Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles that love to eat. They’ll happily munch on greens and other vegetables, as well as fruit, berries, and other plants.
However, it’s their protein diet that is the most important part of their diet.
Bearded dragons love crickets and can spend hours hunting them and chasing them around their tank – but only when they’re hungry!
If your bearded dragon isn’t eating crickets or any other food you offer them, there are a few reasons why this might be the case.
What to know before you buy crickets for your bearded dragon
If you’re considering purchasing crickets for your bearded dragon, you should know a few things.
First, remember that crickets are not a substitute for vegetables. While it may be tempting to feed your dragon crickets “off the menu” in order to save money, this is not recommended.
Your dragon needs a balanced diet of greens and other vegetables in order to stay healthy and thrive.
So, if you’re going to feed your dragon crickets, make sure they’re not just an additional snack.
Second, be sure to purchase the appropriately sized crickets. Larger crickets can injure your dragon if they crawl or jump into its mouth.
And smaller crickets may not provide enough food for your dragon. It’s best to consult with an expert or have your veterinarian or breeder recommend a cricket supplier who can ensure that their crickets are the right size and quality for your bearded dragon.
Finally, be sure to select healthy crickets. Look for signs of dehydration or worms, and avoid purchasing crickets that appear stressed or dehydrated.
Dehydrated crickets often have little water in their bodies and are more likely to die quickly after being purchased.
How can I get my bearded dragon to eat crickets?
If you have tried to get your bearded dragon to eat crickets, you know that it can be a challenge.
It is important to find the right cricket for your bearded dragon and then to feed them in the right way.
You can start by offering your bearded dragon a cricket that is the right size. They should be smaller than your bearded dragon’s head.
Next, you will want to make sure that the cricket has been gut loaded before you feed it to your bearded dragon.
Gut loading means that you are feeding the crickets a diet of nutrients. This will ensure that they are healthy and nutritious for your bearded dragon.
Finally, you will want to feed your crickets to your bearded dragon using tongs. This will help prevent your bearded dragon from biting off their legs and heads.
Once your bearded dragon gets used to eating crickets, they can be a great source of protein for them.
How long can a bearded dragon go without eating crickets?
A bearded dragon can go without eating crickets for up to a week if they are kept at the right temperature.
They should be kept at a temperature of 85 degrees to 95 degrees F. If they are kept at a lower temperature, they will not eat as much and can go longer between meals.
However, it’s important to keep an eye on your bearded dragon and make sure that they are eating and drinking regularly.
If a bearded dragon is not eating crickets, it could be a sign of health problems and you should contact a veterinarian.
A bearded dragon will eat crickets and other insects throughout the day so it is important to have food and water available at all times.
If you have any questions about your bearded dragon or if you feel something is off, don’t hesitate to contact a reptile expert.
Is it OK to leave crickets in with my bearded dragon?
Crickets are a popular food source for many reptiles, so it’s common to see them sharing a habitat with bearded dragons.
In general, crickets don’t pose much of a threat to these lizards.
However, they can sometimes trigger territorial behavior in the bearded dragon if they’re left in the enclosure for too long.
In addition, crickets can also spread disease to your bearded dragon if they’re not properly cared for.
Therefore, it’s best to keep your crickets separate from your bearded dragon when you first introduce them to each other.
Once your bearded dragon has become accustomed to eating crickets, you can allow them to share the same enclosure.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are wonderful, docile pets that make great companions. However, they do require a healthy diet of insects like crickets and mealworms as part of their daily care routine.
At the same time, be sure to provide your bearded dragon with a variety of other foods.
If your bearded dragon isn’t eating crickets, it could be a sign of health problems.
You should consult with a vet as soon as you can.
My name is Brad and I am the main editor of BeardieZilla.com.
The only goal of this site is quite simply to be able to help you. To help you by the means of my experiment, of the relation which I maintain with my bearded dragon as well as some of my knowledge about beardies.
I hope that you will find answers to some of your most pressing questions here.
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the blog!
- Are you supposed to clip a bearded dragon’s nails? - October 21, 2022
- What do you do when you first get a bearded dragon? - October 21, 2022
- What is the best vegetable for bearded dragons? - October 21, 2022