Worms are one of the primary nutrition sources for bearded dragons. If they are refusing to eat worms, then something is not right with them. It’s one of their favorite foods under regular circumstances. Then why is my bearded dragon not eating worms?
Beardie may not want to eat worms for one or multiple reasons from the below:
- The temperature is not in their comfort range
- Insufficient UVB lighting
- Lack of variety in food
- Overfeeding
- Wrong worm size
- Your dragon is stressed
- Physical illness
- It can be in brumation, etc.
You can help the dragon with these issues with some simple steps. That will encourage them to eat worms again and get the necessary nutrition.
Issues and Solutions to Why Is My Bearded Dragon Not Eating Worms?
Understanding the underlying causes is important to solve the problem. Let me help you with the signs, causes, and solutions of these problems.
1. You Set the Temperature Wrong
These lizards are from the desert part of Australia, and they need a comparatively higher temperature. Besides, they are cold-blooded reptiles. They have to rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature. Without proper heating, their normal appetite and digestion are affected.
Signs and Solution
Your beardie will hint at the temperature problem through different signs. Reading these signs is crucial. Since they are not eating worms, observe them for these signs:
- Lethargy: bearded dragon becomes less active and spends more time basking.
- Dark beard: Their beards get darkened when they try to regulate temperature.
- Lack of food interest: Their not eating does not remain only to worms. They may not want to eat other foods as well.
- Constipation: Digestion slows down in cooler temperatures, leading to constipation.
Maintaining an ideal temperature is crucial for these lizards. You need to keep the temperature no less than 85 degrees F during the daytime and not below 75 degrees F at night. The best practice is to keep the temperature between 100 and 110 degrees F. Here are some tips from my personal experience:
- Add a digital thermometer to the enclosure and check it daily.
- Use a heat lamp positioned over the basking area to provide a 95-110F hot spot.
- Add a heat mat under or on the side of the tank.
- In big tanks, create a temperature gradient with higher heat on one end.
- Use ceramic heat emitters or nocturnal infrared bulbs to provide heat at night without light.
- Make sure the tank is not placed in cold, drafty areas or is getting direct airflow.
2. Insufficient UVB Lighting
Another possible reason for bearded dragons not eating worms is insufficient UVB lighting. They need UVB rays from the sun or UVB lamp to synthesize vitamin D3 [1]. It helps them in calcium absorption and keeps their bones healthy and strong. They feel weak and show less or reduced interest in eating worms.
Signs and Solution
The common signs are lethargy and loss of appetite. But the special signs you need to look for are soft bones, muscle tremors, and weakness. They may tremor while walking or standing because of their weak bones.
Solution to this particular problem is quite easy. All you need to do is the following:
- Select a linear T5 UVB bulb appropriate for your bearded dragon’s size and enclosure length.
- Position the bulb at the recommended distance from the basking spot. I place it 10-12 inches away.
- Replace the bulb every 6-12 months, depending on the brand.
- With proper UVB exposure, your bearded dragon should become more active and regain their appetite for worms over time.
3. Lack of Variety in Food
Bearded dragons are omnivores. Never forget this fact.
You have to provide them with a variety of foods. It should include various types of fruits, vegetables, insects, and worms. If you are only feeding the beardie worms, then it can be the cause for him not eating anymore.
To be honest, I believe it is doing the right thing. Feeding them the same food every day is not good for their health either. There is no such food to fulfill all their nutrition requirements.
Worms can be a good source of protein. But they are not rich in vitamins. Therefore, you have to maintain a good variation for them.
What Can Bearded Dragons Eat
Beardies can eat all sorts of foods, whether it’s vegetables, fruits, or insects. The table below shows some of their favorite foods.
| Vegetables | Fruits | Animals |
| Collard Greens | Apples | Dubia Roaches |
| Kale | Strawberries | Crickets |
| Mustard Greens | Blueberries | Mealworms |
| Dandelion Greens | Grapes | Superworms |
| Turnip Greens | Mango | Silkworms |
| Endive | Papaya | Waxworms |
| Escarole | Watermelon | Phoenix Worms |
| Bell Peppers | Kiwi | Hornworms |
| Squash | Figs | Butterworms |
| Carrots | Cantaloupe | Pinkie Mice |
| Zucchini | Blackberries | Dubia Roach Nymphs |
| Butternut Squash | Raspberries | Dubia Roach Adults |
| Acorn Squash | Pineapple | Earthworms |
| Green Beans | Pears | Snails |
| Peas | Oranges | Grasshoppers |
4. Overfeeding
Beardies do not need a lot of food. Instead, feed them a limited amount of healthy food. Overfeeding can cause a lack of appetite. They may not show interest in eating even when offered one of their favorite worms.
Signs and Solution
Surely, overfed beardies will express their “no more feeding” cry through some visual hints, such as:
- Overstretched stomach
- Digestive issues, which may lead to constipation, bloating, or discomfort.
- Consistent overfeeding can lead to obesity, noticeable by a rounder body and thicker tail.
- You might observe infrequent or abnormal droppings due to digestive issues.
What to do to solve the problem?
Just don’t overfeed them. It’s as simple as that.
Follow a routine diet for them. Adults usually require only one feeding a day, while juveniles may need 2-3 meals. Observe their eating behavior and never force them to eat.
Keep on their weight gain, and always maintain a variety in their fruit. They can indeed have different kinds of foods, and most of them are easy to get.
5. Wrong Worm Size
New owners often make the mistake of giving worms of the wrong size to their lizards. This is not safe for them as it increases choking hazard risk and difficulty in ingesting. Beardies may lose interest and will not attempt to eat worms anymore.
Signs and Solution
Since they are not eating anymore, it might be a bit difficult to be assured of the problem. Anyway, have a look at the size of the worms. Aim for superworms that are no wider than the widest part of your bearded dragon’s head. Cutting the worms into smaller pieces is also a good idea.
6. Your Dragon Is Stressed
Stress can also contribute to the lack of interest in eating reptiles. They can be stressed by various factors, such as:
- Excessive handling by you. Yes, they might like to be held, but not all day long or very frequently. Inappropriate handling can stress them out, too.
- Insufficient UVB light
- Improper temperature
- Smaller enclosure
- The presence of other bearded dragons
- Lack of variety and overfeeding can also cause stress on them.
- Loud noise or sudden movement
Signs and Solution
The primary reason should be their lack of interest in eating any food, including worms. Apart from that, they may also show other symptoms that include:
- Increased basking time
- Pacing and rubbing their nose against the glass of the enclosure
- Bobbing their head as a sign of dominance and aggression
- Beard getting black or darkened
- Continuous hiding
- Open-mouthed breathing
- Dark patches appear on the beard, throat, and belly.
Solving the problem requires you to find what is causing the stress. It could be a single or multiple reasons. I maintain these disciplinary actions to keep my Spike, the cutest beardie, free of stress.
- No loud noise and no sudden movements
- Giving him food in a routined time maintaining a variety
- Handling them not more than two or three times a day for a few minutes
- Let him have some hiding spots, as it is their hobby to stay hidden
- Provide enrichment items like climbing branches or digging boxes to encourage natural behaviors and reduce boredom
7. Physical Illness
Any type of illness can cause beardies not to eat worms. They can suffer from parasitic, bacterial, or viral infections. Improper food supply can cause metabolic bone disease as well as vitamin A deficiency.
In some cases, they may develop health issues like respiratory infections [2] or impaction and egg-binding. These are some of the common and critical health conditions for beardies. Medical attention should be sought immediately.
Signs and Solution
Different diseases have different signs and symptoms. Educating yourself to recognize the problems is crucial. Check the table below to be aware of their infectious disease symptoms.
| Parasitic Infection | Viral Infection | Bacterial Infection |
| Weight loss | Fever | Fever |
| Decreased appetite | Fatigue | Chills |
| Diarrhea | Muscle aches | Rapid heartbeat |
| Constipation | Headache | Difficulty breathing |
| Lethargy | Sore throat | Nausea |
| Dehydration | Cough | Vomiting |
| Weakness | Runny or stuffy nose | Diarrhea |
| Swollen abdomen | Rash | Abdominal pain |
| Dull or sunken eyes | Joint pain | Swollen lymph nodes |
| Visible parasites | Swollen glands | Skin lesions |
| Bloody stools | Skin rash | Disorientation |
Upon noticing these signs, don’t waste any more time to consult a doctor. Again, some of the signs can be caused by other issues. But when they are infected, you will notice several of them together.
8. Brumation
Bearded dragons do not hibernate. Instead, they go to brumation. This can also cause your beardie to stop eating worms and other food altogether. Brumation is a natural process for these reptiles, so you don’t have to worry about it.
They reduce eating as their metabolism slows down, and their movement also gets minimal. Therefore, they do not need as much strength as they normally need. Therefore, they might not show interest in eating the food.
Signs and Solution
During brumation, you will notice some of the obvious clues. Besides, the weather and environment also hint when the time is perfect for these lizards to brumate. Common symptoms to understand the brumation period are:
- Reduced activity
- No interest in food
- Weight loss
- Cooler body temperature.
There is no solution for the brumation of reptiles.
You don’t have to solve it either, as it is a part of their nature. Brumation is essential for their reproductive health. The best time for bearded dragons to mate is after brumation. It also enhances and improves their immune function.
How to Feed Worms to Bearded Dragons in the Right Way
Inappropriate feeding practices can cause a lack of interest among beardies. Therefore, follow these instructions to feed bearded dragon worms.
- Select worms of appropriate size for your lizards. Never offer worms larger than the widest part of their head. For larger worms, chop them up.
- Before feeding the worms to your dragon, feed them a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables. This ensures your dragon receives essential vitamins and minerals.
- Lightly dust the worms with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement powder to prevent metabolic disease.
- Avoid feeding directly off your hands. Instead, use tongs, scatter them, or place them on a feeding dish.
- Avoid overfeeding and maintain a good variation to ensure they are not getting bored of worms.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling feeder insects and their equipment.
FAQ
Here are some relevant questions that I found people keep asking online to save you from doing more searches.
Why is my bearded dragon a picky eater?
Bearded dragons may become picky eaters due to various factors such as stress, illness, or dietary preferences. It’s important to offer a diverse diet, ensure proper temperatures for digestion, and monitor for signs of illness.
How long can bearded dragons go without eating worms?
Bearded dragons can go without eating worms for several days to weeks, depending on their age, health, and overall condition. While worms provide protein and nutrients, a varied diet, including vegetables and other live insects, can sustain them. However, prolonged refusal to eat may indicate an underlying issue.
How do I know if my bearded dragon is hungry?
You can tell if your bearded dragon is hungry if it displays signs such as actively hunting for food, eagerly approaching food when offered, showing increased alertness and activity, and exhibiting tongue flicking or licking behavior.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons need to eat worms to maintain a good variation in their diet as well as get enough nutrition. However, it should not be made their only food. They need other foods as well.
Follow the above-mentioned instructions to identify the cause behind their refusal and try to solve them. Prolonged denial may need to be treated by professionals. In any circumstances, avoid forcing them to eat. They will eat on their own when they get all the care they want.
Recommendation Reading to Enhance Knowledge:
- Vitamin D3 synthesize: https://studenttheses.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/20.500.12932/22261/Production%20of%20cutaneous%20vitamin%20D3%20after%20UVB%20radiation%20in%20reptiles%20and%20amphibians.pdf?sequence=1#:~:text=A%20study%20with%20juvenile%20bearded,
- Respiratory infection: https://www.midogtest.com/blog/bearded-dragons-pneumonia/