What You Need To Know About Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons need a variety of greens and vegetables, and it's important to know which ones are safe.Show more

An adult bearded dragon's diet will consist of 80% vegetables and 20% insects. As they get older they will usually show more interest in vegetables.

Here are some diet tips on Bearded Dragon care for anyone that lives with one!

Bearded Dragons eat:

Greens such as kale, arugula, mustard greens, collard greens, and endive.
Squash of all kinds: Acorn squash, butternut squash, yellow squash, and spaghetti squash.
Bell Peppers
Carrots
Some veggies and fruits you can feed occasionally include:

Spinach
Turnip greens
Pumpkins
Okra
Cucumbers (peeled)
Apples
Zucchini
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
Mangos
Melons
Papayas
Watermelon
Bok Choy
What should Bearded Dragons not eat?

Mushrooms
Citrus of all kinds
Romaine or iceberg lettuce
A few things to note about foods to feed occasionally: fruits should be fed as supplemental foods or treats, as they are very high in sugar.

Why is romaine or iceberg lettuce a problem?

Both types of lettuce have an extremely high water content; while that isn't harmful to your bearded dragon, it means that those types of lettuce have little to no nutritional value. The high water content can also result in loose stools. Spinach, while very good for your bearded dragon, has the same effect.

What about feeder insects you can give them occasionally?

Superworms
Earthworms
Silkworms
Mealworms
Locusts
Waxworms
Dubia roaches
Butterworms

Sometimes it is hard to get a younger bearded dragon or a picky eater to eat their vegetables, it works best if you feed veggies with insects, because the insects will cause the beardie food to move which sometimes will pique their interest. You can also dust their veggies and insects with calcium powder to ensure they're getting the necessary vitamin D3.

What about a basking area or terrarium for your beardie?

A bearded dragon enclosure is the best way to go, because feeding your beardie roaches anywhere else other than a terrarium just doesn't sound like a good idea. Many people look for one that has plenty of space where each door can open separately. The bottom should also be waterproof!

Beardies as a pet reptile would be our top choice for kids too. Once you research a bearded dragon diet, bearded dragon food won't seem so complicated. You can create a bearded dragon care sheet before you bring this popular pet home.

Make sure you do all your research though! Key things to research include female bearded dragons, heat emitters, UVB sources, heat sources, juvenile bearded dragons, proper degrees Fahrenheit, appropriate plant matter, suitable leafy greens, and of course a common name for your new bestie!

For more, check out: WideOpenPets.com