How Many Mealworms Should A Baby Bearded Dragon Eat?

A bearded dragon is a colorful lizard that can be domesticated. They’re best known for their ability to eat everything. A healthy bearded dragon should eat two crickets every day and two mealworms twice a week. A baby will typically eat about ten mealworms per week, with the recommended number increasing as the dragon grows older. Please note that you should provide your beardie with fresh insects every time they are fed, and most people feed their dragons once or twice daily by putting food in a salad shape on their terrarium floor in addition to daily meals.

How many mealworms should a baby bearded dragon eat

Some people advise feeding a baby bearded dragon two crickets every day, while others believe the lizard can eat more. There are no studies that have proven one feeding method is better than the other, but it’s best to stick with the amount recommended by experts. A baby dragon needs about ten mealworms for a week in it’s diet along with crickets and other insects. If your beardie does not eat all of its meals’ food, periodically offer them more insects. You can also feed frozen larvae from your local pet store if you have a freezer you can use or some thawed mealworms in addition to live food.

5 Benefits of mealworms to a baby bearded dragon

1. Mealworms are a healthy treat for your dragon

The mealworm is a good source of protein for your bearded dragon. They are also high in vitamins and minerals making them a healthy treat.

2. Mealworms are easier to digest than crickets

Crickets can be hard for your bearded dragon to digest, because they contain very hard chitin shells. This makes them difficult to extract the nutrients they provide. Mealworms’ chitin shells are softer and easier to digest, but still provide plenty of nutrition.

3. Mealworms supplement their diets with grit

Bearded dragons lack an enzyme that helps them break down food and often use sand, soil or other material to help aid this process. Mealworms contain grit that the dragons use in these natural ways and they will help keep teeth and gums healthy.

4. Mealworms contain all of the nutrients a dragon needs to thrive

Many people choose to feed their dragon’s insects with mealworms for a variety of reasons, but one of them is the fact that mealworms carry all of the vitamins and minerals your bearded dragon needs to thrive. All that you need to provide your pet with a complete balanced diet is insects, calcium powder, vitamins and essential oils. Healthy foods are important for adult bearded dragons, however you will want to consider providing live food when you first buy your beardie because they can eat too much if they’re allowed to do so.

5. Mealworms are easily contained

Live insects need more care than meal worms in terms of containment, as crickets may get lost, escape or kill each other in the process. Mealworms typically do not escape their containers, except when they’re being vacuumed from carpets and upholstery. This makes them easier to clean up after they escape their cage or container than live insects and crickets.

Conclusion

There is no confirmed answer to how many mealworms should be fed a baby bearded dragon, although the general belief is around twice a week. Mealworms are generally recommended for bearded dragons who are at least four years old, but crickets should be fed to any dragon regardless of age.