Do you know what do bearded dragons eat? Perhaps Not! unless you come across one of these species in captivity. Bearded dragons are actually lizards belong to the family of Agamidae. They inhabit rocky, semi-desert regions, arid, and dry open woodlands of Australia. These species are skilled climbers and are often found in bushes and branches. Bearded dragons exist all throughout central Australian desert, and in regions where food is not abundant. Dragons are primarily omnivorous and are adept to digest many food sources.
What Do Bearded Dragons Eat
Bearded dragons predominantly feed on vegetables, non-citrus fruits, leafy greens, and also insects. They also supplement their diet with gastropods (seemingly from 40 to 75% of their diet contains protein), fruits, berries, and other greenery. In captivity, leafy dragons are very fond of eating chopped greens such as beet, mustard, green cabbage, kale, little escarole, and collard. One can also serve dragons frozen vegetables and chopped fruits. Some owners also suggest blossoms and dandelion leaves together with nasturtiums which is good. They are often known to taken on crickets and they supplement their diet with several insects including;
- Locusts
- Lack soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
- Superworms
- Butterworms
- Waxworms
- roaches
The young dragons need insects and plants matter more than adults. Not all insects are suitable for the dragon’s health such as a mealworm which is the common feeder and it has a tough chitin exoskeleton which is, of course difficult for the dragons to consume. The mealworms are also low in nutrients. You can, however, serve your dragon with Superworms and waxworms but this should be fed sparingly since they are highly fatty.
Some dragons can only fancy eating specific items out of their regular offerings. The specific selection might be difficult when vegetables are finely chopped or mixed in a food processor. The young dragons might insist on eating large food items like beetles or fruit-chunks but these are not good for them as they can lead to tremors, hind leg paralysis, or tetanic shocks in them. Some breeders also do not recommend vegetables for the young dragons but we feel that the dragon must rely on veggies from the very first day. This is only due to the fact they become used to eating these greens all throughout their lives.
Image Courtesy of treknature.com
Leafy Green Vegetables | What Do Bearded Dragons Eat
You can serve your bearded dragon all these leafy green vegetables:
- mustard greens
- carrot tops
- collard greens
- green beans
- yams
- peas
- spring greens
- pattypan squash
- parsley
- green beans
- celery
- escarole
- pumpkins
- alfalfa
- beetroot
- rosemary
- oregano
- basil
- bell peppers
Image Courtesy of thebeardeddragonblog.com
Flowers | What Do Bearded Dragons Eat
- Dandelion greens
- Pansies
- Nasturtium
- Hibiscus
- Carnations
- Rose petals
- Hollyhocks
- Lavender
- Impatiens
- Gladiolas
- Chicory
- Carnations
- Clover
- Dahlias
- Day lilies
- Marigolds
- Graniums
Fruits
- Raspberries
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Grapes
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Melons
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Cantaloupe
Finely Chopped Vegetables | What Do Bearded Dragons Eat
- Collard greens
- Beet greens
- Bok choy
- Mustard greens
- Thawed mixed vegetables
- Fancy dark lettuces (not iceberg)
- Sprouts (alfalfa and bean)
- Hibiscus leaves and flowers
- Dandelion flowers and leaves
- Nasturtium leaves
- Snow peas and other
Animal Protein
- Giant Mealworms (Zophobas)
- Waxworms (Galleria), occasionally
- Pinkie mice, sparingly
- Roaches (various genera)
- Gray Crickets
Note: Bear in mind that bearded dragons contain calcium-binding oxalic acid which is why you cannot feed them spinach-related food items as they are harmful.
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