Normal Saturday afternoon and you are a bearded dragon parent that lets it roam around the house occasionally. When suddenly you catch a glimpse of your pet bearded dragon snagging a spider then you start to panic.
As a caring owner, you feed it a well-balanced diet that consists of 50% plant-based material and 50% animal-based material. Amid the panic, you start to wonder if the spider counts to a 50% animal-based diet? If you are wondering what happens if my bearded dragon ate a spider? This is the right article for you.
Can bearded dragons eat spiders? Bearded dragons can eat spiders if it has the opportunity to while you weren’t able to watch them. However, spiders should not be included in their diet because they can carry pesticides or parasites. Spiders lack the nutritional value other insects have like crickets, and some types of spiders can be poisonous.
Let me discuss the most common questions regarding, “can bearded dragons eat spiders?”. Don’t panic because if you are reading this you are a caring bearded dragon parent willing to learn more about their pet. Learning how to tell poisonous spiders will keep your little reptile safe.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders – My Bearded Dragon Ate Spiders – Can Bearded Dragons Have Spiders
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders?
The answer is yes; however, you should not include spiders in your bearded dragon’s diet intentionally.
Spiders eat other insects which might carry parasites or might have been in contact with a pesticide. The same goes for any other household insect you spot, keep it as far as you can from your bearded dragon.
Worth noting, spiders do not provide ideal nutrition for grown or baby bearded dragons.
Now back to the early scene I was painting in the introduction of the article. Your bearded dragon eats a spider that it shouldn’t like any other pet who eats things it shouldn’t. You think to yourself: “Can bearded dragons eat spiders?”.
Take a deep breath and stop panicking over: “my bearded dragon ate a spider”. Quickly think about two possibilities.
The first possibility, the occasional household spider your bearded dragon might have eaten is most likely not a serious problem. Hence, if it is not a poisonous spider you have nothing serious to worry about.
The second possibility, if you know what type the spider was then google if it is poisonous or not. For instance, if the spider had harmful chemicals it would have been a bright-colored spider, usually red or green.
But what happens if you don’t know what type of spider your bearded dragon ate? Can a bearded dragon eat spiders?
If you’re unsure what kind of spider your bearded dragon ate, observe your pet for the next 24 hours. Don’t panic and remember you know your pet better than anyone else.
Watch for signs of distress, and contact your vet if you are seriously concerned.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Daddy Long Legs?
If bearded dragons eat Daddy Long Legs it is quite okay as long as they are not poisonous. It helps if you are aware which type of spider was just google whether it is a poisonous spider or not.
If the daddy long leg spider had harmful chemicals it would have been bright-colored, usually red or green.
As previously asked: “Can bearded dragons eat spiders?”. As a rule of thumb, never include spiders in your bearded dragon’s diet. If they eat by mistake make sure the spider is not poisonous.
Can I Feed My Bearded Dragon A Wolf Spider?
Wolf spider is ranked as number 10 in the top 10 most dangerous spiders in North America. They are usually common in US states, like Missouri, Texas, and California. They are black and brown colored spiders.
The question remains: can bearded dragons eat spiders? More specifically, can they eat a wolf spider?
Well, wolf spiders are venomous which poses a health risk to a bearded dragon. Physically, a bearded dragon can eat it but it might be life-threatening for them.
What Happens If A Bearded Dragon Eats A Huntsman Spider?
When it comes down to can bearded dragons have spiders, and being more specific huntsman spiders.
Huntsman spiders belong to the Sparassidae family. This family of spiders includes 1,027 identified species in temperate or tropical regions like the US.
Huntsman spiders are most active at night, and they use their venom to paralyze their prey.
Can bearded dragons eat spiders? When it comes to huntsman spiders, no, and try to keep huntsman spiders away from your bearded dragon.
You should not feed your beardie this type of spider because their poison presents a real risk on your beardie.
How to keep them away from your home and your beardie? You are in luck if you live in a cold region because huntsman spiders do not tolerate freezing winter temperatures.
They are not able to survive or reproduce in these cold climates. These spiders usually exist in tropical regions and heated homes.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Black Widows?
The infamous Black Widow spider belongs to a genus of spiders in the family of Theridiidae. You can identify it by its dark color and red-like hourglass-shaped marking on its abdomen.
Black Widows are venomous because they carry a neurotoxin called latrotoxin which causes pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating for humans.
So can bearded dragons eat spiders? Black Widows specifically? No, they cannot eat them at all costs and should be fully avoided.
I want to make a detour from all the questions about, can bearded dragons eat spiders? So the inch-long bugs swarming through the air, cicadas, are bearded dragons’ all-time favorite to feast on.
Your bearded dragon’s dream would be having cicadas every single day. And believe it or not, cicadas are a safe food for your beardie. Cicadas are a great treat packed with protein.
However, there are three concerns when it comes to cicadas.
The first concern, dangerous chemical cicadas might have been in contact with, especially a wild type of cicada called Brood X. Cicadas can come in contact with lawn fertilizers and pesticides that can be dangerous on bearded dragons.
If you want to feed your bearded dragon a cicada, ask yourself if you are positive that the cicada has not been infected with chemicals.
It is a good sign if you do not use pesticides on your lawn. Also, make sure that the area you live in does not have a lot of people using lawn treatments.
If your bearded dragon eats a cicada that is contaminated with chemicals, your dragon might get sick or sadly die.
Make sure to always contact your vet if you suspect your bearded dragon ingested cicada that contains dangerous chemicals. Your bearded dragon might show abnormal behaviors like lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting.
The second concern, the tough exterior shell of cicadas is difficult for bearded dragons to digest. It is best if a bearded dragon will eat a cicada to have its exoskeleton shed.
The third concern, the size of the cicada. Bearded dragons should not eat insects larger than the space between their eyes.
Some cicadas can grow more than an inch long, make sure they are the right size to feed for your bearded dragon, especially if you have a smaller one.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Scorpions?
Another detour from all the questions about, can bearded dragons eat spiders? The detour is can bearded dragons eat scorpions at all?
Unfortunately, they can’t at all. Scorpions are extremely dangerous to bearded dragons and will harm them if not kill them. This is because scorpions contain poison and have venomous stings.
The venomous sting does not mean that scorpions are untouchable as a food source; Meerkats eat them all the time.
However, it is not common for bearded dragons to be as effective in avoiding the sting of a scorpion as meerkats can.
The best decision to be safe is not to feed scorpions to bearded dragons.
Would A Tarantula Kill A Bearded Dragon?
Back to the former asked question, can bearded dragons eat spiders? To be specific now my answer is based on tarantulas.
Tarantulas are large hairy spiders that can be found anywhere in tropical and subtropical America. Some of these species can hunt down small lizards, birds, and frogs.
Can bearded dragons have spiders like tarantulas? Unfortunately, they can’t eat tarantulas. This is because there is no knowing what parasites a tarantula might be carrying that could harm or make a bearded dragon sick.
If you choose to take the risk and feed your bearded dragon a tarantula anyway, make sure you have a large bearded dragon.
A large enough bearded dragon is capable of killing and eating a tarantula. However, a small bearded dragon might get eaten by a tarantula.
Finally, tarantulas are very expensive to buy as a food source for your bearded dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat House Spiders?
Finally, house spiders will be discussed as the answer to the question: “Can bearded dragons eat spiders?”.
House spiders are safe if they are non-poisonous but may carry parasites or pesticides. Although, a bearded dragon eating a single non-poisonous spider is very unlikely to cause harm.
But if you are asking this question: “Can bearded dragons have spiders like a brown recluse, hobo spider, or yellow sac? Then the answer is a definite no because these three spiders are amongst the most dangerous spiders in North America.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders?
What Insects Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Can bearded dragons eat spiders? No, but bearded Dragons can eat meat in the form of other insects.
This table indicates the different insects bearded dragons can eat:
Crickets
King worms
Waxworms
Earthworms
Cockroaches
Locusts
Butter worms
Silkworms
Phoenix worms
Dubia roaches
Mori worms
Mealworms
Super worms
FAQ
What Are Spiders?
Spiders are a diverse order with over 40,000 species. They occur on every continent except Antarctica and most of them live in terrestrial environments — though spiders like the aquatic fishing spider (Dolomedes plantarius) have secondarily returned to water. Many people don’t realize that spiders are more closely related to ticks than insects: they are members of the arachnid family, which also includes ticks and mites.
Spiders are predators, but a lot of them also eat plants. Some spiders live in aquatic environments and others nest inside plant material like cacti or grass stems. Most spiders we encounter are no bigger than the tip of a pencil, but their webs can be enormous.
Many people think that all spiders spin webs, but the only group of spiders to do so are the members of a single family: the Orb-Weavers; in fact some lineages within this family have lost their web building altogether. Other groups like jumping spiders and wolf spiders actively hunt their prey rather than build webs. Most spiders we see in our daily lives are harmless, although there are a few spiders that can cause painful bites.
What Are Some Common Spiders In The U.S.?
There are thousands of spider species that live in the U.S. and many of them are very common and sometimes even abundant, like this wandering spider (Cupiennius chiapanensis).
The brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) is a well-known American spider but it’s not extremely common. It makes its home behind the plastered walls of houses and it really only lives in the south-central U.S.
The hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis) was introduced from Europe and is not native to North America, so it’s not common anywhere; but this spider has gained some notoriety because of the pain it can cause with its bites, which can happen even if you don’t disturb the spider.
A few other spiders that are fairly common in the U.S. include cobwebs (Theridion spp.), cross spiders (Araneus diadematus), and wolf spiders (Lycosidae spp.). Many of these species can be found living on trees, or on the ground in forested areas.
In recent years, some non-native spiders have become more common in parts of the United States: for example the brown house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum), which was introduced to North America from Japan and has spread within this continent. It’s sometimes found indoors as a result of goods being shipped from Asia.
Can You Feed Spiders To A Bearded Dragon?
No. There is no way to humanely feed a spider to a bearded dragon. Spiders are invertebrates and they have very short life spans compared to lizards: feeding spiders can be cruel in the long term, as they will die without much time having lived at all.
Spiders also secrete fluids that contain toxins; even if the spider in question doesn’t have any venom, its hemolymph may be irritating to a reptile’s sensitive skin.
Even if they did not secrete toxic fluids, most spiders are nocturnal and would bite or struggle when being handled by humans, which could scare or irritate a bearded dragon.
Just because you can find a picture of one bearded dragon eating a spider does not mean that all lizards can eat spiders.
What Do Spiders Taste Like For Beardies?
Spiders are not a nutritional staple for any animal. They are very low in calories and nutrients, so they would not make good items to feed your bearded dragon.
Some people have said that spiders taste like chicken or other meats, but this is subjective. If you cannot stand the thought of eating meat, then you probably won’t be able to stand eating spiders.
What Spiders Can You Feed A Bearded Dragon?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, so there are some small insects that make good additions to their diets. They will eat small crickets and mealworms. Some bearded dragon owners have had luck using smaller “dusting” prey items like pinkie mice.
The most frequently recommended prey items for bearded dragons are superworms, waxworms, and butterworms. These are all insect species that aren’t too big (especially compared to crickets) but they are high in fat which is very important for a growing bearded dragon.
How Do I Feed Spiders To My Bearded Dragon?
It is very difficult to feed spiders to a reptile. There are some clips of bearded dragons eating large tarantulas, but these videos show how dangerous it is for a lizard to try and eat an arachnid because the spider can defend itself by biting or spraying noxious fluids.
Bearded dragons will only be able to eat very small spiders, so they aren’t really suitable as food. It is much safer to stick with crickets or other insect feeder items.
If you insist on using arachnids as bearded dragon treats, make sure that the spider is small enough to avoid causing harm to your lizard and it does not have venomous fangs (most spiders do not have venomous fangs, but it is best to be safe).
How Do You Choose Spiders For Bearded Dragons?
You should make sure that you buy a spider from a reputable breeder. If the spider has been properly cared for and fed, then it should not have any parasites.
Only feed your bearded dragon insects that are the proper size; if they are too big, they could choke on them or damage their internal organs as they try to swallow prey that is too large.
Bearded dragons can eat a lot of insects, so you don’t need to get a spider that is bigger than the space between your bearded dragon’s eyes. If you choose an insect or arachnid that is too large, then it could hurt your lizard when he tries to digest it.
Do Spiders Appear White In The Presence Of Beardies?
All spiders are white underneath their exoskeletons. Sometimes they will appear to be a different color, like green or brown, when you see them in your backyard. This is because the spider’s exoskeleton acts as an armor for his body and it reflects light that hits it.
You probably won’t see white spiders because they are hidden in their webs all the time. If you do catch a glimpse of one, it is just an illusion that makes them look like they are brown or green; their real color is still underneath.
How Should I Store Uneaten Spiders For My Bearded Dragon?
If you are not going to use your spiders right away, then you should store them in the refrigerator. You shouldn’t leave them out at room temperature for a long time because they can turn rancid and unappetizing.
Bearded dragons don’t usually like something that has been refrigerated, so make sure that you give it back to them at room temperature. It is best to prevent the spider from getting cold in the first place because you will only prolong your bearded dragon’s rejection of it.
Do Spiders Ever Make Good Food For Bearded Dragons?
The simple answer is no. There are some people who would feed them to their bearded dragons, but most reptile owners would not. There is too much risk involved with a bearded dragon eating spiders because they are arachnids and can hurt your lizard if he tries to eat them.
Also, all insects should be properly gut loaded before you feed them to your bearded dragon, but spiders will not take in enough nutrients from their diet so you won’t be able to feed them.
Bearded dragons should stick to crickets, superworms, waxworms, and butterworms because these insects have enough nutrients to help your bearded dragon grow. If you wouldn’t eat spiders yourself, then it would be best if you didn’t feed them to your reptile either.
How To Grow Spiders For Bearded Dragons?
Spiders grow cocoon-like sacks around themselves before they go through the shedding process. It is in this sack that they will absorb their nutrients and vitamins from food that you give them; if you don’t feed them, then it will not be possible for them to absorb any nutrients.
Your spider should remain inside of his cocoon until he grows to his adult size; depending on the type of spider you have, he could grow as small as 1/8″ or as large as 3/4″.
Bearded dragons will not eat spiders that are in cocoons because they believe that it will harm them. Instead, you should wait until your bearded dragon is asleep before you feed his spider to him. This way, he won’t see you feeding it to your bearded dragon and will never know that the spider was there at all.
Do I Need To Wash Spiders Before Feeding My Bearded Dragon?
If you feed your bearded dragon spiders, then it is very important that you wash them before you offer them to him. Sometimes, the spider will have a natural defense against getting eaten and will try to fight back.
This makes it even more imperative that you make sure they are clean; otherwise, they could injure your bearded dragon’s mouth or get tangled in his beard.
Bearded dragons are usually attracted to healthy, clean food; therefore, you will see that they don’t reject it very much when you present it to them. This way of eating spiders is about minimizing the risk of your lizard getting hurt and keeping him safe at the same time.
Final Verdict – Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders
After the short panic on a Saturday afternoon, you had after watching your bearded dragon snag a spider. You read this article discussing: “Can bearded dragons eat spiders?”. Afterwards, you learn how to approach this situation.
Your first approach should be: did my bearded dragon eat a poisonous spider or no?. Stated in the article different types of poisonous spiders alongside cicadas, and scorpions. Then your second approach should be considering if the spider, cicada, or scorpion could carry harmful chemicals. To be able to notice any symptoms of sickness on your bearded dragon. Next, you should immediately contact your vet for serious concerns.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Spiders – My Bearded Dragon Ate Spiders – Can Bearded Dragons Have Spiders
Another thought that might cross your mind is: “Can bearded dragons eat spiders that are non-poisonous that are house spiders?”. The bottom line is always choosing wisely what to feed to your beardie or baby beardie.
Finally, if you’re wondering: “my bearded dragon ate a spider, how poisonous could it be?”.
Other Bearded dragon food and nutrition content you may want to know
Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG OR WEBSITE, "Learn About Pet", DOES NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PERSONAL VETERINARIAN AND USE INFORMATION HERE AS GENERAL ADVICE.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, food recommendation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or for pet food related questions.
