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A baby bearded dragon and an adult need almost opposite diets. Enter your dragon’s age to see the right balance of insects and greens, how often to feed, and a sample week showing which days to dust insects with calcium or multivitamin.
Feeding chart
| Age | Insects / plants | Insect feedings | Greens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | ~80% / 20% | 3 times a day | Finely chopped, daily |
| 3–6 months | ~75% / 25% | 2–3 times a day | Daily |
| 6–12 months | ~65% / 35% | 1–2 times a day | Daily |
| 12–18 months | ~50% / 50% | Once a day or every other day | Daily |
| 18+ months (adult) | ~20% / 80% | 2–3 times a week | Daily — the main diet |
How much to feed
Rather than counting, most keepers and reptile vets use a time limit: offer insects for 10–15 minutes, then remove what’s left. Babies may eat dozens of small insects a day; adults often lose interest after 10–20. Watch body condition — a healthy adult has a rounded belly but no fat bulging at the base of the tail or behind the eyes.
Insect size and supplements
- Insect size: never wider than the space between your dragon’s eyes. Oversized insects are a leading cause of impaction and choking.
- Calcium: dust insects with calcium at most feedings for growing dragons, and 2–3 times a week for adults.
- Multivitamin: about once a week at all ages.
- D3: with strong, correctly placed UVB, dragons make their own. Many keepers use calcium without D3 most days and calcium with D3 once or twice a week — follow your vet’s advice for your setup.
FAQ
My adult dragon won’t eat greens. What should I do?
Offer greens first thing in the morning before any insects, chop them small and mix in a few colorful items like squash or bell pepper. Cutting back insects gradually is often enough.
Can I feed insects every day to an adult?
A small portion is fine for some dragons, but adults fed insects daily commonly become overweight. Most do best with insects two or three times a week.
Should I gut-load insects?
Yes. Feed crickets and roaches fresh greens and a quality gut-load for 24 hours beforehand — your dragon gets the nutrition the insect ate.
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