Feeding a bearded dragon: the right insect-to-greens ratio by age
The bearded dragon changes diet over its life, a well-documented fact in Pogona agamids: an Australian study on the eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) showed that juveniles are essentially insectivorous active hunters, while adults become omnivorous and eat a growing share of plants (research on Google Scholar). In captivity, failing to follow this shift leads either to deficiencies in the young or obesity in the adult. Find our other pointers in the food section.
The juvenile: insects first
A growing bearded dragon has high protein needs: its ration leans clearly toward insects (crickets, roaches, locusts), offered once or twice a day, plus a small offering of leafy greens available at will. Insects are dusted with calcium at most meals to support bone growth and prevent metabolic bone disease.
The adult: the balance flips
Past about 12 to 18 months, the ratio reverses: the base becomes plant-based (varied leafy greens, some vegetables), and insects are offered only two to three times a week. Continuing to stuff an adult with fatty insects is the number-one cause of obesity and fatty liver in captive bearded dragons. Prey size must always follow the space-between-the-eyes rule, as detailed in what insect size to give by age.
Which greens to favour
Favour leaves rich in nutrients and low in oxalates: endive, lamb's lettuce, dandelion greens, rocket, with occasional additions of squash, pepper or edible flowers. Avoid watery, poor salads such as iceberg lettuce. This adult-herbivore logic echoes that of other desert agamids: see our guide feeding an uromastyx, a strict herbivore.
Supplements and UVB, inseparable
No ration is complete without exposure to quality UVB, essential for synthesising vitamin D3 and therefore absorbing calcium. Calcium and greens are not enough if lighting is lacking. The overall budget for these items is priced in our guide how much a bearded dragon costs per month.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should I cut back insects?
Gradually from 12 to 18 months: the base becomes plant-based and insects drop to two or three times a week in adults.
My adult dragon ignores greens, what should I do?
Offer them in the morning, before insects, vary colours and textures, and reduce insect frequency: hunger usually gets it to try the vegetables.
Should I give calcium every day?
In juveniles, at almost every insect meal; in adults, a few times a week. Always alongside functional UVB.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.