What’s crawling, hopping, or wiggling that your bearded dragon absolutely loves to eat? For many bearded dragon owners, the answer is definitely feeder insects! But choosing the right ones can feel like a jungle out there. You want to make sure your scaly friend gets the best nutrition, but sometimes it’s tough to know where to start. Are all bugs created equal? Which ones are safe? And what will keep your dragon healthy and happy?
It’s a common worry for new and experienced keepers alike. You might be confused by all the different names, or worried about accidentally feeding your dragon something that isn’t good for them. The wrong diet can lead to health problems, and that’s the last thing you want for your pet. This post is here to help clear up all that confusion and make feeding time a breeze.
By reading on, you’ll discover the top feeder insects that bearded dragons thrive on. We’ll dive into why variety is so important and explore the benefits of each type. Get ready to become a feeder insect expert, ensuring your bearded dragon gets a delicious and nutritious diet. Let’s get started on building the perfect menu for your amazing reptile!
Our Top 5 Feeder Insects For Bearded Dragons Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Feeder Insects For Bearded Dragons Detailed Reviews
1. 100 Extra Small Live Dubia Roaches in Container Live Reptile Food for Bearded Dragons Turtles Lizards Frogs & Toads Feeder Insects
Rating: 9.3/10
Feeding your scaly or amphibian friends just got easier and healthier with this 100-count container of Extra Small Live Dubia Roaches. These little guys are a fantastic food source for a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including bearded dragons, turtles, lizards, frogs, and toads. They’re packed with nutrition and designed to be a natural, engaging meal for your pets.
What We Like:
- Nutrient-Rich Meal: These roaches are great for gut-loading, meaning they soak up vitamins and nutrients. This ensures your reptiles get a super healthy meal.
- Long-Lasting Food Source: Unlike some other feeder insects, these Dubia roaches live longer. This gives you a reliable supply of food for your pets.
- Encourages Natural Behavior: Their slower pace compared to crickets really gets your reptiles excited to hunt. It’s a fun way for them to eat.
- Quiet and Odorless: You won’t have to worry about noisy or smelly feeders. These roaches are quiet and don’t produce unpleasant smells, making your home more pleasant.
- Easy to Digest: They are low in fat and rich in protein and calcium. This makes them a very healthy and easy-to-digest food option for your pets.
- Perfect Size: The extra small size (3/8″ and below) is ideal for smaller or younger reptiles and amphibians.
What Could Be Improved:
- Shipping Restrictions: Sales are not allowed to Florida, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico due to local laws.
- Summer Shipping Caution: If temperatures are above 85°F, you should request your package be held at the post office to ensure the roaches arrive safely.
Overall, these live Dubia roaches are a top-notch choice for reptile owners looking for a nutritious and engaging food source. They offer a healthy diet and a natural hunting experience for your beloved pets.
2. Fri4Free 2PCS Long Aquarium Tweezers – 10.6″ Straight and Curved Tweezers
Rating: 9.2/10
Meet the Fri4Free 2PCS Long Aquarium Tweezers, your new go-to tools for a variety of tasks! These 10.6-inch stainless steel tweezers come in both straight and curved styles. They’re designed for reptile feeding, aquascaping, and even kitchen use. Keep your hands safe and your aquarium clean with these versatile tools.
What We Like:
- Made of sturdy, corrosion-resistant stainless steel that lasts.
- The 10.6-inch length keeps your hands safe from pets and dry when working underwater.
- Serrated tips grip food and plants securely for precise feeding and aquascaping.
- Smooth edges help prevent injuries to your pets.
- Works for many reptiles like snakes, lizards, and bearded dragons, and also for fish and plants.
- Can be used in kitchens for cooking, gardening, and crafts.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
What Could Be Improved:
- While durable, the serrated tips might be too aggressive for very delicate plants.
- The cleaning recommendation for saltwater tanks adds an extra step.
These Fri4Free tweezers are a fantastic addition to any reptile keeper’s or aquascaper’s toolkit. They offer safety, precision, and versatility for many different jobs.
3. OLIISS Stainless Steel Reptile Feeding Tongs with Rubber Tip – 10.6″ Straight & Curved Tweezers for Aquariums & Crafts – Feeder Tools for Bearded Dragons & Lizards – Terrarium Tank Supplies – 2 Pack
Rating: 8.8/10
The OLIISS Stainless Steel Reptile Feeding Tongs are a must-have for any reptile owner. These 10.6-inch tongs come in both straight and curved styles, making feeding and tank maintenance a breeze. They’re designed to safely feed your bearded dragon, turtle, lizard, snake, or even shrimp in their aquarium or terrarium.
What We Like:
- These tongs are perfect for feeding your bearded dragon, turtle, lizard, snake, or shrimp in their tank.
- The rubber tips give you a strong grip on food without hurting your pet.
- The long tweezers let you feed your reptile precisely and move plants around in their tank.
- They are an important tool for reptile owners who want safe and clean ways to feed their pets.
- These tongs are useful and tough, adding to your collection of terrarium supplies and reptile tank accessories.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the rubber tips offer a good grip, they might wear down over time with very frequent use.
- For very small or delicate food items, the grip might still be a little too firm for some keepers.
Overall, these OLIISS feeding tongs are a fantastic addition to any reptile keeper’s toolkit, offering both safety and convenience.
4. REPTI ZOO Reptile Cricket Calcium Powder Mixer
Rating: 9.2/10
Feeding your reptiles the right nutrition just got a whole lot easier with the REPTI ZOO Reptile Cricket Calcium Powder Mixer. This handy tool is designed to help you perfectly coat live crickets with calcium powder, ensuring your bearded dragon, gecko, snake, or other reptile gets the balanced diet they need. It’s a simple, mess-free way to boost their health and happiness.
What We Like:
- Crystal-clear acrylic lets you easily see your crickets.
- Escape-proof design keeps crickets safely inside.
- Patented shaking technology evenly coats crickets with powder.
- Reduces supplement waste by up to 73% compared to manual dusting.
- Includes a black hiding tube for your crickets’ comfort.
- Detachable lid with ventilation is easy to clean and use.
- The adjustable outlet on top controls how much powder is dispensed.
- It’s portable and great for taking to the vet or on trips.
- This mixer is perfect for a variety of reptiles like bearded dragons, chameleons, and snakes.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the acrylic is clear, it could be prone to scratches over time.
- The shaking mechanism might require a bit of practice to get the perfect coating.
This REPTI ZOO mixer is a game-changer for reptile owners. It makes a vital part of reptile care simple and effective.
5. Pawfly Bearded Dragon Feeder – Escape-Proof Corner Reptile Food Box
Rating: 8.7/10
Tired of live insects escaping your reptile’s food dish? The Pawfly Bearded Dragon Feeder is here to save the day! This smart bug bowl keeps your pet’s food contained while making mealtime an adventure.
What We Like:
- Durable and Safe: Made from sturdy, 2.6 mm thick plastic, this feeder can handle everyday bumps and drops. It’s also super easy to clean, keeping your pet’s eating area spotless.
- Two Ways to Mount: The corner design fits perfectly in most terrariums. You can stick it to smooth glass walls with strong suction cups or just place it in a corner as a stand-alone bowl.
- Escape-Proof Fun: Wave-shaped climbing slits make it fun for your pet to hunt their food. Plus, the clever raised walls stop crawling insects from making a break for it. No more messy escapes!
- Holds Plenty of Food: With a 4.3″ x 2.7″ x 4.8″ size, it holds up to 300 grams of food, which is enough for most daily feedings.
- Great for Many Pets: This feeder is ideal for bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, frogs, and other insect-eating reptiles and amphibians. It makes mealtime exciting for all your scaly friends.
What Could Be Improved:
- Note on Excess Food: While it holds a good amount, remember that leaving too much food in the tank can affect air quality.
This feeder is a fantastic way to keep mealtime tidy and engaging for your reptile. It’s a simple solution that makes a big difference for pet owners.
Choosing the Best Feeder Insects for Your Bearded Dragon
Why Feeder Insects Matter
Bearded dragons are insectivores. This means insects are a very important part of their diet. Offering a variety of feeder insects gives them the nutrition they need to be healthy and happy. It also keeps mealtime interesting for them!
Key Features to Look For
Nutritional Value
Different insects offer different nutrients. Some are high in protein, while others provide essential vitamins and minerals. Look for insects that are gut-loaded. This means the insects are fed nutritious food before you feed them to your dragon.
Size Appropriateness
The size of the insect is very important. Baby bearded dragons need smaller insects. Adult dragons can eat larger ones. The insect should be no wider than the space between your dragon’s eyes. This prevents choking.
Availability and Variety
It’s good to have a few different types of feeder insects on hand. This ensures your dragon gets a balanced diet. Some common and great options include crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms.
Ease of Care and Storage
Some feeder insects are easier to keep alive and store than others. Consider how much space you have and how much time you want to spend caring for live insects.
Important Materials (Insects Themselves!)
The “materials” for feeder insects are the insects themselves. Here are some top choices:
- Crickets: A staple food. They are readily available and a good source of protein.
- Dubia Roaches: Very nutritious and easy to digest. They are also quiet and don’t smell much.
- Mealworms: A good treat, but should be given in moderation. They have a higher fat content and chitin, which can be harder to digest.
- Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL): Also known as Phoenix Worms. They are packed with calcium and are very easy to keep.
- Hornworms: Very high in water content, making them great for hydration. They are a soft-bodied insect and are often a dragon favorite.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Improving Quality
- Gut-loading: Feeding the feeder insects a nutritious diet (like fresh greens, fruits, and specialized gut-load foods) before feeding them to your dragon. This passes those nutrients on.
- Supplementation: Dusting the feeder insects with calcium and vitamin supplements as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Proper Husbandry: Keeping the feeder insects in clean, appropriately sized enclosures with food and water. Healthy insects are nutritious insects.
Reducing Quality
- Feeding wild-caught insects: These insects may carry pesticides or diseases that can harm your dragon.
- Overfeeding fatty insects: Too many mealworms or superworms can lead to obesity.
- Improper storage: Keeping feeder insects in dirty or overcrowded conditions can make them unhealthy.
User Experience and Use Cases
Most bearded dragon owners find that offering a variety of live feeder insects keeps their pets engaged and healthy. Live insects encourage natural hunting behaviors, which is great exercise for your dragon. Some owners prefer dubia roaches because they are less noisy and don’t jump as much as crickets. Others find black soldier fly larvae incredibly convenient due to their low maintenance needs. For picky eaters, hornworms are often a hit because of their high moisture content and soft bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the best feeder insects for a baby bearded dragon?
A1: For baby bearded dragons, small crickets and small dubia roaches are excellent choices. Their small size is easy for them to eat and digest.
Q2: Can I feed my bearded dragon wild-caught insects?
A2: It is not recommended to feed wild-caught insects. They may have been exposed to pesticides or parasites, which can be harmful to your bearded dragon.
Q3: How often should I feed my bearded dragon feeder insects?
A3: Baby bearded dragons need to eat insects multiple times a day. Adult bearded dragons typically eat insects once a day, with leafy greens being a daily staple.
Q4: What is “gut-loading” and why is it important?
A4: Gut-loading means feeding the feeder insects nutritious food like vegetables and fruits before feeding them to your dragon. This passes important nutrients from the insects to your dragon.
Q5: How do I store live feeder insects?
A5: Store feeder insects in a clean, ventilated container with food (like vegetable scraps or specialized gut-load food) and a water source (like a piece of fruit or a damp sponge).
Q6: Are mealworms safe for bearded dragons?
A6: Mealworms can be fed, but in moderation. They are higher in fat and chitin, which can be harder for dragons to digest. They should not be a primary food source.
Q7: What’s the difference between crickets and dubia roaches?
A7: Crickets are a common staple and good protein source. Dubia roaches are more nutritious, quieter, less smelly, and don’t jump, making them easier to manage for many owners.
Q8: How do I know if my bearded dragon is getting enough to eat?
A8: A healthy bearded dragon will be active and have a good body weight. Your dragon should eat most of the insects you offer. If they seem lethargic or are losing weight, consult a vet.
Q9: Can I feed my bearded dragon canned or dried insects?
A9: Canned and dried insects are not ideal. They lose a lot of their nutritional value during processing and may not be as appealing or digestible for your dragon.
Q10: What are some signs of a healthy feeder insect?
A10: Healthy feeder insects are active and appear plump. They should not be lethargic, have any visible mold, or a foul odor.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
I’m the recipe developer and food photographer behind Air Fryer at Tiffany’s. I’m also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and live in the great Midwest. Join me as I show you new ways to use your air fryer that you never knew possible.