Feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of locusts is crucial for their overall health and well-being. It may leave you wondering, “how many locusts 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 locusts for bearded dragons at different life stages, tips, and factors.
So, let’s get started!
Number of Locusts Should a Bearded Dragon Eat
The number of locusts required by a bearded dragon depends on their life stage. Here are five key points to consider when feeding locusts to your bearded dragon:
- Give baby bearded dragons 20-30 small crickets twice a day to meet their high nutritional requirements for growth.
- Feed juvenile bearded dragons 30-50 medium-sized crickets daily, divided into two feedings, to provide a balanced diet for their growth phase.
- Supplement sub-adult bearded dragons with 10-15 large crickets per day, adjusting the amount and frequency based on their appetite.
- For adult bearded dragons, offer a serving of 5-10 large crickets three times per week as a protein source in their diet.
- Enhance the bearded dragon’s diet with a variety of food items, such as vegetables, fruits, and other insects for optimal health and nutrition.
Factors Affecting Locusts Consumption
Several factors can impact the number of locusts your bearded dragon should consume. Keep these variables in mind when determining the appropriate locusts quantity:
- Availability of bearded dragons
- Bearded dragon size and age
- Locusts’ hunger levels
- Locusts’ mobility and ability to capture prey
- Bearded dragon’s defense mechanisms
- Competition with other predators
- Environmental conditions and habitat
- Seasonal variations
- Human intervention and management
- Presence of alternative food sources
Feeding Locusts to Bearded Dragons: A Guide for Each Life Stage
To help you better understand how many locusts 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 locusts consumption based on your pet’s age:
| Life Stage | Age | Average Size | Locusts Consumption |
Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Bearded Dragons | 0–3 months | 3–11 inches | 1-2 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Juvenile Bearded Dragons | 3–12 months | 11–16 inches | 2-5 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Sub-adult Bearded Dragons | 12–20 months | 16–20 inches | 3-5 per feeding | 3-5 times per day |
| Adult Bearded Dragons | 20+ months | 18–24 inches | 3-5 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 Locusts to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon (Hatchling)?
For a 0-3 months old baby bearded dragon, you can feed it 1-2 locusts per feeding session, with 3-5 feeding sessions per day. This ensures that the young reptile receives an adequate amount of nutrition for its growth and development, without overfeeding it.
2. How Many Locusts to Feed a Juvenile Bearded Dragon?
A juvenile bearded dragon aged between 3-12 months can be fed with 2-5 Locusts per feeding session. To ensure proper growth and health, you can conduct 3-5 feeding sessions per day, providing an adequate amount of nutrients and sustenance for your young bearded dragon.
3. How Many Locusts to Feed a Sub-adult Bearded Dragon?
A 12-20 months old sub-adult bearded dragon can be fed 3-5 Locusts per feeding session, with each session occurring 3-5 times per day. This feeding schedule ensures that the bearded dragon receives the appropriate amount of nutrition for its age and size while promoting healthy growth and development.
4. How Many Locusts to Feed a Adult Bearded Dragon?
An adult bearded dragon of 20+ months can be fed 3-5 Locusts per feeding session, with this feeding routine occurring 3-5 times per day. This schedule ensures that the bearded dragon receives an adequate and consistent amount of nutrition to maintain its health and well-being.
Feeding Tips
Feeding locusts to your beardie can be easy and efficient if you follow these helpful tips:
- Choose live, healthy locusts for optimal nutrition.
- Dust locusts with calcium and vitamin D3 powder.
- Feed locusts to bearded dragon in a separate tank.
- Ensure proper locust size: no larger than dragon’s head width.
- Feed locusts in the morning to match dragon’s natural feeding time.
Following these tips will make the process of feeding locusts 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 Locusts?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating locusts due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures, or simply because they are not used to the taste or texture of locusts. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s overall health and ensure that their habitat is optimal in terms of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Additionally, try offering a varied diet that includes other insects and greens to encourage their appetite. If the issue persists, it is advisable to consult a reptile veterinarian for further guidance.
2. How do I Store Locusts for Feeding?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating locusts due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures, or simply because they are not used to the taste or texture of locusts. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s overall health and ensure that their habitat is optimal in terms of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Additionally, try offering a varied diet that includes other insects and greens to encourage their appetite. If the issue persists, it is advisable to consult a reptile veterinarian for further guidance.
3. How to Feed Locusts to a Bearded Dragon?
Your bearded dragon might not be eating locusts due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures, or simply because they are not used to the taste or texture of locusts. It is essential to monitor your bearded dragon’s overall health and ensure that their habitat is optimal in terms of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Additionally, try offering a varied diet that includes other insects and greens to encourage their appetite. If the issue persists, it is advisable to consult a reptile veterinarian for further guidance.
Recommended Readings:
- How Many Insects to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Hornworms to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Grapes 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 locusts 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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