Bearded dragons can eat a variety of greens everyday as part of their regular diet. The best greens to feed your beardie are lettuce (preferably romaine, endive, or escarole), collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, parsley, and carrot tops.
They can also eat green beans, zucchini, squash, and bell peppers. All of these greens should be washed thoroughly before offering them to your beardie. It’s best to avoid spinach and cabbage, as these can cause calcium deficiency in some bearded dragons.
As a general rule of thumb, aim to offer your dragon at least two different types of greens per day to ensure they’re getting a balanced diet.
What live food is for bearded dragons?
Live food for bearded dragons typically consists of insects, such as mealworms, waxworms, crickets, dubia roaches, and cockroaches. Additionally, some bearded dragons may accept additional types of insects, such as earthworms, grasshoppers, locusts, and beetles.
Bearded dragons may also enjoy some vegetable matter, such as certain kinds of lettuce, kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, endive, and carrots. Additionally, small pieces of fruit such as apples and strawberries can be offered.
It is important to note that all food should be thoroughly rinsed and washed prior to feeding to remove any potential contaminants. Additionally, live food should not be left in with the dragon for extended periods as it may transmit parasites or bacteria to the dragon.
Ideally, it is best to feed the dragon before mealworm or other live food, and then remove leftover food from the terrarium within an hour or two.
Can Beardies eat cucumber?
Yes, Beardies can eat cucumber. Cucumber is a healthy snack option for Beardies, as it is a low calorie vegetable with a good water content, which is beneficial for keeping your Beardie hydrated. Cucumber can be served raw or cooked, and it is recommended to chop cucumber into small pieces for your Beardie to safely consume.
When feeding your Beardie cucumber, it is important to remove the seeds and avoid feeding cucumbers with pesticides, waxes, or additives. Additionally, it is important to avoid feeding your Beardie too much cucumber, as it is high in oxalates and can lead to intestinal or bladder stones if consumed in excess.
Can bearded dragons eat too much vegetables?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat too much vegetables. While vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals for their diet, they should be fed in moderation. Too much can lead to bearded dragons becoming overweight or obese, which has numerous health issues associated with it.
Additionally, too many vegetables can lead to a decrease in the bearded dragon’s nutrient and vitamin ratios, resulting in malnutrition and long-term health problems.
When choosing veggies for a bearded dragon, it is important to feed them a healthy balance of dark leafy greens, cruciferous veggies (e. g. , cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy), and other brightly colored vegetables.
No more than 20-25% of their total diet should come from vegetables. Feeding smaller, frequent meals is suggested to ensure the food is consumed and the nutrition is optimal.
Can you overfeed a bearded dragon greens?
Yes, it is possible to overfeed greens to a bearded dragon. The recommended daily intake of greens should be around 20-40% of the total diet. Too many greens can cause impaction, which is a blockage in the digestive tract, leading to a potentially serious health issue.
Additionally, an overabundance of any food item can cause an imbalance in the bearded dragon’s nutritional needs and potentially lead to malnutrition. It is best to keep track of the total volume of greens offered and to provide an assortment of different items each day to ensure variety and a balanced diet.
If your bearded dragon enjoys greens, it is generally ok to provide them as part of their daily diet, but it is important to provide variety and watch for any signs of impaction from overfeeding.
Are any greens toxic to bearded dragons?
Yes, there are some greens that should be avoided due to their high levels of oxalates and other toxins. In general, it is best to feed your dragon a variety of greens (with a focus on dark, leafy greens) so that they can get a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
However, certain greens, such as spinach, kale, parsley, and mustard greens, all contain oxalates and should be avoided. In addition, other greens, such as beet greens and Swiss chard, should also be limited, as they contain excessive amounts of oxalates and nitrates, which can lead to health issues.
Furthermore, wax beans, potatoes, rhubarb, and avocado should all be avoided, as they are highly toxic to bearded dragons. Ultimately, it is important to ensure that you are providing your bearded dragon with a balanced diet of greens, invertebrates, and other nutrition sources, in order to keep them healthy and thriving.
