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What Can Bearded Dragons Eat? – Help I have run out of crickets!

Bearded Dragon Diet: A Comprehensive Guide to What Your Dragon Should Eat

Unlock the secrets to a thriving bearded dragon with our comprehensive guide to their diet! Learn the perfect balance of nutritious insects and vibrant veggies for every stage of life. Discover hidden dangers to avoid, gut-loading tips for optimal nutrition, and creative feeding strategies to keep your scaly friend happy and healthy. This in-depth guide equips you with the knowledge to fuel your bearded dragon’s fire for a long and fulfilling life.

While the ratio between livefood and greens will vary depending on the age of your beardie, the foods which they can eat more or less remains the same.

TL:DR

Insects and worms are the main source of protein for bearded dragons. They should make up 30% (adult) to 70% (juvenile) of their diet, depending on their age and activity level. Some of the best insects and worms to feed your bearded dragon are crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms, and phoenix worms. You should avoid feeding your bearded dragon insects that are too large, too hard, or too toxic, such as fireflies, beetles, wasps, or wild-caught insects. You should also dust the insects with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding them to your bearded dragon.

Leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits are the main source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber for bearded dragons. They should make up 30% (juvenile) to 70% (adult) of their diet, depending on their age and activity level. Some of the best leafy greens and vegetables to feed your bearded dragon are collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, bok choy, broccoli, squash, carrots, sweet potato, bell pepper, cilantro, parsley, and basil. Some of the best fruits to feed your bearded dragon are apple, banana, mango, papaya, melon, berries, grapes, kiwi, and figs. You should avoid feeding your bearded dragon vegetables and fruits that are too high in oxalates or goitrogens (such as spinach or cabbage), too acidic (such as citrus fruits), too watery (such as iceberg lettuce or cucumber), or too sugary (such as dates or raisins). You should also chop the vegetables and fruits into small pieces before feeding them to your bearded dragon.

Bearded dragons need fresh water every day to stay hydrated. You can provide water in a shallow dish or spray it on the food or the enclosure walls. You should avoid using tap water that contains chlorine or fluoride. You should also change the water daily and keep it clean.

Bearded dragons have different dietary needs at different stages of their life. Baby bearded dragons need more protein and less plant matter than adult bearded dragons. They should be fed insects three times a day and vegetables once a day. Juvenile bearded dragons need more plant matter and less protein than baby bearded dragons. They should be fed insects twice a day and vegetables twice a day. Adult bearded dragons need more plant matter and less protein than juvenile bearded dragons. They should be fed insects once a day and vegetables once or twice a day.

Bearded dragons can eat a wide range of foods that provide them with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. However, you should always do your research before introducing any new food to your bearded dragon’s diet. You should also monitor your bearded dragon’s health and behavior regularly and consult a veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness or distress.

Table of what bearded dragons can and cannot eat from various insects, fruits to vegetables

FoodTypeFrequency
Acorn SquashVegOften
ApplesFruitOccasional
ApricotsFruitOccasional
ArtichokeVegOccasional
AsparagusVegOften
AvocadoVegNever
BananaFruitOccasional
Beet GreensVegOccasional
BeetsVegOccasional
Bell PepperVegOften
BlackberriesFruitOccasional
BlueberriesFruitOccasional
Bok ChoiVegOccasional
Boxelder BugsBugsNever
BrocolliVegOften
Brussel SproutsVegOccasional
Butternut SquashVegOften
ButterwormsBugsOccasional
CabbageVegOccasional
Carrot topsVegOften
CarrotsVegOccasional
CauliflowerVegOccasional
CeleryVegOccasional
ChayoteVegOccasional
CherriesFruitOccasional
ChicoryVegOften
CilantroVegOccasional
Citrus FruitFruitNever
CloverVegOften
CollardsVegOften
CorianderVegOften
CourgetteVegOften
CranberriesFruitOccasional
CricketsBugsOften
CucumberVegOccasional
DandelionVegOften
DatesFruitOccasional
Dubia RoachesBugsOften
EarthwormsBugsOccasional
ElderbugsBugsNever
EndiveVegOften
EscaroleVegOften
FigsFruitOccasional
Fireflies / Glowing InsectsBugsNever
GrapefruitFruitNever
GrapesFruitOccasional
Green BeansVegOften
GuavaFruitOccasional
HornwormsBugsOccasional
KaleVegOften
KiwisFruitOccasional
KohlrabiVegOften
LemonsFruitNever
LentilsVegNever
LettuceVegNever
LimesFruitNever
LocustsBugsOften
MangoFruitOften
MealwormsBugsOccasional
MelonsFruitOccasional
MushroomsVegNever
Mustard GreensVegOften
NectarineFruitNever
OkraVegOften
OrangesFruitNever
PapayaFruitOften
ParsleyVegOften
ParsnipsVegOften
Pattypan SquashVegOccasional
PeachesFruitOccasional
PearsFruitOccasional
Peas/Snap PeasVegOften
PhoenixwormsBugsOccasional
PineappleFruitOccasional
PinkiesOtherNever
Plantain LeavesVegOften
PlumsFruitOccasional
PomegranateFruitOccasional
Prickly PearFruitOften
PrunesFruitOccasional
PumpkinVegOccasional
RadicchioVegOften
RaisinsFruitOccasional
RaspberriesFruitOccasional
RedwormBugsOccasional
RhubarbVegNever
RocketVegOften
RutabagasVegOccasional
SilkwormsBugsOccasional
Soldier Fly LarvaeBugsOccasional
SpinachVegOccasional
StarfruitFruitOccasional
StrawberriesFruitOccasional
Superworms/Kingworms (Morioworms)BugsOccasional
Sweet PotatoVegOften
Swiss ChardVegOccasional
TomatoesVegOccasional
Turkistan RoachesBugsOften
Turnip GreensVegOften
WatercressVegOften
WaxwormsBugsOccasional
Wildcaught Bugs (Indoors or Outdoors)BugsNever
YamsVegOccasional
Yellow SquashVegOften
ZucchiniVegOccasional