roaches, crickets,
silkworms, phoenix worms)
Slate Tile flooring
Branches and driftwood to climb on
Water Dish

She eats, drinks, poops, soaks, basks and runs around her
tank like normal.

Have taken her to the vet several times and she is 100%
healthy.

But she turns 6 months old on Dec. 19th and is only 10"
long!

I have her sister in an identical setup and feeding, etc.
and she is already 16"

Both get their bugs dusted with calcium and multivitamins
regularly as well.

Is there a reason a bearded dragon would not grow?  

Answer
Well from what you have told me you have a fine setup. All bearded dragons are different from each other. She may not grow as big as her sister. I have the same thing going on with my younger dragons. Her sister may just eat more than her or is just growing faster. Keep giving her the nutrients she needs with attention and she should grow just fine.