Bearded dragons from the genus of reptiles are getting popular as pets. One of the most common questions about them is – are they omnivores? In this article, we will explore the dietary needs of bearded dragons and discuss whether they are considered omnivores or not.
What is a Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are popular among reptile enthusiasts due to their colorful appearance and relative ease of care. Like all reptiles, bearded dragons typically eat a diet consisting mostly of insects, but some owners choose to feed them a more varied diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
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Are Bearded Dragons Omnivores?
Bearded Dragons are omnivores that have had to survive in difficult environments and adapt to eating food other than their primary preferred diet of insects as it is an insectivore. They have evolved to eat both plant and animal-based diet making them omnivores.
With their exceptional sense of smell, Bearded Dragons are able to find food that is not easily found by other animals. This is due to the fact that their sense of smell is about 10,000 times more sensitive than ours.
What does this mean for their diet and what do they eat in the wild?
A Bearded Dragon’s diet in the wild will typically consist of 70% insects, 20% plant matter, and 10% fruits. This means that they are primarily insectivores but have evolved to be able to eat other foods as well. Insects such as crickets, locusts, beetles, grasshoppers, cockroaches, and spiders make up most of their diet.
In addition to insects, bearded dragons will also eat leaves, flowers, and fruits. The most common plants that they eat are hibiscus, dandelion, and rose. They will also eat vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and turnips.
In conclusion, bearded dragons are considered to be omnivores because they are able to survive on a diet of both plants and animals. While they prefer to eat insects, they will also eat other foods such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Plants and Animals to feed bearded dragons:
Vegetables: Some of the best veggies you can feed your bearded dragon include; bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, turnips, collard greens, beet greens, mustard greens, broccoli, turnip greens, alfalfa hay or chow, bok choy, kale, parsley and Swiss chard. They will also eat flowers such as hibiscus, dandelion, and rose.
Fruits: Some examples of fruit that bearded dragons can eat include; apples, bananas, grapes, melon, papaya, peaches and pears. However, it is important to be aware that some fruits contain higher amounts of sugar than others and should only be given as an occasional treat.
Insects: The most common insects that bearded dragons eat are crickets, locusts, beetles, grasshoppers, cockroaches and spiders.
While a bearded dragon’s diet consists mostly of plants and animals, they are also known to eat other things such as rocks and dirt. This is a natural behavior called geophagia, and it is believed to be due to their need for extra calcium in their diet.
FAQs
Q: Do Bearded Dragons Need to Eat Meat?
A: While bearded dragons are mostly herbivorous, they do require some amount of meat in their diet for protein. A good rule of thumb is to offer them insects 2-3 times per week.
Q: Can I Feed My Bearded Dragon Fruit Every Day?
A: While fruit is a good source of vitamins and minerals, it should only be given to bearded dragons as an occasional treat. This is because some fruits contain high amounts of sugar which can lead to health problems if eaten in large quantities.
Q: What Happens If I Don’t Feed My Bearded Dragon Enough Insects?
A: If a bearded dragon isn’t getting enough protein in their diet, they may become lethargic and have trouble shedding their skin. In severe cases, it can lead to organ failure and death.
Q: What Happens If I Feed My Bearded Dragon Too Many Insects?
A: If a bearded dragon eats too many insects, they may suffer from health problems such as obesity, liver disease, and heart disease.
Q: Are bearded dragons nocturnals?
A: No, bearded dragons are diurnal animals which means they are active during the day and sleep at night.
Q: Can I feed my bearded dragon live food?
A: While bearded dragons will typically eat live food, it is not recommended as it can sometimes lead to injury. If you do choose to feed them live food, make sure that the insects are not larger than.
Q: What is the lifespan of a bearded dragon?
A: The average lifespan of a bearded dragon is 10-12 years, but they can live up to 20 years with proper care.
Conclusion
Overall, bearded dragons are considered to be omnivores because they have evolved to eat both plant and animal-based foods. They have exceptional senses of smell that allow them to find food, even if other animals
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
