Yes, Bearded dragons can eat daddy long legs, but it is not recommended to feed them regularly.
It is important to note that wild insects like daddy long legs may carry parasites and could cause harm to a bearded dragon.
Some people have fed their lizards daddy long legs without any problems, but it is generally recommended to avoid feeding wild insects to your pet.
If you do choose to feed your bearded dragon daddy long legs or other spiders, make sure they are not sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.
What Are Daddy Long Legs?
Daddy long legs are often confused with spiders, but they aren’t actually part of the spider species. Rather, they belong to a different arachnid family known as Pholcidae.
They get their name from their very long legs – some species have limbs up to several times the length of their bodies.
Daddy long legs can also be referred to as harvestmen or crane flies and usually don’t exceed 5mm in size.
They’re found on every continent except Antarctica, living in habitats ranging from deserts and forests to urban areas like homes or gardens.
Daddy long legs feed mainly on small insects and other invertebrates, making them helpful predators for keeping pest populations under control.
Are Daddy Long Legs Safe To Eat?
First and foremost, it must be noted that daddy long legs are not venomous spiders; rather, they belong to the order Opiliones which makes them arachnids but not spiders. So, there is no risk of poisoning or envenomation from eating these creatures.
In terms of their nutritive value as food sources, there is some debate among experts.
On one hand, many believe that daddy long legs can provide an excellent source of protein and other nutrients for your pet’s diet.
On the other hand, others argue that due to their hard exoskeletons and small size, they may provide little nutritional benefit.
It is also worth noting that since daddy long legs cannot bite or sting humans in general they generally do not carry parasites or disease-causing bacteria like some other insects might.
Benefits Of Eating Daddy Long Legs
Daddy long legs contain a high nutritional value due to their rich vitamin content, mineral content, and protein levels.
As such, this makes them an excellent addition to the diet of any beardie.
The vitamins contained in daddy long legs help strengthen a dragon’s immune system and keep it healthy for years to come.
The minerals also provide important nutrients needed for bone growth and development while the proteins assist with muscle maintenance and repair.
All of these components combined contribute greatly to the well-being of your pet!
Since these insects have been known to live up to 10 years in captivity, ingesting them ensures that your dragon is receiving optimal nutrition over a longer period of time than other food sources may offer.
Are There Any Risks To Feeding Bearded Dragons Daddy Long Legs?
Yes, there are some risks associated with feeding these arachnids.
Daddy long legs have a hard exoskeleton that may be difficult for bearded dragons to digest and could cause impaction in their digestive system if ingested.
The consumption of daddy long legs could expose bearded dragons to any pesticide or chemical used on them from where they were caught.
It is best to provide your bearded dragon with alternative feeder items such as crickets, mealworms, or wax worms instead of providing them with daddy long legs as a snack.
It’s also important to remember that even though you can offer occasional treats like daddy long legs, the main diet should consist of gut-loaded insects and vegetables so your pet will receive all the nutrients needed for good health.
How Often Should Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders?
Bearded dragons can eat spiders, but it is not recommended to make this a common practice. House spiders can carry parasites or pesticides, have less nutritional value than other insects like crickets and locusts, and some types of spiders are poisonous.
When deciding how frequently your pet should eat spiders, you must take into account the size of the spider in relation to your beardie’s body weight.
For instance, if you have a baby dragon then providing them with large prey items such as adult-sized daddy long legs could overwhelm and cause injury; therefore an alternative more appropriate-sized source of nourishment would be better suited.
If you own an older or larger bearded dragon then smaller prey like juvenile daddy long legs won’t provide enough sustenance due to its low-calorie content – so again opting for something else would probably prove beneficial.
Preparing Daddy Long Legs For Consumption
Before feeding them to your dragon, you should first prepare the insects for consumption.
Daddy long legs have a hard outer shell that is difficult for a bearded dragon to digest and so it’s important to make sure they are soft enough before feeding them.
The easiest way to do this is by freezing the daddy long legs in an airtight container or bag overnight.
Once you take them out of the freezer, just place them on a paper towel and leave them at room temperature until they thaw out completely.
This will soften their exoskeleton making it easier for your beardie to digest.
Another option is lightly dusting the daddies with calcium powder prior to feeding as this will also help break down the exoskeleton even further.
Once prepared, you can now safely feed daddy long legs to your bearded dragon as part of their balanced diet!
Alternatives To Feeding Daddy Long Legs
Mealworms, crickets, locusts, cockroaches, and waxworms are all good alternatives for feeding your pet.
Insects provide essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids which promote the health of your beardie.
They also act as an important source of fiber in their diet.
Mealworms contain higher amounts of calcium than most other insects making them ideal for nourishing growing dragons or pregnant females.
Crickets are rich in protein and chitin which is necessary for healthy bone growth and development.
Locusts offer a great balance between carbohydrates and fats while providing plenty of energy for activity levels.
Cockroaches have the highest fat content out of all these insect options but can be beneficial when fed in moderation due to their high nutrient profile including phosphorus and zinc.
