How Many Crickets to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
Feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of crickets is crucial for their overall health and well-being. It may leave you wondering, “how many crickets should a bearded dragon eat?”
Worry not, because I’ve spent countless hours researching and gathering information to guide fellow pet lovers like you on this very topic.
In this blog, we’ll explore the appropriate number of crickets for bearded dragons at different life stages, tips, and factors.
So, let’s get started!
Number of Crickets Should a Bearded Dragon Eat
The number of crickets required by a bearded dragon depends on their life stage. Here are five key points to consider when feeding crickets to your bearded dragon:
- Give a baby bearded dragon 60-80 crickets per day, split into 2-3 feedings, ensuring they are appropriately sized and dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements.
- Feed a juvenile bearded dragon 30-60 crickets daily, also split into 2-3 feedings, and continue dusting with calcium and vitamin supplements as needed.
- Supplement a sub-adult bearded dragon’s diet with 20-40 crickets every other day, adjusting the quantity based on their appetite and weight.
- For adult bearded dragons, provide 10-20 crickets two to three times per week, with proper supplementation to maintain overall health.
- Incorporate various food items such as vegetables, fruits, and other insects into the bearded dragon’s diet for balanced nutrition and to prevent dietary monotony.
Factors Affecting Crickets Consumption
Several factors can impact the number of crickets your bearded dragon should consume. Keep these variables in mind when determining the appropriate crickets quantity:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Lighting conditions
- Size and age of the bearded dragon
- Size and type of crickets
- Feeding frequency
- Availability of alternative food sources
- Bearded dragon’s health and appetite
- Stress levels in the bearded dragon
- Environmental enrichment
Feeding Crickets to Bearded Dragons: A Guide for Each Life Stage
To help you better understand how many crickets to feed your bearded dragon during each stage of their life cycle, I’ve created a clear and concise table below.
Refer to this table as a guideline for crickets consumption based on your pet’s age:
| Life Stage | Age | Average Size | Crickets Consumption |
Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Bearded Dragons | 0–3 months | 3–11 inches | 2-5 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Juvenile Bearded Dragons | 3–12 months | 11–16 inches | 15-20 per feeding | 3-4 times per day |
| Sub-adult Bearded Dragons | 12–20 months | 16–20 inches | 10-15 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Adult Bearded Dragons | 20+ months | 18–24 inches | 10-15 per feeding | 3-4 times per day |
Note: These figures are general guidelines. Monitor your bearded dragon’s weight and appetite to ensure they’re receiving proper nutrition.
1. How Many Crickets to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon (Hatchling)?
A baby bearded dragon aged 0-3 months can be fed 2-5 crickets per feeding session, with a feeding frequency of 3-5 times per day. This ensures that the young reptile receives adequate nutrition for proper growth and development.
2. How Many Crickets to Feed a Juvenile Bearded Dragon?
A juvenile bearded dragon between 3-12 months of age can be fed 15-20 crickets per feeding, 3-4 times a day. This ensures that they receive adequate nutrition and sustenance for their growth and development during this crucial stage of their life.
3. How Many Crickets to Feed a Sub-adult Bearded Dragon?
A sub-adult bearded dragon aged 12-20 months can be fed with 10-15 crickets per feeding session, 3-5 times per day, ensuring that the dragon receives an appropriate and adequate amount of nutrition for its age and growth stage.
4. How Many Crickets to Feed a Adult Bearded Dragon?
An adult bearded dragon that is 20+ months old can be fed 10-15 crickets per feeding, with feedings taking place 3-4 times per day to ensure proper nutrition and growth.
Feeding Tips
Feeding crickets to your beardie can be easy and efficient if you follow these helpful tips:
- Choose crickets of appropriate size: Smaller than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
- Provide a varied diet: Combine crickets with other insects and vegetables.
- Gut load crickets: Pre-feed them with nutritious food for 24 hours.
- Dust crickets with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding.
- Feed the crickets using tweezers or in a separate feeding container.
- Monitor your dragon’s appetite and adjust the number of crickets accordingly.
Following these tips will make the process of feeding crickets to your bearded dragon easy, safe, and efficient, while ensuring they get the essential nutrients required for their health and growth.
Diversifying Your Beardies Diet
While focusing on one food item might seem convenient, it’s essential to provide your bearded dragon with a diverse diet to ensure proper nutrition and well-being. In this section, we’ll explore alternative insects, vegetables, and greens to create a balanced diet:
Insects:
- Dubia Roaches
- Superworms
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Vegetables and Greens
- Collard Greens
- Butternut Squash
- Bell Peppers
FAQs
1. Why is My Bearded Dragon not Eating Crickets?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating crickets due to various reasons such as stress, inadequate temperatures in their enclosure, illness, or a lack of appetite during shedding. Additionally, the size of the crickets could be too large for your bearded dragon, or they may simply have a preference for other food items. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s behavior and consult a veterinarian if the issue persists, as changes in appetite can indicate potential health concerns.
2. How do I Store Crickets for Feeding?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating crickets due to various reasons such as stress, inadequate temperatures in their enclosure, illness, or a lack of appetite during shedding. Additionally, the size of the crickets could be too large for your bearded dragon, or they may simply have a preference for other food items. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s behavior and consult a veterinarian if the issue persists, as changes in appetite can indicate potential health concerns.
3. How to Feed Crickets to a Bearded Dragon?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating crickets due to various reasons such as stress, inadequate temperatures in their enclosure, illness, or a lack of appetite during shedding. Additionally, the size of the crickets could be too large for your bearded dragon, or they may simply have a preference for other food items. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s behavior and consult a veterinarian if the issue persists, as changes in appetite can indicate potential health concerns.
Recommended Readings:
- How Many Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Blueberries to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Calci Worms to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
By reading these articles, you can expand your knowledge on the best dietary practices for keeping your bearded dragon healthy and thriving throughout their life stages.
You can check other foods quantity that your beardie can eat by clicking here.
I hope you found this guide on feeding crickets to bearded dragons helpful.
I’d love to hear about your experiences and get your insights on bearded dragon care. Please feel free to share your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments section below.
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