different foods

[malt_geckos]

I was wondering what different foods I can give my beardies other than crickets and mealies. I do give the female roaches occascionally. What else can they get?

 

[Lena]

Silkworms are by far the best staple you can offer, their nutritional value is unmatched.

As far as treats go, you can try butter worms, hornworms, pheonix worms, and superworms.

You can check out this great chart for more ideas.
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Kristi23]

I use roaches, silkworms, and hornworms. I tried butterworms, but he didn't digest them at all. Also, lots of dark greens and veggies. I usually use mustard or collard greens with a little bit of basil, snowpeas, and apples or kiwi. That chart is really helpful. I printed it out awhile ago so I know what I can't feed Norman. Right now, Norman doesn't eat many of his veggies, so the majority of his diet is dubias.

 

[Lena]

I know butterworms have some weird chemicals or enzymes in them, I once fed them to my beardie and he gobbled them up, but I noticed that they have the strange ability to melt plastic. One of them melted a small hole through the plastic container I had them in.

 

[clear]

Roaches, horn worms, silk worms, phoenix worms, super worms, crickets.

 

[adelaide]

As far as veggies, I'd use this

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutritionframeset.html

I really like superworms because they're so easy to maintain and he really likes horned worms. I've never tried silkworms before because it seems they're almost always impossible to find, even on the websites.

 

[Hacksaw]

For a treat, I'll offer 1-2 Hornworms every few weeks. They love Watermelon and Rasberries.

 

[Echostatic]

be careful when feeding superworms as they are pretty addictive and are too fatty to be used regularly.

 

[stano40]

Feeding your bearded dragon (Pagona vitticeps) is not difficult and can be done with feeding greens in the morning and protein (bugs) a couple of times a week.

In the beginning, if you have a new bearded dragon and don't know how much he or she will eat I would make a handful of greens always available during the day. After awhile you will know how much to feed greens in the morning by what they consume during the day.

I use a spring mix you can buy at any large food store. Newman's own does not contain spinach. On a side not spinach is not good for your dragon in large quantities and a steady diet. The amount of spinach found in a common spring mix is minimal and will not be a risk to your dragon. I also add hibiscus flowers and nasturtium flowers that I have growing in my garden. This is a special treat for them and they love the flowers.

Add shredded veggies along with your greens and add chopped fruits for a treat.

See the list below for approved diet.

Your bearded dragon should have a plump look, not skinny.

It is also important to spray (water) the greens lightly and dust with calcium with D3 added. I do this for every feeding. Rep-cal makes a very good calcium w/D3. This will help their gut flora to stabilize.

For a vitamin I use Acidophiliz+ or use a Multi Vitamin with Acidophilus on a monthly basis. This site has what you need for the afore mentioned

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Meds.html

Once a week I give them a warm bath to make sure they are hydrated properly. More if it is needed.

Very Important, make sure they have a heat spot in the range of 100-110 degrees. That is important for them to digest their food. ****DON'T USE HOT ROCKS**** I use a power sun (with UVB source) from Exo-Terra or Zoo-Med.

For crickets, mealworms, superworms or lobster or orange guyanna roach's, I let them eat as many as they want in one sitting. They'll stop when they've had enough.

I find the orange guyanna roach better suited for my adult bearded dragons. For one they don't climb the glass like lobsters do and two they are larger, meatier and slower to catch. They are also very easy to raise for a steady supply of feeder insects.

Other than the list printed here I'm going to include an easy to follow color coded chart by Beautiful Dragons, a site worth while in visiting. She has a ton of good information and supplies for your beardie

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html


BASIC DIET


Greens should make up about 80% to 85% of their diet with the remainder being insects

Crickets, mealworms & superworms, roach's, depending on the size of your dragon. Butter worms and wax worms are very high in fat content. If you have babies the phoenix worms are small and pretty good for them.

GREENS

Mustard
Collard
Turnip tops
Dandelion Greens
Escarole
Chicory
Arugula
Endive
Red & Green leaf lettuces *
Romaine *
Kale
Parsley

VEGGIES

winter squashes
green beans
parsnips
carrots
sweet potato
yellow squash


FRUITS

fig
papaya
raspberries
apple **
banana **
orange **
grapes **
plum **
peach **
mango **
All the berries **


Variety is key, try not to feed the same thing day in and day out. Mix it up.

Note: I primarily use a good spring mix you can find at the supermarket. Spinach is in small amounts in these mixes and will not harm your dragon. You just don't want the dragon to have large amounts of spinach. Usually, Newman's own & others don't have spinach in them, just check the label.

At this time of year, Spring, I will go outside & pick fresh dandelion's and flowers. Don't pick any where dogs go or near any road side. Wash them thoroughly, dry and add with your spring mix.


Dragons can not chew large chunks and it will be hard for them to digest. They do have teeth and a rule of thumb I use is pieces no larger than the space between their eyes.

This is the same rule of thumb I use to determine the size of cricket to feed a bearded dragon.

* occasionally, not a steady diet

** use as treats


FOOD NUTRITIONAL VALUES

Legend of symbols next to food type indicate suggested feeding.

If you do not understand oxalate's, the ratio of Ca (calcium) : (to) P (Phosphorus), the idea is to avoid oxalate's if possible, and keep calcium to phosphorus levels as equal (2:2, or 1:1.2) a possible to provide a balanced diet. For further information feel free to message other members or search through threads!


LEGEND:

+ Feed daily, staple
* Feed occasionally
- Feed rarely
? Questionable
X Never
NI No Information available

...............................................................................................


GREENS Ca Protein Fat NOTES

* Arugula 3:1 2.6% 0.7% scent helps initiate feeding, not nutritious, raw/small amounts
* Bok Choy 2.8:1 1.5% 0.2% High vit. C (5%), high vit. A (30 IU/g), goitrogens
+ Collard Greens 14.5:1 2.5% 0.4% Great staple, high calcium, moderate goitrogens
+ Dandelion Greens 2.8:1 2.7% 0.7% High calcium, high vit. A (140 IU/g), Caution: oxalates, pesticides
+ Endive 1.9:1 1.3% 0.2% Moderate oxalate's, high calcium, mix with other greens
+ Escarole High calcium, mix with other greens; good water carrier
* Green cabbage 2:1 1.4% 0.3% Raw; High vit. C (3%), goitrogens
* Kale 2.4:1 3.3% 0.7% High vit. A (89 IU/g), moderate oxalate's, goitrogens
X Lettuce
+ Mustard Greens 2.4:1 2.7% 0.2% Vit. C (7%), Vit. A (53 IU/g), mod. oxalate's (1287 ppm), goitrogens
* Red cabbage 1.2:1 1.4% 0.3% High vit. C (6%), moderate oxalate's (350 ppm), goitrogens
- Red leaf lettuce 1:1.2 1.3% 0.2% Poor nutritional value
- Romaine 1:1.3 1.6% 0.2% Poor nutritional value, high vit. A (26 IU/g), high oxalate's
X Spinach 2:1 2.9% 0.4%
+ Turnip Greens 4.5:1 1.5% 0.3% High vit. C (6%), high vit. A (76 IU/g)


VEGGIES

+ Acorn Squash 1:1 0.8% 0.1%
* Asparagus 1:2.7 2.3% 0.2% raw
X Avocado 1:4 2.1% 17.3% Unknown toxicity - deadly for birds
- Beets 1:1 0.9% 0.1% canned
* Red/Green Bell Peppers 1:2 0.9% 0.2%
* Yellow Bell Peppers 1:2.2 1.0% 0.2%
- Broccoli 1:1.4 3.0% 0.4% High vit. C (9%), high oxalate's (14:1 ox:cal), goitrogens
- Brussels Sprouts 1:1.6 3.4% 0.3% High vit. C (8%), goitrogens
- Carrots 1:1.7 0.8% 0.5%
- Cauliflower 1:2 2.0% 0.2% Goitrogens
* Celery 1.6:1 0.8% 0.1% Finely chop
- Corn 1:13 2.6% 1.0% converts to sugar quickly
* Cucumber-peeled 1:1.5 0.6% 0.2% Good source of water, poor nutritional value
? Eggplant (raw) 1:3 1.0% 0.2% Moderate oxalate's (291 ppm), could be toxic to Beardies???
* Green Beans-can 0.4:1 1.2% 0.1% Moderate oxalate's (312 ppm)
* Green Beans-raw 1:1 1.8% 0.1% Moderate oxalate's (312 ppm)
- Green Peas-raw 1:4.3 5.4% 0.4%
? Portabello-raw 1:16.3 2.5% 0.2% High phosphorus, WARNING - some mushrooms toxic to Beardies.
* Okra 1.3:1 2.0% 0.1%
- Olives-can 29:1 0.8% 10.7% High in calcium and fat, high vit. E (3%)
- Parsley 2.4:1 3.0% 0.8% High oxalate's (14:1 ox:ca), Vit. C (13%), Vit. A (51 IU/g)
* Parsnips 1:2 1.2% 0.3%
- Potato, russet 1:5 1.7% 0.1%
* Pumpkin, raw 1:2 1.0% 0.1%
* Radicchio 1:2 1.4% 0.3%
* Radish 1:1 0.6% 0.5% Moderate oxalate's (92 ppm)
X Rhubarb 6:1 0.9% 0.2% Highly toxic! High oxalates (13,360 ppm)
- Rutabaga, raw 1:1.2 1.2% 0.2% Goitrogens
* Snap peas & pod 1:1.2 2.8% 0.2%
+ Squash, Butternut 1.5:1 1.0% 0.1% High fiber, high vit. A (78 IU/g)
+ Squash, Hubbard 1:1.5 2.0% 0.5% High fiber, high vit. A (54 IU/g)
+ Squash, Scallop 1:2 1.2% 0.2%
+ Squash, Spaghetti 2:1 0.6% 0.6% High calcium and fiber
+ Squash, Summer 1:1.8 1.2% 0.2%
- Sweet Potatoes 1:1.3 1.7% 0.3%
- Tomatoes 1:5 0.9% 0.3%
* Turnip 1:1 0.9% 0.1% Moderate oxalate's (4:1 ox:ca), goitrogens
* Watercress 2:1 2.3% 0.1% High vit. C (4%), high vit. A
* Yams, raw 1:3.2 1.5% 0.2%
* Zucchini peeled,raw 1:4.4 2.7% 0.4% High phosphorus


FRUITS

* Apples 1:1.8 0.2% 0.3% peeled
* Apricot 1:1.4 1.4% 0.4%
- Bananas 1:3.3 1.0% 0.5% High in Phosphorus
* Blackberries 1.5:1 0.7% 0.4% Good source of Vitamin C and fiber
* Blueberries 1:1.6 0.7% 0.4%
* Cantaloupe 1:1.5 0.9% 0.3% High vit. A (32 IU/g)
* Cherries 1:1.3 1.2% 1.0%
* Cranberries 1:1.3 0.4% 0.2% High fiber
+ Fig 2.5:1 0.8% 0.3% Great staple fruit, high in calcium and fiber
* Grapefruit 1.2:1 0.6% 0.1% High Vit C (4%)
* Grapes 1.4:1 0.6% 0.4% Moderate oxalate's (34 ppm)
* Guava 1:1.3 0.8% 0.6%
* Honeydew 1:1.7 0.5% 0.1%
* Kiwi 1:1.5 1.0% 0.4%
+ Mango 1:1 0.5% 0.3% High vit. A (39 IU/g), moderate oxalate's (300 ppm)
NI Mulberries
* Nectarines 1:3 0.9% 0.5%
* Orange, mandarin 1.4:1 0.6% 0.2% Navel oranges have more vit. C and less vit. A
* Orange, naval 2:1 1.0% 0.1%
+ Papaya 5:1 0.6% 0.1% Great staple fruit, high calcium, high vit. C (6%)
* Peaches 1:2.4 0.7% 0.1% Low oxalate's (10 ppm), goitrogens
* Pear (not Asian) 1:1 0.4% 0.4% High oxalate's
* Pineapple-can 2:1 0.4% 0.1% Moderate oxalate's (58 ppm)
* Pineapple-fresh 1:1 0.4% 0.4% Moderate oxalate's (58 ppm)
* Plums 1:2.5 0.8% 0.6%
- Pomegranate 1:2.7 1.0% 0.3%
* Prunes, canned 1:1.5 0.9% 0.2%
* Raisins, seedless 1:2 3.2% 0.5% Great treat, high fiber
+ Raspberries 2:1 0.9% 0.6% Excellent source of fiber & calcium
- Star fruit 1:4 0.5% 0.4% High oxalate's (95,800 ppm)
* Strawberries 1:1.4 0.6% 0.4% High vit. C, goitrogens
* Watermelon 1:1 0.6% 0.4%


MEAT

* Butterworms 16.2% 5.2% contain twice the calcium of other feeder worms
? Chicken 1:16.7 27.1% 4.1% High phosphorus, high protein (white meat only)
* Earthworm 10.0% 2.0%
- Egg (hardboiled) 1:3.4 2.6% 10.6%
? Low fat ground beef 1:15.5 26.1% 11.7% High phosphorus and protein
- Mealworm 1:25 20.3% 12.7% Low calcium, high phosphorus & fat, hard chitin shell
- Pinky mouse 1:1 Very high in fat
? Pork chop 1:7.8 30.2% 8.1% High in phosphorus
+ Silkworm 1:3 54.7% 43.0%
* Superworms 1:18 17.4% 17.9% High phosphorus, dust or inject to increase calcium
* Waxworms 1:7 15.5% 22.2% High phosphorus, dust to increase calcium


MISC

* Basil 2.2:? 2.5% 0.6% High vit. A (39 IU/g)
* Beans, Garbanzo 1:2.8 5.0% 1.1%
* Beans, Kidney 1:3.9 5.2% 0.3%
* Beans, Lima 1:3.5 4.9% 0.2%
* Beans, Pinto 1:2.1 4.9% 0.8%
+ Cactus Pad/Leaf 2.3:1 0.8% 0.5% Great staple veggie, high calcium
* Cilantro 1.4:1 2.1% 0.5% High vit. A (40 IU/g), moderate oxalate's (50 ppm)
* Peppermint plant 3.3:1 3.8% 0.9% High vit. C (3%), high vit. A (43 IU/g), high fiber
- Rice brown/long grain 1:8.3 2.6% 0.9% Must be cooked
- Soybeans 1:2.4 16.6% 9.0% goitrogens
? Spaghetti-cooked 1:7 4.8% 0.7%
* Spearmint 3.3:1 3.3% 0.7%
* Wheat grass 1:1 25.0% Very nutritious for reptiles and humans.


FLOWERS

NI Carnations
NI Chinese Lantern edible: flowers
NI Daisy
NI Day Lilies edible: flowers
NI Geranium edible: flowers & foliage
NI Hibiscus entices finicky eaters; bloom and foliage
NI Ice Plant
NI Mulberry edible: foliage & fruits
NI Nasturtium
NI Rose Blossoms
NI Pollen triggers food response; use sparingly; human food-grade, bee collected
NI Dandelion edible: bloom & foliage A
NI Alfalfa less than 10% of diet; high in tannins which binds protein
NI Hollyhock Mallow edible: bloom & foliage; grows a lot of blooms if plant self




sources:
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/home.html
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07237.html
http://www.dachiu.com/care/abeard.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/gladescs/bearded/
http://www.lihs.org/files/caresheets/sheet16.htm
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Meds.html
http://thelizardcorral.proboards67.com/index.cgi?board=bearded

USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/index.html


Source: With Permission Granted

http://thelizardcorral.proboards67.com/index.cgi?board=bearded&action=display&thread=43

 

[Lecko my Gecko]

mallory, they are 80% vegitarians in the wild, any leafy greens should be offered every day. romain, collard, ect... feed insects seconday.

 

[Echostatic]

mallory, they are 80% vegitarians in the wild, any leafy greens should be offered every day. romain, collard, ect... feed insects seconday.

it depends on age. they grow very rapidly from birth to 1.5 years old, and they need as much protien as they can eat during that time.

afterwards collard greens, mustard greens, squash etc should make up the majority of their diet. romaine shouldnt be fed since it is a poor food nutritionally and can cause diarheea.

 

[Lecko my Gecko]

it depends on age. they grow very rapidly from birth to 1.5 years old, and they need as much protien as they can eat during that time.

afterwards collard greens, mustard greens, squash etc should make up the majority of their diet. romaine shouldnt be fed since it is a poor food nutritionally and can cause diarheea.

I agree but if its not offered on a regular basis some dragons will only eat the insects causing them to be obease and shorten their life span! as for romain not being good, I fed it as main ingredient in their salads everyday when I worked for sandifre( I was a rep and breeder for over 10 yrs). you want to stay away from things that are gassy like kale and broc. rabe. you have to remember these animals are 80% veggitarians in the wild they dont get alot of protien as babies.

 

[Lena]

To clarify..

ADULTS
80% Veggies
20% Live

BABIES AND JUVIES
80% Live
20% Veggies

Romaine isn't the best, it causes diarrhea, but it isn't the worst.

 

[Echostatic]

their lifespan is also halved in the wild, and they are not as big and healthy.

they should have all the protein they can eat up to 1.5 years. although that is mostly what they are eating, they should still be offered greens every day. they eventually come around to them, and they will usually make the switch to 80% greens 20% insects themselves.

 

[malt_geckos]

Thanks everyone. Romain doesn't cause diarhea because I've been feeding it to them and they like it better than collards and I see no problems.

 

[Echostatic]

well romaine has far less calcium that collard greens. it has very little in it in the way of nurtition, and has a lot of oxalic acid which is going to bind a lot of calcium. that sounds like a problem to me. its your choice if you want to feed it but if thats what they are eating a lot of, its not a good one.

 

[fallen_angel]

Yes, collard and mustard greens are the best nutrition-wise.. our beardies didn't seem to really like the collard greens at first, but they came around

Also, not sure if anyone mentioned this, and it's not like you would do this, but Iceberg lettuce can kill them

 

[Ccrashca069]

I don't feed Iceberg to any animals. I don't even eat that crap lol. At the San Jose Reptile Show there was a Vender Selling some dehydrated food diets. I got a few samples. Looks cool just have not tried it yet. Here is the web site www.sfbb.com