Introduction
According to Matt Davies Harmony Communities, despite being native to Australia, bearded dragons have become very popular halfway across the world in North America. If you’ve got a bearded dragon, you need to pay extra attention to its care and that includes the diet. Let’s check out the greatest meals to feed your bearded dragon.
The Meals
- Typical bearded dragon diet – Bearded dragons require a well-balanced diet of protein, vitamins, and fibers to stay healthy. That nutritional makeup is crafted from a combination of plants and insects with plants making up the majority of their diet.
In the wild, bearded dragons get a lot of exercise in the Australian desert while scurrying across rocks, climbing bushes, and burrowing in the ground. That’s why they tend to eat a lot of insects in nature. However, domesticated bearded dragons have sedentary nature and require more plants to stay healthy and not fall prey to obesity.
- Insects for your dragon – Bearded dragons love to eat live bugs and you’ve probably seen tons of such videos on the internet. Pet dragons usually feed on crickets, roaches, and worms. Crickets are the most popular choice since they are calcium-rich and a tasty source of protein. You can get them from any pet store.
When it comes to roaches, bearded dragons are fed Dubai roaches that are high in protein and low in fat. They provide five times the nutrition compared to most other live insects. If you’re trying to feed worms to your dragon, make sure to pick safe options like mealworms, butter worms, and earthworms.
- Avoid certain insects – While bearded dragons love live insects, certain options should be avoided. Dead and venomous insects should obviously not be on the feeding list since they can make your dragon sick. Don’t feed your dragon wild insects either. You don’t want unknown parasites and pathogens to pass on to your dragon. Make sure to avoid elderly bugs and glowing insects like fireflies as well.
- Plants for your dragon – A well-balanced diet for a pet bearded dragon is incomplete without veggies. Most of the plants you feed your dragon should be comprised of veggies. Prioritize feeding them dark green and leafy veggies. Feed your dragon alfalfa, asparagus, cilantro, cactus leaves, celery, cucumber, green cabbage, and other such veggies.
You can also feed colored veggies to your dragon. However, they simply don’t fulfill the majority of your dragon’s nutritional needs. When it comes to fruits, your dragon needs a small amount and doesn’t need it regularly. You can feed your dragon everything from apples and apricots to bananas and berries. Just make sure to cut the fruits and veggies into bite-sized pieces.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Harmony Communities suggests that you consult your vet and stick to the recommended diet to keep your bearded dragon strong and healthy. Fortunately, they enjoy a lot of fruits and veggies along with insects and may even benefit from additional supplements.