A bearded dragon needs to eat insects and vegetation as part of its diet. It should be allowed to forage for insects for around 15 minutes daily, and you should not handle it while feeding. Afterwards, clean the unused insects and feed your beardie a fresh supply. However, do not feed him with lettuce or anything high in Calcium.
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Mealworms
Mealworms are not a good choice for bearded dragons when they are juveniles. The reason is that mealworms have hard shells and cannot be easily digested by beardies. They also pose a threat of impaction, which can be deadly for a small beardie. However, larger beardies can safely eat mealworms.
However, beware of the super mealworms. While super mealworms are safe for adult bearded dragons, they are not suitable for young dragons because of the risk of gut impaction. Superworms are good for coaxing picky eaters to eat greens, but should not be offered as a treat for a baby bearded dragon. They can also be used to help malnourished dragons put on weight.
Butterworms are also a good choice. These little creatures are very high in calcium, and can be stored for a long time. They can be stored in the fridge for several months. Butterworms can also be gut-loaded before feeding. Gut-loading involves providing a nutrient-dense food the day before feeding. Another option for mealworms is hornworms, a type of caterpillar that grows to four inches long. Hornworms are also very nutritious and can be fed to bearded dragons.
Dubia roaches
Dubia roaches are a nutritious source of protein and calcium for your bearded dragon’s diet. They are smaller than crickets and can be fed to juvenile beardies from a young age. Unlike crickets, they do not jump or bite, which makes them a safe and natural feeder for your beardie.
The appropriate amount of Dubia roaches depends on the size and health of your beardie. A young dragon should consume about three to five large roaches a day, and a large adult should eat around twenty to forty. This amount can vary based on the size and age of your beardie, and also how frequently you feed it.
Dubia roaches are a natural source of plant matter that beardies need for good health. Feeding these insects after giving them foods that are high in moisture content (such as fruits and vegetables) can help prevent dehydration. When combined with food, cockroaches can store up to three days’ worth of food in their guts. This type of feeding strategy is especially beneficial for dehydrated beardies.
Discoid roaches
If you’re considering including discoid roaches in your bearded dragon’s diet, think twice. These burrowers can be harmful to reptiles because they are fast and can get stuck in loose bedding. Keep them in pairs or groups of three or more for best results.
A healthy diet includes several types of foods. For example, Dubia roaches are attracted to orange vegetables and fruits. They can be attracted to the carotenoids in these foods. But remember to avoid feeding them cat or dog food. It is also important to avoid rotting food, since mold will cause the entire colony to die.
Although dubia roaches are considered a staple feeder, discoid roaches can be used as an additional food source. They contain about the same amount of energy per body weight as dubia roaches and tend to grow a bit larger. Whether you feed discoid roaches or dubia roaches is entirely up to you.
Dubia crickets
A diet rich in insect protein is essential for your bearded dragon juvenile. This type of food should be offered to your beardie two or three times a day. The added protein will keep their growing metabolism churning at a normal rate and will support the development of their organs. Once your beardie reaches six to eight months, feeding frequency can be reduced to once a day.
A common beardie feeder, the Dubia roach is a popular choice for the young reptile. These insects can be safe to handle as they are small and can easily grip a finger. However, you should consider the risk of parasites when choosing feeder roaches.
While crickets can be fed to your beardie, you should also be careful not to feed it large quantities of them. These insects are not as nutritionally dense as Dubia roaches and will have to be fed in small quantities. Additionally, they tend to bite if you leave them in the enclosure for too long.
