Can Bearded Dragons Eat Ants? (Read First!)

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Insects make up 80% of a bearded dragon’s diet, so you can imagine how important insects are. However, can a bearded dragon eat ants? The short answer is no. Despite the exceptions, ants are not a part of a bearded dragon’s diet.

Folic acid and formic acid are toxic to lizards in large doses, and the carpenter ant is not suitable for bearded dragons. Instead, a bearded dragon may enjoy the delightful carpenter ants, which are an exception to the rule.

Read on to learn more about the nutritional value of ants, what ants to feed your bearded dragon, and whether certain ants can kill it.

 

Nutritional value of ants

Be sure to know what nutrients ants contain if you plan to feed them to your bearded dragon. Here is a list of nutrients ants contain.

ResearchGate, reports that the nutritional content per 100 grams of ants is as following:

  • Calcium: 26mg
  • Phosphorus:106mg
  • Potassium:46mg
  • Folic acid:5mg
  • Magnesium:11mg
  • Protein:9g

 

Calcium

Ants are not the finest source of calcium for bearded dragons. Their phosphorus-calcium proportion is pretty high. Because of this, bearded dragons may have trouble absorbing all of the calcium they need from ants.

The appropriate calcium-phosphorus proportion for bearded dragons is two to one. This means that for every two phosphorus, there should be one calcium.

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However, the calcium-phosphorus ratio in ants is only one to four. If you feed ants to your bearded dragon, you must supplement the diet with additional calcium-rich foods.

 

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an important mineral that bearded dragons need to eat. Phosphorus is vital for bone and tooth development as well as energy generation. However, too much phosphorus in the diet can eventually lead to metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.

The phosphorus content of the diet can cause problems with calcium absorption that eventually lead to health issues like metabolic bone disease. A bearded dragon can suffer from metabolic bone disease if the calcium it consumes is not enough.

To prevent calcium absorption problems, it is important to keep this in mind when providing ants to your dragon. Though ants are loaded with phosphorus, they also contain a high phosphorus-calcium ratio.

 

Potassium

Numerous bodily functions, including muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and fluid balance, depend on potassium. In addition to being an important mineral, potassium is involved in many bodily functions.

The ant types that are a good source of potassium are ants. However, one of the ant types can actually be harmful to bearded dragons. Fire ants, which are a type of ant from the southern United States, are painful, burning creatures that stung by fire ants can be lethal to bearded dragons .

It is poisonous for bearded dragons when ingested in large quantities. So, if you’re wondering if bearded dragons can eat fire ants, the answer is no.

 

Folic Acid

Ants produce folic acid as a defence mechanism against predators in order to make their tummies sick after being eaten. This is why it is critical to avoid feeding bearded dragons with folic acid if they already have gastrointestinal problems.

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Folic acid in ants can make their symptoms worse and even cause lethal dehydration. There is no evidence that folic acid is harmful for healthy bearded dragons, but it’s for the best if you avoid feeding them ants.

 

Magnesium

Bearded dragons require magnesium in their diets, as it can influence the secretion of PTH (parathyroid hormone). Magnesium can modulate the secretion of PTH, which controls calcium levels in the body.

Because of this, magnesium can also help prevent or treat metabolic bone disease. In addition, it can also assist with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

 

Protein

Protein is an important nutrient for bearded dragons, as it is needed for growth and repair as well as the production of enzymes and hormones.

However, ants contain only 6-12% protein, which is therefore a small part of a bearded dragon’s diet. Ants can therefore only contribute a small amount to a bearded dragon’s diet.

 

Can bearded dragons eat any insect?

Available Insects

Bearded dragons will devour just about any insect that crawls in front of them. Insects are an important part of a bearded dragon’s diet (especially younger dragons), so it’s necessary to make sure your bearded dragon is eating the right amount, type and species to stay healthy.

 

What wild bugs can bearded dragons eat?

However, it’s important that the bugs they eat are safe and free of parasites or pesticides. This means avoid using bugs that you find around your home. Some common bugs and insects to feed your dragon include earthworms, cockroaches, silkworms, crickets, and roaches.

 

How do I get rid of ants in my bearded dragon tank?

 

Can Ants Kill a Bearded Dragon?

 

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Ants alone are unlikely to kill a bearded dragon, but they can be harmful if eaten in large amounts. Because of the high folic acid content in ants, a bearded dragon could build up a folic acid overload and develop health problems.

Therefore, while ants are unlikely to kill a bearded dragon on their own, they should be fed in moderation if they are provided.

 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Flying Ants?

Bearded dragon owners should be careful about parasites that ants might carry, as well as the possibility of poisoning. However, bearded dragons can eat flying ants, provided they are kept in check.

To keep your bearded dragon healthy, you must purchase high-quality insects.

 

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Harvesrer Ants?

No, bearded dragons cannot eat harvester ants, as their bites are very painful and they can also be venomous.

 

So can bearded dragons eat fire ants at all?

They cant at all as they will harm the bearded dragon if eaten. A food to avoid if at all possible.

 

So Can my bearded dragon eats ants?

Bearded dragons can’t eat ants because of their folic acid and formic acid content. Folic acid is an important nutrient for pregnant women but can be toxic to lizards in high doses. Formic acid, meanwhile, is an irritant that can cause skin and respiratory irritation in bearded dragons.

 

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