Many new pet owners worry about how to feed their bearded dragons properly. Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both vegetables and meat, with a primary diet of insects. A common question among beardie owners is whether bearded dragons can eat crickets and other insects like grasshoppers and rolly pollies. Sometimes, it’s unclear how many crickets can feed a bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Crickets?
Bearded dragons can eat crickets, which are nutritious and beneficial for their health. The amount of crickets they should eat depends on their age and diet. Baby and juvenile bearded dragons require 80% insect protein and 20% vegetation. In contrast, adults need a diet of 80% vegetation and 20% insect protein.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Crickets?
Bearded dragon owners must feed their pets five times a day, each lasting 5 to 10 minutes. It’s essential to know how many crickets to feed your reptile. To help determine the right amount, you can use feeding charts considering factors like age, size, and health.
How Many Crickets to Feed Your Bearded Dragon?
You should adjust the number of crickets you feed your bearded dragon based on its age. Adult bearded dragons require fewer crickets, as too many can be harmful. In contrast, babies and juveniles need more crickets to support their growth and development.
Baby Bearded Dragons
A bearded baby dragon requires crickets for healthy growth and development. Owners should feed a three-month-old dragon 3-5 times a day. Allow them to eat as much as possible during 5-10-minute feeding sessions.
Juvenile Bearded Dragons
For juveniles between 3-12 months, reduce feeding sessions to 2-3 times a day, lasting about 5-10 minutes each.
Adult Bearded Dragons
Adult bearded dragons require more greens than insects in their diet. Focus on feeding them various green vegetables and reducing the amount of crickets. During each feeding session, allow them to eat as many crickets as possible in 10-15 minutes, once daily.
How many Crickets to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon?
You should feed your baby bearded dragon 3-5 times a day. They are considered babies until they reach three months old. Frequent feedings are necessary to ensure their health, support their growth, and help them achieve their full potential. Baby bearded dragons can consume anywhere from 25 to 80 crickets per day. Allow your dragon to eat as many crickets as possible during each feeding session.
3 Benefits of Crickets for Bearded Dragons
In the wild, bearded dragons hunt insects such as crickets. They enjoy chasing, stalking, and eating them. Crickets provide essential nutrients for their diet.
1: Protein Helps in Good Growth
Crickets provide essential protein for bearded dragons, helping them grow faster. Baby and juvenile bearded dragons require the most protein, making crickets a vital part of their diet.
2: Good Nutritional Content
Bearded dragons require iron, protein, and calcium for proper growth. Crickets are rich in these nutrients, making them an excellent food choice for your bearded dragon.
3: Calcium Necessary for Bones
Crickets are packed with essential nutrients, including calcium and vitamins. They provide 40.7 mg of calcium, crucial for strengthening bones and supporting overall body functions. The vitamins help boost your bearded dragon’s immune system.
In addition to calcium and vitamins, crickets also offer moisture (69.2%), protein (20.5%), fats (6.8%), and fiber (2.2%). These nutrients contribute to your pet’s health and well-being.
2 Risks of Feeding Crickets to Bearded Dragons
Feeding crickets to a bearded dragon offers nutritional benefits but can also pose risks.
1: Harbor Parasites
Like other insects, crickets can carry parasites that harm a bearded dragon’s health. To avoid this, buy crickets from a trusted source. Never feed your pet insects caught in the wild.
2: Risk of Stress
Crickets can cause stress for your bearded dragon with their noise. They may also attack smaller dragons. Always clean the area after feeding.
How to Feed crickets to Your Bearded Dragons?
Feeding crickets to a bearded dragon is simple. Just follow these steps:
Using Live Crickets
Feeding live crickets is a great way to engage your bearded dragon during feeding. They will hunt the crickets, making the session enjoyable. Place a few crickets near your beardie.
Choose the Correct Size
Bearded dragon owners should monitor the size of crickets before feeding them to their pets. Never feed giant crickets to a baby or juvenile bearded dragons, as their jaws and digestive systems are still developing. Always buy pinhead crickets from pet stores for baby bearded dragons.
Remove Uneaten Crickets
Always clean your bearded dragon’s surroundings after each feeding session. Remove any uneaten food from the cage to prevent uneaten crickets from disturbing or attacking your beardie. The noise from crickets can cause stress, so it’s essential to clear them out promptly.
Conclusion
Yes, bearded dragons can eat crickets, a nutritious food source. You can easily find crickets at pet stores, and they are affordable. Just ensure you choose the right size for your bearded dragon.
FAQs
Can baby bearded dragons eat crickets?
Yes, baby bearded dragons can eat crickets, Which support healthy growth and development. Feed them 3 to 5 times daily, allowing as many crickets as they can eat.
Do bearded dragons like crickets?
Bearded dragons enjoy eating crickets because they are highly nutritious and beneficial for their health.
Are crickets safe for beardies?
You can feed your bearded dragon crickets, but make sure they’re no more significant than the space between its eyes. This prevents feeding and digestion issues, such as impaction.
Can bearded dragons eat dead crickets?
Yes, you can feed a bearded dragon dead crickets. These are more convenient if you prefer not to handle live crickets. However, avoid feeding them crickets that have died in the container or ones you’ve found outside.