Bearded dragons are omnivorous and typically enjoy a wide variety of food. As an alternative to crickets, they can eat a variety of insects such as wax worms, roaches, locusts, grasshoppers, earthworms, and even fruit flies.
Many reptile enthusiasts choose to feed their bearded dragons feeder insects purchased from pet stores. In addition to insects, bearded dragons can and should be fed a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Feeding adequate amounts of a variety of greens such as kale, collards, spinach, and mustard greens can help provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Vegetables such as squash, bell peppers, and carrots are also popular choices and should make up about twenty percent of a bearded dragon’s regular diet.
Fruit should be fed infrequently as it is high in natural sugars. To provide additional protein, bearded dragons can also eat other foods such as hard boiled eggs, occasional lean meats, and dog food.
A calcium supplement and occasionally a vitamin supplement should also be included in their diets.
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Can I feed my beardie dead crickets?
No, you should not feed your beardie dead crickets. Dead crickets can carry bacteria and parasites which could expose your bearded dragon to potential health risks. Feeding your beardie live crickets ensures that they are receiving a healthy, nutritional diet.
Many pet stores offer gut-loaded feeder insects, which have been fed nutrient-rich food before they are sold, increasing their nutritional values. Additionally, live crickets, combined with a varied diet, can provide your beardie with the right balance of amino acids, proteins, and vitamins to keep them healthy.
Are crickets necessary for bearded dragons?
Yes, crickets are necessary for bearded dragons. They form part of the bearded dragon’s diet and provide it with essential nutrients and energy. Crickets are also live food which encourages a more natural feeding pattern, stimulating strong feeding behaviours with the added entertainment of chasing and hunting.
Crickets provide essential sources of protein, fats, calcium and vitamins, as well as fiber. All of these components are important for a bearded dragon’s overall health. In addition, crickets are an easy to source, inexpensive and safe dietary option.
Bearded dragons can become bored with other feed sources, so having the option to add live prey and crickets to their diet provides an interesting and varied menu. For the best nutrition and wellbeing, crickets should form part of a balanced diet for bearded dragons.
How do you keep crickets alive to feed your bearded dragon?
Keeping crickets alive to feed your bearded dragon is a simple process, but you must take certain steps in order to keep them alive and healthy. First and foremost, cricket enclosures should be kept clean by changing the substrate and clearing out any uneaten food or waste regularly.
You should also provide your crickets with fresh, clean water, as well as a source of humidity. Additionally, maintaining the proper temperature is key to keeping your crickets alive; the ideal temperature range is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (24-27 Celsius).
You should also provide your crickets with a nutritious diet of veggies, fruits, and grain-based food. Finally, you will need to feed your crickets to your bearded dragon within 24 hours of purchase to prevent deterioration in their health.
When handling the crickets, be sure to use appropriate tools such as tweezers or tongs.
What are the signs of Brumation?
Brumation is a process that reptiles, amphibians, and other cold-blooded animals go through during the winter season. It is similar to hibernation in mammals, allowing the creatures to slow down their metabolism and conserve energy.
Common signs of brumation in reptiles include: reduced activity, decreased appetite, and a general lethargy.
Additionally, reptiles will burrow and hide in level, safe, and dark places such as crevices, logs, or rocks. Depending on the species, some reptiles will aestivate (burrow in hot, dry conditions) instead of entering brumation in colder environments.
Reptiles may not be as active during brumation, but they are still responsive to external stimuli such as light, sound, and motion. Furthermore, they may bask in the sun on warm days during winter, but this kind of behavior is typically brief compared to healthy levels of activity during more moderate temperatures.
During the brumation period, the animal’s body temperature, habitation, and food intake may be greatly reduced. This may give the appearance that the animal has gone into a dormant state, or died. It is important to understand that behavior like this is quite normal for reptiles during brumation and that increased activity should be expected in spring when temperatures become more moderate.
How do I feed my bearded dragon while away?
If you need to leave your bearded dragon while you are away, you must make sure they have everything they need to stay healthy and not become stressed out during your absence. Here are some tips for doing this:
1. Make sure you have an experienced and reliable friend or family member who can feed and care for your beardie on a daily basis. Depending on their age, size, and appetite, your bearded dragon may need to be fed multiple times a day.
They should also be able to check the enclosure for any problems or issues, such as disconnected lids, dropped food, and other signs of illness.
2. Give them the appropriate food – Different aged and sized bearded dragons have different nutritional needs. Make sure that your friend or family member is familiar with what food to give your bearded dragon.
3. Check the temperature and provide sufficient UVB light – Your bearded dragon needs to have a warm and safe environment. Make sure that the temperature and UVB light is set correctly before you leave.
4. Set up an automatic feeder – If there is no one who can watch over your bearded dragon while you are away, you might consider investing in an automatic feeder. These feeders can release the right amount of food on a regular interval and can be very helpful in making sure your beardie gets the right amount of nutrition.
5. Make sure all the safety and health requirements are met – Before leaving, make sure you have double checked all of the safety and health requirements for your bearded dragon. This includes checking for any signs of illness, providing the ideal temperature and humidity, keeping their enclosure clean, and so on.
If you keep all of these tips in mind, your bearded dragon should be well taken care of while you’re away.
What human food can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of human foods, however there are certain nutritional needs that must be considered for optimal health. A bearded dragons diet should be diverse and include a mix of vegetables, fruits, and proteins.
It is important to include both plant-based and animal-based proteins in their diet. Vegetables and fruits that can be fed to bearded dragons include collard greens, spring greens, endive, escarole, mustard greens, dandelion leaves, grated carrots, bell peppers, squash, peas, green beans, pumpkin, mango, papaya, apples, pears, melons, bananas, figs, berries, and citrus fruits.
Protein sources that can be provided to bearded dragons include crickets, mealworms, earthworms, waxworms, roaches, silkworms, superworms, king worms, and other feeder insects. High-quality feeders like silkworms and mealworms should make up the majority of the protein given to a bearded dragon.
Other protein sources such as snails, chicken, turkey, beef, and omega-3 enriched eggs should be given in moderation. Lastly, it is important to include a dietary supplement such as calcium, multivitamin, and vitamin D3 for optimal health.
What is toxic to bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons have very specific dietary and environmental needs, so it’s important to know what is toxic to them and what should be avoided at all costs. Certain foods, chemicals and materials can be poisonous to a bearded dragon, so it is important to research what is safe for your pet before introducing anything new.
Common items that are known to be toxic to bearded dragons include certain plants, set-ups using sand, raw foods like onions and garlic, soap, shampoo, chemicals and salt. Some plastic tank decorations and toys can also be dangerous and should be avoided.
Additionally, toxic garden and household plants such as lilies, holly, ivy, daffodils and tulips should be kept away from your bearded dragon even if they are outside the enclosure, as these can be fatal.
Cleaning products like chlorine and bleach should also be not be used near the bearded dragons and their living environment, as the fumes can be extremely toxic and lethal. When in doubt, it’s best to double check with an experienced veterinarian for advice.
Do bearded dragons need crickets every day?
Bearded dragons do not necessarily need crickets every day; however, they can benefit greatly from them. Crickets are an excellent source of protein and contain essential nutrients that can help promote a healthy diet for your dragon.
Depending on the size and age of your dragon, they may require several crickets a day or just a few. Additionally, crickets should be offered no more than once or twice a week. It is important to vary their diet with a variety of healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and insects like waxworms and mealworms.
This can help reduce the chance of your dragon becoming bored with their food and reduce the risk of potential nutritional deficiencies.
