Flies are often disliked for their irritating buzzing and tendency to carry diseases from unhygienic places. Despite our efforts to control them using sprays, coils, or electric devices, their population continues to grow. While flies are a nuisance to humans, they can be a nutritious snack for bearded dragons.
If you’re wondering whether bearded dragons can eat flies and if it’s safe for them, the answer is yes—when given in moderation. However, not all flies are suitable for consumption. With numerous fly species worldwide, only specific types are safe for bearded dragons. Let’s explore how flies can serve as a food source for these reptiles.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Flies?
Flies are safe for bearded dragons and can be given as an occasional snack. However, they offer little nutritional value compared to other insects. Worms are a more nutritious option for your bearded dragon. While flies won’t harm them, only sure flies are safe for consumption. Household flies are generally acceptable to feed.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Flies?
It’s best to offer flies as part of your bearded dragon’s diet two to three times a week. However, flies alone are not nutritious enough to meet their dietary needs. Instead, consider offering them occasional snacks alongside vegetables for a more balanced diet. Bearded dragons are omnivores, requiring about 80% meat and 20% vegetables.
Fruit flies are a better option than others, as they contribute to a more balanced diet. In addition to flies, you can include other insects like earthworms, crickets, and grasshoppers. These provide varied nutrition and help maintain your pet’s overall dietary health.
2 Benefits of Flies for Bearded Dragons
1: Improves Moisture Count
Flies contain a high level of moisture, acting as natural moisturizing agents. Their wet and slippery texture indicates sufficient hydration levels for bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons consume minimal water and are prone to skin issues. Ensure they maintain proper water intake to prevent bacterial growth.
2: Mood Enhancers
Feeding insects to bearded dragons can improve their mood. Unlike humans, their food options are limited. Offering the same diet repeatedly can negatively affect their mood. Introducing live insects and bugs adds variety, benefiting their health and mood.
3 Risks Of Feeding Flies To Bearded Dragons
Flies harm humans and animals, often spreading diseases and health complications. As scavengers, flies consume dead animal remains, making them carriers of various illnesses. Feeding flies to bearded dragons poses several risks:
1: Disease Carriers
Flies carry diseases as they search for food and land on dirty surfaces. Germs stick to their legs, spreading from one place to another. As scavengers, they transfer viruses from dead bodies to food, creating health risks.
2: Chances of Obesity
Insects are high in fats but lack essential nutrients needed for proper growth. While live flies may fascinate beardies, overconsumption can lead to obesity.
3: Making Addicted
Each bearded dragon has unique characteristics; some are playful, while others are more reserved. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s essential to provide a balanced diet. Offering only insects like beetles, earthworms, and grasshoppers is not ideal. These can be given as occasional snacks but in limited quantities, as overconsumption can harm your bearded dragon. Relying solely on bugs may lead to nutrient deficiencies and an imbalanced diet.
How to Feed Flies to Your Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons enjoy a variety of foods and will examine anything they can grab. Their long, flexible tongue helps them catch insects and eat other offered items.
Add Some Flies to a Plate Full of Veggies
The best way to feed flies to your beardies is by mixing them with vegetables or fruits, whether dead or alive. This allows them to analyze the food and decide whether to eat it.
To ensure they get essential nutrients, mix the flies on a plate with other food or crush a nutrient tablet into powder and sprinkle it. This helps maintain their nutrient intake, and they’ll enjoy their meals this way!
Flies Buzz
The buzzing sound naturally draws the attention of beardies. Feeding them live flies enhances their eating habits, as their movements capture their focus. This encourages beardies to move toward the flies and capture them using their tongues. This activity promotes movement and ensures they eat their food. Alternatively, you can provide flies for them to catch on their own.
It’s best to keep your beardie in a small, separate room filled with flies. They will instinctively use their tongue to capture the flies. Keeping your beard indoors reduces the risk of ingesting harmful pathogens or parasites that could cause severe harm.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can eat flies, but they are not the best food choice. Flies are fine as an occasional treat or in moderation. Pet store flies are safer for bearded dragons to consume. Constantly monitor what your bearded dragon eats, as their metabolism is not strong enough to handle all types of food.
FAQs
Can baby bearded dragons eat flies?
Yes, baby bearded dragons can eat flies. However, their diet should include more insects than adult bearded dragons.
Do bearded dragons like flies?
Bearded dragons enjoy eating flies, but only safe ones. Avoid feeding them wild flies, as they can harm their health.
Are flies safe for beardies?
Flies are not toxic to bearded dragons. However, it’s important to provide other essential nutrients in their diet alongside insects.
Can bearded dragons eat dead flies?
Bearded dragons can eat dead insects, but ensuring they are not too old is essential. Feeding them insects that have started to degrade can be harmful.
Can bearded dragons eat fly larvae?
Yes, fly larvae are a staple food for beardies. They are healthier than other bugs and beneficial when added to their diet.