Best Foods For Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are a type of reptile, and they commonly have very distinctive features on their faces. Specifically, their beards grow around their mouths, which can sometimes be quite large. Other than this feature, bearded dragons are quite different from other types of reptiles. They have spikes that run vertically down the length of their backs and tail which are used for defense and a specialized tongue that is usually reddish in color with bumpy ridges. The two primary food groups that bearded dragons need are calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. These must be present in their diet for the lizard to obtain a healthy life. If you feed your bearded dragon the recommended amount of these foods, it should remain happy and healthy.

If you want to provide your bearded dragon with a diet that is rich in nutrients, here are 7 different foods which you should definitely give to it:

1. Beetles

Beetles are tiny insects, ranging in size between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch. They are easy to find at most grocery stores, and can be fed as a snack to your bearded dragon every other day. If you live in an area without many beetles, it may be hard to find some. You can also buy a jar from the pet store, or create a homemade food for them.

2. Brine shrimp and Daphnia

One of the best foods for bearded dragons is brine shrimp and Daphnia. These tiny crustaceans are microscopic in size, and are usually found at freshwater sources such as fish tanks or ponds. Brine shrimp and Daphnia contain all the necessary nutrients for your bearded dragon to thrive, meaning that they are ideal to feed from early on in a pet’s life. You can get both things at any pet store, but they can be hard to come by in your area. Do your research and locate a good source.

3. Reptile hay

Many bearded dragons enjoy a variety of textures in their food, so you can purchase reptile hay for them to pick at and chew on as they please. Your dragon will have to have access to this type of bedding in order to digest it, so you will also have to make sure they are able to eat the hay. They may not be able to eat regular grass or vegetables, but they should be able to eat reptile grass.

4. Fruit flies

Fruit flies are tiny bugs that can be purchased at pet stores or online retailers. They can be fed to your bearded dragon two or three times a week. They are good for the dragon’s health, but will only serve as a snack unless you provide a source of water.

5. Chicken eggs

Chicken eggs are an all-around nutritional food, and can be fed to your bearded dragon as much as they like. Most reptiles would love them as a snack (chickens love bugs!), and they are usually very rewarding when it comes to treats for your pet. They will not contain all the necessary nutrients that other foods do, so this is not recommended to become their sole food.

6. Turtle pellets

Turtle pellets are specially made food made by mixing rice with carrots and chicken. You can feed them to your bearded dragon as much as you like, and they are great for offering treats. They are also fairly nutritious, too.

7. Crickets

Crickets are hard-shelled insects with long antennae, six legs, and wings that they rarely use. These animals live in high quantities especially in North America, and they are very easy to find if you just look on the ground in a wide variety of areas. They are considered a good food source for bearded dragons because they can be purchased at many local pet stores and they’ll put up a good fight when they are caught by the lizard’s owner.

If you want to go with a natural, homemade diet for your bearded dragon, be sure to look up the nutritional value of what you are feeding them. It is also a good idea to get a water source for your bearded dragon in order for it to digest properly.

Be careful about what you give them as treats, not everything is good for them!