Feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of insects is crucial for their overall health and well-being. It may leave you wondering, “how many insects 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 insects for bearded dragons at different life stages, tips, and factors.
So, let’s get started!
Number of Insects Should a Bearded Dragon Eat
The number of insects required by a bearded dragon depends on their life stage. Here are five key points to consider when feeding insects to your bearded dragon:
- Give baby bearded dragons 50-60 small crickets per day, divided into multiple feedings.
- Feed juvenile bearded dragons 30-40 appropriately sized crickets daily, spread throughout the day.
- Supplement sub-adult bearded dragons with 20-30 crickets per day, adjusting the amount based on their appetite.
- Offer adult bearded dragons 10-20 large crickets every other day, monitoring their weight and overall health.
- Complement the bearded dragon’s diet with a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other insects for optimal nutrition.
Factors Affecting Insects Consumption
Several factors can impact the number of insects your bearded dragon should consume. Keep these variables in mind when determining the appropriate insects quantity:
- Temperature and humidity
- Insect availability
- Bearded dragon’s age and size
- Bearded dragon’s health and stress levels
- Insect size and nutritional value
- Feeding frequency and schedule
- Presence of other food sources
- Insect palatability and texture
- Competition with other bearded dragons
- Environmental enrichment and enclosure setup
Feeding Insects to Bearded Dragons: A Guide for Each Life Stage
To help you better understand how many insects 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 insects consumption based on your pet’s age:
| Life Stage | Age | Average Size | Insects Consumption |
Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Bearded Dragons | 0–3 months | 3–11 inches | 2-4 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Juvenile Bearded Dragons | 3–12 months | 11–16 inches | 10-15 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Sub-adult Bearded Dragons | 12–20 months | 16–20 inches | 2-5 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Adult Bearded Dragons | 20+ months | 18–24 inches | 2-3 per feeding | 3-5 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 Insects to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon (Hatchling)?
For your 0-3 months old baby bearded dragon, you can feed them 2-4 insects per feeding and offer these meals 3-5 times per day. This will ensure they receive the appropriate amount of nutrition for their age and size, supporting their growth and overall health.
2. How Many Insects to Feed a Juvenile Bearded Dragon?
A juvenile bearded dragon between the ages of 3-12 months can be fed 10-15 insects per feeding session, with 3-5 such feeding sessions taking place each day. This ensures that the young reptile receives an adequate amount of nutrition and energy to support its growth and development during this crucial stage of its life.
3. How Many Insects to Feed a Sub-adult Bearded Dragon?
A 12-20 months old sub-adult bearded dragon can be fed a diet of insects 3-5 times per day, with each feeding consisting of 2-5 insects. This feeding schedule ensures that the bearded dragon receives adequate nutrition for its growth and development during this crucial stage of its life.
4. How Many Insects to Feed a Adult Bearded Dragon?
An adult bearded dragon of 20+ months can be fed 2-3 insects per feeding, and these feedings can occur 3-5 times per day. This ensures that the bearded dragon receives an appropriate amount of nutrition and sustenance, while also providing a consistent feeding schedule for optimal health and well-being.
Feeding Tips
Feeding insects to your beardie can be easy and efficient if you follow these helpful tips:
- Choose appropriate insects such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches.
- Gut-load insects with nutritious vegetables 24 hours before feeding.
- Dust insects with calcium and vitamin supplements before serving.
- Feed insects to your bearded dragon using tweezers or a feeding dish.
- Adjust insect quantity and size according to your dragon’s age and size.
- Monitor your bearded dragon’s appetite and adjust feeding frequency accordingly.
Following these tips will make the process of feeding insects 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:
Vegetables and Greens
- Collard Greens
- Butternut Squash
- Bell Peppers
FAQs
1. Why is My Bearded Dragon not Eating Insects?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating insects due to several reasons, including stress, illness, improper environmental conditions, or an unvaried diet. Ensuring proper temperature gradients, offering a variety of insect species, and consulting a reptile specialist for a health check can help address the issue and stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite for insects.
2. How do I Store Insects for Feeding?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating insects due to several reasons, including stress, illness, improper environmental conditions, or an unvaried diet. Ensuring proper temperature gradients, offering a variety of insect species, and consulting a reptile specialist for a health check can help address the issue and stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite for insects.
3. How to Feed Insects to a Bearded Dragon?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating insects due to several reasons, including stress, illness, improper environmental conditions, or an unvaried diet. Ensuring proper temperature gradients, offering a variety of insect species, and consulting a reptile specialist for a health check can help address the issue and stimulate your bearded dragon’s appetite for insects.
Recommended Readings:
- How Many Hornworms to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Grapes to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Dubia Roaches 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 insects 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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