Dante Carrillo
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat a combination of plants and animals. Their diet should be well-balanced and consist of vegetables, insects, and non-citrus fruits. The diet of a bearded dragon should be regulated to prevent obesity. Adult bearded dragons should eat more vegetables than insects, while juvenile dragons need a diet that's higher in protein, so they eat more insects. It's important to incorporate variety in a bearded dragon's diet, and to ensure they are getting the right nutrients, supplements are also recommended.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet composition | 80% plants and 20% insects for adults; 80% insects/20% plants to 50-50 for juveniles |
| Food items | Vegetables, greens, fruits, insects, flowers, worms, rodents, lizards |
| Nutritional requirements | Calcium, multivitamins, protein |
| Food to avoid | Insects caught in the wild, insects larger than the distance between the dragon's eyes, insects that glow in the dark, spinach, lettuce |
| Feeding frequency | Insects: 10 minutes; Fruits and vegetables: 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Insects and bugs
It is important to ensure that the insects you feed your dragon are safe and nutritious. Insects should be no larger than the distance between your dragon's eyes, as this can cause choking. Live insects are a good option as they provide stimulation and allow your dragon to chase them. Crickets are a popular choice, as they are readily available at most pet stores and are similar to what a wild dragon would eat.
When purchasing live insects, it is important to consider their nutritional value. Insects should be fed a diet rich in vitamins and minerals so that your dragon receives these nutrients as well. You can also use a method called gut loading, which involves feeding nutritious food to the insects 24 hours before feeding them to your dragon, so that their stomachs are loaded with vitamins and minerals.
There are many different types of insects that are safe for bearded dragons to eat, including:
- Crickets
- Mealworms (only for adults, as their exoskeleton can cause gut impaction in younger dragons)
- Butter worms (full of calcium and protein)
- Earthworms (offer calcium and moisture, but be sure to rinse them before feeding)
- Roaches (high in protein, vitamins A and E, and fatty acids)
- Calci-worms (low in fat and rich in calcium, helping to prevent metabolic bone disease)
- Kingworms
- Live mealworms
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Vegetables and greens
A healthy and balanced diet for a bearded dragon should consist of 80% plants and 20% insects for adults, while for juveniles, this ratio can vary from 80% insects/20% plants to 50-50. Vegetables and greens are an important part of a bearded dragon's diet, providing essential vitamins and nutrients.
Bearded dragons can eat a wide variety of vegetables, including dark and leafy greens, which should make up the largest portion of their plant-based diet. Some of the best vegetables for them include collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, endive, escarole, and turnip greens. They can also eat squash, but it should be offered in moderation.
When it comes to specific vegetables, bearded dragons can eat bell peppers, sweet potatoes, kale, parsley, peas, carrots, celery, cabbage, cucumbers, and many more. It is important to note that vegetables should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking hazards.
Some vegetables should be avoided, such as lettuce, as it is not nutritious due to its high water content. Spinach should also be excluded from their diet because, while healthy, calcium binds easily to it, making it difficult for bearded dragons to digest.
To provide a diverse and balanced diet, it is recommended to vary the vegetables offered to your bearded dragon and to consult with a veterinarian for specific recommendations based on your dragon's unique needs.
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Fruits
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of fruits, but not all fruits are easily digested by them. For example, citrus fruits are difficult for them to digest. Some of the best fruits to feed your bearded dragon include apples (without seeds), bananas, seedless watermelon, grapes, blueberries, apricots (without the pit), blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries.
Other fruits that can be offered to your bearded dragon in moderation include bell peppers, cantaloupe, carrots, celery, cherries (without the pit), grapefruit (without seeds), honeydew melon, kiwi, nectarines, oranges, peaches (without the pit), pears, pineapple, pomegranate, tomatoes, and yams.
It is important to cut fruits into small pieces before feeding them to your bearded dragon. The pieces should be no larger than the space between their eyes.
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Calcium and multivitamin supplements
Calcium is vital for bearded dragons' health and wellbeing. If a bearded dragon's body becomes deficient in calcium, it will start pulling calcium from its bones, causing metabolic bone disease.
Bearded dragons need vitamin D3 to absorb calcium from their digestive system. Their bodies convert UVB light into vitamin D3, so they can get this from direct sunlight or UVB bulbs. However, if your dragon is not getting enough UVB light, you can supplement its diet with vitamin D3.
You can buy calcium supplements to add to your dragon's food. It is important to make sure that these supplements do not contain phosphorus, as this blocks calcium absorption. You can also feed your dragon calcium-rich foods such as butter worms, earthworms, and kale.
Many experienced dragon keepers recommend providing your dragon with a multivitamin supplement in addition to calcium and vitamin D3. However, you should be careful not to give your dragon too much vitamin A, as this can be toxic.
If you are unsure about what supplements to give your dragon, you should consult your veterinarian.
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Flowers and plants
Bearded dragons can eat as many vegetables as they want, all day, every day. Dark green, leafy vegetables are the primary veggies to be included in their diet. Some of these are kale, parsley, and sweet potatoes. Vegetables can be offered raw or cooked, but it is recommended to be served raw as it is more natural and retains more nutrients.
Flowers can be homegrown or purchased from floral shops. Before feeding them to your dragon, ensure that no chemicals have been applied to the flowers or water. Appropriate flowers include dandelions, hibiscus, roses, carnations, geraniums, and nasturtiums.
It is important to remember that many vegetables are full of vitamins, and you do not want to accidentally poison your dragon with a vitamin overdose. For example, Swiss chard, spinach, and beet greens should be fed sparingly as they contain oxalates, which can bind calcium and other trace minerals, preventing their absorption.
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Frequently asked questions
A balanced diet for a bearded dragon consists of both plants and animals. Adult bearded dragons should eat mostly plants and vegetation, with insects making up a smaller portion of their diet. A typical adult dragon's diet should be 80% plants and 20% insects, while a juvenile dragon's diet should be the opposite—80% insects and 20% plants.
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of vegetables, including dark and leafy greens like collard and mustard greens, romaine, Boston and red leaf lettuce, fresh alfalfa sprouts, and dandelion leaves. They can also eat squash, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers, but these should be offered in moderation.
Crickets are a popular choice for pet owners, as they are readily available at most pet stores and stimulating for dragons to chase. Other options include roaches, butter worms, earthworms, and mealworms (for adults only). It's important to note that insects should be purchased from a reputable source and not caught in the wild, as wild insects can carry diseases or parasites that could harm your dragon.
The amount and frequency of feedings will depend on your dragon's age. Adult bearded dragons typically eat twice daily, while juveniles should be offered insects one to two times per day. For insects, it's recommended to leave them in the enclosure for up to 10 minutes, removing any uneaten insects after this time. For fruits and vegetables, it's recommended to leave them in the enclosure for up to 30 minutes to avoid overfeeding and mold.
