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What Should I Feed My Baby Bearded Dragon?

A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Welcoming a baby bearded dragon into your home is both extremely exciting and daunting. You’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. Maybe your mind is racing with questions like: What should I feed my new baby bearded dragon? How important is diet? Are some insects better for my dragon than others?

The Obvious: Diet Is Critical For Pet Health

Caring for a bearded dragon is extremely rewarding, but it’s not always easy. You will need to take careful care of your pet. As a responsible pet owner, you have an obligation to feed your pet a healthy diet. That’s why we’re so glad to you’re here. Let’s get started. 

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Pet Reptiles Die Before They Are a Year Old ⁹

What this post covers:

  • What insects are best for baby bearded dragons
  • How often you should feed your baby bearded dragon
  • A suggested feeding schedule
  • An easy system for feeding your new pet 

The Key Points of a Healthy Baby Bearded Dragon Diet

  • Diversity is king:This is the most important point on this list. In their natural ecosystems, bearded dragons eat an extremely varied diet. Replicating this diet in captivity ensures your pet gets the nutrients it needs to be healthy, avoid illnesses, and live an enriched life. You should be feeding your dragon AT LEAST 3 different types of insects regularly.1
  • Diet should be made up of primarily insects with occasional greens: Baby bearded dragons need high amounts of protein to fuel their rapid growth. This means roughly 90% insects and 10% greens. This can be a little hard to quantify, so stick around to the end for our recommended feeding schedule if you need some more help. 
  • Babies should be fed regularly: Twice a day is the standard. While more work, feeding your pet smaller meals more often helps replicate their natural environments, and provides steady nourishment for your hungry pet.2 3
  • Live and fresh food is important: Don’t go for canned options, they simply don’t have the nutritional value of a well cared for feeder insect.4

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Food Choices for Your Baby Bearded Dragon

Insect Options

  • Dubia Roaches: An excellent and versatile feeder due to their exceptional nutritional make up
  • Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL): High in calcium, this is another excellent addition to any bearded dragons diet.
  • Crickets: Frankly, we don’t love crickets. They stink, are loud, and can bite your pet (not kidding). But any list would be incomplete without them. We don’t recommend them for the above reasons, but they are a proven staple of the reptile world.
  • Hornworms: High in water content, they are an excellent addition (in moderation) to a good diet
  • Superworms: While you need to be careful with moderation, their high fat content provides ample energy to developing babies. 
  • Mealworms: With a similar nutritional content to superworms, they are sometimes avoided for baby dragons due to their hard exoskeleton. In moderation, they are an appropriate addition. 
  • Waxworms: High in fat, they are ok occasionally, but we think there’s better options to choose from. 
  • Discord Roaches: For those of you in Florida (where dubia roaches are not allowed), the discord roach is a great choice as a replacement.
  •  
Adult Dubia Roach
Adult Cricket
Superworm
Hornworm

Plant Matter Options: Greens, Vegetables and Fruits

Don’t be upset if your dragon doesn’t love greens as a baby. It’s important to provide this as an option, as it makes a transition to an adult diet easier. We consider there to be three main categories of plant matter you should feed your dragon5:
  • Greens: Good greens are rich in nutrients like calcium, low in phosphorus, here are our favorites: alfalfa, dandelion, collard greens, mustard greens, kale, dark lettuces, romaine, and spinach. Switch things up as often as you can! 
  • Vegetables: A key addition for nutrients. We love finely chopped carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes.
  • Fruits: Should be fed sparingly, less than 10% of the plant matter in your beardies diet. Great choices are strawberries, apples, and mango.
A Note On Supplements: Here at HerpCare, we believe in a natural approach to reptile care. In the wild, your pet would have never needed nutritional supplements to live a healthy life. Our friends at the Center for Snake Conservation (who run an educational branch that cares for many bearded dragons), do not use supplementation at all, instead opting for a carefully selected diet.6 Supplementation becomes important when your bearded dragon does not get the diet variety it needs. To be clear, supplementation is not a substitution for a good diet, rather it should be considered insurance that your pet gets the nutrients it needs. 

Foods to avoid When Feeding Your Bearded Dragon:

  • Avoid feeding your dragon insects caught in the wild. As their source is unknown, they could contain pesticides or parasites.
  • Avoid feeding iceberg/light colored lettuce, as it offers little to no nutritional value

Creating a Feeding Schedule

Now that you know what insects you can consider for your bearded dragon, let’s build a feeding schedule with the following in mind:
  • Your dragon’s diet should contain AT LEAST 3 different types of insects7
  • The bulk of your pet’s insect requirements should be met by low fat, high in protein choices. We recommend: Dubia Roaches, Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), and hornworms.7
  • The reminder of your pet’s insect requirements can be filled in with other options to provide the complete nutritional requirements. We love: superworms and mealworms.7 
  • As explained, greens are less important for babies, but select a few options for greens, vegetables, and fruit that are easily accessible for you. 
  • Your baby dragon should eat insects everyday, some experts recommend two or more smaller feeding sessions.8
  • Your baby dragon should be offered greens at least once a day

How do I know how much to feed my baby bearded dragon?

Every dragon is different. Some will have voracious appetites, while others not so much. What’s important in the early part of your bearded dragon’s life is ensuring they have access to the nutrients they need to develop properly. 

The scientific literature suggests a baby bearded dragon (between 0-3 months in age weighing less than 30 grams) needs around 1 calorie a day. 

Now, some industry ‘experts’ will claim this isn’t enough. These guys just want you to open your wallet and buy as many feeders as you can from them. Here at HerpCare, your pet’s health is our priority. We’ve done careful research and a great deal of science backed worked to arrive at these values. If you want to see for yourself, you can follow our research here. 

Now, here’s what this means. For reference one calorie a day is:

  • Around 15 small dubia roaches
  • Around 12 medium sized BSFL 
  • Around 1 small sized hornworm

 

It’s important to note that these are estimates. All bearded dragons are different, and feeder insects come in different sizes/nutritional value depending on the source. Most experts agree during the neonate (baby) and juvenile stages, overfeeding is likely better than underfeeding.7 Your focus should be proving sufficient quantity and quality in the form of diversity. 

A sample feeding schedule for your baby bearded dragon:

An Easy Solution For Feeding Your Baby Bearded Dragon the Perfect Diet

Time for our shameless plug. If you’re short on free time or want to keep your pet healthy without a ton of extra work, we’ve got you covered. Check out our weekly baby bearded dragon food subscription. Each week you’ll receive a carefully curated package full of high quality and diverse feeder insects. No need to worry about quantity, or what insect types to buy, just feed your dragon everything in your delivery. Reptile care made simple.

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Monitoring and Adjustments

Always pay attention to your dragon’s behavior, weight, and overall health. If they seem disinterested in certain foods or show signs of distress, consider consulting a vet. Regular weigh-ins can also help track their growth and health.

The Importance of Hydration

  • While bearded dragons obtain much of their hydration from their food, they still require water.
  • A shallow water dish should always be available. Make sure it’s shallow to prevent drowning.
  • Misting your dragon occasionally can also assist with hydration and help during shedding periods.

Best Wishes!

Raising a healthy baby bearded dragon involves understanding their dietary needs and making adjustments as they grow. This guide serves as a starting point. Whether you decide to do it yourself, or with the help of our experts here at HerpCare, your dragon’s health and happiness are well worth the effort!

Other Resources

Our Bearded Dragon Care Guide

An old, but well researched site providing care info

Citations

  1. Oonincx, D., Van Leeuwen, J. P., Hendriks, W., & Van Der Poel, A. (2015). The diet of free-roaming Australian Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Zoo Biology, 34(3), 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21209

  2. Feeding Bearded Dragons | VCA Animal Hospital | VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/bearded-dragons-feeding

  3. Raiti, P. (2012). Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 22(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-22.3.117

  4. Nijboer, J. (2023, July 19). Nutrition in reptiles. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-exotic-and-zoo-animals/nutrition-in-reptiles

  5. Bearded Dragon Food Pyramid. (n.d.). Complete Critter. https://www.completecritter.com/bearded-dragon.html

  6. Young, C. (2023). Conversation with Center For Snake Conservation.

  7. Deczm, M. a. M. D. P. M. (2022, October 27). Diversity is the key to success with reptile diets. DVM 360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/diversity-is-the-key-to-success-with-reptile-diets

  8. Raiti, P. (2012b). Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 22(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-22.3.117

  9. Warwick, C. (n.d.). Reptilian welfare in a biological context. University of Portsmouth.

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Behavior of the terrestrial nocturnal lizards Goniurosaurus kuroiwae kuroiwae and Eublepharis macularius (Reptilia: Eublepharidae) in a thigmothermal gradient

Authors: Yehudah Werner, William Mautz, Hiroo Takahashi, Hidetoshi Ota

This paper describes the behavior of leopard geckos when given the freedom to thermoregulate their internal temperature on a wide temperature gradient. Their results provide an estimate average temperature of the leopard gecko. 

SOURCE NAME

Explanation of how we used the source. This source provides clear guidance on the importance of diet diversity. It should also include a bit about the source. Mark Mitchell is a well known researcher and has published 200 book chapters.

Guidelines for Inspection of Companion and Commercial Animal Establishments

Authors: Clifford Warwick, Mike Jessop, Phillip Arena, Anthony Pilny and Catrina Steedman

This source, written by a team of veteran reptile researchers, outlines a guideline and system for establishing the minimum enclosure size for a variety of exotic animals. The authors note that this system is just an estimation. The estimation provided by their system is fairly in line with a number of anecdotal sources/best practices from other care authorities.

Natural history and biology of hobbyist choice leopard gecko

Author: Muhammad Sharif Khan

This source, written by a researcher at a Herpetological Laboratory in the leopard geckos native habitat of Pakistan provides a detailed account of the leopard geckos natural habit and behavior. Due to the political environment that has surrounded the country for many years, we are very grateful for Muhammad’s research.

Conversation and study with Cameron Young

Author: Cameron Young

This source is not a documented research paper. Rather it’s information provided direct from an expert. Cameron is the founder and executive director of The Center For Snake Conservation, and their educational wing My Nature Lab. He and his team have personally cared for thousands of reptiles with impressive effectiveness. They have a wealth of knowledge on the biology and proper care of reptiles. 

Does Loose Substrate Cause Impaction in Bearded Dragons and Other Reptiles?

Author: Mariah Healey

This blog post breaks down the common myth that loose substrate can cause impaction. There are a couple of points to this issue. Impaction is caused by improper care, not the loose substrate we advocate here. 

THERMOREGULATION IN REPTILES, A FACTOR IN EVOLUTION

Author: CHARLES M. BOGERT

This paper describes the thermoregulation of reptiles. By providing a basis and explanation of the adaptation from an evolutionary point of view, we quickly see the importance for captive care. 

Temperature and respiratory function in ectothermic vertebrates

Authors: Glauber S.F. da Silva, Mogens L. Glass, Luiz G.S. Branco

This paper describes the importance of proper thermoregulation in reptiles. It explores the biological processes in vertebrates that are impacted by internal temperature. With this research a strong case is made for the impotence of temperature in proper husbandry. 

What’s my home’s humidity level – and why does it matter?

Author: saveonenergy.ca

This energy company writes an article describing the average humidity of homes. The article was not intended for reptile care use, but provides a good benchmark for your likely humidity levels inside your home. 

Lighting, Temperatures & Humidity Levels

Author: Mariah Healey

This blog style care guide pulls in various research and expert opinions. This page specifically reviews the author’s care guidelines for leopard gecko’s regarding lighting, temperature, and humidity. 

Temperature preference in geckos: Diel variation in juveniles and adults

Author: Yehudah Werner

This paper looks into the temperature preferences of leopard geckos throughout the entire day. They offered the animals a strong temperature gradient enabling the animals complete freedom to move around as they desired. The witnessed behaviors provide insight into the needs of geckos in captivity.

Guidance from My Nature Lab

Author: N/A

My Nature Lab is an educational non-profit that cares for well over 100 reptiles. Their team has more than 50 years of collective experience researching and caring for reptiles.  Through conversations with their animal care team and founder, we’ve learned from the very best. 

Effects of different vitamin D sources on blood biochemistry of bearded dragons (Pogona spp) and Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni)

Author: Nikoletta Hetényi, Zsolt Lang, Tamás Sátorhelyi, István Hullár

This research paper analyzes the effects of various Vitamin D sources and their effects on bearded dragons and tortoises. While this research is specific to these species, it does provide a well crafted overview of the risks of low Vitamin D in all reptiles.

The nocturnal leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) uses UVb radiation for vitamin D3 synthesis

Authors: D.G.A.B. Oonincx, J.J.E. Diehl, M. Kik, F.M. Baines, A.C. Heijboer, W.H. Hendriks, G. Bosch

This research paper analyzes the effects of UVB exposure to Vitamin D3 synthesis in leopard geckos. The results suggest minimal UVB exposure, only 2 hours a day, is sufficient for a significant increase in Vitamin D3 synthesis. The results also suggest dietary Vitamin D3 can be sufficient, with a couple of caveats.

Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation and UVb exposure on the growth and plasma concentration of vitamin D3 metabolites in juvenile bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

Authors: D.G.A.B. Oonincx, Y. Stevens, J.J.G.C. van den Borne, J.P.T.M. van Leeuwen, W.H. Hendriks

This research paper analyzes the effects of different Vitamin D sources in a common pet, the bearded dragon. This source was used however to determine the likelihood that feeder insects can provide adequate Vitamin D strictly from diet absorption. The source is very clear: many common feeder insects are lacking in Vitamin D. 

Insectivorous reptile nutrition and disease (Proceedings)

Author: Ryan S. De Voe, DVM, MSpVM, DACZM, DABVP

This article written by an experienced reptile vet, discusses the basics of insectivorous reptile nutrition, paying particular attention to the role vitamin A and Vitamin D play in a healthy diet. The author notes a handful of challenges in using supplementation to combat malnutrtional disorders. Notably, the varying quality, and possiblity of vitamin and mineral toxicity causes by overuse of supplements. 

Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Short Duration Ultraviolet B Radiation Exposure in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Authors: Amelia Gould, DVM, Laure Molitor, MS, DVM, Kelly Rockwell, MZ, DVM, Megan Watson, DVM, MS, Mark A. Mitchell, DVM, MS, PhD, DECZM (Herpetology)

This research study seeks to determine if leopard geckos are able to synthesize Vitamin D with use of UVB like other reptiles. The study results found that leopard geckos exposed to only 2 hours of UVB are able to synthesize a significant amount of Vitamin D without dietary supplementation. The authors additional share some concerns over exposing leopard gecko’s to 12 hours of UVB, especially if the animal does not have access to shelter. 

Multiple Sources Used

Authors: N/A

We used a multi-source approach to ensure this temperature recommendation was spot on. We consulted My Nature Lab, who cares for hundreds of reptiles, including quite a few leopard geckos. Utlizing their guidelines,  research on their wild habitat, and their ideal temperature, we landed on this gradient as optimal. In theory, a different gradient could be just as successful at enablding proper theormoregulation. It should be well back and based in the research.