What Bugs Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Bearded dragons, an incredibly popular pet lizards, need a varied diet that includes both vegetables and insects to stay healthy. While vegetables should be the main source of food, adding a variety of insect offerings to the menu can help make sure your pet is getting all the nutrients it needs. But, what bugs can bearded dragons safely eat?
feeder insects for bearded dragons
Insects:
- Crickets
- Waxworms
- Mealworms
- Calciworms
- Goliath worms
- Phoenix worms
- Dubia roaches
Bearded dragons love to hunt and feed on these insects, which are often sold as “feeder insects.” Each type has its own nutritional content, and insects should be offered in moderation. Aim for once to twice a week, depending on the size and age of your dragon.
Wild-Caught Insects For Bearded Dragons
In addition to feeder insects, bearded dragons can also eat insects they catch in the wild. These typically include grasshoppers, moths, and beetles. Some lizards may also eat earthworms if they find them outside.
Wild-caught insects provide a variety of proteins and fats, but they may contain more parasites and toxins than feeder insects, so they should not be the primary source of nutrition.
Supplementing Bearded Dragons With Insects
Insects can be an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins and minerals. However, they should only ever make up a small part of your lizard’s diet.
For adult bearded dragons, aim for a ratio of 80 percent vegetables, 10 percent insects and 10 percent occasional treats like fruit and insects. Young lizards should have a 70/20/10 ratio and growing dragons should lean more heavily towards the vegetable side for their diet.
To help prevent any potential health problems associated with a heavy insect-based diet, you should also be sure to offer your lizard the occasional cockroach, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements as directed by your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Insects like crickets, waxworms, mealworms, and dubia roaches can be used to supplement a bearded dragon’s diet. Wild-caught insects are also an option, however they should not replace feeder insects.
It’s important to remember that insects should only make up a small portion of your dragon’s diet and that veggies should always be the main food source. With the right nutrition, your bearded dragon will live a long, happy life.
