Cockroaches are bearded dragons’ favorite food, but they must be carefully sourced. Use only commercially harvested cockroaches because wild ones may carry parasites and bacteria that are harmful to pets.
Due to their high protein and nutritional content, dubia roaches are bearded dragons’ preferred insect. They are also easy to store and resemble your dragon’s natural food.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Hissing Cockroaches?
Bearded dragons should not be fed cockroaches as part of their regular diet for the following reasons:
- Cockroaches are not nutritious enough. Bearded dragons need a diet high in protein, fat, calcium and vitamins. While cockroaches contain some protein, they are generally low in other important nutrients bearded dragons need.
- Cockroaches can carry parasites and diseases. Cockroaches can potentially expose bearded dragons to parasites like coccidia, roundworms and tapeworms. They may also carry bacteria and other pathogens.
- Cockroaches can be difficult to digest. The hard exoskeleton of cockroaches makes them difficult for bearded dragons to efficiently digest. This could cause impaction or blockages in extreme cases.
- Cockroaches are an inconsistent food source. Cockroaches should not be relied upon as a primary or even occasional food source for bearded dragons since they are unpredictable and require setup of bug colonies.
In summary, while an occasional cockroach likely won’t harm a healthy bearded dragon in small amounts, they don’t provide the nutritional balance required in a regular diet and come with risks like parasites and impaction. So they are best avoided as a food for bearded dragons. Instead, stick to a variety of leafy greens, vegetables and insects like crickets and worms as the primary diet for your bearded dragon.
Insects, fruits, and vegetables can be fed to bearded dragons.
Your dragon needs fruit. They contain high levels of Vitamins A and C and an optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Give your dragon a variety of fruits to stay healthy. For easier eating, cut the fruit into small pieces.
Apples can be fed to your bearded dragon if they are peeled and cut into small pieces. Avoid large apples to avoid loose stools.
Nutritional Content of Hissing Cockroaches
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are curious and friendly. The hissing sound they make from abdominal spiracles gives them their name.
Forest trees recycle most decaying plant and animal matter in Madagascar’s nutrient cycle. They also provide vitamins and minerals.
Hissers’ nutritional profile, especially protein content, is impressive. At 69.2%, they have one of the highest moisture contents of common feeder insects, which reptiles need to stay hydrated.
Health Benefits and Risks of Hissing Cockroaches
Worldwide, cockroaches are a pest. These insects have survived for millions of years by eating whatever is available.
Their modified spiracles allow them to hiss in danger. When threatened, the whole colony may hiss, and males court females by hissing.
Hissers can also communicate with pheromones. Hissers are magnetized by these pheromones.
Other Alternatives to Hissing Cockroaches
Bearded dragons need protein, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy. They stay healthy, happy, and long-lived this way.
Your dragon can get animal protein from cockroaches. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are also supplied.
Cockroaches should not be fed to beardies regularly. Roaches should only be given as a treat or part of a meal due to their high fat content.
Your bearded dragon can also eat dubia roaches. Reptiles can digest and enjoy these insects due to their low chitin content.
Conclusion about Eating Hissing Cockroaches
Bearded dragons love cockroaches when fed protein-rich food. This will help your beardie grow and develop, plus cockroaches are fun!
Calcium from cockroaches strengthens bones. They are low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals.
Hissing cockroaches eat plant material, fallen fruit, and other organic matter. Scavengers, they will eat dead animals.
They molt six times before reaching maturity at seven months, which is normal.