Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cicadas? | Safe Insect Diet 2024

Are you a new dragon keeper? If yes, you may have wondered what bearded dragons like to eat and what they should avoid. While many fruits and vegetables are off the charts for these reptilians, they are fond of insects. Can bearded dragons eat cicadas? There are many reasons for new pet owners to ask this question!

When you get a new pet, its behavior tells you whether they like a certain food or not. However, bearded dragons are not going to wag their tail or purr in delight if you feed them the right food. Many insects are suitable for your pet dragon while some can be harmful too, so watch out!

Is Cicada Good For Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are fond of cicadas, and will always be pleased to try them! The only way to explain their admiration of this insect is that if they were at a buffet lunch, they would gorge on cicadas only, and would never want to feed on another insect as long as the cicadas keep coming. Regardless of the bearded dragons’ love for this insect, owners must ensure a few things before feeding this insect to their beloved pets. Also, find out Can Bearded Dragons Eat Roaches.

Points To Ensure Before Feeding Cicadas

Cicadas are wild insects and they may have reached your dragon pet’s feeding plate after roaming a number of places. Owners must ensure that there are no chemicals such as lawn fertilizers, pesticides, and chemicals that can be harmful to your dragon.

Make sure that you keep your lawn free from chemicals and pesticides so that all the cicadas that make it to the dragon are free from any kinds of contaminants or constituents that may damage the health of your pet. If you have a big lawn and you use fertilizers, maybe the cicadas are not going to be as healthy a treat as you wish.

What Is In Cicadas

Cicadas are stout insects that have high protein content, which is favorable for bearded dragons. The more they eat protein-rich foods, the more they thrive. Insects are the best food for your pet dragon. However, there are so many cicadas around, and especially since the sudden growth in insects due to global warming, one might wonder if cicadas are a good staple for bearded dragons.

The various issues with having chemical-infested cicadas are that your bearded dragon may experience diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting. If this occurs, see a vet and ensure that your bearded dragon consumes enough water and fiber to eliminate the effects of chemicals. Wild insects are delicious for bearded dragons, but they pose the danger of being contaminated. If you can ensure that the insect is free from harmful substances, it will always be a good treat for your pet.

Cicadas And The Noise

Cicadas have a buzzing noise that can scare bearded dragons. Pet dragons are indoors all the time and in a way, they are not accustomed to wild insects, especially the ones that flap their tiny wings at high speed and create a whirring sound. Bearded dragons can become stressed and may need immediate attention. Here are a few ways that you can calm down your pet:

• Dragons love to be held and cuddled. When they are stressed, it helps to hold them and make them feel secure. You can fold a blanket around the dragon and hold it close so that it pacifies and does not stir at the noise of the buzzing cicada.
• Darkness can be a good way of screening out stress as dragons feel calm and relaxed in the dark. However, do not do this for longer periods as it may cause the dragon to get confused about day and night time.
• Try and get the noise out by releasing the insect into an open space. Your bearded dragon is sensitive and needs to feel that your home is a haven for it. If the insect’s noise is disturbing, you must remove it from where the dragon is.
• A lukewarm bath can help tranquilize stressed dragons! Cicadas buzz loudly and even humans can get disturbed. Bearded dragons like a soothing bath and it may help calm down the scared dragon!

Are Cicadas Good For Infants

Infant bearded dragons are not supposed to have insects. Cicadas are tough-skinned and hard to swallow therefore, infant bearded dragons must not be fed this insect. The size of the cicadas makes them hard insects for infant dragons. You can either cut it into smaller pieces or avoid it completely. As with adult dragons, the first step of feeding cicadas is to ensure that they are chemical-free.

Conclusion

Bearded dragons can eat cicadas and love them too! However, a few points to consider before feeding your pet this insect can ensure that they benefit from this protein-rich insect. Chemicals and harmful substances in the insect can cause problems so owners must ensure that they feed clean, and chemical-free cicadas to their pets. Moreover, you may also want to read Can Bearded Dragons Eat Ham.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are numerous questions that pet owners ask us. Here are a few others that might be helpful to clear out your thoughts:

Are cicadas good for everyday consumption?

There is no harm if your bearded dragon is consuming cicadas, however, it is a tough insect to consume. The bearded dragon might not be able to consume this insect on a regular basis. It is still a good choice and can be part of the weekly diet plan!

What if my bearded dragon eats cicadas and loses appetite?

If your bearded dragon loses appetite after eating cicadas, there is a chance that there was some chemical on the insect. Take your pet to a veterinary doctor and ensure that you give it more water and fiber.