Many bearded dragon owners have questions around how much and how often to feed their pet insects like crickets. It can be confusing to determine the right amount as each bearded dragon is different.

Think of crickets as the main course for your bearded buddy. They’re not just tasty; they’re packed with the good stuff: proteins, fats, and vitamins that help your dragon stay healthy and lively.

How Many Crickets to Feed a Bearded Dragon?

According to experts, you might be looking at feeding them around 25-30 crickets a day, split into multiple feedings since their tiny bellies can’t handle much at one go.

Here are some general guidelines:

Babies (under 3 months old): 10-20 small crickets per day

Juveniles (4-12 months): 20-30 small or 10-15 medium crickets per day

Adults (over 1 year): 30-50 medium crickets every other day

Check out: Gecko Lifespan –

Crickets for Baby Bearded Dragons

Baby bearded dragons under 3 months old have very small appetites but grow quickly, so they need frequent feeding of small prey.

Hatchlings (0-1 month)

• Feed 2-3 times per day. Offer about 20 small crickets per feeding.
• Crickets should be no bigger than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder at every other feeding.

Juveniles (2-3 months)

• Feed 2 times per day. Offer 30-50 small crickets per feeding.
• Crickets should be no bigger than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder at every feeding.

The key is offering crickets frequently throughout the day but monitoring to avoid overeating. Remove uneaten crickets after 15-20 minutes.

Crickets for Adult Bearded Dragons

Once a bearded dragon is 4-6 months old, it can start eating like an adult but the amount of food should be tailored to the individual based on its size, age, and activity level. Some guidelines include:

Juveniles (4-6 months)

• Feed 1-2 times per day. Offer 50-100 small crickets per feeding.
• Crickets should be no bigger than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder at every other feeding.

Adolescents (7-18 months)

• Feed 1-2 times per day. Offer 80-120 medium crickets per feeding.
• Crickets should be smaller than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder 2-3 times per week.

How many crickets to feed a 1 year old bearded dragon

• At 1 year old, a bearded dragon is considered an adolescent.
• Feed 1-2 times per day. Offer 80-120 medium sized crickets per feeding.
• The crickets should be no bigger than the space between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust the crickets with calcium powder 2-3 times per week.
• Monitor the dragon’s weight and appetite. Adjust the number of crickets up or down based on its individual needs.
• If the dragon is overweight, feed 50-80 crickets 2-3 times per week.
• If the dragon is very active, lean towards the higher end of the range (120 crickets). Less active dragons may only need 80 per feeding.
• Offer fresh salad daily in addition to crickets. Greens and veggies should make up 30% of diet.
• Watch for signs of obesity like fat deposits along the tail. Adjust cricket amounts accordingly.
• Weigh weekly and track trends. Increase or decrease cricket quantities based on weight changes.

A good starting amount for a 1 year old bearded dragon is about 100 medium crickets per day, adjusted according to the individual’s size, activity level and appetite. Monitor closely and tweak amounts as needed. Let the dragon’s weight and behavior guide you.

Adults (18+ months)

• Feed 1 time per day. Offer 80-150 medium or large crickets, depending on the dragon’s size.
• Crickets should be no bigger than the width between the dragon’s eyes.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder 2-3 times per week.

Overweight/Obese Dragons

• Feed adult dragons only 2-3 times per week. Offer 50-80 small or medium crickets per feeding.
• Increase exercise opportunities (allow roaming time outside enclosure)
• Dust crickets with calcium powder at every feeding.

The main idea is to offer an appropriate amount of crickets based on the dragon’s life stage and monitored weight while making sure to provide proper calcium. Adjust amounts based on the individual dragon’s appetite and weight trends over time.

Factors That Impact Number of Crickets to Feed

Several factors can influence how much and how often bearded dragons need to be fed crickets:

Age

Younger, growing dragons need more frequent feedings of smaller prey than adult dragons. Follow the life stage guidelines provided earlier.

Sex

Males often eat slightly fewer crickets than females after reaching adulthood. Monitor weight and adjust amounts accordingly per individual.

Size/Weight

Larger, heavier dragons need more crickets than smaller, lighter ones. Weigh your dragon weekly and adjust cricket amounts based on weight trends.

Activity Level

Bearded dragons that spend more time running around need more crickets than inactive ones. Make sure to account for activity.

Temperatures

Colder enclosure temperatures can suppress appetite. Make sure the enclosure provides proper heat gradients.

Brumation

Bearded dragons eat less while brumating. Reduce cricket offerings during this period.

Overall Health

Sick dragons and those with health issues often eat less. Consult an exotic vet if appetite declines.

By monitoring these factors, you can fine-tune the number of crickets to feed your bearded dragon based on its unique needs and situation. Pay close attention in the beginning and adjust as necessary.

Crickets Versus Other Feeders

Crickets make up the bulk of most bearded dragons’ diets, but offering other feeder insects is important to provide variation. Good options include:

• Dubia roaches – high in protein, can’t climb smooth surfaces or fly
• Black soldier fly larvae – high in calcium and moisture
• Silk worms – good source of fat
• Hornworms – provide fiber and moisture

Avoid mealworms, superworms, and waxworms which are high in fat and phosphorus. Never feed fireflies, wild insects, or bugs from your backyard.

Rotate different feeders rather than relying only on crickets. Aim for crickets to make up 60-80% of total diet for adults, with other insects providing variety. Follow general cricket guidelines in this article, adjusting amounts for other feeders.

Supplementing Crickets

Proper gutloading and dusting of crickets is crucial to meet a bearded dragon’s nutritional needs. Some best practices:

• Gutload crickets 24-48 hours before feeding by providing high calcium, low phosphorus foods like collard greens, squash, carrots. Avoid lettuce.
• Dust crickets with calcium powder (no phosphorus) 1-2 times per week for adults, 2-3 times for juveniles.
• Use a multivitamin supplement that contains vitamin D3, vitamin A, and phosphorus no more than 1-2 times monthly.
• Store supplements in a cool, dry place and replace every 3 months.

Follow this routine to properly supplement feeder crickets with nutrients bearded dragons need.

Monitoring Feeding and Weight

It’s important to monitor your bearded dragon’s appetite, feeding behavior, and weight on an ongoing basis. Here are some tips:

• Weigh weekly on a gram scale. Write it down to track trends.
• Watch the dragon’s appetite at each feeding. Loss of appetite can indicate illness.
• Observe bowel movements which indicate digestion is occurring properly.
• Look for signs of obesity like fat deposits along the tail and backbone.
• Adjust cricket amounts based on weight trends and appetite.

By closely monitoring your dragon, you can fine-tune cricket feedings to optimize nutrition and health. Consult an exotic vet if you have any concerns.

Conclusion

Determining the right number of crickets to feed your bearded dragon takes some care and attention but following the guidelines in this article will set you on the right track. 

Start with the recommendations based on age and life stage, then tweak amounts for your dragon’s size, activity level, and other individual factors. Rotate in other insect feeders for variety. Be sure to properly gut load and dust crickets, and monitor your dragon’s weight, appetite, and bowel movements. Adjust cricket offerings periodically to meet its needs and keep your dragon healthy. With some trial and error and vigilance, you’ll find the perfect cricket feeding regimen for your bearded dragon friend.

FAQs

How often should I feed my beardie crickets?

Adult bearded dragons (over 18 months old) only need crickets once per day. Offer 80-150 medium or large crickets at the daily feeding.

Younger dragons need crickets more often: 2-3 times per day for babies under 3 months and 1-2 times daily for juveniles up to 18 months.

How much should a bearded dragon eat a day?

Adult bearded dragons will eat 80-150 medium crickets at their once daily feeding.

Younger dragons should eat smaller crickets, offered multiple times per day. For example, juveniles can eat 50-100 small crickets 1-2 times daily.

Do bearded dragons have to eat crickets every day?

Yes, healthy adult and juvenile bearded dragons should get crickets daily to meet their nutritional needs.

Occasional days without crickets are ok, but they cannot be a staple diet. Crickets should make up 60-80% of total diet.

Can you overfeed a bearded dragon?

Yes, it’s possible to overfeed a bearded dragon crickets, leading to obesity.

Signs include fat deposits along the tail and backbone, lethargy, decreased appetite.

If overweight, reduce cricket amounts to 2-3 feedings per week of 50-80 crickets.