Feeding about 20% of insect matter to a beardie is an essential diet routine. Can bearded dragons eat roaches or fall into that group?
Roaches provide a good source of live protein that ultimately assists in the healthy growth of a bearded dragon. Hence, these are considered enjoyable champion feed for the reptile pet.
While that clears the cloud in your head, it does not explain what type of roaches you should give. We have created this guide after conducting thorough research solely for the owners to feel at ease.
Let us read along!
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Roaches?
Roaches are a happy treat for omnivorous dragons when domesticated. It is of utmost importance that unique dragon needs cover appropriate amounts of protein, calories, vitamins, fat, and minerals.
Plus, the feeding should align with your dragon’s age.
With all that in mind, roaches are highly nutritious and most superior of a staple feed containing high protein. They are soft-bodied, low in water and fat, and rich in other minerals.
Let us take a look at the insect feeder comparison table to understand better.
| Insects Species | Protein | Moisture | Fat | Mineral | Cal:P Ratio | Chitin |
| Dubia Roach | 21.8% | 59.8% | 7.7% | 1.7% | 0.66/1 | 3.5 |
| Mealworm | 18.2% | 62.9% | 35.2% | 1.6% | 0.14/1 | 5.95 |
| Earthworm | 12.25% | 75.8% | 2.57% | 0.7% | 1.58/1 | 5.06 |
| Butterworm | 14.9% | 62.4% | 14.9% | 1.3% | 0.07/1 | 3.9 |
| Superworm | 22.2% | 68.7% | 17% | 0.34% | 0.05/1 | 3.62 |
| Cricket | 64% | 73.2% | 22% | 0.42% | 0.14/1 | 1.5 |
| Locust | 22.5% | 62.1% | 8.03% | 2.12% | 0.13/1 | 20.8 |
Types of Roaches that Are Safe for Bearded Dragons
According to studies, about 4,500 known species of cockroaches currently live in our ecosystems. And most of them are unlike house-infesting pests.
Despite such a large number, bearded dragons can eat only two species without experiencing health complications. And those roaches are –
- Dubia Roaches: These are rich in nutrients. Even baby dragons can consume Dubia roach nymphs for proper sustenance.
- Giant Islander Roaches: Although islander roaches are safe feeders, they are not always legal in some states. So, you must obtain them from authorized and certified pet stores to prevent lethal parasite ingestion in beardies.
How to Feed Roaches to Bearded Dragons?
You might already know that bearded dragon feeding frequency is varied due to different ages. First, see how you should feed your dragon according to its life stage.
| Bearded Dragon Life Stage (Age) | Diet Ratio Recommendation | Feeding Frequency |
| Baby (0-3 months) | Insects (70%) Plant Matter (30%) | 3-5 Feedings/day |
| Juvenile (3-8 months) | Insects (70%) Plant Matter (30%) | 2 Feedings/day |
| Sub-Adult (8-12 months) | Insects (70%) Plant Matter (30%) | 1 Feedings/day |
| Adult (1 year + ) | Insects (30%) Plant Matter (70%) | Cyclic Feeding; Day 1 – Plant Matter, Day 2 – Insects, Day 3 – Nothing, Repeat |
Based on the table above, you can now easily approach ways to feed roaches to your beardie.
- Opt for live roaches that are gut loaded (well-fed with healthy items 24 hours before giving to the bearded dragon).
- Never feed dead roaches to your reptile, no matter how plump and juicy it looked a while ago.
- Make sure the roach size is no bigger than the width between their (dragons’) eyes.
- Place the live roach close to the pet’s mouth in the enclosure.
- Do not force feed; your dragon will soon catch the insect and eat it.
- Opt for one roach at a time to avoid overconsumption.
- Remove roaches that the dragon does not eat.
READ MORE: can bearded dragons eat cockroaches?
How Many Roaches Should a Bearded Dragon Eat?
Once again, follow the table provided earlier to help you decide how many roaches to offer your precious beardie.
Remember that baby or juvenile dragons will eat more than adults. In any case, there are three factors to consider:
- Bearded dragon age
- Bearded dragon size
- Offered roach size (no bigger than the width between the eyes)
A baby or a juvenile beardie can eat up to 40 to 50 roaches a day! Of course, the meal should be spread out in several feedings.
However, adult or mature dragons eat no more than 3-5 roaches every three days. Their diet is more focused on plant matter at this stage.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat House Roaches?
One might think house roaches deliver a high nutritional profile as other edible roaches for a bearded dragon.
Nevertheless, people tend to use insecticides or other harmful chemicals to eradicate house roaches. Those that survive will still have toxic residues on their shells/external skin.
If one such insect journeys to your place and you decide to give it to your dragon, imagine the implications it may have. Therefore, avoid giving house roaches as they may contain parasites or chemical residues that can be fatal for your reptile.
Conclusion
So, can bearded dragons eat roaches? Yes, they are rich in minerals, vitamins and offer optimal protein with minimal fat content. Furthermore, your dragon will be able to digest it better with a flavorsome taste along the way.
However, whether a Dubia or an islander roach, ensure it is free of pesticides and produced/harvested for feeding purposes only. Do not give them wild-caught bugs, as they may contain harmful chemicals.
Lastly, always provide live roaches. Good luck!
References
- Raiti, P., ‘Husbandry, Diseases, and Veterinary Care of the Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)’ Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (2012)
- Boyer, Thomas. H., ‘Diseases of Bearded Dragons’, Proceedings of the Pacific Veterinary Conference (2015)
- Care, Bearded Dragon. ‘ragon’ (2013)
- Kouřimská, L., ‘Nutritional and sensory quality of edible insects’, NFS Journal, Volume 4 (2016)
