Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders?
Bearded dragons are a popular pet reptile, and it’s important to make sure they get the right diet. If you’re considering feeding your bearded dragon spiders, you may be wondering if this is safe. In this article, we’ll discuss whether or not bearded dragons can eat spiders and what type of spider would be best for them. We’ll also talk about how much spider should be given and other dietary considerations for keeping your bearded dragon healthy.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. While spiders may not be a regular part of their diet in the wild, it is possible to feed them spiders as an occasional treat. However, you should take caution when feeding your bearded dragon any type of insect or spider, as some can contain toxins that could be dangerous for your pet.
Types of Spiders Safe for Bearded Dragons
When choosing a spider to feed your bearded dragon, it’s important to make sure that it is safe for them to consume. The best types of spiders are those found in the wild and eaten by other reptiles such as lizards and snakes. These include:
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Mealworms
- Wax worms
Avoid giving your bearded dragon tarantulas or wolf spiders as these can contain toxins that could be harmful if ingested. Additionally, try to avoid purchasing store-bought insects or spiders as they may have been treated with chemicals which could also be toxic. Wild-caught insects should always be rinsed with water before being fed to your beardie.
How Much Spider Should You Give?
Spiders should only ever comprise a small portion of a beardie’s diet – no more than 10 per cent — so you shouldn’t need to give them too much at once.
Generally speaking, one large cricket or grasshopper every other day is sufficient for an adult bearded dragon; this amount can increase slightly for a juvenile dragon who needs more food due to their rapid growth rate. As far as spider quantity goes, start by offering one spider about twice weekly and observe how your pet responds before increasing the frequency or number offered if needed.
Safety Considerations When Feeding Bearded Dragons Spiders
It is important to note that while most wild-caught bugs are safe for beardies, there is still potential risk involved when feeding live prey items like crickets or grasshoppers since they can carry parasites like mites which can pass on diseases such as salmonella and cryptosporidiosis (Crypto).
To reduce this risk, make sure you purchase from reputable suppliers who offer healthy insects free from parasites and contaminants (e.g., pesticides). Additionally, you should always wash off any dirt or debris prior to feeding them to your beardie so they don’t ingest anything potentially harmful during digestion.
Lastly, never forget about nutrition! Make sure that all prey items given provide essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health; this includes gut loading live insects with nutritious foods beforehand so they become nutrient-rich snacks once eaten by the reptile!
What Is Poisonous To Bearded Dragons?
Bearded dragons are wonderful pets, but they can be sensitive to certain foods and other items. Knowing what is poisonous to bearded dragons is an important part of owning one.
One type of food that is poisonous to bearded dragons is avocados. Avocados contain a toxin called persin, which can cause serious health problems in bearded dragons if ingested.
Wild-caught insects such as spiders, centipedes, and scorpions should also be avoided as they may contain toxins or bacteria that could make your pet sick. Other vegetables and fruits with high amounts of oxalates or phosphorous should be avoided as well. These include broccoli, spinach, rhubarb, kiwi, pineapple, oranges and grapes.
In addition to food items that are toxic for bearded dragons, there are also several household items that can be dangerous for them if ingested. String and yarn should always be kept out of reach of your beardie since it can become tangled in their digestive tract and cause a blockage if swallowed.
Small objects like coins or buttons can also pose a choking hazard so it’s best to keep these away from your pet as well. Bearded dragons should also not come into contact with any cleaning products such as bleach or ammonia since these chemicals can irritate their skin or even burn their eyes if exposed too long.
What Insects Can You Feed A Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles, which means they consume both plant and animal matter. While their diet should be largely supplemented with commercial foods specifically designed for the species, it is also possible to include some insects in their diet too.
Insects that can be fed to bearded dragons include crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, grasshoppers and roaches. All of these insects should be dusting with a calcium or multivitamin supplement prior to feeding them to your dragon.
Additionally, all wild-caught insects should be avoided as they may carry parasites or disease that could harm your pet. Insects such as locusts and moths should never be offered to bearded dragons as they contain toxins that could prove fatal if ingested by the reptile.
It is important not to overfeed your dragon; generally no more than 10-15 live insects twice daily is enough for an adult beardie. This number can vary depending on the size of the individual dragon but it’s always best err on the side of caution when offering feeder insects so you don’t risk overfeeding your reptilian friend!
What Should Bearded Dragons Never Eat?
Bearded dragons are a popular pet choice, but they require special diets in order to stay healthy. It is important to be aware of what foods should and should not be fed to them. Here is a list of items that bearded dragons should never eat:
First, avoid offering your dragon any food that contains high levels of oxalates or calcium as these can cause health problems such as metabolic bone disease. This includes spinach, kale, cabbage, mustard greens and swiss chard.
Second, steer clear from giving your dragon fruits such as apples or oranges since their sugar content is too high for their delicate digestive systems. Also avoid giving any form of processed foods such as chips or crackers; these have no nutritional value for them and could disrupt their digestion.
In addition to avoiding things on this list it’s also essential to know the proper portions for each meal you give your dragon when feeding them live insects or other forms of protein sources like crickets and worms.
Feeding too many insects can lead to obesity which can then cause other health issues down the line so make sure you follow the recommended portion sizes according to your dragon’s age and size when offering these types of proteins.
Ultimately it’s important that all owners look into the diet needs for their particular species before making decisions about what they feed theirs – doing research ahead of time will ensure that we provide our beloved pets with the best possible care!
Can A Bearded Dragon Eat A Fly?
Yes, a bearded dragon can eat a fly. Flies are an important part of the bearded dragon’s natural diet in the wild, and they can be offered as an occasional treat in captivity. However, it is important to remember that flies should only be fed to your bearded dragon occasionally, as they are high in fat and protein which could cause health issues if given too regularly.
When feeding flies to your beardie, make sure you do not feed them any kind of pesticide-treated or other toxic insects. Also avoid wild-caught bugs as these may carry parasites or diseases that could harm your pet. The best option is purchasing commercially bred feeder insects from pet stores or online retailers specifically for reptile consumption.
Not only will this ensure that the insect is safe for your beardie but it will also help support responsible breeding practices for feeder animals. It is also important to make sure the fly you give your beardie is an appropriate size – no bigger than half its head – so that it does not choke on it or have difficulty digesting it due to its size.
In conclusion, while flies can be a beneficial treat for bearded dragons when given safely and responsibly, owners should ensure they understand how to properly introduce new foods into their diet before offering them anything beyond what they already eat on a daily basis.
Is Bearded Dragon Poop Toxic?
No, bearded dragon poop is not toxic. However, it can still be hazardous to humans due to bacteria and parasites that may be present in the feces. Owners should take precaution when cleaning up their pet’s droppings and always wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
Bearded dragons are omnivores so they eat a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, insects, and small vertebrates. This means that the composition of their feces will depend on what they have been eating lately.
For example, if your beardie has been consuming lots of fruit recently then you could expect there to be more indigestible fibers or carbohydrates present in its droppings than usual.
As such, these types of food items can pose an increased risk for bacterial contamination if left uncleaned as they provide an ideal environment for harmful microorganisms to breed and flourish in.
In addition to this, certain parasites may also be present within the fecal matter which could potentially cause health issues for both your pet and yourself if not properly disposed of or sanitized appropriately after collection.
It is therefore important that owners clean up after their pets regularly using gloves and/or proper sanitation measures like disinfectants or bleach solutions before disposing of the waste material safely away from any living areas or edible products in order to prevent potential contamination risks from occurring.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is up to the owner of the bearded dragon to decide what their pet can eat. Bearded dragons are omnivores and can benefit from a balanced diet that includes both live insects and vegetables.
Spiders should not be part of that diet because they may contain harmful toxins or parasites that could be deadly for your pet. If you choose to feed spiders, make sure they are properly identified and free of any chemicals before offering them as food. Taking proper care when feeding your bearded dragon will ensure its health and longevity.

Alexander is the owner of AnimalQnA. He is a pet lover. He has created this blog to share some of his knowledge on different kinds of pets.