Feeding your bearded dragon the right amount of roaches is crucial for their overall health and well-being. It may leave you wondering, “how many roaches 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 roaches for bearded dragons at different life stages, tips, and factors.
So, let’s get started!
Number of Roaches Should a Bearded Dragon Eat
The number of roaches required by a bearded dragon depends on their life stage. Here are five key points to consider when feeding roaches to your bearded dragon:
- Give baby bearded dragons 20-30 small crickets twice a day, and dust them with calcium and multivitamin supplements 5 times a week.
- Feed juvenile bearded dragons 15-20 medium-sized crickets once a day, and supplement their diet with calcium and multivitamins 3 times a week.
- Offer sub-adult bearded dragons 10-15 large crickets every other day, and provide calcium and multivitamin supplements twice a week.
- Provide adult bearded dragons 5-7 large crickets a few times a week, and apply calcium and multivitamin supplements once a week.
- Supplement the bearded dragon’s diet with other food items such as vegetables, fruits, and occasional treats like waxworms or superworms for a balanced diet.
Factors Affecting Roaches Consumption
Several factors can impact the number of roaches your bearded dragon should consume. Keep these variables in mind when determining the appropriate roaches quantity:
- Availability of bearded dragons
- Size and age of the roaches
- Size and age of the bearded dragons
- Roach species and their natural diet
- Presence of other food sources
- Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity)
- Competition from other predators
- Bearded dragon defense mechanisms
Feeding Roaches to Bearded Dragons: A Guide for Each Life Stage
To help you better understand how many roaches 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 roaches consumption based on your pet’s age:
| Life Stage | Age | Average Size | Roaches 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 | 5-8 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 Roaches to Feed a Baby Bearded Dragon (Hatchling)?
A baby bearded dragon aged 0-3 months can be fed 2-4 roaches per feeding, and these feedings should occur 3-5 times per day. This ensures the young reptile receives ample nutrition and sustenance for healthy growth and development.
2. How Many Roaches to Feed a Juvenile Bearded Dragon?
A juvenile bearded dragon aged between 3-12 months can be fed 5-8 roaches per feeding, which should occur 3-5 times per day. This ensures that the bearded dragon receives the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development during this crucial stage of life.
3. How Many Roaches to Feed a Sub-adult Bearded Dragon?
A 12-20 months old sub-adult bearded dragon can be fed 3-5 roaches per feeding, with the feedings occurring 3-5 times per day. This ensures that the bearded dragon receives an adequate amount of nutrition for its age and size, while also preventing overfeeding. Maintaining this feeding schedule will contribute to the healthy growth and development of the bearded dragon.
4. How Many Roaches to Feed a Adult Bearded Dragon?
An adult bearded dragon of 20+ months can be fed 3-5 roaches per feeding session, and this can be done 3-5 times a day. This ensures that they receive a sufficient amount of protein and nutrients to maintain their overall health and well-being.
Feeding Tips
Feeding roaches to your beardie can be easy and efficient if you follow these helpful tips:
- Choose appropriate-sized roaches for your bearded dragon’s size.
- Feed roaches in a separate feeding container to avoid escape.
- Dust roaches with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding.
- Monitor your bearded dragon’s appetite to avoid overfeeding.
- Remove uneaten roaches after feeding to maintain cleanliness.
Following these tips will make the process of feeding roaches 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 Roaches?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating roaches due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures in their enclosure, or a lack of appetite. Additionally, it is possible that your bearded dragon simply doesn’t find roaches appealing as they have individual preferences when it comes to their diet. To encourage them to eat roaches, try offering different sizes or types of roaches and ensure that the enclosure’s temperature and overall environment are optimal for their health and well-being. If the problem persists, it is essential to consult a veterinarian specializing in reptiles for a thorough check-up and appropriate treatment.
2. How do I Store Roaches for Feeding?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating roaches due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures in their enclosure, or a lack of appetite. Additionally, it is possible that your bearded dragon simply doesn’t find roaches appealing as they have individual preferences when it comes to their diet. To encourage them to eat roaches, try offering different sizes or types of roaches and ensure that the enclosure’s temperature and overall environment are optimal for their health and well-being. If the problem persists, it is essential to consult a veterinarian specializing in reptiles for a thorough check-up and appropriate treatment.
3. How to Feed Roaches to a Bearded Dragon?
Your bearded dragon may not be eating roaches due to various reasons such as stress, illness, improper temperatures in their enclosure, or a lack of appetite. Additionally, it is possible that your bearded dragon simply doesn’t find roaches appealing as they have individual preferences when it comes to their diet. To encourage them to eat roaches, try offering different sizes or types of roaches and ensure that the enclosure’s temperature and overall environment are optimal for their health and well-being. If the problem persists, it is essential to consult a veterinarian specializing in reptiles for a thorough check-up and appropriate treatment.
Recommended Readings:
- How Many Pinkies to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Nutrigrubs to Feed a Bearded Dragon?
- How Many Mealworms 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 roaches 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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