Meal size(Bearded dragons)

reptilez · 06-15-03, 08:37 PM

How many meal worms do you think an adult female bearded dragon could eat in one serving. If it matters, she's 3yrs old (May be producing eggs), and about 18inches in length.
-Reptilez

Bearded AL · 06-15-03, 08:43 PM

I know my little girl who is like 10 inches in the body can pound back a dozen supers no problem and is still looking for more and that is after she has her veggies in the morning so reg mealies would be alot more hope it helps AL

eyespy · 06-16-03, 11:25 AM

I wouldn't let her eat all the mealies she can take, their eyes are often bigger than their stomachs where mealies are concerned and they will often regurgitate or get impacted from too many at once. I'm very cautious and don't feed mealies at all but 5 at a time with no other chitin-containing foods offered at that time are probably safe.

eyespy · 06-16-03, 11:26 AM

Oh, and you want to really gutload and dust those mealies before feeding to a possibly gravid female, mealies are very high in phosphorus and can really throw off the calcium balance.

reptilez · 06-16-03, 07:53 PM

how would you gutload maelies??

Dragon_Slave · 06-16-03, 08:00 PM

You feed them oatmeal, the instant kind is best... like from Quaker. 24 hours just letting them eat, they should be in some sort of oatmeal anywayz.

eyespy · 06-16-03, 10:16 PM

You need more than that to offset the phosphorus, oatmeal isn't all that nutritious on its own. Plain instant oatmeal has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1, not nearly enough to offset a non-gutloaded mealworm's ratio of 1:9.

Feed them calcium rich greens like you do your beardie, and some powdered calcium supplement for at least 2 days prior to feeding them to the beardies. You can also give them a little nonfat powdered dry milk to increase the protein content but don't go overboard as milk is high in phosphorus as well.

Dragon_Slave · 06-16-03, 11:13 PM

::smacks forehead:: I forgot to mention feeding them greens also. Where has my mind been lately? Yeesh!

reptilez · 06-17-03, 07:58 AM

So when yo say:
calcium rich greens like you do your beardie.
should i make them a dish of just ex: collard greens with oatmeal?

eyespy · 06-17-03, 08:16 AM

The more variety the better, so alternate collard, mustards, dandelions, etc. Throwing in some veggie scraps like green beans and snow peas is a good idea to pick up extra vitamins and minerals.

reptilez · 06-17-03, 09:22 AM

Ok....Just one more thing,
Dandelions: You dont just pick those out of the ground do you?

V.hb · 06-17-03, 09:47 AM

Reptilez.. You can buy them at the grocery store, large stalks pretty cheap.. Ive never once had a problem with feeding mealworms to beardies as long as the heat is high, and i offer a varied diet. I really cant see a beardie becoming impacted by mealworms, ive been feeding lots to my guys, and see absolutly no problems.

Dragon_Slave · 06-17-03, 09:56 AM

Mealworms have chitin, and too much chitin will block their intestinal tracts. Although you may feed mealworms to your dragons, it is NOT a good idea and NOT suggested. In fact, right now, you are taking the risk of KILLING your dragon. Just because nothing has happened YET, doesn't mean you're safe. And you say you feed LOTS of mealies? What do you mean by lots? Even feeding 15 per day can and will lead to impaction in the long run. If you feed more than 15 per day, you are definitely taking a HUGE risk. If you feed mealworms, and lots of them to your beardies... do all other dragon owners a favor and DON'T suggest doing what you are doing... because then, you are taking a risk of killing their dragon/s. I don't want to sound harsh, but that's reality. Please take my advice, stop feeding mealworms, unless it's only 2 a day for a dragon OVER 12 inches in length.... there are other options.

V.hb · 06-17-03, 10:58 AM

Let me answer this. I've been working with beardies for a long time.. Never once has there been any problems with mealworms. By lots, OF COURSE i dont mean 15 a day, did you not see where i said "VARIED" diet? This site is a big complaint fest now, if someone doesnt do something the way another feels they should they become all rude and defensive!

I Suppose i wont suggest my beardies and other agamids diet to other owners even though my beardies are in perfect health, never had any problems and breed regularly. I Suppose thats a sign of bad health?

I have never once read or heard any problems with mealworms used in a varied diet. Who the heck would feed 15 mealworms for a beardie daily anyways? I dont see where you got that estimate from. I always have thousands of mealworms and crickets on hand for my large collection of herps. Each of them is fed a varied diet, and there is nothing wrong with mealworms in that "varied" diet.

I guess il go back to "killing" my beardies now.

V.hb · 06-17-03, 11:02 AM

By the way, I also do everything eyespy was suggesting when it comes to gutloading insects. all of my insects eat healthier than I do. Don't take offence to my post "Dragon_Slave" But being told whats healthy and what isnt by someone who has never seen my animals, or their accomplishments is pretty annoying, espeacially when everything ive done with generations of beardies, and other agamids has worked.