What If You Bearded Dragon Only Eats Crickets?

The author and their husband recently got a baby bearded dragon, which primarily eats crickets and the occasional super worm. They have tried various foods, including salad, pellets, carrots, and strawberries, but their bearded dragon only wants to eat super worms. To maintain their health and maximize their lifespan, it is important to allow your baby dragon to tak. Baby bearded dragons should eat feeder insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, or roaches 3-5 times a day, as they account for 80 of their diet.

For healthy, adult bearded dragons, it is recommended to offer them around 10 crickets a day or 20 every other day during a single feeding. If your dragon is under 3 months old, you can offer them crickets up to 5 times a day. However, if that’s all your pet will eat, continue feeding crickets, as well as offering fruits and vegetables every day.

The author suggests trying a small bowl of salad with courgette, cabbage, rocket, watercress, cucumber, and apple sprinkled with a bit of calcium dust mix it up and pop some mealies. For a baby, 3 or 4 appropriately sized crickets a day is fine, but you should offer a variety of food, perhaps some mealworms, and some fruit and vegetables every day.

The author also mentions that juvenile bearded dragons are little eating machines, so it is important to check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temperatures can affect appetite in reptiles, and crickets that are allowed to roam about the terrarium can crawl on top of your bearded dragon and cause stress. Hungry crickets can also begin nibbling on your dragon’s food.

In conclusion, it is essential to provide a variety of food options for your baby bearded dragon, including crickets, locusts, dubia roaches, silkworms, and calciworms. If your dragon is not eating well, it may be due to stress from the move from the store to your home.

Do Bearded Dragons Eat Insects?

Adult bearded dragons typically consume insects once a day, although some can be fed insects just three times a week to prevent obesity. Their dietary needs shift from a protein-heavy diet in youth to a focus on nutrient-rich greens and vegetables as they mature. Common insects for bearded dragons include crickets, dubia roaches, phoenix worms, silk worms, and appropriately sized mealworms and superworms. Young bearded dragons require more frequent insect feedings compared to adults.

On average, adult bearded dragons should consume 20-40 insects daily, ideally around 30, along with 60-80 portions of plant-based food. Gradually shifting towards more plant foods after they reach maturity is recommended. Bearded dragons are not picky eaters; they enjoy a variety of foods from insects to vegetables like kale and parsley. It's important to avoid feeding them wild insects, as these can carry diseases and parasites. Always ensure that the insects are gut-loaded to provide optimal nutrition.

Acceptable insect choices include crickets, dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae, while live insects should compose about 70% of their diet. Bearded dragons are omnivorous, thriving on a diverse range of both plant and animal sources.

Do Dragons Eat Crickets?

Bearded dragons typically eat crickets, which are a popular and nutritious feeder insect. They tend to stop eating when full, unlike dogs, so there's no need to worry excessively about overeating during their 5 to 10-minute feeding sessions. With over 900 species of crickets, common ones include house crickets (Acheta domestica) and banded crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus), the latter being more palatable due to their softer exoskeletons. Baby bearded dragons, in particular, benefit from crickets, consuming about 25 to 80 each day, while adults eat around 10.

Dietary needs change as dragons grow, with younger ones requiring a diet with about 80% protein from insects. Crickets are easily digestible and provide essential protein, making them a staple in their diet. However, while crickets are excellent live food, there are alternatives, like super worms and silk worms, which can also be offered to bearded dragons.

It’s important to monitor feeding, allowing the dragon to consume as much as it wants in a short period, and removing leftovers to prevent crickets from harming the dragon. Issues can arise if leftover crickets nibble the dragon, leading to potential injuries. For optimal feeding, baby bearded dragons should be given pinhead crickets due to their softer bodies. Overall, while crickets play a significant role in a bearded dragon's diet, a variety of feeder options can ensure balanced nutrition.

What Happens If You Don'T Feed Your Bearded Dragon?

Bearded dragons' lifespan without food varies based on age, health, and weight, with adults typically surviving three weeks to two months, while young ones require regular feeding for health. They can thrive without crickets, provided their nutritional needs are met, avoiding high-fat insects and toxic species like lubber grasshoppers. Wild grasshoppers should be also avoided due to potential parasites. Overfeeding can harm baby bearded dragons, causing constipation and dietary issues, while adults can go 1-2 weeks without food.

Despite not needing daily meals, consistent feeding is essential for health. If a dragon skips a meal briefly, they will generally cope fine. Diet should avoid houseplants and caffeinated drinks, and care should be taken when outdoors, especially around fireflies.

For healthy bearded dragons, moderate feeding of insects and vegetables is crucial; solely feeding high-protein insects could strain their kidneys and lead to obesity. Rescued reptiles may need more frequent, smaller feeds compared to healthy adults that can be fed every few days. If appetite issues arise, liquid calcium supplements from pet stores may aid in recovery. Bearded dragons are omnivorous, capable of eating a variety of foods, including live insects and greens like parsley and kale, supporting their health and vitality.

Can I Feed My Bearded Dragon Crickets Every Day?

Feeding a bearded dragon appropriately depends largely on its age, growth stage, and nutritional needs. Baby bearded dragons, particularly those under three months old, require a high-protein diet to support their rapid growth. They should be fed 25 to 80 crickets daily, divided into multiple feeds—typically 10 to 20 crickets per feeding, up to five times a day. Ensuring that crickets are appropriately sized, generally no larger than the width of the dragon's head, is crucial to prevent choking and other health issues. At this stage, crickets provide essential proteins, calcium, vitamins, and minerals necessary for bone health and to prevent metabolic bone disease.

As bearded dragons mature into their juvenile stage, their dietary needs begin to shift. Juveniles should receive a balanced diet consisting of approximately 25 to 60 crickets per day, supplemented with a higher proportion of leafy greens. Feeding frequency can be reduced to multiple times a day, but it’s important to monitor their weight and adjust portions accordingly to ensure healthy growth without obesity.

Adult bearded dragons require significantly fewer crickets, roughly 10 to 20 crickets per day or 20 every other day. Their diet should be adjusted to include more leafy greens and vegetables, with proteins making up about 20% of their diet. Adults can be fed once a day or every other day, depending on their activity level and overall health. Incorporating a variety of insects, such as Dubia roaches, is beneficial, but crickets remain a staple due to their high protein and calcium content. Additionally, crickets should be gut-loaded—fed nutritious foods before being offered to the dragon—to enhance their nutritional value.

Throughout all life stages, it’s essential to provide crickets that are no larger than the dragon’s head to ensure safe consumption. Monitoring the bearded dragon’s weight and overall health regularly will help in making necessary adjustments to their diet. Providing a balanced diet with the right proportion of proteins and greens, along with appropriate feeding schedules, supports the dragon’s health, growth, and longevity. By understanding and adhering to these dietary guidelines, bearded dragon owners can ensure their pets thrive at every stage of their lives.

What Happens If You Feed Your Bearded Dragon Too Much?

Overfeeding bearded dragons has severe repercussions, including fatty liver disease, excessive weight gain, and reduced fertility in breeding females. It's essential to identify signs of overfeeding, like a plump tail, fat feet, or bulging head pads, to maintain their health effectively. Overfeeding can lead to fatty liver disease, which may result in liver failure. Adult bearded dragons can become lethargic and gain weight if their food intake isn't carefully monitored.

Yes, bearded dragons can be overfed, leading to obesity and various health issues. Monitoring their diet and portion sizes is vital for their well-being. If a bearded dragon frequently puffs, it might indicate stress or unsuitable living conditions. An adult bearded dragon should consume approximately 8 to 10 Dubia roaches or feeders per serving, ideally once a day. Overfeeding can manifest as bloating or lethargy. Key signs of overfeeding include a notably plump tail, reflecting overall excess weight.

While female dragons may become unable to lay eggs due to overfeeding, the direct threats arise when an undernourished dragon is suddenly overfed, which can lead to discomfort or food bolus formation, particularly in babies. Unlike adults, baby bearded dragons may eat more often and should not be limited unduly, although the right-sized food is critical. Adults require significantly less protein and should have insects only 1-2 times a week to avoid obesity. If your bearded dragon shows clinical signs like decreased appetite or lethargy, it’s crucial to seek veterinary advice. Keeping a structured diet can prevent health problems.

Can Bearded Dragons Live Without Crickets?

Bearded dragons can thrive without crickets in their diet, provided they receive a balanced intake of necessary nutrients from other sources. While crickets are a popular and nutritious protein source, they are not indispensable. These omnivorous reptiles require a varied diet that includes a mix of insects such as roaches, mealworms, superworms, butterworms, and locusts, along with vegetables and fruits. It's important to avoid overfeeding high-fat insects to maintain their health.

Alternatives like superworms and hornworms effectively replace crickets, allowing owners to diversify their pets' diets without relying on crickets. Adult bearded dragons can survive without crickets for approximately eight to nine weeks, thanks to their longevity. However, ensuring that at least 30% of their diet consists of insects is crucial for adults, while juveniles need about 50-60% to support their growth. Young dragons should not go without live prey for extended periods, as live insects are essential for their development.

Owners who prefer not to handle crickets can successfully feed their bearded dragons exclusively different insects like butterworms, superworms, and phoenix worms. When crickets are unavailable, alternatives such as roaches, locusts, or various worms can be used without compromising the dragon’s health, as long as the overall diet remains balanced. It is also advised to avoid non-insect foods like chicken baby food unless necessary, such as when the dragon is ill and not eating. By ensuring a diverse and balanced diet, bearded dragons can live healthily without crickets.

Why Will My Bearded Dragon Only Eat Crickets?

Bearded dragons, originally wild animals, instinctively prefer bugs, having a natural inclination towards insect consumption rather than vegetables. My husband and I adopted a baby bearded dragon, who mainly consumes crickets and occasional super worms. Despite attempts to diversify her diet with salads, pellets, and various fruits, our four-month-old dragon exclusively eats mealworms, having ceased her intake of crickets and veggies since we brought her home.

A healthy feeding guideline suggests offering 70-80 crickets daily for baby bearded dragons, split across 4-5 feedings, while juveniles require 20-50 crickets over 2-3 feedings. As omnivores, bearded dragons should have a varied diet, but if they refuse everything but crickets, it’s acceptable to continue that diet while supplementing with fruits and vegetables.

Our dragon typically consumes 6-12 crickets daily (dusted six days a week). Lately, however, her consumption has dropped to about 5 crickets, and although her bowel movements remain normal, she appears to be shedding, which can depress appetite. If a bearded dragon suddenly stops eating crickets, it may signal an underlying health issue or simply boredom with their diet.

Relocation stress from moving to a new environment can also impact appetite. Nutritional needs are crucial; without adequate variety, such as mealworms or fresh produce, the dragon may suffer. For healthy growth, baby dragons need protein through high cricket intake while also ensuring proper UVB exposure and suitable enclosure temperature. If hydration is a concern, soaking in ½ warm water and ½ unflavored Pedialyte can help. It's vital to maintain optimal conditions in the habitat to support her dietary habits and overall health.

How Do I Get My Bearded Dragon To Eat Greens?

To encourage my bearded dragon to eat greens initially, I would roll collard greens into small pieces and place them between her lips. Alternatively, offering a colorful salad daily can attract her attention. When a beardie refuses greens, stimulating her hunting instinct by moving the vegetables can also help, especially if insects are moving too. A common reason for a lack of interest in veggies is boredom, so mixing up their diet is crucial. Bearded dragons thrive on a balanced diet of insects and plant matter, making greens essential.

Collard greens, or Spring Greens in the UK, should be incorporated regularly for variety in nutrients. The top tips for encouraging a beardie to eat greens include: offering salads during their active times when they're hungry, providing fresh greens daily to create a routine, and if they seem uninterested while basking, placing a piece of green in their mouth might prompt them to munch. Greens can be an acquired taste, so it's beneficial to always have a bowl of fresh greens available in the terrarium.

Another effective strategy is to place wax worms or small mealworms atop the vegetable mixture, or mix familiar foods with greens, such as live or dried insects. Bearded dragons should be given raw vegetables, reflecting their natural diet in the wild.

How To Tell If A Bearded Dragon Is Too Fat?

To determine if your bearded dragon is overweight or underweight, observe specific anatomical signs. An overweight lizard will have a notably thick tail, particularly at the base, making it feel squishy rather than firm. The body shape is another indicator; a fat bearded dragon displays a rounded belly, with fat accumulating around the neck and tail base. The spine and ribs are hard to detect in obese dragons, and their stomachs may appear swollen, often scraping the ground. Further signs of obesity include large 'beardie boobs' under the forearms.

In captivity, obesity in bearded dragons is a growing concern in the reptile community. A primary approach to managing their weight is by altering their diet—decreasing high-protein and fat sources by gradually switching food types between insects, worms, and vegetables. It’s important to monitor the speed at which they consume food, as using a bowl can help regulate their intake effectively.

Bearded dragons should not be excessively large, and a bulging belly can signal overweight status. Often, after a large meal, dragons may appear bigger, but consistent observations over time are key. Understanding the proper weights and body conditions in wild populations can assist caretakers in making necessary adjustments to their pets' diets. Regular assessments will help ensure your dragon maintains a healthy weight and overall well-being. If you suspect your bearded dragon may be overweight, consulting a veterinarian or a specialist in reptile care is highly advisable for tailored advice and support.

Why Does My Bearded Dragon Not Want To Eat Anything?

If your bearded dragon remains active but refuses to eat, it may signal underlying issues. Common reasons for this behavior include illness, stress, improper temperatures, parasites, dietary preferences, or the natural process of brumation (a dormant state in winter). It’s crucial to consult a veterinarian to determine the root cause. Often, when bearded dragons don’t eat, caregivers immediately consider lighting or illness, overlooking emotional factors since these reptiles exhibit complex behaviors.

This article discusses frequent reasons for reduced appetite in bearded dragons and offers tips for maintaining their health. Environmental factors like temperature and humidity can significantly impact their eating habits. Stress may arise from new or aggressive tank mates, rough handling, or environmental changes.

Signs of dehydration or illness are important to monitor if your dragon stops eating. Additionally, shedding can reduce appetite, as can periods of growth when they may simply feel unwell. Bearded dragons also require appropriate basking conditions to aid digestion.

It's vital to regularly check tank temperatures, as cold conditions may discourage eating. Ensuring a suitable habitat with proper lighting and temperature controls is essential for your lizard’s health.

If your bearded dragon exhibits changes in appetite, consider environmental adjustments, monitor their weight, and ensure they receive adequate warmth. Understanding your dragon's needs while observing their emotional state will help in encouraging regular eating habits.