Feeding your bearded dragon a varied diet is crucial for their health and happiness. If you’re a bearded dragon owner, you may be wondering: can bearded dragons eat beetles? The short answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat beetles in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding beetles to bearded dragons. You’ll learn the nutrition profile of beetles, which types are safe to feed, how often and how many to feed, and potential risks to watch out for.
Nutritional Value of Beetles for Bearded Dragons
High in Protein
Beetles are packed with high-quality protein that helps support muscle growth and development in bearded dragons (BeardedDragonCare101). For example, mealworm beetles contain about 21 grams of protein per 100 grams while superworm beetles have around 26 grams (WebMD).
This makes beetles an excellent staple feeder insect for your beardie’s optimal nutrition.
Good Source of Fat
In addition to protein, beetles provide essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A for bearded dragons. Mealworm beetles have a fat content of around 13 grams per 100 grams, while superworm beetles contain roughly 9 grams of fat per 100 grams (WebMD).
The moderate fat levels support your dragon’s energy needs while also aiding vitamin absorption.
Provides Vitamins and Minerals
Beetles contain an abundance of key micronutrients for bearded dragons’ health. For example, 100 grams of mealworm beetles supply about 15mg of calcium and 7mg of phosphorus – two of the most vital minerals for proper bone formation and preventing metabolic bone disease (WebMD).
Beetles also offer useful amounts of magnesium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B12.
| Micronutrient | Mealworm Beetles (per 100g) | Superworm Beetles (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 15mg | 13mg |
| Phosphorus | 7mg | 10mg |
| Magnesium | 55mg | 60mg |
Clearly, beetles make a nutritionally balanced feeder insect to include in your bearded dragon’s diverse diet. They are loaded with high-quality protein, healthy fats, and ample vitamins and minerals. Just be sure to gut-load the beetles properly with nutritious produce before feeding them to your beardie.
Best Types of Beetles to Feed Bearded Dragons
Mealworms
Mealworms are a nutritious staple feeder insect for bearded dragons. They are soft-bodied larvae that are high in protein, vitamin A, calcium, and other key nutrients dragons need. Mealworms have hard exoskeletons, so only feed them to adult dragons, not babies.
They are easy for the reptiles to digest when chopped up. The worms can be purchased live, canned, or freeze-dried.
Superworms
Superworms are larger and more nutrient-dense than mealworms. They contain more protein, fat, fiber, and essential minerals like zinc and iron. Superworms have thicker skin and move faster than mealworms, providing more stimulation when hunting prey.
Only feed superworms occasionally since their higher fat content can cause obesity if overfed. Chop them up before feeding as their hard heads may injure a dragon’s mouth or intestines if swallowed whole.
Waxworms
Waxworms are very high in fat so should only be an occasional treat for dragons. They have soft bodies that are easy for reptiles to chew and digest. Their taste appeals strongly to dragons, making them a favorite snack. However, too many waxworms can lead to weight gain and fatty liver disease.
Use them sparingly for variety or to encourage eating in sick dragons who have lost their appetite. Chop waxworms into pieces before feeding to prevent overeating.
Hornworms
Hornworms are one of the best feeders for bearded dragons. They have soft bodies high in moisture and protein that reptiles digest easily. Hornworms also contain vitamins A, B, D, and E. The worms wiggle when eaten, providing enrichment for the predator.
Try feeding different colors like green, blue, or orange for variety. Due to their high water content, too many may cause loose stools. Feed them as an occasional part of a balanced insect diet.
How Often and How Many Beetles to Feed
Beetles as occasional treats
Bearded dragons can occasionally be given beetles as a tasty treat to add some variety to their diet. However, beetles should only make up a small portion of their overall food intake. Overfeeding on insects high in fat and protein like beetles can lead to health issues over time.
Here are some tips on beetles as occasional treats:
- Aim to only offer beetles once or twice a week at most
- Good beetle choices include mealworm beetles, superworm beetles, and dubia roaches
- Only feed beetles to adult and juvenile dragons over 5 months old
Appropriate serving sizes
When including beetles as part of your bearded dragon’s diet, it’s important to stick to appropriate serving sizes to prevent obesity and other health complications:
- For an adult dragon, around 2-3 beetles per feeding is sufficient
- Baby dragons under 12 months can be offered 1 smaller-sized beetle at a time
- Limit beetle treats to no more than 10% of their total weekly diet
| Bearded Dragon Age | Beetle Serving Size |
| 5-12 months | 1 small beetle per feeding |
| 12+ months (adult) | 2-3 medium beetles per feeding |
Watching for signs of overfeeding
It’s important to monitor your bearded dragon after feeding beetles to watch for signs of overfeeding. Symptoms may include:
- Lethargy or sleepiness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain
- Difficulty moving around the tank
If you notice any of these issues after feeding beetles, discontinue offering them for a few weeks. An exotic pet veterinarian can also help diagnose and treat overfeeding-related health problems if they persist.
Risks of Feeding Beetles to Bearded Dragons
Choking Hazard
Bearded dragons can easily choke on beetles due to their hard exoskeletons and small size (especially newly hatched “feeder” beetles). Always supervise your dragon when feeding beetles and choose an appropriately sized beetle to avoid choking incidents.
High Fat Content
While beetles contain beneficial nutrients, they are also high in fat. Too much fat can lead to obesity and other health issues in beardies. Feed beetles in moderation as an occasional treat, not a staple diet item.
Parasites or Pesticides
Wild-caught beetles may contain parasites or have pesticide residue if they are from areas with agricultural pesticide use. This can make your bearded dragon sick. Only feed beetles you have bred yourself or purchased from a reputable feeder insect provider who produces pesticide-free, parasite-free beetles.
Impaction Risk
The hard exoskeletons of beetles do not easily pass through a beardie’s digestive tract. Too many beetles can lead to impaction (intestinal blockage), especially in juvenile dragons. To reduce this risk, always leave the heads/legs on superworms, as the exoskeleton softens once the beetle dies.
Check out Bearded Dragon Care 101 and The Bearded Dragon for more great bearded dragon feeding tips!
Tips for Safely Feeding Beetles to Bearded Dragons
Buy from reputable source
When choosing beetles to feed your bearded dragon, always opt for a reputable and reliable feeder insect provider. Many pet stores and online shops sell captive-bred beetles that are gut loaded with nutrients and free of parasites or pesticides. Avoid catching wild insects which may carry diseases.
Gut load beetles
Gut loading refers to feeding nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, etc to insects before feeding them to your reptile pet. This boosts the nutritional value of the prey. Some good gut load foods for beetles are carrots, sweet potatoes, collard greens, dandelion greens, oranges, bee pollen, etc.
Gut load for at least 24 hours before feeding the beetles to your beardie.
Provide calcium supplement
Insects like beetles are naturally low in calcium, so it’s crucial to “dust” them with calcium powder before feeding. This provides extra calcium to support your dragon’s bone health. Use calcium powder without D3 2-3 times per week. For added D3, use calcium + D3 once or twice weekly.
Proper calcium intake prevents metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.
Monitor bearded dragon’s health
When introducing any new feeder insect, keep an eye on your beardie’s health. Make sure they are eating, pooping, and behaving normally. Discontinue beetles if you notice signs of impaction like difficulty pooping, lack of appetite, lethargy, etc.
Variety is great but switch up feeders slowly to allow adjustment. A healthy adult bearded dragon can eat 3-5 gut loaded and calcium dusted beetles 2-3 times per week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, beetles can make a healthy occasional treat for bearded dragons. Mealworms, superworms, waxworms and hornworms are the best options when feeding the right amounts. To maximize nutrition and minimize risks like impaction, be sure to take precautions like gut loading insects, dusting with calcium and following appropriate serving guidelines.
By feeding beetles safely and in moderation, beetles can add variety to your bearded dragon’s insect diet.
