Base meals for an adult bearded dragon should consist of a variety of insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, wax worms and mealworms. Mealworms should only make up about 10–20% of their diet, as they have a low nutritional value.
For an adult bearded dragon, one or two large mealworms per day should be sufficient. Younger bearded dragons may need more, but as always, you should monitor your pet’s health and make sure they are receiving an appropriate amount of nutrition from each meal.
It is important to note that mealworms should never be the only food you offer your dragon. You should also be careful not to offer too many mealworms because they can become a bit tricky to digest and can even lead to digestive problems if fed too often.
If your dragon is showing signs of digestive distress (such as diarrhea, constipation or vomiting), it is best to reduce or eliminate mealworms from their diet.
In summary, an adult bearded dragon should have one to two large mealworms per day as part of their balanced diet, but should not make up more than 10–20% of their total food intake. Young bearded dragons may need more, but always monitor their health and adjust as necessary.
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Can bearded dragons eat mealworms daily?
No. Bearded dragons should not be fed a daily diet of mealworms, as mealworms are very high in fat and contain an unnatural ratio of two essential fatty acids. Mealworms should only be fed occasionally as part of a balanced diet.
For example, they can be offered once a week or once every two weeks as a treat. It is important that the mealworms be no larger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes, otherwise they may cause indigestion or choking.
The majority of a bearded dragon’s diet should consist of natural prey items such as crickets, roaches, waxworms and other insects. If you are using commercially prepared bearded dragon diets, such as those by Repashy or Pangea, then mealworms can be used as a treat once a month, in addition to the other items listed earlier.
Can I leave mealworms in bearded dragon tank?
Yes, you can leave mealworms in a bearded dragon tank. Mealworms provide an excellent source of protein for your dragon. However, you should make sure that only a few are left in the tank at any given time.
Additionally, the mealworms should be kept in an appropriate container within the tank so that your dragon cannot access them unsupervised. It is a good idea to remove any leftover mealworms each day so that the tank does not become infested with them.
Alternatively, you can also feed your dragon mealworms outside of the tank if you wish.
Can mealworms cause impaction in bearded dragons?
Yes, mealworms can cause impaction in bearded dragons. Impaction occurs when indigestible items, such as mealworms, get stuck in a bearded dragon’s gastrointestinal tract. If a bearded dragon has too many mealworms in its diet, the mealworms may attach to the walls of the intestines and cause an obstruction.
If left untreated, the obstruction can become severe and cause a blockage that can be life-threatening. By reducing the number of mealworms in the beardie’s diet, the risk of impaction is greatly reduced.
In addition, make sure the mealworms are offered in a size appropriate for the size of the beardie. Never offer uneaten mealworms to beardies. Lastly, ensure your bearded dragon has access to vitamin and mineral supplements to provide a balanced diet.
How often can a beardie eat mealworms?
It is recommended that you feed your beardie mealworms no more than once or twice a week. Mealworms are quite high in fat, so they should not be a staple of your pet’s diet. Instead, you should ensure that your beardie has plenty of fresh vegetables and a variety of other proteins and calcium sources to eat.
Mealworms should also be used sparingly as a treat, and not always given as a mealworm. Mealworms should be considered a dependable but infrequent snack or treat for your bearded dragon, and not an essential part of their daily diet.
What is the daily food for bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous lizards that need a varied diet to ensure they stay healthy. A good daily diet will include…
• High quality, vitamin and mineral-enriched dragon food pellets. These should make up 20% of a dragon’s diet.
• Live insects such as crickets, mealworms, silkworms, and waxworms should be fed daily in moderation. Waxworms and mealworms should never be used as a staple diet.
• Fruits and vegetables can provide a nutritious snack and should make up the rest of a dragon’s diet. Greens and vegetables should be finely chopped for easier digestion and include items such as spring greens, courgette, green pepper, and mustard greens.
Fruits such as oranges, apple, mango, and strawberries are also suitable.
• Occasionally, pieces of cooked and unseasoned lean meats such as boiled chicken can be offered.
• Dust insects with a Vitamin D3 and calcium supplement prior to feeding.
It’s important to remember that all food should be offered no more than once a day and should be removed if it’s not eaten within an hour. Overfeeding and offering heavily sugary or fatty food items should be avoided to keep your bearded dragon healthy.
What can I feed my bearded dragon if I don’t have insects?
If you don’t have access to live insects for your bearded dragon, there are a variety of other options that can provide a complete and balanced diet. Commercially prepared diets are available in pellet or patty form, but should be supplemented with other items.
Vegetables such as kale, dandelion greens, squash, sweet potato, mustard greens, collard greens and bell peppers provide important vitamins and minerals. Fruits like papaya, mango, and berries (in small amounts) can also be offered.
A calcium and multivitamin supplement can be added to their meals for extra nutrition. To provide more diversity and mimic their natural diet, you could offer cooked lean meats, cooked eggs, or tofu.
Many superfoods, such as bee pollen, blue-green algae, and spirulina, can also be offered. Feeding your bearded dragon the right food can ensure that they stay healthy and happy!.
What can I substitute for crickets?
Crickets are a popular food source for many species of pet reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids. If you’re looking for a cricket substitute, you may consider using other small insects as reptiles usually prefer to eat live food.
Mealworms, waxworms, grasshoppers, and flies are all suitable alternatives. You may also offer these pets other kinds of protein that do not involve live insects, such as cubed or shredded lean meats or commercial pet reptile food.
If you choose to feed other insects, make sure they are raised and harvested in a responsible manner to avoid introducing potential parasites or other organisms to your pet. Insects collected from the wild can often be a source of disease and contamination, and should be avoided.
When preparing the food, add a vitamin and mineral supplement to provide the essential nutrients they need. In addition, some pet reptiles may also require a calcium supplement to protect bone growth and development.
