Question about eating

[Mummapinkham]

How do you know if your Beardie is actually getting enough food? Harry will eat a few bites of dusted salad (Kale, parsley, brussel sprouts, and yellow pepper) in late morning then he has about 8 superworms. He refuses to eat crickets. Then in late afternoon he will take a few bites of salad or a grape or a small piece of melon, but thats it. He is pooping fine and his temps are great, he basks, but to me it doesn't look like he is eating enough. I could be just worrying, but I would rather be safe than sorry. When we first got him a month ago he ate crickets and collard greens only, now he won't eat either one.

 

[Mummapinkham]

Oh Boy,
I just read that 50 superworms are normal for a day and Harry eats 8. That is a big difference!! Hmmmmmm, what should I do to make him eat more. He doesn't finish his salad either??????? My beardie cannot be on a diet!!!

 

[Claudiusx]

Oh Boy,
I just read that 50 superworms are normal for a day and Harry eats 8.

50 superworms a day is definitely NOT normal or healthy to any degree.

How old is Harry?
As long as Harry isn't losing weight, he is doing fine. It sounds like he is eating plenty to me.

I wouldn't feed more than 8 superworms a day, that should be the limit really.

-Brandon

 

[Mummapinkham]

Thank you! I thought that sounded a little odd, but I am new to this so I wasn't sure. He is about 19 months old. I have only had him a month, and was told he was 18 months old when I got him. He looks a little older than that to my daughter, but I am going by what they told me. I don't think he is losing weight, but I am going to get a scale so I can keep on top of it. He just doesn't seem to eat as much as I thought he would. I do dust his salad every other day and I have dusted the oats the worms are in so I know he is getting enough calcium and d3, plus he is outside in the natural sunlight a lot at least until the colder weather comes so I am not worried about that.

 

[Mummapinkham]

Also, another question...I read that Beardies can eat moths, is this true. It was said that they are basically clean enough to catch and feed because moth's do not eat much. I was just wondering, because I live in the woods and there are trillions of moths at my door every night, lol. Harry would be in heaven if they are safe to eat. He watches them with WIDE eyes.

 

[jsnsan]

Dont they stop eating as much after about a year old? He looks great. I would think he's fine.

 

[Mummapinkham]

I have no idea, but thanks - he is handsome isn't he? LOL

 

[Kaiser]

Also, another question...I read that Beardies can eat moths, is this true. It was said that they are basically clean enough to catch and feed because moth's do not eat much. I was just wondering, because I live in the woods and there are trillions of moths at my door every night, lol. Harry would be in heaven if they are safe to eat. He watches them with WIDE eyes.

Generally, it's better to err on the safe side and avoid using wild insects to feed to your bearded dragon. Unless you know exactly what kind of moth it is (a common, safe moth is a miller moth), you should probably avoid them (some of them can be toxic). Even if you know what kind of moth it is, and even if it's not toxic, you can never be entirely sure if the moth (or any wild insect for that matter) has any parasites or has been exposed to pesticides. Additionally, I do not think moths can be used as a staple feeder.

But it is true that bearded dragons can eat certain moths.

Otherwise, Brandon provided sound advice. And yes, they do slow down with eating (at least, in terms of protein) once they get to about a year or a year and a half of age.

He seems fine, and the enclosure looks nice. :]