About feeding a bearded dragon
Bearded dragons are omnivorous desert lizards whose diet flips as they grow: babies are insect-hungry protein machines, while adults eat mostly leafy greens and vegetables. Getting the insect-to-greens ratio right for the age is the single most important feeding decision.
How much should a bearded dragon eat?
Reptile feeding depends far more on life stage and diet ratio than on a single calorie number. The schedule below shows how the insect-to-plant ratio and feeding frequency change as the animal grows.
| Life stage | Diet ratio & feeding frequency |
|---|---|
| Baby (0–3 months, under 40g) | ~80% insects, ~20% greens — feed insects twice daily, as many as eaten in 5 mins |
| Juvenile (3–12 months) | ~60% insects, ~40% greens — feed insects once or twice daily |
| Sub-adult (12–18 months) | ~40% insects, ~60% greens — insects every other day |
| Adult (18 months+) | ~20–30% insects, ~70–80% greens — insects 3–5× per week |
What to feed
Baby beardies eat roughly 80% insects and 20% greens; adults eat roughly 20-30% insects and 70-80% greens. Insects (dubia roaches, crickets, black soldier fly larvae) must be gut-loaded and dusted with calcium and vitamin D3. Feeder insects should be no wider than the space between the dragon's eyes.
How often to feed
Babies are fed insects two to three times a day (as many as eaten in about 5-10 minutes), juveniles once or twice daily, and adults insects only 3-5 times a week alongside a large daily salad.
Common feeding mistakes
- Feeding adults too many insects and too few greens, causing obesity and fatty liver.
- Not dusting insects with calcium/D3, leading to metabolic bone disease.
- Feeder insects that are too large (bigger than the eye gap), risking impaction.
- Offering foods high in oxalates or that bind calcium as staples.
Weight & health
Metabolic bone disease from calcium/D3 deficiency and obesity from overfeeding insects are the two big diet-related problems. Proper UVB lighting plus dusted, gut-loaded insects and a varied salad prevent both.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a bearded dragon?
Babies eat mostly insects (as many as eaten in 5-10 minutes, two to three times daily) plus some greens; adults eat mostly greens daily with insects only 3-5 times a week. Use the calculator to estimate insect counts by weight.
What do bearded dragons eat?
A mix of gut-loaded, calcium-dusted insects (dubia roaches, crickets, BSFL) and leafy greens and vegetables. The ratio shifts from insect-heavy in babies to greens-heavy in adults.
How often do adult bearded dragons eat insects?
About 3-5 times a week, alongside a fresh salad every day. Feeding adults insects daily leads to obesity.
Why does my bearded dragon need calcium powder?
To prevent metabolic bone disease. Dusting gut-loaded insects with calcium and vitamin D3, combined with proper UVB lighting, ensures the dragon can build and maintain healthy bone.