Things to Know about Your Bearded Dragon
If you are wondering as to what to feed your bearded dragon then you are at the right place. Bearded dragons usually eat insects, but you may also feed them with fruits as well as vegetables. Giving them a good mix of both greens and insects is a good idea. There are various interesting facts about these reptiles which you might not be aware of. For instance, these reptiles can run up to nine miles per hour but are often seen as sedentary. Bearded dragons are one of the most relaxed reptiles in the world, and having one for a pet can be quite a thrilling experience. They have got their name because of the spiny projections which are under their neck which resembles a beard. It is very intriguing to know that a bearded dragon can take naps that last for weeks and then get back to life as usual.
What is the best food for a bearded dragon?
1. Insects
Bearded Dragons are known to eat any insect which moves. However, being the owner, you can ensure that they eat bugs that are safe. Most of the bearded dragons are known to eat butter worms, crickets, cockroaches, earthworms, mealworms, wax worms, superworms, silkworms, phoenix worms, and roaches.
One thing that you should keep in mind is to never feed your pet with the bugs that you find at your home. This is because these bugs might contain pesticides or parasites which might then have a negative impact on your bearded dragon.
If you are looking for the best insect that you can feed your pet with, then dubia roaches is your answer. They happen to have a lot of protein that your pet requires and do not contain any parasites.
What your pet bearded dragon eats also depends on its preference and you can make sure that you feed it with the same.
2. Vegetables
Apart from insects, you can also feed your pet bearded dragon with vegetables. The most common of all vegetables which you can feed your dragon are acorn squash, mustard greens, yellow squash, peas, okra, sweet potato, bell pepper, broccoli, green beans, dandelion greens, rocket, parsley, clover, turnip greens and the like. Even while feeding the bearded dragons with greens you will understand what they like and opt for those.
A word of precaution while feeding an infant bearded dragon is to not keep loose substrate next to their food. Adult bearded dragons can figure out the difference, but the young ones would simply ingest the substrate.
3. Fruits
Bearded Dragons will also eat fruits and you should know what to feed them. Following are the fruits which you can safely feed it: Blueberries, apricots, melons, peaches, strawberries, watermelon, pears, papayas, pineapples, grapes, mangoes, guava, chayote, and cranberries are some of the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I feed a bearded dragon?
Taking proper care of your bearded dragon is indeed a very important responsibility. For a bearded dragon that is less than 1 year old, you should feed them with more insects than salad, as the body needs certain nutrients to grow. Ideally, you should feed it with about 50 crickets or 30 worms in a week. Obesity can be a hurdle if you overdo it. However, you should fix a schedule for feeding your pet. For instance, one day you can feed it with salad, the next day with insects and then third day nothing. Repeat this cycle so that your pet gets nutrition without growing overweight. On the other hand, if the bearded dragon is less than a year old, then you should feed it with 30 to 80 crickets. Make sure that these are not too big also. If your pet is less than 5 months old then it is perfect to feed it 3 to 5 times a day.
How much water does a bearded dragon need?
Bearded Dragons do require water to survive. However, there are several ways in which you can give water to them. You can begin with misting them 2 to 4 times a day. This way the pet can easily lap up the water. Another way is to drip water on their nose until they are done drinking it. This way you can also play with them. Most bearded dragons do not have the habit of recognizing stagnant water as drinkable. You might have to train them to do so. Simply placing the bowl of water near them will not always mean that they actually drink it. So, you can start by training them so that eventually they get used to it.
How long can a bearded dragon go without food?
Bearded Dragons usually eat at least once a day and would not avoid food unless something is wrong. They can stay without food for 3 to 4 days, post which they would definitely need to be fed.
What sort of food supplements should I give to my bearded dragon?
It is recommended to give your bearded dragon a multivitamin and calcium supplement. The calcium supplement should be given to them 5 times a week and the multivitamin should be given twice a week. So, if you are thinking of dusting the food of your pet then dust the salad instead of dusting the insects. You may also choose to dust the worm, as they would usually hold it intact unlike crickets and the like who would jump off. Make sure that the multivitamin you are using has beta-carotene in it. Do thorough research before you choose the supplements, as some of them are known to cause dehydration.
What kind of salad should I give to my pet beard dragon?
A good salad should have vegetables and dark greens. For instance, you can use mustard greens. You can offer fruits one or two times a week. All that you have to do is to cut the salad ingredients into really tiny pieces before you feed the pet. You can add bright colored ingredients to the salad so as to make it look attractive. A good trick is to put some worms inside the salad so that your pet ends up eating it.
References
- Beautiful Dragons,Bearded Dragon Food Chart
- EexoticDirect, Bearded Dragon Food Advice