There are multiple species of bearded dragons, with Pogona vitticeps being the most common beardie kept as a household pet.
Each species has different nutritional requirements, and the specificities depend on age, weight, and overall health.
Because bearded dragons consume insects in the wild, people often wonder if they can feed their reptile ants.
Bearded dragons can eat ants in the wild, but you shouldn’t feed ants to your beardie. Certain ant species use formic acid to ward off predators, which could adversely affect your pet. Also, the calcium to phosphorus ratio is disproportionate, which could lead to issues with calcium absorption.
Before feeding your bearded dragon any new food, speak with an exotic veterinarian experienced with reptiles. In the meantime, this article explains why feeding a bearded dragon ants is not a good idea. Read on to learn more.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Ants?
Bearded dragons eat ants in the wild, but bearded dragon owner should avoid this. Many ant species spray or inject formic acid, adversely affecting a beardie. The calcium to phosphorus ratio could lead to poor calcium absorption. Also, wild-caught insects could introduce poison, parasites, or diseases.
Ant Nutritional Value
There are over 12,000 ant species in the world, each with a unique nutritional profile. The metamorphic stage and size of the insect also play a role in the ant’s nutritional value.
With that said, adult ants generally contain high amounts of protein, fiber, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
Below is a table showing the percentage of protein and fat based on three different ant species:
| Ant Species | Protein (per 100 g) | Fat (per 100 g) |
| Atta sexdens | 39.7% | 34.7% |
| Atta cephalotes | 48.1% | 25.8% |
| Carebara vidua | 39.79% | 42.07% |
In addition to their high protein content, ants are also good sources of iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Why Bearded Dragons Shouldn’t Eat Ants?
While ants may sound like a valuable, nutritious choice for your reptile friend, it’s best to avoid feeding a bearded dragon ants.
High Fat Content Adversely Affects Weight
Ants contain a high amount of protein and fat. Although animal and insect-based protein is suitable for a bearded dragon, a high-fat diet isn’t.
Feeding a bearded dragon too many high-fat foods may result in an overweight reptile.
Ants Contain Disproportionate Calcium and Phosphorus Levels
Additionally, bearded dragons require more calcium than phosphorus, especially young beardies. Ants, however, have a 1:4 ratio of calcium to phosphorus.
This disproportionate level could cause issues and potentially block the absorption of calcium in a beardie. Insufficient calcium absorption is notorious for causing hypocalcemia and metabolic bone disease in bearded dragons.
Wild-Caught Insects May Poison Bearded Dragons
Finally, wild-caught insects—including ants—are often exposed to fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides, parasites, and disease.
Bearded dragons may be at risk of secondary poisoning if they consume insects that have been exposed to these chemicals or pathogens.
Are Ants Harmful to Bearded Dragons?
Yes, feeding bearded dragons ants can lead to health problems due to the folic acid it has as well as the calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Insects?
Bearded dragons eat insects, which make up a substantial portion of their diet. Captive beardies benefit from the consumption of feeder insects, including crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers. Feeding them wild insects, including ants, could lead to adverse health effects.
Keep size in mind when feeding insects to your reptile. If bearded dragons consume insects that are too large for their size, it could lead to a number of health issues, including the following:
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Bowel Obstruction
- Inability to self-feed
Any of the aforementioned issues could lead to death.
Consider Age When Feeding Your Bearded Dragon Insects
Young bearded dragons should only consume small insects, such as pinhead crickets or soft, tiny mealworms. As your bearded dragon grows, you can slowly introduce larger bugs.
By the time your beardie reaches four months of age, you can start offering pinky mice — but limit baby mice consumption to about once a week.
Also, when feeding a bearded dragon, place food in a designated food bowl to prevent your beardie from consuming substrate.
Bugs and Insects To Feed Your Bearded Dragon
Instead of wild-caught live insects and ants, opt for live feeder insects sold at many pet stores. Insect farmers raise the bugs in a controlled environment, away from insecticides.
Often, the insects are “gut-loaded,” meaning they’re fed nutritious diets — and that nutrition ultimately passes to your beloved reptile friend.
Some of the best insects to feed a bearded dragon include:
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Moths
- Slugs
- Earthworms
Crickets and mealworms, in particular, should be “gut-loaded” or calcium-dusted. Pet owners should feed wax worms and silkworms in moderation, as they’re high in fat.
Insects To Avoid Feeding to a Beardie
Avoid feeding your bearded dragon the following insects:
- Ants
- Fireflies
- Boxelder Bugs
- Scorpions
- Wasps
- Bees
- Hornets
- Centipedes
Fireflies and boxelder bugs contain known lizard toxins.
In the wild, bearded dragons often consume small scorpions, wasps, bees, and hornets, but it’s best to avoid them. They can inflict a nasty sting, potentially resulting in death.
Centipedes may seem safe, but they bite when provoked. Additionally, it’s not often that bearded dragons and centipedes come into contact with one another.
Centipedes require moist environments, whereas beardies live in arid and semi-arid climates.
Depending on their size and habitat, some centipedes actually feast on lizards — not the other way around. As such, it’s best to avoid feeding them altogether, especially to young beardies.
Are Bearded Dragons Omnivorous?
Before feeding insects to a bearded dragon, know that its diet should consist of half-plant and half-animal material.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous reptiles. Younger bearded dragons are primarily carnivorous, whereas older beardies are more herbivorous. Adolescents tend to lie somewhere in between. Bearded dragons aren’t known as picky eaters and consume a variety of plants, small animals, and insects.
Plant material fed to bearded dragons should consist primarily of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Between 80 to 90 percent of the plant material should be veggies and flowers.
Veggies may be raw or cooked. Only 10 to 20 percent should be fruit, as most fruits are mineral deficient.
Source animal proteins from safe live feeder insects, as mentioned throughout the article.
Best Vegetables for Bearded Dragons
Some of the best vegetables to feed your bearded dragon include dark, leafy greens and the following:
- Alfalfa Hay
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Clover
- Green Peppers
- Watercress
Other vegetables, such as squash, okra, carrots, and peas are also acceptable. Don’t feed foods such as spinach and beet greens regularly, as they may prevent the absorption of calcium due to the oxalates.
Best Fruits for Bearded Dragons
Fruits should make up only 10 to 20 percent of a bearded dragon’s diet. Some of the best fruits to feed a bearded dragon include the following:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas (with peel)
- Figs
- Grapes
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Feed fruit sparingly as an addition to vegetables.
For treats, feed carnations, geraniums, roses, or dandelions to your bearded dragon.
Chop and Mix Bearded Dragon Food Thoroughly
When feeding a bearded dragon, provide finely chopped and well-blended food in a shallow food bowl.
Mixing the foods before feeding ensures that the bearded dragon doesn’t avoid certain foods and maintains a balanced diet.
The shallow feeding dish prevents the likelihood of substrate ingestion, which could cause impaction.
Conclusion
With an estimated one-quadrillion ants walking the Earth, it’s natural to wonder if you can safely feed a bearded dragon this overabundant insect. Despite their availability, however, they’re best to avoid.
Not only can ants physically harm your reptile friend with a painful sting, but they can also cause medical issues due to their disproportionate calcium to phosphorus ratio and high-fat levels.
Keep your beardie healthy with a diet consisting of veggies, the occasional fruit, and plenty of insect protein.
It’s best to avoid all wild-caught insects to keep your pet bearded dragon protected from potential poisons and pathogens.
