Lexi Webster
Bearded dragons are native to Australia and are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their natural habitat is in dry and desert regions, so their diet consists of food found in those areas. Fruits can be included in their diet, but in limited quantities as they are higher in sugar and can cause dental and mouth illnesses as well as obesity. Citrus fruits, in particular, should be avoided due to their high acidity, which can cause stomach upset and other digestive issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural habitat | Dry and desert regions in Australia |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Food sources | Plants, animals, insects |
| Examples of food | Live mealworms, kingworms, crickets, parsley, kale, peppers, sweet potatoes, berries, mango, collard greens, bell peppers, geraniums, carnations, dandelions, hibiscus, nasturtiums, roses |
| Foods to avoid | Citrus fruits, avocado, iceberg lettuce, spinach, alfalfa, rhubarb, high-fat foods, high-sugar foods |
| Feeding frequency | Young bearded dragons: once or twice daily; Adult bearded dragons: every 24-72 hours |
| Water | Fresh water should always be available; bearded dragons should also be sprayed with water a few times a week to keep them hydrated |
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What You'll Learn
Bearded dragons are omnivores, eating both plants and animals
Young bearded dragons are primarily carnivores or insectivores, eating mostly insects such as crickets, Dubia roaches, and mealworms. They should be fed insects every day, and fruit should be included in their diet in limited quantities. As they are growing, they need a diet that is higher in protein and fat.
Adult bearded dragons tend to be more herbivorous, eating mostly plants and vegetation. Their diet should be made up of 80% plants and 20% insects and bugs. They can eat a variety of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. Fruits such as berries, mango, and the occasional raspberry, blueberry, or blackberry can be given as treats, but they should be offered in smaller portions than vegetables due to their high sugar content.
It is important to prepare fruits and vegetables correctly before feeding them to a bearded dragon. They should be finely chopped into pieces smaller than the distance between the dragon's eyes to prevent choking and digestion issues. Owners should also be careful to avoid certain foods that can be harmful to bearded dragons, such as avocado, citrus fruits, and spinach. It is also important to provide fresh water and ensure the dragon stays hydrated.
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Adult bearded dragons should eat more plants than insects
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. However, the diet of an adult bearded dragon should consist of more plants than insects.
In the wild, bearded dragons live in arid to semi-arid regions of Australia, where food may be sparse, so they accept a wide variety of different foods. Their natural habitat is dry and desert-like, so their bodies have adapted to a diet consisting of food found in those regions.
Young, growing bearded dragons tend to be primarily carnivores or insectivores, requiring a diet that is higher in protein and fat. A typical baby bearded dragon's diet should be about 80% bugs and 20% plants. On the other hand, adult bearded dragons tend to be more herbivorous, with a diet consisting of about 80% plants and 20% insects and bugs. This shift in diet as they mature helps to keep them at a healthy weight and prevents them from becoming obese.
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of plants, including leafy green vegetables, flowers, and vegetables like peppers, sweet potatoes, parsley, and kale. Most of the plant material (80-90%) should be leafy greens and flowers, with only 10-20% being fruits. Fruits should be fed sparingly as they are low in mineral content and high in sugar, which can cause dental and mouth illnesses as well as obesity. Citrus fruits, in particular, should be avoided as they are too acidic.
Bearded dragons can also eat a variety of insects, including crickets, mealworms, kingworms, and Dubia roaches. Crickets are a popular choice as they are widely available and offer a good amount of protein and calcium. Insects should be gut-loaded, meaning they are fed nutritious food that is then passed on to the lizard. Live insects can also provide stimulation for bearded dragons as they can chase them. However, it is important to avoid wild insects as they can carry diseases or parasites that could be harmful to your dragon.
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Fruits should be fed sparingly to bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They are native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, where their diet consists of food found in those regions. While they can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and greens, their diet should be kept as close to their natural diet as possible.
In addition, fruits are typically low in calcium and other minerals, so they should be viewed as treats rather than a staple food source. Adult bearded dragons should eat mostly plants and vegetation, with only 10-20% of their diet consisting of fruits. This will help keep them at a healthy weight and prevent obesity.
It is also important to note that fruits should be prepared correctly before being fed to bearded dragons. All fruits should be thoroughly washed and cut into small pieces to prevent choking and digestion issues.
Overall, while bearded dragons can safely consume certain fruits, they should be fed in limited quantities and not as a regular part of their diet. It is always best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the most appropriate diet for your bearded dragon, as their unique needs and characteristics may vary.
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Citrus fruits are too acidic for bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They are native to arid and semi-arid regions in Australia, so their diet consists of food found in those regions.
Citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, are too acidic for bearded dragons and should be avoided. The high levels of acid in citrus fruits can irritate the mouth and stomach lining of bearded dragons, leading to diarrhoea and other discomforts. The acid can also affect the dragon's digestive tract, causing dehydration and potentially leading to severe health issues over time.
Additionally, citrus fruits are high in sugar, which can cause dental and mouth illnesses, as well as obesity in bearded dragons. Oranges, for example, have a high sugar content, and if consumed in large quantities, can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and heart failure in bearded dragons.
While fruits can be a part of a bearded dragon's diet, they should be fed in moderation and only make up a small portion of their overall diet. Fruits that are safe for bearded dragons to consume include strawberries, apples, watermelon, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, figs, mangoes, prickly pears, grapes, melon, and peaches.
It is important to note that the dietary needs of bearded dragons change with age. Young, growing bearded dragons tend to be primarily carnivores or insectivores, with a diet consisting of 80% bugs and 20% plants. On the other hand, adult bearded dragons' diets should be flipped, with 80% plants and 20% insects and bugs, to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity.
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Vegetables should be finely chopped before serving to bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods. Their natural habitat is dry and desert regions in Australia, so their diet consists of food found in those regions.
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of vegetables, but these should be prepared correctly before being fed to them. Vegetables that are too large can cause digestion issues and increase the risk of impaction. Therefore, vegetables should be finely chopped into small pieces to ensure that your bearded dragon can swallow them whole. This is because bearded dragons' teeth are made for cutting but not grinding plant material.
The size of the chopped vegetables should be smaller than the distance between the dragon's eyes. Vegetables can be offered raw or cooked, although raw is more natural and retains more nutrients. It is also important to thoroughly wash all vegetables before feeding them to your bearded dragon.
Some vegetables that are safe for bearded dragons to eat include:
- Collard greens
- Bell peppers
- Parsley
- Kale
- Sweet potato
It is important to note that some vegetables should be avoided, such as celery, iceberg lettuce, and spinach, as they are low in nutritional value and can cause digestive issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bearded dragons can eat fruit, but it should be in small quantities and not every day. Fruits are high in sugar and low in calcium, so they should be fed sparingly as treats.
Bearded dragons can eat raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, mango, and various other berries.
All citrus fruits should be avoided due to their high acidity, which can cause stomach upset and other digestive issues. Avocados are also toxic to bearded dragons and should be avoided.
Fruits should be offered in smaller portions compared to vegetables, accounting for no more than 5%-10% of their diet.
Fruit should not be given every day. Adult bearded dragons should eat fruit a few times a week at most, while younger bearded dragons can have fruit more frequently but still in limited quantities.
