Bearded Dragons, often referred to as ‘Beardies’, have a varied diet depending on their age. For adult Beardies, their favorite food often consists of a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms.
These should be offered in moderation and combined with dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens for a well-rounded diet. Other vegetables like bell peppers, squash, and carrots can also be offered as a treat.
They also may enjoy some fruits like papayas and cherries in moderation. Supplementation with a quality, vegetable-based reptile calcium powder will also ensure your Beardie is receiving the essential vitamins and minerals they need.
In addition, water should always be available to your Beardie.
What veggies do Beardies like the most?
Beardies generally like leafy, crunchy vegetables the most. Common favorites include romaine lettuce, celery, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, and zucchini. These are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, helping to keep your Beardie’s skin and shell healthy.
Vegetables also provide antioxidants and other nutrients that will help keep your Beardie’s immune system strong. Other vegetables that Beardies may enjoy include spinach, collard greens, kale, dandelion greens, squash, and green beans.
Be sure to chop the vegetables into small pieces for easier digestion. As an occasional treat, you can offer a variety of fruits such as mango, papaya, blueberries, strawberries, apples, and bananas.
What veg can bearded dragons eat daily?
Bearded dragons can eat a variety of vegetables daily. These include dark, leafy greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, endive, and escarole. Other vegetables that they can enjoy include carrots, bell peppers, kale, and squash.
They should also be offered a variety of other foods such as cubed or shredded fruits, lightly cooked eggs, and small amounts of insects like crickets and mealworms. While they can eat a wide variety of vegetables, it’s important to make sure you’re providing the right nutrients for your bearded dragon.
A variety of dark leafy greens should be the mainstay to a bearded dragon’s diet, but some vegetables should be offered in moderation, such as tomatoes, spinach, and potatoes. Be sure to research each vegetable to learn more about which vegetables are best for your bearded dragon.
What is toxic to bearded dragons?
Bearded dragons are susceptible to the same things that can harm most pet reptiles, as well as certain human foods and products. These include ingesting mouse or rat poison, consuming spoiled food, getting into poisonous plants, coming into contact with pesticides, and being exposed to cleaners and other hazardous chemicals.
In terms of hazardous food, citrus fruits, avacados, and chocolate can be toxic. High-sugar processed foods and dairy products can cause digestive problems. Vegetables like broccoli, kale, and spinach are high in oxalates, which can lead to paralysis, kidney failure, and death if ingested in large amounts.
Wild insects may contain parasites or pesticides, so you should only feed your dragon feeder insects purchased from a reptile store or breeder.
When it comes to housing, there are also a few products that can be dangerous to bearded dragons. Hot rocks should never be used as they can cause serious burns. Never use wood or cedar shavings in the habitat; the oils in these products can cause respiratory problems.
Finally, bearded dragons should always have access to a clean water source. The water should never contain bleach, and the container should be cleaned regularly. Fecal matter, uneaten food, and other debris should also be removed daily to avoid bacterial and fungal growth.
Can Beardies eat bananas?
Yes, Bearded Dragons can certainly eat bananas. Bearded Dragons are omnivores and so it is important to provide them with a balanced diet, which includes fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a great source of Vitamin A, and offer many other beneficial nutrients.
However, it should be noted that bananas should only be offered as an occasional treat, since too much of this sweet fruit could lead to weight gain or other health problems. When feeding your Beardie a banana cut it into slices or small pieces that your Beardie can easily consume.
Additionally, bananas should not make up more than 10-15 percent of your Beardie’s overall diet. Also, be sure to remove all banana skin and do not feed stems or leaves.
Do bearded dragons feel loved?
Yes, bearded dragons can and do feel loved. They may not be able to show it in the same way that other animals do, like cats and dogs, but they can still bond with their caretakers and develop a strong connection.
It’s important for their owners to provide a supportive, nurturing environment for them with daily handling, appropriate temperatures and humidity and proper nutrition. Establishing trust is key, and one way to do this is by providing them with food rewards when they behave well.
Additionally, giving them a consistent daily routine with regular handling and plenty of opportunity to explore their environment can help them to feel secure and loved. If a bearded dragon is given attention and care, it can become very attached to its owner, making it even more important for their keeper to return that affection.
What human food can Beardies eat?
Bearded dragons can enjoy a variety of human foods, but the primary source of their nutrition should be from specially formulated reptile or insect-based food. When introducing any human food to your Beardie, it’s important to keep portion size small, gradually increasing the amount offered.
Vegetables that can be enjoyed by Beardies include carrots, squash, bell peppers, kale, spinach, bok choy, zucchini, and endive. Fruits that are safe for Beardies include mangoes, grapes, apples (without the skin), strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
In addition to fresh vegetables and fruits, cooked lean meats, such as chicken and turkey, are also safe for Beardies to eat. Other human foods they can eat include cooked egg, cottage cheese, cooked legumes, and insects, such as crickets and mealworms.
It’s important to refrain from feeding your Beardie salty snacks, processed foods, and foods high in fat, protein, and sugar. These types of foods can be unhealthy for Beardies and could even lead to longterm health problems.
Whichever type of food you decide to feed your Beardie, it should always be thoroughly washed or cooked before consumption. Any uneaten fresh produce should be discarded after 24 hours for safety reasons.
Can my bearded dragon eat peanut butter?
No, your bearded dragon should not eat peanut butter. Peanuts and peanut butter contain aflatoxins and phytoestrogens which can be toxic to reptiles and can cause a number of serious health problems, including liver and kidney damage.
Since bearded dragons are insectivores, they cannot process dietary fat, and fatty foods like peanut butter can actually cause them to become bloated and malnourished. Protein from animal sources, such as crickets, should make up the bulk of a bearded dragon’s diet.
Vegetables and calcium-rich foods should make up the remainder. Therefore, peanut butter is not a suitable option and should not be used as a treat or food item for your bearded dragon.
Can bearded dragon eat scrambled eggs?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat scrambled eggs in moderation. Scrambled eggs in small amounts can be a healthy treat for bearded dragons as part of their overall balanced diet. Bearded dragons can digest proteins from eggs as part of their diet as long as they are cooked.
Specifically, scrambled eggs can provide vitamins A and D, calcium, protein and fatty acids, all of which are important for good health. It is important to only offer small pieces of food; an adult bearded dragon may have three or four pieces of egg at a time, while a younger bearded dragon may have just one piece.
It is also important to only offer scrambled eggs as a treat and not as a primary food source. For optimal nutrition, bearded dragons should have a diet comprised of both insects, vegetables and the occasional treat.
How can I make my bearded dragon happy?
Making your bearded dragon happy involves a lot of effort, but the rewards are worth it! The first step is to create a healthy habitat as this is essential to their health, happiness and wellbeing. Ensure their enclosure is set up correctly with the right substrates, temperatures, lighting, and hiding areas.
You should also provide enough room for them to move around.
Once the habitat is all set up it’s time to focus on them. Ensure you are feeding them a healthy diet high in calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Supplementing with insects and leafy greens is a great way to keep their nutrition up, and you can even introduce fruits as a occasional treat.
Bearded dragons need many hours of UVB exposure so you will also need to invest in a UVB light or take them outdoors as appropriate.
But physical/environmental care isn’t the only way to keep them happy. Provide plenty of enrichment opportunities such as providing foraging trays filled with sand, sand mats, and hides for them to explore.
Providing ample playtime outside the enclosure is important too, as you can use those times to bond with your bearded dragon. A calm and gentle approach to handling is always advised, as over-handling and quick movements may be overly stressful.
With all of that in mind, following these steps, as well as providing lots of love and attention, are all necessary to make sure your bearded dragon is happy and fulfilled.
How do you bond with a bearded dragon?
Bonding with a bearded dragon can be a rewarding experience, as they develop into loving and friendly pets if they have been given the right attention and care. Here are some tips on how to bond with a bearded dragon:
1. Spent Time With Them: Just like any other pet, you’ll need to spend time with your bearded dragon each day in order for the two of you to build a strong bond. You can do this by talking to them ( some studies have shown that the sound of your voice can make them feel comfortable and relaxed), offering them healthy treats, and showing them respect by handling them carefully and lovingly.
2. Let Them Explore: Bearded dragons usually enjoy exploring their environment, so provide them with plenty of objects and places to investigate. If you don’t have any supplies set up in your home, you can even take them outside for some fresh air and nature time.
This can be a great way to bond with your bearded dragon, while also providing them with stimulation.
3. Offer Gentle Handling: Bearded dragons, like other reptiles, don’t necessarily enjoy vigorous petting. However, they do enjoy gentle handling and can become very friendly if they’re handled with patience and love.
When handling them, it’s important to be aware of their body language and to make sure to put them down when they seem to be feeling uncomfortable or stressed.
4. Get to Know Them: Spend time getting to know your bearded dragon. Watch them closely and take notes about their behaviors, so that you can better understand what they do and how they’re feeling. This can be a great way to bond with them and build trust over time.
Bonding with a bearded dragon doesn’t happen overnight and will require patience, understanding, and plenty of time spent together. However, with enough effort, you can form a lasting friendship with your pet that will last for years!.
