Yes, bearded dragons can eat roaches. Bearded dragons are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They may occasionally need food items that fall under “animal matter.” Although these should not take up the majority of their diet, it is important to provide variety. Roaches are an excellent source of protein for bearded dragons.
Roaches are sometimes available at pet stores where live foods are sold, although they are usually kept in small cages or aquariums with very little substrate. The main things needed for them to be kept as pets are water and a hiding place (such as plants). When you see one of these insects out of its home it usually means it has died or is dying. Check out the insect list for bearded dragons.
What Is The Nutritional Profile in Roaches?
Roaches are very nutritious. They contain about 65% protein and 0 grams of carbohydrates, making them a great addition to any bearded dragon’s diet. However, roaches should not be fed exclusively due to the high amount of fat that needs to be consumed for them to get their nutrients.
A single roach can provide sufficient amounts of calcium and phosphorous for a bearded dragon if it is the only insect in its diet. For a healthier bearded dragon diet try feeding a few insects per week in addition to plants, vegetables, fruits and other healthy treats.
What Are The Benefits of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Roaches?
There are a number of benefits to feeding your bearded dragon roaches.
- Roaches contain a high amount of calcium and phosphorous, which is great for their bone growth.
- They are an excellent source of protein. Protein is necessary for the growth and maintenance of all body tissues, including muscle tissue.
- They are an excellent source of chitin, which is the main component in the exoskeleton of insects. Chitin can help prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Roaches are delicious.
What Are Some Drawbacks of Feeding My Bearded Dragon Roaches?
The major drawback to feeding your bearded dragon roaches is that if they have not yet molted then they will not be able to process the food as well, and they can become impacted. This means that they will have issues passing the food from their stomach through their intestines. An impacted roach is usually seen as a dead roach that is not moving or a very bloated one that has trouble moving around.
Insect List
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cicadas
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Darkling Beetles
- Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dead Crickets/
Alternative Foods for Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons can eat a lot of different insects in their diet. One great substitute for roaches is silkworms since they have a similar nutritional profile to roaches, but do not contain the fat that needs to be consumed on a daily basis.
Other insects such as crickets and super worms are excellent protein sources and should be fed regularly to bearded dragons.
Bearded dragons can also eat snails, but make sure they are not wild-caught since they could contain parasites that could be harmful to your pet.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Roaches? – The Conclusion
Yes, bearded dragons can eat roaches. As long as they do not become the only source of food then there should be no issues with them being fed to your bearded dragon.