As a bearded dragon owner, knowing how much to feed your juvenile dragon is important for their health and growth. Like all reptiles and pets, each bearded dragon is unique and may have slightly different dietary needs. However, there are some general guidelines for how many crickets a juvenile bearded dragon should eat per day.
What is a juvenile bearded dragon?
A juvenile bearded dragon is defined as a dragon between 2-12 months old. During this rapid growth phase, juveniles have higher nutritional needs than adult dragons. Their appetite is also voracious as their bodies work hard to fuel growth and development.
Specifically, a juvenile bearded dragon is characterized by:
- Rapid growth
- Increased appetite and high metabolism
- Reaching adult size within 12 months
- Higher protein requirements
All of these factors mean you need to feed your juvenile bearded dragon more often and in higher quantities than an adult dragon. Their diet should focus on protein-rich feeder insects to support healthy growth.
Why crickets are an optimal feeder insect
Crickets make an excellent staple feeder insect for juvenile bearded dragons for several reasons:
- High in protein to support growth and development
- Gut loaded easily with vitamins and minerals
- Move actively to stimulate hunting instinct
- Easier for small juveniles to catch and digest
Crickets should make up a large portion of your juvenile dragon’s insect intake. They are nutritionally balanced and easy for juveniles to hunt and consume. You can supplement their diet with other feeders like roaches, worms, etc. But quality gutloaded crickets should be the staple insect.
How many crickets per day for a juvenile?
As a general rule of thumb, most experts recommend feeding a juvenile bearded dragon as many appropriately-sized crickets as they can eat within a 10-15 minute period, 2-3 times per day. This allows them to get enough food for growth without overeating.
Some more specific guidelines include:
- 2 month olds: 30-50 small crickets per day
- 4 month olds: 50-75 small/medium crickets per day
- 6 month olds: 75-100 medium crickets per day
- 9 month olds: 100-150 medium/large crickets per day
The exact amount depends on your individual dragon’s size, growth rate, and appetite. Monitor their body condition and adjust amounts accordingly. Lean juveniles may need more insects while overweight juveniles may need less.
Factors impacting quantity
Several factors impact exactly how many crickets your juvenile bearded dragon will need each day:
Age
Younger juveniles have higher caloric needs and faster metabolisms. Feed babies and young juveniles towards the higher end of the recommended ranges.
Size & growth rate
Larger, faster growing juveniles will need more crickets than smaller, slower growing juveniles of the same age.
Activity level
More active juveniles use more energy and may need more crickets. Lazier dragons may need slightly less.
Metabolism
Dragons with faster metabolisms will eat more insects. Slower metabolisms need fewer crickets.
Overall health
Sick, stressed or compromised juveniles will have decreased appetite. Healthy, thriving juveniles usually eat vigorously.
Monitor all these factors and look at the dragon, not just their age. Increase or decrease amounts to match their growth and body condition.
Feeder cricket sizes
In addition to quantity, pay attention to feeder cricket size for juveniles:
- Newborns: 1/8 inch pinhead crickets
- 2-4 months: 1/8 to 3/16 inch crickets
- 4-6 months: 1/4 inch crickets
- 6-12 months: 3/8 to 1/2 inch crickets
Match cricket size to the width between your dragon’s eyes. They should be able to easily swallow prey while minimizing choking risks.
Gutloading feeder crickets
In addition to quantity and size, properly preparing your crickets impacts nutrition. Always gutload feeder insects:
- Feed crickets nutritious foods like fresh produce to enrich them
- Gutload for at least 24 hours before feeding for max benefits
- Give crickets water crystals or slices of potato or carrot for hydration
Well-fed, hydrated crickets pass more nutrients to your juvenile dragon when consumed. This supports faster growth and better health outcomes.
Supplementing with calcium & vitamins
Even with gutloading, crickets are not complete nutrition. You must supplement with:
- Calcium powder 5-6x per week
- Multivitamin powder 2-3x per week
Lightly dust crickets with supplements right before feeding. Carefully follow supplement label instructions and speak with your exotic vet about the best supplement regimen for your juvenile’s needs.
Other acceptable feeder insects
In addition to quality, gutloaded crickets, you can offer other feeders 1-2 times per week for variety:
- Dubia roaches
- Silkworms
- Hornworms
- Phoenix worms
- Locusts
These can stimulate their appetite and provide a nutritional boost. But crickets should still be the primary insect offered.
Non-insect food for juveniles
While insects make up the bulk of their diet, you can also offer:
- Chopped greens like collard, mustard, turnip – once a day
- Finely shredded squash or carrots – 2-3x per week
- Fruit like blueberries or melon – once a week
These provide fiber, vitamins and variety. But a juvenile’s diet should still consist of about 80% insects like gutloaded crickets.
Sample daily feeding schedule
Here is a sample schedule for feeding a 5 month old juvenile bearded dragon based on the recommendations above:
| Meal | Food |
|---|---|
| Morning | 70 small crickets |
| Afternoon | Chopped greens with calcium |
| Evening | 70 small crickets |
For a younger or older juvenile, adjust the number of crickets up or down. Monitor their growth and appetite and make changes as needed.
Transitioning to an adult diet
As your juvenile matures, their feeding needs change. Follow these tips for transitioning to an adult diet:
- Around 12 months old, gradually reduce daily insect quantities
- Increase vegetable intake to account for fewer insects
- Offer adult-sized crickets and wider variety of greens
- Adjust calcium and vitamin dusting schedules
- By 18 months old, should be on typical adult feeding regimen
Work closely with your exotic vet to ensure your maturing dragon’s nutritional needs are met during this transition process.
Signs your juvenile is eating properly
With the right cricket intake, your juvenile will display signs of health like:
- Strong appetite and interest in food
- Regular growth and weight gain
- Active and alert
- Healthy skin, muscles and joints
- Proper body condition – not too thin or overweight
- Firm, well-formed feces
If your dragon is showing these signs, it is likely you have their cricket consumption dialed in. Make adjustments if you see signs of poor health or growth.
Risks of over or underfeeding crickets
Providing the wrong amount of crickets can negatively impact your juvenile. Be alert for signs of over or underfeeding including:
Overfeeding crickets risks:
- Obesity
- Fatty liver disease
- Nutritional imbalances
- Intestinal blockages
Underfeeding crickets causes:
- Weight loss or failure to grow
- Muscle wasting
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Increased illness/infection risk
Work with an exotic vet if you suspect your cricket intake is not meeting your juvenile dragon’s needs.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave crickets in the tank?
No, uneaten live crickets left in the tank can bite and injure your juvenile. Only leave insects in for 10-15 minutes at feeding times, then remove any leftovers.
Is it ok to feed crickets daily?
Yes, healthy juveniles should get fresh crickets at least once daily. Some may need 2-3 small cricket feedings per day for optimal growth.
Can I overfeed crickets?
Yes, eating too many crickets daily can lead to obesity and other health issues. Feed limited quantities at multiple daily feedings.
What if my juvenile suddenly stops eating?
Loss of appetite can indicate illness or stress. Seek exotic vet advice promptly if your previously voracious juvenile stops eating crickets.
Are black crickets better than brown crickets?
There is no nutritional difference between black crickets (“banded crickets”) and brown crickets (“house crickets”). Either can be used as feeders if properly gutloaded.
Conclusion
Feeding the optimal amount of crickets is crucial to your juvenile bearded dragon’s growth and development. While there are general guidelines, each dragon may have slightly unique needs. Monitor your individual pet closely, adjusting amounts and sizes to match their appetite and growth patterns. With a proper cricket feeding routine, your juvenile dragon will thrive during these critical growing months and transition smoothly to adulthood.