The Ultimate Guide to Feeding Silkworms to Your Bearded Dragon
Introduction
If you’re a new bearded dragon owner, you’re probably looking for the best ways to give your pet the nutrition it needs. A typical bearded dragon diet includes vegetables, fruits, and insects. Among the list of insects, silkworms can be a great source of nutrition for them. Silkworms are an ideal food option for bearded dragons because of their nutrient profile.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about feeding silkworms to your bearded dragon, including their nutritional value, how to prepare them, and the quantity to feed.
Nutritional Value of Silkworms for Bearded Dragons
Giving your bearded dragon a variety of food sources is important for their optimal health. Some insects such as crickets and mealworms are widely fed to bearded dragons. Still, silkworms stand out in terms of their nutritional benefits. Silkworms are high in protein and low in fat, making them a good food option for your bearded dragons due to their low-fat content.
The chart below shows the nutritional values of silkworms per 100g:
Preparing Silkworms as Food for Bearded Dragons
Silkworms are available online and at many pet stores with a variety of sizes. There are two ways of preparing the silkworms; preparing and freezing them or preparing them fresh.
Preparing and Freezing Silkworms
If you prefer preparing large quantities of silkworms at once, you can prepare and freeze them. Silkworms can be stored in the freezer for up to four months. Follow the steps below to prepare and freeze silkworms:
- Buy silkworms in bulk
- Place them on a paper towel for a few minutes to absorb any excess moisture. Excess moisture can cause the silkworms to become moldy.
- Place them in plastic bags and store them in the freezer.
Preparing Fresh Silkworms
To prepare fresh silkworms, follow the steps below:
- Put the fresh silkworms in a container, and rinse them thoroughly in cold water.
- The best way to feed them to your bearded dragon is to dust them with calcium powder.
- Place them in a feeding container and offer them to your pet bearded dragon.
How to Feed Silkworms to Your Bearded Dragon?
The quantity of silkworms to feed your bearded dragon depends on its size and age. An adult dragon can eat up to 20 silkworms per feeding session. A young dragon, on the other hand, should eat smaller quantities. You can feed silkworms to bearded dragons every other day or twice a week.
Conclusion
In summary, silkworms are an excellent source of nutrition for bearded dragons. Whether preparing them fresh or frozen, they can be easily adjusted to the size and age of your pet dragon’s dietary needs. With the information provided in this guide, feeding your pet bearded dragon with silkworms shouldn’t be a problem anymore.