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I have come across some pretty scary myths with regards to a bearded dragons diet, and I think its time to speak out against one of the myths &
potential dangers associated with not doing your homework!
Myth : "You can make a bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps) a vegetarian"
You absolutely cannot do this!!!!! If you don't want to feed your dragon properly and feed him the omnivorous diet they require there are plenty of
REAL vegetarian reptiles out there. Ask yourself... Can you make a Lion a vegetarian? Can you see him sitting down to a nice tossed salad? How
about making a giraffe a carnivore or even an omnivore? These things cannot happen - It is against how nature decides.
I have even heard of people recommending replacing crickets and worms with commercially produced pellets which to be honest with you I have YET to
have any of my dragons even want them, and I don't know any other reputable breeder or dragon owner that has had a dragon eat those pellets and
actually like them. The pellets are not designed to replace crickets! They are produced as a supplement to be ADDED to their current well rounded
diet of crickets, worms and plenty of greens.
Those that recommend such a ludicrous concept do not have to endure the malnutrition, illness, underweight, un thriving, non-growing dragon. The
new owners have that burden and because they heard it from someone they deemed reputable or perhaps they heard something they wanted to hear
which was "NO BUGS" - it is the new owners and the unfortunate dragon that have to suffer the consequences.
If this is something that you have been practicing, then please... Don't just listen to me... Do your research!
Feel free to contact me via email or phone to ask any questions.. And also take the time to refer to my page on
Food & Nutrition to see what a wide variety of things that bearded dragons can eat (including "bugs")!
Bearded Dragons; especially in the first year are voracious eaters especially with their high requirements for protein which helps enable them to grow &
be healthy.
potential dangers associated with not doing your homework!
Myth : "You can make a bearded dragon (pogona vitticeps) a vegetarian"
You absolutely cannot do this!!!!! If you don't want to feed your dragon properly and feed him the omnivorous diet they require there are plenty of
REAL vegetarian reptiles out there. Ask yourself... Can you make a Lion a vegetarian? Can you see him sitting down to a nice tossed salad? How
about making a giraffe a carnivore or even an omnivore? These things cannot happen - It is against how nature decides.
I have even heard of people recommending replacing crickets and worms with commercially produced pellets which to be honest with you I have YET to
have any of my dragons even want them, and I don't know any other reputable breeder or dragon owner that has had a dragon eat those pellets and
actually like them. The pellets are not designed to replace crickets! They are produced as a supplement to be ADDED to their current well rounded
diet of crickets, worms and plenty of greens.
Those that recommend such a ludicrous concept do not have to endure the malnutrition, illness, underweight, un thriving, non-growing dragon. The
new owners have that burden and because they heard it from someone they deemed reputable or perhaps they heard something they wanted to hear
which was "NO BUGS" - it is the new owners and the unfortunate dragon that have to suffer the consequences.
If this is something that you have been practicing, then please... Don't just listen to me... Do your research!
Feel free to contact me via email or phone to ask any questions.. And also take the time to refer to my page on
Food & Nutrition to see what a wide variety of things that bearded dragons can eat (including "bugs")!
Bearded Dragons; especially in the first year are voracious eaters especially with their high requirements for protein which helps enable them to grow &
be healthy.
Written by: Robin Moniz 2007
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