Mealworms are another insect that can be used almost the same as the cricket. There are some exceptions, such as age of the bearded dragon.
It is good to only use these every once in awhile to break up the monotony of a mainly cricket diet. These are a great way to break up that monotony. My dragons love mealworms and would gladly eat them all the time.
How Many Mealworms Should I Feed My Bearded Dragon?
Feed your dragon as much as they’ll eat in 10 to 15 minutes and take out any extras after they are full. If they seem full sooner than these times, that is okay. Times are approximate.
Feeding the Mealworms to your Dragon
All you have to do is put these guys in a food dish, preferably one where they can’t escape from. Your dragon will do the rest.
Mealworms, like most feeder insects, fon’t provide much in the way of vitamins. You might want to supplement them before giving to your dragon.
Exceptions
Mealworms have a hard chitinous outer shell that some smaller dragons have a hard time passing through their system. The hard shell could cause an impaction that could lead to death for your bearded dragon. This is why hatchlings should stay away from them until they are a little older.
When they are at least four months, you can start introducing them, but not too many. When they reach adulthood, you should have no problem at all with this. You may also want to use giant mealworms for a more satisfying meal.
Storing and Feeding Mealworms
Mealworms don’t need the same type of housing as crickets do. When you buy the worms, they usually come in their own container. Most pet stores will carry containers of mealworms, and you can also buy them online from insect breeders.
You can store the worms in the container they came in. You’ll want to store them in the refrigerator to make them last a little longer. If you don’t, they will turn into beetles, which is okay too, most dragons like to eat the beetles as well.
The container that the worms come in will contain either wheat bran or oatmeal. If not, either of these will do fine for food. You can also provide some leafy greens, as well, for a nutrient boost.
To get water to the worms, just provide some cut up fruit of vegetables. This should provide enough moisture for them.
Conclusion
These insects are a good cricket alternative to break up a monotonous diet. There not too hard to keep, and it doesn’t take a lot of room to store them.
However, use caution when feeding to younger dragons. Their hard shell can cause an impaction. As your dragon gets older, though, this will be a great prey item to serve up.
