A lizard as a pet is something you might consider. The bearded dragon is a great choice for a pet. These reptiles are great pets for anyone interested in herpetology. These reptiles are one of the most beautiful species and they are easy to care for.
Healthy eating habits are key to keeping your bearded Dragon happy. We should try to give reptile owners food that is similar to what they would find in the wild. It makes sense that reptile owners should allow them to eat insects as part of their natural diet. Can they eat grasshoppers, however?
Yes, bearded Dragons can eat grasshoppers.
Let’s find out what a bearded Dragon eats and how grasshoppers could play a significant role in it.
What does a Bearded Dragon’s diet look like?
Bearded dragons eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as animal-sourced protein, mainly insects. Bearded dragons are omnivores so these insects are essential. They can’t eat only plant-based foods. To get the best nutrition, they need to eat a healthy amount of protein.
If you are afraid of bugs, then you need to overcome your fear.
As they get older, the amount of protein they require changes. Beardies will need more protein in their early years. Their bodies will become more herbivorous as they age.
Nutrients found in Grasshoppers
Other than mealworms and grubs, grasshoppers are a favorite bug for bearded dragons to eat. Here are the nutrients that your reptile friend can get from just one serving of grasshoppers.
| Nutrients | Amount / 100% |
| Fat | 40% |
| Carotenoids | 900 ug/100g |
| Iron | 5% |
| Protein | 39% |
| Dietary fiber | 13% |
| Ash | 2.7% |
| Calcium | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 2.4% |
As you can see grasshoppers provide a lot of nutrition. We recommend grasshoppers be a staple of your bearded dragon’s diet.
How Many Grasshoppers can my Bearded Dragon eat?
Bearded dragons are fond of eating grasshoppers. However, it is crucial that you give them only the right amount every time.
First, you need to recognize that your bearded Dragon pet will need to eat other insects than grasshoppers. It would be a shame to eat the same thing every day.
Your bearded dragon is no different.
Instead, you should offer grasshopper meals only once per week. He will be able to enjoy other insects and still get to enjoy an old favorite.
Your bearded dragon should consume 70% of their daily protein intake while they are still babies. This is so they can grow up strong and healthy.
How do you determine how many grasshoppers you need? Well, it depends.
What size are your grasshoppers Is your lizard hungry? Is your bearded dragon ready to hunt? Talking to an exotic veterinarian can help you determine the best number for your bearded dragon’s age, size, and health.
Bearded dragons are known to not overeat. They will stop eating when they have had enough. However, you shouldn’t leave unattended grasshoppers in their natural habitats.
Can My Bearded Dragon Eat Wild Grasshoppers
Bearded dragons were originally wild reptiles that ate many insects. It might seem logical to them that grasshoppers they catch from your garden are safe for them.
But this is not true.
Wild grasshoppers–especially those found in urban or farming settings–may have been exposed to or been in contact with pesticides. These chemicals can cause severe harm to your reptile friend.
Wild grasshoppers are not good for their health.
Only feed grasshoppers from a trusted retailer or pet shop, or those that you raise at home.
Bearded Dragons and Other Insects Can Eat
Are you looking to feed your bearded Dragon other insects?
These insects are worth a shot when you feed your bearded Dragon.
- Roaches (dubia-roaches).
- Mealworms
- Crickets
- Silkworms
- Phoenix worms
- Waxworms
Conclusion
Although grasshoppers might not seem like a great snack, they make a delicious mealtime staple for bearded Dragons. They are affordable, nutritious, delicious, and great for beardies.
Keep in mind that wild-caught grasshoppers are not to be trusted. You don’t know their past. They could also be carriers of pesticides and other poisons.
Can I feed grasshoppers to my bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons are a popular meal because of their ravenous appetite and love of insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, however, they should only ingest insects if feasible. Some may question if bearded dragons can be given freshly killed crickets, however, this is not the case.
What insects should you feed your Bearded Dragon?
Roaches from Dubia. Hornworms (a.k.a. Goliath Worms) (a.k.a. Goliath Worms) Waxworms. Superworms. Mealworms. Crickets. Larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (Nutrigrubs) Butterworms.
What is the preferred meal of a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons enjoy eating live bugs. Feeding time will be enjoyable if you love watching a good chase. Roaches, crickets, and worms are commonly fed to pet dragons.
Do bearded dragons require insects on a daily basis?
Adult bearded dragons require live insect feedings once a day or every other day. The optimum feeding regimen for your beardie is up to you and your beardie’s veterinarian.
Should I feed my bearded dragon roaches every day?
A fully developed bearded dragon may consume three to five Dubia roaches in two to three feedings every day. Baby bearded dragons, on the other hand, will require more Dubia roaches. They consume 25 to 50 of these insects each day and can be fed many times per day.
Can I give dead crickets to my beardie?
You should never give dead crickets to your dragon. When a cricket dies, it loses its capacity to hold moisture in its body, and that moisture begins to evaporate, carrying many of its nutrients with it.
What bugs are forbidden to bearded dragons?
Never feed a glowing bug to your bearded dragon. Fireflies, lightning bugs, and other worms that glow in the dark are examples of this. The substance that causes these insects to shine is extremely harmful to bearded dragons. Avocados should also be avoided since they are toxic to bears.
What is poisonous to bearded dragons?
There is a vast list of dangerous natural plants for Bearded Dragons. Bracken fern, buttercup, crocus, daffodil, holly, horse chestnut, ivy, oak, and poppy are a few that are more frequent in the UK. Essentially, if you aren’t certain it is safe for your pet, don’t offer it to them.