Table of Contents
1. What do bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, meaning that they will eat both plants and animals. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of insects and other small invertebrates, but they will also eat leaves, flowers, and fruits. In captivity, most bearded dragons are fed a diet of commercially available insect foods (such as crickets and mealworms), supplemented with vegetables and occasional fruits.
2. How often do bearded dragons need to be fed?
Most experts recommend feeding juvenile bearded dragons 2-3 times per day and adult bearded dragons 1-2 times per day. However, some individuals may require more or less frequent feeding depending on their individual metabolism and activity level.
3. How do I know if my bearded dragon is getting enough food?
A healthy bearded dragon should have a rounded, plump abdomen and should not appear to be skinny or malnourished. If you are unsure whether your beardie is getting enough to eat, consult with a reptile veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper for assistance.
4. What kind of vegetables can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons typically enjoy eating leafy greens such as collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens. Other veggies that are often favored by beardies include bell peppers, carrots, and squash. It is important to offer a variety of different vegetables to ensure that your bearded dragon gets the nutrients they need.
5. Can bearded dragons eat fruit?
Fruit should only be given to bearded dragons occasionally, as it is high in sugar and can cause digestive problems if fed too often. However, small amounts of fruit can make a tasty treat for your beardie and may even encourage them to eat their veggies! Some fruits that bearded dragons enjoy include mango, papaya, and melon.
6. What kind of insects can bearded dragons eat?
The most common insects fed to captive beardies are crickets and mealworms. These can be purchased live or frozen/freeze-dried from most pet stores. Bearded dragons will also eat other types of insects, such as roaches, grasshoppers, and locusts. It is important to offer a variety of different insects to ensure that your bearded dragon gets the nutrients they need.
7. How do I know if the insects I am feeding my bearded dragon are safe?
Be sure to only feed insects that have been raised specifically for reptile consumption, as wild-caught insects may carry parasites or diseases that could harm your beardie. Insects should also be gut-loaded (fed a nutritious diet) for 24 hours before being offered to your bearded dragon, as this will help to ensure that they receive the nutrients they need.
8. My bearded dragon seems interested in eating my plants – are there any plants that are safe for them to eat?
There are a number of plants that are safe for bearded dragons to eat, including alfalfa, dandelion greens, and hibiscus flowers. Be sure to research any plants that you are considering offering to your beardie, as some plants (such as philodendrons) can be toxic if ingested.
9. What should I do if my bearded dragon won’t eat?
If your bearded dragon refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, it is important to seek veterinary care as they may be suffering from a medical condition that is causing their appetite to decline. Additionally, make sure that you are offering a variety of different food items and that the food items you are offering are appropriately sized for your beardie (for example, crickets should be no larger than the space between their eyes).
10. Are there any foods that bearded dragons should not eat?
There are a number of food items that can be harmful to bearded dragons if ingested, including avocado, rhubarb, and chocolate. Be sure to research any food items that you are considering offering to your beardie, as some foods (such as garlic) can be toxic even in small amounts.
11. My bearded dragon seems to be losing weight – could this be a sign of a problem?
Weight loss can be a sign of a number of different health problems in bearded dragons, so it is important to seek veterinary care if you notice that your beardie is losing weight. Additionally, make sure that you are offering a variety of different food items and that the food items you are offering are appropriately sized for your beardie (for example, crickets should be no larger than the space between their eyes).
12. What should I do if my bearded dragon starts to regurgitate their food?
Regurgitation can be a sign of a number of different health problems in bearded dragons, so it is important to seek veterinary care if you notice that your beardie is regurgitating their food. Additionally, make sure that you are offering a variety of different food items and that the food items you are offering are appropriately sized for your beardie (for example, crickets should be no larger than the space between their eyes).
13. What should I do if my bearded dragon starts to become picky about their food?
If your bearded dragon starts to become picky about their food, it is important to consult with a reptile veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems. Additionally, make sure that you are offering a variety of different food items and that the food items you are offering are appropriately sized for your beardie (for example, crickets should be no larger than the space between their eyes).
14. Can I feed my bearded dragon live food?
It is generally not recommended to feed live food to bearded dragons, as there is a risk that the live food could bite or scratch your beardie. Additionally, live food may carry parasites or diseases that could harm your bearded dragon. If you do choose to feed live food to your beardie, be sure to supervise the feeding process closely to ensure that your beardie does not get injured.
15. What should I do if my bearded dragon won’t eat their vegetables?
If your bearded dragon won’t eat their vegetables, it is important to consult with a reptile veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems. Additionally, make sure that you are offering a variety of different vegetables and that the vegetables you are offering are appropriately sized for your beardie (for example, chopped carrots should be no larger than the space between their eyes).