The correct bearded dragon diet is essential if your lizard is stay fit and healthy in captivity.
In the absence of proper nutrition bearded dragons can suffer from a range of problems, including obesity and metabolic bone disease (MBD) whereby they are unable to absorb suitable calcium from their diet.
This can lead to weaker bones, swollen joints or, in extreme cases, malformed skeletons or paralysis.
Fortunately we know more than ever before about bearded dragon diets so its now possible to provide exactly what your beardie needs by following a few simple rules.
Introduction to Bearded Dragon Diets
Bearded dragons are omnivores; this means they eat both meat and plants.
In captivity this generally means a combination of live insects and an assortment of vegetables. Leafy vegetables offer arguably the best source of plant-based nutrition, though this can be supplemented in moderation with fruits, herbs and a number of wild and garden plants.
What is perhaps most interesting in terms of a bearded dragon’s diet is that it changes over the lifetime of the lizard.
That is to say that while the main constituents of the diet remain stable, the ratio of insects to plant matter changes as a bearded dragon matures.
It is crucial to understand this change if you are to provide a suitable diet to your pet.
Feeding Baby Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons can grow surprisingly quickly under optimum conditions, and in order to do this they require plenty of protein.
This comes in the form of live insects (“livefood”) such as crickets and locusts. It is recommended that roughly 80% of a baby bearded dragon’s diet consists of these live insects.
The remaining 20% should be made up of nutritious plant matter (see below for a full list).
Feeding Adult Bearded Dragons
As bearded dragons mature these ratios reverse; the proportion of insects in the diet drops while the amount of plant matter increases. Adult bearded dragons should be fed a diet comprising 80% plant matter with just 20% live insects.
It is advisable that no matter what the age of your bearded dragon a bowl of water and another of vegetables should be present at all times, and both should be changed at least once a day to keep them fresh, especially in the hot surroundings of a bearded dragon vivarium.
What Do Bearded Dragons Eat In The Wild?
Very few studies exist as to what bearded dragons actually eat in the wild.
One study involved catching wild beardies and flushing out their stomachs in order to assess what they had been eating.
The scientists found that in the lizards studied, 61% of the diet was made up of insects, mainly in the form of termites. The remainder was made up from plant matter.
The biologists themselves surmised that bearded dragons are likely opportunistic feeders; taking insects when you could be easily found but relying on plant material for the basis of their diet.
Based on these findings the scientists recommend “a diet consisting of several insect species, supplemented with leafy vegetables“.
Feeding Bearded Dragons – The Importance of Variety
Experts recommend that bearded dragons – like all exotic pets – should be fed a highly varied diet consisting of a range of foodstuffs. Rather than purely feeding crickets to your beardie, for example, it is wise to offer an assortment of other options over time.
Additionally, you should aim to avoid always providing the same types of plant matter, and should instead vary the diet, offering a wide assortment of foods.
In this way you can feel confident that the range of foods offered will enable your bearded dragon to absorb all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Remember: variety is key.
Like most animals, bearded dragons have foods which they prefer to others. These preferences can differ between lizards but mean that some foods will be eaten far more readily than others.
When feeding your bearded dragon, therefore, it can be a smart idea to chop up the plant material into small pieces and then “mix it up” to provide a “salad”.
In doing so you will make it more difficult for your lizard to pick out only the choice items, while leaving others behind. This process further helps to ensure that your pet receives a balanced nutritional diet.
Understanding Calcium and Vitamin D3
A common problem in captive lizards is that of Metabolic Bone Disease.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in lizards is caused by their inability to absorb sufficient calcium from their diet, leading to skeletal issues.
To prevent this condition, it is important to focus on two factors: calcium and vitamin D3. Bearded dragons should be fed a diet rich in calcium, which can be obtained from plant foods such as kale, collard greens, watercress, mustard greens, beet greens, and pak choi. These plants should be a staple part of their diet. Additionally, live insects can also provide calcium, especially when supplemented with mineral-rich products.
Vitamin D3 is essential for the absorption of calcium and the development of healthy bones and teeth. Providing UV light is recommended as it is more effective than oral supplementation. Different types of UV lights are available for captive reptiles, and it is important to ensure that your bearded dragon has access to UV light throughout the day. UV bulbs should be changed every six months as their output decreases over time.
When it comes to feeding bearded dragons, it is important to consider environmental toxins in their food. Only feed insects bred for the pet trade and wash all plant material thoroughly before feeding. A variety of live insects are suitable for bearded dragons, including crickets, locusts, mealworms, and waxworms. Each type has its pros and cons, so it is important to choose a variety of live food options.
Storing live insects can be a challenge, especially if you only have one bearded dragon. Consider using containers or bowls to prevent escape and ensure that live food is kept fresh and healthy for your pet’s consumption. In the end, all species have a tendency to die, leaving you with a costly container of deceased insects and a hungry bearded dragon. However, there are several ways to prolong the lifespan of feeder insects.
**Crickets**
Crickets should not be kept in their original container. Instead, release them into a separate tank to prevent cannibalism and provide them with a more nutritious diet and water source.
**Locusts**
Locusts thrive in a larger tank with suitable perches for moulting. Keep them warm to prevent premature death due to cold temperatures.
**Mealworms**
To extend the life of mealworms, place them in a plastic container with ventilation holes, a substrate of cereal, and fresh vegetables for hydration and nutrition.
**Waxworms**
Waxworms tend to pupate quickly, so it’s best to feed them to your dragon within a week or two of purchase.
**Gut Loading and Dusting Feeder Insects**
To boost the nutrition of feeder insects, consider gut loading them with a specially formulated diet or dusting them with a dietary supplement before feeding them to your dragon.
**Commercial Bearded Dragon Diets**
Complete commercial diets are available and can simplify feeding your dragon. Supplement with live food as needed.
**Vegetables for Bearded Dragons**
Include vegetables in your bearded dragon’s diet daily to provide essential nutrients and freshness. When it comes to feeding your bearded dragon, the good news is that there is a wide variety of vegetables to choose from. This allows you to create an interesting and varied diet for your lizard.
Listed below are some vegetables that have been tried and tested by bearded dragon owners and are safe for your pet to consume:
Dusting Vegetables
To enhance the nutritional value of plant matter, you can “dust” it with dietary supplements, similar to how you would with insects. However, not all bearded dragons may like this, as it can alter the taste of the food. It’s best to experiment with different powders and amounts until you find a combination that your bearded dragon enjoys.
Fruits
While many articles mention a combination of “fruits and vegetables” for bearded dragons, some vets caution against the higher sugar content in fruits, which can lead to obesity in captive dragons. As a result, fruits should only make up a small portion of your dragon’s diet, with lower-calorie vegetables being the main source of plant matter.
Other Plants
In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, certain wild and garden plants can also be used to supplement your bearded dragon’s diet. Just make sure they haven’t been treated with weedkillers and are thoroughly washed before feeding. Avoid collecting plants from roadside verges due to exposure to fumes and chemicals.
Some safe plants for bearded dragons include chives, clover, dandelion leaves, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
What Can’t I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
It’s important to avoid certain foods when it comes to feeding your bearded dragon. Items like meat, table scraps, chocolate, chips, and non-water beverages should be avoided. Additionally, some plants and insects should never be fed to your dragon, such as avocado, lettuce, onion, and rhubarb.
In conclusion, creating a suitable diet for your bearded dragon may take time and effort, but it’s not overly complicated. A balanced mix of live insects and vegetables, along with some fruits as treats, should form the basis of your dragon’s diet. Remember to provide fresh water at all times.
If you have any questions about feeding bearded dragons, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. I’ll do my best to provide you with answers as soon as possible. text in a more concise manner. sentence using different words:
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