There are a few things you can add to your bearded dragon lizard diet. Mealworms, Earthworms, figs, broccoli, and kale are good choices. Just be sure to limit their amounts and give them a treat of a few pieces of each type. Lastly, remember that fruit is high in sugar and should be fed in small amounts, and only as a treat. Soft foods are also hard to remove from your beardie’s teeth and can result in periodontal disease.
Contents
Mealworms
A beard-sized lizard is likely to be very picky about his food, and mealworms are not a great choice for most pets. These insects have the same nutritional profile as mealworms, but they are easier to handle and store. Beef is one of the most popular beardie diets, but you can also feed crickets. Crickets are highly nutritious and easy to find. The only downside to crickets is their noise and ability to escape. Also, they can be very noisy and bothersome to neighbors. A typical cricket contains around 21% protein, 6% fat, 3% fiber, and 70% water.
The beetles, a common component of a bearded dragon’s diet, are highly nutritious for reptiles. Compared to the larvae, mealworm beetles are higher in protein and lower in fat. This makes them a better option nutritionally. However, while mealworms are not a perfect replacement for beef, they do provide a great source of protein. Plus, mealworms can reduce your beardie’s carbon footprint!
Earthworms
In addition to insects, a diet rich in protein is important for young beardies. These lizards typically eat insects, fruits, and nectaries but they can also benefit from a diet rich in earthworms, which contain 60 to 70% protein. To maximize their nutritional load, earthworms are gut loaded. To find out more about these earthworms, read on. Listed below are a few tips to help you choose the right food for your beardie.
Although many people believe that bearded dragons can eat earthworms, they aren’t necessarily safe for their pets. It’s important to purchase your dragon’s food from a reputable supplier. Also, be sure to purchase earthworms from an experienced pet store. While they’re considered a safe treat for your beardie, you should avoid feeding them to young beardies.
Figs
Figs are a good addition to a bearded dragon’s diet. They are almost entirely water and are highly filling, making them an ideal treat for your beardie. However, strawberries are not the best option for a beardie diet, as they have a low calcium to phosphorus ratio. Still, the fruit contains sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals to benefit your pet.
Aside from figs, beardies can also be fed weeds. These are low in calories but high in essential nutrients. Beardies also love live insects, so it is important to buy live ones. However, make sure to discard any dead insects from their water dish, as they might drown. Moreover, do not forget to remove uneaten food from their enclosure. If you aren’t sure of the best beardie diet, you can consult with a zookeeper or an expert.
Besides figs, bearded dragons can also eat other fruits. Unlike apples and bananas, figs are from the mulberry family. They have a sweet, chewy texture and crunchy seeds. A hundred grams of figs can provide enough energy and a variety of nutrients. Figs are a good source of vitamin A and beta carotene, as well as calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium.
Broccoli
In its natural habitat, bearded dragons do not eat cooked foods, so they are better suited to raw vegetables. Some vegetables are available in canned, dried, and frozen forms. However, fresh vegetables are better for your beardie because they retain more of their nutrients. For a variety of tastes, try adding fruits, such as bananas, or cut up flowers from your garden. Beardie salads are a great way to get your lizard’s daily dose of vegetables.
Although the leaves of broccoli are more nutritious than their stalks, they should be fed to your Bearded Dragons in moderation. Overfeeding can cause digestive upset and diarrhea. As a general rule, you should not increase the amount of broccoli your Beardie eats unless you have a reason. A lizard diet should be balanced and varied to prevent digestive problems. Bearded dragons can eat up to one-third of its daily recommended daily allowance of broccoli.
