Native to the arid Australian deserts, the bearded dragon has recently scurried its way into American Reptile Direct hearts and homes. These curious, active reptiles are used to an exotic environment, which means they need a little extra attention and care than your average pet. They’ve got special requirements when it comes to their diet, too. But don’t worry! Follow these diet do’s and don’ts so you can keep your beardie living a happy, healthy, and vibrant life.
What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
As omnivores, bearded dragons eat a variety of insects, flowers, fruit, veggies, and the occasional rodent or lizard. In the wild, they get a lot of exercise climbing bushes, scurrying across rocks, and burrowing in the ground. So they tend to eat a lot, especially insects.
Domesticated beardies, on the other hand, tend to be more sedentary since they don’t have as much room or reason to move around. It’s important for you to keep them on a healthy, regulated diet to prevent obesity. (Yes, your dragon can get too fat! She will eat just about anything you put in front of her, so you’ll need to be careful how much you give her.)
Bearded dragons need a well balanced diet of insects, fruits, and veggies. For an adult dragon, that typically means 80% plants and 20% insects. For a juvenile dragon, that could mean anywhere between 80% insects/20% plants, and 50-50. It’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian on your specific dragon’s needs.
The Best Vegetables for Your Bearded Dragon
Pile of greens with carrots
Feeding veggies to your bearded dragon is a great way to ensure they have a well balanced and nutritive diet. The good news is, beardies can eat as many veggies as they want, all day, every day. So you never have to worry about your reptile growing fat from these garden goodies.
Of the plants you feed your dragon, 80-90% should be vegetables. Primarily you’ll want to give your beardie dark green, leafy vegetables, although many colored veggies are safe too. Here’s a list to help you choose.
These veggies are safe for frequent feedings:
Acorn squash (a few times a week)
Alfalfa (daily)
Asparagus (weekly)
Bell peppers (a few times a week)
Bok choy (every other week)
Butternut squash (daily)
The Best Fruit for Your Bearded Dragon
Carton of berries
As healthy and delicious as fruit is, your bearded dragon only needs a small amount, and they don’t need it daily. Of the plants you feed your dragon, 10-20% should be fruit. Be sure to cut fruit into bite-size pieces before offering it to your dragon.
Aside from citrus fruit, which can be too acidic for your dragon’s stomach, there are plenty of fruits your dragon can enjoy. Here are some widespread favorites:
Apples (peeled; weekly)
Apricot (every other week)
Bananas (with or without peel; once or twice a month)
Blackberries (every other week)
Blueberries (weekly)
Tips on Feeding Your Baby or Juvenile Dragon
Here’s a list of quick tips to help you feed your baby or juvenile dragon right.
Feed your baby three times daily for ten to fifteen minutes per feeding. Don’t leave any uneaten insects in the cage after this time.
Because baby dragons need to grow, they can eat more insects than adults. Some babies eat up to 60 bugs a day.
It’s safe to leave veggies in the cage for your baby to snack on when she wants.
Don’t feed your baby in a tank that has loose substrate, since they might accidentally ingest it.
Tips on Feeding Your Adult Dragon
It’s feeding time for your adult dragon! Here are some quick tips.
Adults only need insects once a day. Veggies should be given more often and left in the cage.
Of the food your adult dragon eats, insects should never make up more than 50%.
Feed your adult once a day or every other day, depending on their appetite.
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