My Bearded Dragon Ate a Bee – What Should I Do?

As a bearded dragon owner, I was quite alarmed when I saw my beardie catch and eat a bee that had flown into his enclosure. While bearded dragons are insectivores that can eat bees, getting stung in the mouth or throat could cause serious problems. In this article, I’ll share my experience when my bearded dragon ate a bee and provide some tips on what to do if it happens to your pet.

What Happens When a Bearded Dragon Eats a Bee?

Bearded dragons have quick reflexes and a strong appetite for insects, so they may snap up a bee before realizing what it is. Their scaly skin and tough hide protects them from getting stung on the body. However, if stung in the mouth or throat, it can cause:

• Localized swelling and inflammation from the venom
• Pain and irritation
• Difficulty breathing if the throat swells
• Drooling or foamy mucus if stung in the mouth

The sting itself is not likely to be deadly to a bearded dragon unless they have an allergic reaction. But the swelling can definitely cause problems depending on where they are stung.

My Experience When My Bearded Dragon Ate a Bee

One day I was feeding my beardie in his outdoor enclosure when a bee landed nearby. In the blink of an eye his tongue shot out and he snapped up the bee before I could stop him! I panicked at first wondering if he would be ok.

Here’s what happened over the next few hours

• He swallowed the bee quickly so I don’t think it was able to sting in his mouth.
• About 20 minutes later, he opened his mouth wide and was gaping — a sign of discomfort.
• I saw some foamy mucus gathering in his mouth, probably from irritation.
• He was still swallowing normally and did not appear to have throat swelling.
• After about an hour he stopped gaping and seemed to feel better, though a bit lethargic.

By the evening he was acting normally again. I watched him closely for several days and did not notice any further issues. In the end he was fine, but it could have been much worse!

What to Do if Your Bearded Dragon Eats a Bee

If you see your bearded dragon catch a bee or suspect they’ve been stung in the mouth based on symptoms. here are some steps to take

• Stay calm. Though it’s scary, panic will only stress your beardie more.

• Monitor their symptoms. Look for gaping, foamy mucus, puffy throat, wheezing, trouble breathing, or lethargy. Time how long symptoms last.

• Rinse their mouth. Use a blunt syringe to gently rinse their mouth with plain water to flush out some venom. Don’t force their mouth open.

• Offer cool foods. Provide fresh greens, vegetable baby food, or other cool, soft foods. This can soothe irritation. Avoid hard-to-swallow foods.

• Avoid handling. Don’t handle your beardie unnecessarily until swelling goes down. This prevents stress.

• Call your vet. Describe the symptoms over the phone. They may recommend you monitor at home or bring your beardie in.

• Take to the vet. If throat swelling, wheezing, or trouble breathing occur, get emergency vet care in case of anaphylaxis.

• Limit outdoor time. Don’t allow your beardie outside unsupervised so they don’t eat more bees.

With prompt care and monitoring, most bearded dragons recover on their own. But veterinary care is needed if they show signs of an allergic reaction.

Preventing Bee Stings in Bearded Dragons

Here are some tips to keep your beardie safe and avoid bee stings:

• Use insect netting over outdoor enclosures. This keeps flying insects out.

• Don’t hand feed outside. Feeding should happen in a controlled environment.

• Check for bees first. Do a quick scan of the area before putting your dragon in an outdoor enclosure.

• Supervise outdoor time. Watch them closely or keep sessions brief. Don’t leave them unattended.

• Avoid areas with bee activity. Bees congregate around flowering plants, fallen fruit, or nests. Steer clear of these zones.

• Remove food attracting bees. Promptly clean up any fallen bee-attracting treats in enclosures.

• Use mesh lids. Screened lids prevent flying insects from getting into indoor habitats.

• Inspect for nests. Regularly check around your home for bee nests to eliminate. Call a professional if you find one.

When to Call the Vet After a Bee Sting

In most mild cases, bearded dragons recover on their own with proper care at home. But if you notice any of the following, reach out to your vet right away:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing or making raspy throat sounds
• Severe throat swelling that hasn’t gone down
• Very puffy mouth lining or throat
• Face or throat swelling rapidly
• Foamy mucus still present after 3 hours
• Not able to swallow foods or liquids
• Other signs of anaphylactic reaction (shaking, weakness, collapse)

With immediate treatment, the vet can provide interventions like:

• Epinephrine to counteract the venom
• Antihistamines to reduce swelling
• Steroids to decrease inflammation
• Oxygen support if needed
• Fluids to stabilize

Most beardies fully recover after vet care for bee stings. But it’s always best to act quickly when trouble breathing occurs to prevent a true emergency.

The Takeaway: Bee Careful Out There