Bearded dragons should be fed once or twice per day, depending on their age. Hatchlings and juveniles less than 1 year old should be fed twice per day, while adult bearded dragons 1 year old or older can be fed once per day. The amount of food at each feeding depends on the age and size of the bearded dragon.
How much should hatchling bearded dragons eat?
Hatchling bearded dragons are 2 to 3 months old and 5 to 7 inches long from head to tail. At this young age, they are growing rapidly and have high metabolisms. Hatchlings should be fed 2 to 3 times per day and offered as much insect prey as they can eat within a 10-15 minute period.
Good insect feeders for hatchling bearded dragons include:
- Pinhead crickets
- Small mealworms
- Drosophila fruit flies
- Bean beetles
- Silkworms
Hatchlings should also be offered fresh chopped greens lightly coated with calcium powder once per day. Good greens to offer include endive, escarole, dandelion greens, arugula, and alfalfa sprouts. Pieces should be no bigger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes.
How much should juvenile bearded dragons eat?
Juvenile bearded dragons are 4 to 8 months old and 8 to 15 inches long. Like hatchlings, juveniles have rapid growth rates and should be fed 2 times per day. Offer as many appropriately sized insects as the bearded dragon will eat within a 10-15 minute period.
Good insect feeders for juveniles include:
- Small crickets
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Waxworms
- Hornworms
Juveniles should also be offered fresh chopped greens lightly coated with calcium twice a day. Good greens include collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, green beans, and broccoli. Pieces should be no bigger than the space between the bearded dragon’s eyes.
How much should adult bearded dragons eat?
Adult bearded dragons are over 1 year old and typically 15 inches long or larger. Adults should be fed 1 to 2 times per day, depending on the dragon’s appetite and activity level. As with hatchlings and juveniles, offer as many appropriately sized insects at each feeding as the bearded dragon will eat within 10-15 minutes.
Good insect feeders for adult bearded dragons include:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Waxworms
- Hornworms
- Roaches
- Locusts
Adult bearded dragons should be offered fresh chopped greens lightly coated with calcium once or twice per day. Good greens include kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, parsley, cilantro, green beans, bell peppers, butternut squash, acorn squash, and sweet potatoes. Pieces can be slightly larger than the space between the eyes.
What insects should be avoided?
There are some insects that should be avoided or only fed occasionally to bearded dragons due to hard exoskeletons, toxicity, or poor nutritional value:
- Fireflies: toxic to reptiles
- Wild insects: may have parasites or pesticides
- Mealworm pupae: hard exoskeleton
- Giant mealworms: exoskeleton too hard
- Superworms: moderate due to harder exoskeleton
If feeding superworms or mealworms, it is best to feed softer larvae rather than pupae/beetles, and to limit superworms to once or twice a week. Other feeders like crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms, hornworms are better staple feeders due to softer bodies.
What greens should be avoided?
There are some greens that should be avoided for bearded dragons due to toxicity, poor nutrition, or risk of impaction:
- Iceberg lettuce: poor nutrition
- Spinach: high in oxalates which bind calcium
- Swiss chard: can cause gastric irritation
- Beet greens: high in oxalates
- Potato: risk of impaction
- Corn: poor nutrition
- Cabbage: may cause thyroid problems
Greens like kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, arugula, parsley, and cilantro are better choices more consistently.
How often should supplements be used?
Most bearded dragons will benefit from some supplementation of their diet with calcium and vitamin D3. Here are some general guidelines for supplementation frequency:
- Hatchlings: Lightly dust insects daily with calcium carbonate powder. Use vitamin D3 calcium powder 2-3 times per week.
- Juveniles: Lightly dust insects daily with plain calcium carbonate powder. Use vitamin D3 calcium 2-3 times per week.
- Adults: Lightly dust insects with plain calcium powder 3-4 times per week. Use vitamin D3 calcium once or twice a week.
- Breeding/egg-laying females: Increase frequency of vitamin D3 calcium to 2-3 times per week.
Multivitamins specifically for reptiles can also be used 1-2 times per week for juveniles and adult dragons. Follow packaging instructions for dosage information. Avoid oversupplementing as excess vitamin D3 can cause toxicity.
How does diet vary by life stage?
The ideal diet for a bearded dragon varies based on life stage due to the changing nutritional needs as they grow and reach adulthood:
| Life Stage | Diet |
|---|---|
| Hatchling |
|
| Juvenile |
|
| Adult |
|
These are general recommendations but individual bearded dragons may vary in their optimal frequency based on body condition and appetite. Adjust amounts accordingly if your bearded dragon becomes overweight or underweight.
How does diet vary by season?
Bearded dragon diets can vary somewhat by season, typically eating less protein in winter months when they are less active. Here are seasonal diet changes to consider:
- Spring: Increase insect feedings as bearded dragons become more active. Offer more calcium for females who may begin breeding.
- Summer: Offer daily insect feedings while vegetables may decrease slightly.
- Fall: Gradually decrease insect feedings as appetite decreases. Provide insects 2-3 times a week.
- Winter: Offer vegetables daily and insects just 1-2 times per week.
Use appetite as a guide – if produce is refused, try different vegetables. Offer insects less frequently but still provide some for protein. Avoid starving in winter as some weight loss is okay but not emaciation.
How often should water be provided?
Clean, fresh water should be available to bearded dragons at all times in a bowl within the habitat. Change the water daily or more often if it gets contaminated.
Some specific tips for watering bearded dragons include:
- Use a heavy, low bowl that cannot be tipped over easily
- Spring and summer, provide water bowl daily
- Misting the greens can provide extra moisture
- Most hydration comes from food, but water should still be available
- Check for signs of dehydration like sunken eyes or skin
Providing the proper temperature gradients, lighting, and humidity within the vivarium will also assist bearded dragons in staying hydrated. Note any changes in drinking behavior as increased or decreased drinking can indicate health issues.
What are signs of overfeeding or underfeeding?
Signs that a bearded dragon may be overfed or underfed include:
Signs of overfeeding:
- Obesity – bulging fat pads along the spine
- Fatty deposits around shoulders and thighs
- Continually growing but losing muscle tone
- Lethargy
- Difficulty moving or swimming
- Wheezing
Signs of underfeeding:
- Very prominent spine and ribs
- Sunken eyes or cheeks
- Loss of fat pads and muscle mass
- Weakness
- Smaller than expected size
- Inability to swim or float
These signs indicate an imbalance between calorie intake and energy needs. Adjust frequency of feedings, amount offered, vegetables-to-insects ratio, and use of supplements to get your bearded dragon back on track to a healthy weight.
What are the best vegetables for bearded dragons?
The best vegetables for bearded dragons are:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Dandelion greens
- Endive
- Escarole
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Green beans
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Butternut squash
- Acorn squash
- Sweet potatoes
Leafy greens like kale, collards, mustards and herbs like parsley and cilantro are excellent staple vegetables. Green beans, bell peppers, squash, carrots and sweet potatoes also provide great variety.
When selecting produce, emphasize dark leafy greens, red/orange/yellow vegetables, and squash for the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants bearded dragons need. Buy organic when possible to avoid pesticide residue.
What fruits can bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons can occasionally eat small amounts of certain fruits including:
- Berries (strawberry, blueberry, blackberry)
- Banana
- Mango
- Melon (cantaloupe, honeydew)
- Apple
- Pear
- Peach
- Apricot
- Papaya
However, fruits should be fed sparingly, no more than once or twice a week. Fruits should be chopped finely and only a few bites offered at a time. Avoid citrus fruits.
Fruits are like desserts for bearded dragons – they enjoy them but get needed nutrition from veggies and insects. Too much fruit can lead to obesity and other health issues. Focus the diet on greens, veggies, and insects.
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
- Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed insects 2 times per day. Adults can eat 1-2 times daily.
- Offer veggies daily, with more variety for adults. Avoid toxic greens.
- Use calcium supplements frequently, with less D3 for older dragons. Avoid oversupplementing.
- Adjust diet by season – more insects in spring and summer, more veggies in fall and winter.
- Watch for signs of over or under feeding and adjust diet accordingly.
- Focus on greens, vegetables, and insects. Limit high sugar fruits.
Tailoring a bearded dragon’s diet by age, season, and activity level is key to keeping them healthy and thriving for years to come!
