How to keep feeder crickets alive and healthy for my bearded dragon?

Good questions. Since Bearded Dragons are omnivores, you want limit the amount of crickets (and other insects) you feed them, so they are motivated to eat the veggies. You can do this by having a daily feed time. It's not easy to know exactly how many to feed at a certain time, because it depends on their size. I would start with 12. If this seems like too much (he doesn't eat them within a day), then cut back till it seems adequate. Remember, you want a few hours where he only has vegetables to eat. If he/she eats them all right away, then you can add some more. You want the UV lamp to mimic daylight, so it should not be on longer than 12 hours. I always used a timer with my lamps, or I'd invariably leave them on or off for too long. I've included a link to a very helpful website that has great information on how to care for Bearded Dragons. It's highly recommended you read this for the best care of your Beardy. http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html Good luck and enjoy - they make great pets!

Make sure the crickets aren't too big. They should be no bigger than the space between Medusa's eyes. Confirm proper temperature as well. Reptiles need adequate warmth to digest food. Low temps will affect appetite and activity. She should be fed twice daily. Gut load prey for 24 hours prior to feeding. Dust with vitamins/minerals every other day. Vegetables can also be offered every other day.

Typically bearded dragons should be able to catch and eating moving crickets. It is possible that your bearded dragon was no hungry or if they are feet lots of treats sometimes they won't always eat crickets. I typically feed my bearded dragon crickets in his normal enclosure. I would recommend trying to just put the crickets into his normal home and see if he does better eating them. If he continues to not eat crickets I would recommend taking him to a vet to make sure he does not have an injury in his mouth like fungal or bacterial disease. I hope that helps

Feed him as many appropriately sized (no bigger than the space between his eyes) crickets or dubia roaches as he will eat in 10-15 minutes. Baby beardies are eating machines consuming as many as 80 crickets or more daily! Juveniles will eat more live pretty than vegetables. Offer about a tablespoon or two of finely chopped spring mix for him. Change it daily. You can also offer squash, peppers, asparagus, pumpkin and yams just to name a few other veggies. Avoid iceberg lettuce, celery and light colored greens. These offer little in the way of nutrition.

Hello there! When it comes to insects, I recommend feeding live insects that you gut loaded yourself with high quality cricket food and dust with a calcium supplement prior to feeding. That way you can be sure that your pet is getting the best nutrition possible. Buying dried crickets means you are unsure of how well they were cared for and may be less nutritious. I hope you find this helpful!

Reptiles can go some time without eating, but they do need to eat eventually. Crickets are not expensive. Fresh greens and vegetables can also be purchased rather inexpensively. You can soak Toad in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte or just warm water to maintain hydration. He does need to eat though. If your friend cannot provide adequate care, he or she should consider rehoming Toad. Review dragon care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Bearded-Dragon/ http://www.anapsid.org/bearded.html

Hello. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Great question! Yes, bearded dragons should be fed live prey. They will not usually eat something that is already dead. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes.