Feeding your bearded dragon the right live food is one of the most important parts of reptile care. Live insects provide essential protein, encourage natural hunting behaviour, and help keep your dragon active and mentally stimulated.
At Kellyville Pets, you'll find a wide range of quality live feeder insects suitable for bearded dragons of all ages. Whether you're raising a growing juvenile or maintaining a healthy adult dragon, offering a varied diet is the key to long-term health.
Why Variety Matters
No single feeder insect provides everything a bearded dragon needs. Rotating between different live foods helps provide a broader range of nutrients while preventing picky feeding habits.
A varied feeding routine can also:
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Encourage natural hunting instincts
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Improve enrichment and activity levels
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Help balance protein, fat and calcium intake
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Reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies
Live Crickets
Crickets remain one of the most popular feeder insects for bearded dragons.
Available in multiple sizes, they are suitable for both juvenile and adult dragons and encourage active hunting behaviour.
Benefits of crickets include:
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High protein content
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Great enrichment value
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Easy to digest when appropriately sized
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Suitable as a regular feeder insect
Kellyville Pets stocks both standard tubs and bulk cricket options for keepers with multiple reptiles.
Live Woodies
Woodies are a favourite among experienced Australian reptile keepers and are often considered one of the best staple feeders available.
Benefits include:
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Excellent protein levels
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Soft-bodied and easy to digest
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Less odour than crickets
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Easy to keep and store
Many bearded dragons readily accept woodies, making them a fantastic addition to a regular feeding rotation.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Black Soldier Fly Larvae are becoming increasingly popular due to their nutritional profile.
Benefits include:
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Naturally high calcium content
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Soft-bodied and easy to eat
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Suitable for juveniles and adults
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Excellent addition to a varied diet
These larvae can be particularly useful when working to improve calcium intake alongside proper UVB lighting and supplementation.
Mealworms
Mealworms are a convenient feeder insect and can be useful as part of a balanced feeding routine.
Benefits include:
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Easy to store
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Readily accepted by most dragons
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Useful for adding variety
Because mealworms have a harder outer shell and are higher in fat than some alternatives, they are best offered alongside other feeder insects rather than as the sole food source.
Giant Mealworms and Superworms
Most bearded dragons absolutely love giant mealworms and superworms.
These feeders are ideal for:
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Occasional treats
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Enrichment feeds
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Variety within a balanced diet
Due to their higher fat content, they should not replace staple feeders such as crickets, woodies or Dubia roaches.
Earthworms
Earthworms can be an excellent addition to your dragon's diet.
Benefits include:
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High moisture content
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Good nutritional variety
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Soft-bodied and easy to digest
They can be especially useful for reptiles that need additional hydration support.
Choosing the Right Feeder Size
A simple rule is to choose insects that are no larger than the space between your bearded dragon's eyes.
Kellyville Pets stocks various feeder sizes, making it easy to match food to your dragon's age and size. Younger dragons generally require smaller feeders and more frequent meals, while adults can handle larger insects and eat less often.
Gut Loading and Supplementation
Before feeding insects to your dragon, it's important to gut load them with nutritious foods.
Good gut-loading options include:
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Leafy greens
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Carrot
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Sweet potato
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Commercial insect diets
You should also dust feeder insects with calcium powder regularly and ensure your dragon has access to quality UVB lighting to support healthy bone development.
Watch: Bearded Dragon Care Tips
Want to learn more about feeding and caring for your bearded dragon?
Check out the Kellyville Pets YouTube channel for reptile care advice, setup tips, and educational content:
Shop Live Food Online
Kellyville Pets offers Australia-wide delivery on a wide range of live feeder insects, making it easy to keep your reptile supplied with fresh food year-round.
Browse the full range of live reptile food here:
https://www.kellyvillepets.com.au/collections/reptile-food-live
Final Thoughts
A healthy bearded dragon diet starts with variety. By rotating quality feeders such as crickets, woodies, Black Soldier Fly Larvae, mealworms, giant mealworms, superworms and earthworms, you'll provide balanced nutrition while encouraging natural hunting behaviours.
Combined with proper supplementation, UVB lighting and fresh vegetables, quality live food helps support a healthy, active and thriving bearded dragon.
