Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cicadas?

Bearded dragons are popular reptiles kept as pets and their diet consists of both plant-based items and insects. Many people wonder if it’s safe for them to eat cicadas, a type of insect that lives in trees and has a loud chirping sound. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and discuss the potential risks associated with feeding bearded dragons cicadas. We’ll also cover what other types of food can be offered as alternatives to cicadas.

Are Cicadas Safe for Bearded Dragons?

When considering whether cicadas are a safe food option for bearded dragons, it is important to understand the nutritional needs of these reptiles. Bearded dragons require a balanced diet consisting of insects, plants, and other items that provide calcium and vitamins.

Cicadas are an insect that can be consumed by bearded dragons without significant risk to their health; however, they should never make up the majority of the dragon’s diet. Although cicadas offer some nutritional value in terms of protein, fat, carbohydrates and minerals such as iron and zinc, they do not contain enough calcium or vitamins A & D3 which are essential components of any beardie’s diet. Therefore they should only ever be fed as occasional treats.

Potential Risks when Feeding Cicadas to Your Beardie

There are potential risks associated with feeding your beardie cicadas including:

• Choking Hazard: Cicada exoskeletons may present a choking hazard if not properly removed prior to offering them as food.
• Infection: Cicadas may carry diseases or parasites that could potentially infect your pet.
• Allergies: Bearded dragons may have allergies or sensitivities to certain foods including cicadas.

Therefore it is important to research any type of food before you introduce it into your dragon’s diet. You should also consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns about introducing new foods into your beardie’s diet.

Alternatives To Feeding Cicadas To Your Beardie

If you decide against feeding your beardie cicada then there are plenty of other nutritious options available that will provide all the necessary nutrients needed for optimal health. These include crickets, mealworms, wax worms and various leafy greens such as kale and collard greens.

Fruits such as apples and pears can also be offered occasionally as treats but should not make up more than 10% of their total dietary intake due to their high sugar content. Additionally supplements containing calcium carbonate or calcium citrate should also be added onto their meals twice weekly in order ensure they get all the necessary minerals in their diets.

What Insects Can You Feed A Bearded Dragon?

Insects are a major component of the bearded dragon diet, and feeding your pet dragon the appropriate types is essential to their health. Generally speaking, any insect that is safe for human consumption can also be safely fed to a bearded dragon. However, there are certain insects that are especially beneficial for dragons’ diets due to their high levels of nutrition and fat content.

The most common type of insect you should feed your bearded dragon is dubia roaches. These insects have an exoskeleton made up of chitin which makes them crunchy enough for dragons to eat without fear of impaction but soft enough so they don’t damage tooth enamel or digestive tracts.

Dubia roaches have a very good ratio of protein-to-fat compared to other feeder insects, making them ideal as a staple food in your reptile’s diet. Other popular insects include crickets, mealworms, wax worms, superworms and silkworms (not wild caught). All these insects provide adequate nutrition for your pet dragon if offered regularly in moderation with calcium supplementation added as needed.

It’s important to remember that all feeder insects must be gut loaded prior to being offered; this means giving them nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables before you offer them as food for your pet. You should also dust the feeders lightly with vitamin supplements like ReptiVite once every few weeks in order to make sure your beardie gets the necessary vitamins and minerals from its diet.

What Bugs Can Bearded Dragons Not Eat?

Bearded dragons cannot eat any kind of bug that is bigger than the space between their eyes. This means that they should not consume large, hard-bodied insects like beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and moths. These bugs are too big for a bearded dragon to safely digest and can cause choking or blockages in their digestive system.

In addition to avoiding large bugs, it’s important to make sure that your bearded dragon isn’t eating any bug with a hard exoskeleton or sharp parts on its body. Even small insects like mealworms can be dangerous if they have tough shells; these types of bugs can cause internal damage when ingested by a bearded dragon. Fireflies and lightningbugs also contain toxins in their bodies which could be harmful if consumed by your pet reptile.

Overall, it’s best to stick with smaller feeder insects such as wax worms, dubia roaches, silkworms and Phoenix Worms when feeding your bearded dragon. These bugs are soft-bodied and easy for your pet to digest without risk of injury or illness.

What Foods Are Poisonous To Beardies?

Bearded dragons, like many other reptiles, are at risk of being poisoned by certain foods. It is important to understand which foods can be harmful and potentially fatal if ingested by your pet. Knowing which food items are poisonous to Beardies can help prevent serious health concerns for your beloved dragon.

The most common toxic foods for Beardies include raw or undercooked egg whites, avocado, chocolate, garlic, onions, mushrooms and some nuts. These types of food should never be given to a Bearded Dragon as they can cause gastrointestinal upset and even death in some cases.

Additionally, there are also several fruits that contain toxins that could have adverse effects on the reptile’s health if consumed in large quantities such as apples (unripe), grapes and raisins. Furthermore, too much calcium-rich vegetables such as broccoli or kale can lead to metabolic bone disease so it is best to limit their intake when feeding your Beardie.

It’s always safer to stick with commercial diets designed specifically for Beardies than taking risks with wild caught prey items like crickets or mealworms you may encounter outdoors – these insects could carry diseases or parasites that would be dangerous for the reptile’s health so it’s best not to take any chances!

If you ever have any questions about what type of food is safe for your Bearded Dragon make sure you contact an experienced reptile veterinarian who will be able provide advice tailored towards the individual needs of your pet lizard.

Can You Feed Dead Bugs To Bearded Dragons?

No, you should not feed dead bugs to bearded dragons. Dead insects can be dangerous for bearded dragons as they can carry bacteria and diseases that may make your pet sick or even kill them. Additionally, feeding a bearded dragon a dead bug is not an appropriate way to provide nutrition as the insect will have lost its nutritional value when it died.

Bearded dragons are carnivorous reptiles who need live food in order to survive and thrive. Live prey provides essential nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water which help keep your pet healthy and active. Live insects also stimulate the natural hunting instinct of the dragon by providing movement that encourages them to hunt and catch their food just like they would in the wild.

Commonly fed live bugs include crickets, roaches, mealworms, wax worms, locusts and grasshoppers among others; all of which can easily be purchased from most pet stores or online retailers specializing in reptile supplies. Be sure to always offer several different types of live prey at each meal so that your dragon gets enough variety in their diet.

What Is A Bearded Dragons Favorite Live Food?

Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal material. In the wild, their diet consists of small insects, fruits, vegetables and other vegetation. As a pet, bearded dragons should have a mostly insect-based diet supplemented with some leafy greens and occasional fruits or vegetables. When it comes to live food, there are several options that bearded dragons enjoy.

One of the most popular live foods for bearded dragons is crickets. Crickets provide an excellent source of protein as well as fat and calcium which helps keep your dragon healthy. You can purchase crickets from many pet stores or online retailers in various sizes depending on the size of your dragon’s mouth. Before feeding them to your beardie make sure you gut load them first by giving them nutritious food like oats or bran so that they pass along those nutrients when eaten by your dragon.

Another great live food option for bearded dragons is mealworms. Mealworms offer similar nutritional benefits like crickets do and can be purchased from pet stores or online in large quantities for convenience. Unlike crickets though, mealworms tend to be higher in fat content so should only be given to beardies sparingly as part of a balanced diet plan with other live prey items such as wax worms and silkworms thrown in occasionally too.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not advisable to feed bearded dragons cicadas as they are not part of their natural diet and could cause digestive problems. It is best to provide a variety of foods that are suitable for bearded dragons such as crickets, worms, vegetables, fruits, and insects.

Bearded dragons also require supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to ensure proper growth and health. By providing an appropriate diet for your pet bearded dragon you can be confident that he or she will live a long and healthy life.