Introduction to Wax Worms for Bearded Dragons
A balanced diet is the key to keeping your bearded dragon happy and healthy. As omnivores, their ideal diet should consist of various plant and insect-based foods and nutritional supplements. Without a proper diet, bearded dragons can suffer from serious health problems such as metabolic bone disease or nutritional deficiencies. This makes it important to carefully consider the types of insects you feed and their nutritional value. Not all feeder insects are safe to offer regularly, especially if they have a high-fat content like wax worms do.
If you are considering feeding wax worms to your beardie, this article has important feeding guidelines and nutritional facts to consider.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Wax Worms?
Bearded dragons can eat wax worms, but only in moderation because of the high-fat content. They should only be fed in addition to a healthy, balanced diet with proper supplementation. Bearded dragons need a diet consisting of high-protein, low-fat feeder insects such as dubia roaches and crickets, along with fresh fruit and veggies. They also need vitamin D3 and calcium supplements to support bone health and to prevent metabolic bone disease.
It’s best to offer wax worms as a treat a few hours after your beardie has eaten their main daily meals. You might want to avoid feeding wax worms first, because the high fat content makes them feel full quickly and refuse healthier foods.
Make sure the wax worms you plan to feed to your beardie are from a pet store and not wild-caught. Only commercial wax worms are safe and are less likely to be contaminated with parasites or toxins that could be harmful to reptiles.
How Often Should You Feed Wax Worms to Bearded Dragons?
Wax worms are high in fat and can contribute to excessive weight gain or picky eating habits if they are fed too frequently. Many bearded dragons tend to become fixated with wax worms and turn their nose up to other feeder insects or vegetables. That’s why it’s recommended to only feed wax worms once a week to adult bearded dragons. Baby beardies can eat wax worms up to twice a week because they require more insects in their diet than adults to support their rapid growth. Their diet should include more vegetables as they grow into adults to prevent obesity.
To increase the nutritional value of wax worms, you can dust them with a vitamin D3 and calcium supplement. Wax worms do not necessarily need to be gut-loaded as most feeder insects do. They survive off their fat reserves in the larval stage and do not require any food. You can keep wax worms in a small plastic container with air holes and woodchips as a substrate. They can either be stored in the refrigerator door to prolong their lifespan or simply at room temperature.
How Many Wax Worms Can You Give to a Bearded Dragon?
Adult bearded dragons should eat fewer wax worms than hatchlings and juveniles to prevent obesity or digestive issues. Baby bearded dragons have different nutritional requirements than adults, so you should adjust their intake accordingly. Always monitor your bearded dragon’s weight and appetite and limit their intake if you notice any excessive weight gain or health issues.
- Hatchlings (0-4 Months): 2-3 wax worms/twice per week
- Juveniles (4-12 Months): 2-5 wax worms/twice per week
- Adults (12+ Months): 1-2 wax worms/per week
Wax Worms Nutritional Value
| Protein: | 15% |
| Fat: | 20-25% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
| Moisture: | 60% |
| Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: | 1:13 |
Nutritional Benefits of Wax Worms for Bearded Dragons
Wax worms are packed with essential nutrients and are beneficial to bearded dragons in moderation.
Easy to Digest
Wax worms are low in chitin and have soft exoskeletons, making them easily digestible. Their soft exoskeleton makes them easier to break down, ensuring proper nutrient absorption and digestion. Bearded dragons struggle to digest insects that are high in chitin, a main component of an insect’s outer exoskeleton. Feeding too many insects high in chitin can be dangerous for beardies because it puts them at risk of gut impaction.
Essential Protein for Proper Growth and Development
These worms are high in protein and healthy fats, making them a nutritious snack for baby bearded dragons. Baby bearded dragons need a high-protein diet primarily consisting of live insects for proper growth and development. You can offer wax worms sparingly in addition to other feeder insects with a better nutritional value. Wax worms have a protein content of 15%, which isn’t as high as other feeder insects, such as dubia roaches or crickets, but it is still ideal.
Appetite Stimulant
Wax worms are an excellent appetite stimulant for bearded dragons who are picky eaters or sick and have a poor appetite. Very few beardies will refuse to eat wax worms because they are one of the tastiest feeder insects. Their high-fat content makes them a great feeder for malnourished bearded dragons as well and helps them to gain weight.
Rich Source of Calcium for Bone Health
Bearded dragons need calcium in their diet to prevent metabolic bone disease, a serious condition caused by calcium deficiencies or imbalances. Wax worms are a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which is essential for bone health. However, wax worms shouldn’t be offered as a sole source of calcium. It’s better to feed other calcium-rich foods and supplements in addition to wax worms. Ensure your beardie has access to a UVB light to produce vitamin D3 for effective calcium absorption.
Potential Risks to Consider Before Feeding Wax Worms to Bearded Dragons
Wax worms are not necessarily bad for bearded dragons, but there are a few risks to consider before feeding them.
Imbalanced Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio
Wax worms have an imbalanced calcium ratio of 1:13. This means that they contain more phosphorus than calcium, which isn’t ideal for bearded dragons who require a ratio of 1:2. Feeding too many foods high in phosphorus but low in calcium puts bearded dragons at risk for developing a calcium deficiency, which could lead to metabolic bone disease. It’s important to limit the number of wax worms you feed to your beardie and ensure that the bulk of their diet consists of foods with an ideal ratio.
Weight Gain Leading to Bearded Dragon Obesity
Wax worms have a high-fat content of between 20-25%, which is a lot higher than many other feeders. Unfortunately, the high-fat content can cause excessive weight gain in bearded dragons and may cause obesity. You want to avoid feeding wax worms daily to your bearded dragon or at all if they are already obese.
Bearded Dragons Can Become Addicted to Wax Worms
Many bearded dragon owners report that their pet seems to get “addicted” to these worms and start refusing other foods. This is likely because of how tasty and juicy wax worms are, making them a type of junk food for most reptiles. However, this can be a serious problem for bearded dragons because they won’t be eating a balanced diet. It’s better to only feed wax worms after your bearded dragon has eaten their main daily meal to prevent picky eating habits.
What Can Bearded Dragons Eat Instead of Wax Worms?
It’s a good idea to offer a selection of different feeder worms to your bearded dragon to ensure their diet is varied and balanced.
- Mealworms: Mealworms are a popular food choice for bearded dragons. They are fairly low in protein but have a lower fat content than wax worms. It’s best to offer mealworms as a treat in moderation to prevent obesity.
- Hornworms: These are large, tasty worms that are high in calcium and protein, supporting bone health and rapid growth in juveniles.
- Super worms: Super worms are a healthier alternative to mealworms and wax worms. These worms are low in fat but high in protein, so they don’t have a high risk of causing obesity in bearded dragons.
- Phoenix worms: Phoenix worms are packed with essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and protein. They are low in fat and can be fed as a main source of protein for bearded dragons.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons can enjoy wax worms as a tasty treat in moderation. Wax worms are very high in fat, so feeding them excessively puts your beardie at risk of obesity or picky eating habits. They are a rich source of essential protein and are easy to digest thanks to their low chitin content.
Wax worms are safe for both baby and adult beardies to eat, but adults should eat less to prevent obesity. Make sure you are offering wax worms in addition to a healthy, balanced diet that is suitable for your bearded dragon’s current life stage. If you are looking for alternative worms with better nutritional values, consider feeding super worms instead.
