Bearded dragons are an excellent reptile choice for the beginner hobbyist. They are a docile and hardy type of lizard that only requires a minimal amount of daily maintenance. By following these basic feeding requirements a bearded dragon will provide its owner with years of enjoyment.
Feeding
Bearded dragons consume large amounts of food daily due to having a very high metabolism. They require a variety of foods to stay healthy as well as vitamin and mineral supplements. Fruits, vegetables and insects must be included in the diet of a bearded dragon. Food should be placed in a shallow dish to avoid being contaminated by feces or substrate.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet. They have a high nutritional value and provide much needed moisture for the reptile. All fruits and vegetables should be prepared by being cut into small pieces or shredded.
Choices for fruit include:
- Grapes
- Banana
- Kiwi fruit
- Apples
- Pears
Choices for leafy greens include:
- Lettuce
- Collard greens
- Turnip tops
- Parsley
- Dandelion greens
Other vegetables can include:
- Squash
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Celery
Insects
Live insects play an important role in the diet of a bearded dragon. Crickets are a very popular feeder insect and are fairly easy to find at a pet store that sells reptiles. Mealworms can be provided to larger bearded dragons but are not recommended for juveniles because the insect’s hard shell can cause an impaction. Waxworms and superworms are two other insect species that will be gladly accepted by most bearded dragons. It is of utmost importance that insects, especially crickets, are not left in an enclosure with the bearded dragon at night. Bearded dragons are known to be very sound sleepers and there is a danger of insect bites.
Gut Loading Insects
To provide the highest nutritional value possible insects can be gut loaded. Gut loading refers to feeding the insects nutrient rich foods prior to letting the bearded dragon eat them. Oatmeal, whole wheat bread, apples, and collard greens are all excellent choices for feeding insects. There are also several insect diets available that will provide just as many nutrients to feeder insects.
Providing Water
Fresh water should always be available to bearded dragons. They often won’t drink a lot of water because the majority of what they require is obtained through eating fruits and vegetables. Water for a bearded dragon can be offered in a shallow dish that the dragon will be able to climb out of in order to prevent drowning.
Supplements
Bearded dragons will require extra vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. Calcium is crucial for the maintenance of strong bones and to avoid growth deformities. Calcium can be supplemented by dusting insects with a supplement powder. Insect dusting is done by simply adding the recommended amount of powder to a bag with the insects and shaking it until they are coated. The amount of supplemented feedings a bearded dragon needs depends on its age. Juveniles should have a supplement of calcium dust daily whereas adult lizards only require it every few days.
A bearded dragon should be fed a fresh meal each day and any spoiled leftover food should be discarded to maintain the dragon’s health. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and insects should be made available each day in order to meet the nutritional requirements the bearded dragon needs. Proper lighting and temperature needs also have to be met so that the dragon can properly digest its meals. For more information on setting up a proper enclosure for a bearded dragon see the article titled Bearded Dragon Housing Requirements.
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