With their scaly skin and spiky beards, bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizards. As their owner, you want to make sure you’re feeding them a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. Some owners wonder if tangerines are a healthy treat for bearded dragons.
Read on to learn the answer!
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, bearded dragons can eat tangerines in moderation as an occasional treat.
An Overview of Bearded Dragon Dietary Needs
Bearded dragons require a varied diet to stay healthy and thrive. Their main dietary staples should consist of insects as a primary protein source, supplemented by vegetables and some fruits.
Insects as a Primary Food Source
Insects are essential for providing bearded dragons with sufficient protein, fat, and nutrients like calcium. Good insect feeders include:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Silkworms
- Dubia roaches
Younger dragons should be fed smaller insects 2-3 times per day. Adult dragons require fewer but larger insects every 2-3 days. Gut loading insects with nutritious foods enhances their nutritional value. Dusting them with calcium supplements is also important.
Vegetables and Some Fruits as Supplements
While insects are essential, vegetables and some fruits also supply key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Good choices include:
- Dark leafy greens like kale, collard greens, mustard greens
- Squashes like butternut squash and acorn squash
- Sweet potatoes and carrots
- Snap peas, green beans
- Berries like blueberries and raspberries
Vegetables and fruits should be chopped to sizes beardies can swallow easily. They can be fed daily, mixed with insects or alone. Care should be taken with fruits, as excess sugar can cause issues. Tangerines in particular are not recommended as citrus fruits are too acidic for bearded dragons.
The Nutritional Value of Tangerines for Bearded Dragons
Vitamins
Tangerines are an excellent source of vitamins for bearded dragons. Specifically, they contain high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and potassium. One tangerine provides 140% of a bearded dragon’s recommended daily intake of vitamin C. This vitamin helps promote a healthy immune system and aids collagen production for strong bones and skin.
Tangerines also have ample vitamin A from beta carotene. Vitamin A keeps eyes, skin, and scales healthy in reptiles. Additionally, tangerines have some B vitamins like folate which assist with energy metabolism.
Sugar Content
While tangerines are nutritious, they do have naturally high sugar content. One small tangerine contains about 8 grams of sugar. Too much sugar can potentially cause obesity and associated health problems in reptiles. Therefore, tangerines should only be fed occasionally as a treat.
It’s best to limit a bearded dragon to only 1-2 small tangerine wedges twice a week at most.
Acidity
Tangerines have a relatively low pH and acidic nature. The acidic content helps with vitamin C absorption but could potentially irritate a bearded dragon’s sensitive digestive tract if fed too often. The ideal diet for a bearded dragon consists mainly of neutral foods like leafy greens and vegetables.
While small amounts of tangerines are safe, acidic foods like citrus fruits should comprise a minor part of their diet. Overfeeding acidic foods may disrupt the gut flora balance in the digestive tract.
Serving Tangerines Safely to Your Bearded Dragon
Fresh vs. Dried
When it comes to feeding tangerines to bearded dragons, fresh is always best. Dried tangerines lose a lot of the essential vitamins and nutrients that make them a healthy treat. Fresh tangerines are juicy, sweet, and packed with beneficial qualities like vitamin C, calcium, and antioxidants.
Just make sure any fresh tangerines you feed are free of pesticides and chemicals.
Preparation
Proper preparation of tangerines is key before serving them to your bearded buddy. Here are some tips:
- Wash thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt, debris, or pesticides
- Peel off the skin, which can be difficult for bearded dragons to digest
- Remove any seeds, which can cause intestinal blockages
- Cut into small, bite-sized pieces your dragon can easily swallow
Cutting tangerines into small pieces will make it easier for your bearded dragon to eat and digest this juicy treat. Make sure to discard any uneaten pieces within 24 hours to avoid spoilage.
Portion Size
When introducing any new food to a bearded dragon, it’s best to start slowly and work up to larger portions. Here are some tangerine serving tips:
- Bearded dragons under 1 year old: 1-2 small bites per feeding
- Juvenile/adult dragons: 3-5 small bites per feeding
- Limit tangerines to once or twice weekly to avoid overdoing it on the natural sugars
Pay attention to your bearded dragon’s reaction after trying tangerines for the first time. Discontinue use if you notice any signs of an upset stomach or diarrhea. Most bearded dragons enjoy tangerines in moderation as part of a balanced, varied diet.
Health Risks of Feeding Tangerines
Obesity
Feeding too many tangerines to bearded dragons can lead to obesity over time. Tangerines are high in natural sugars like fructose which can quickly cause weight gain if overfed (a common issue for pet reptiles). An authoritative bearded dragon care site recommends limiting tangerines as treats only.
Obese reptiles experience worsened bone and joint problems, decreased agility, and internal organ damage shortening their lifespan. One expert site relays an unfortunate story of a overweight dragon passing away at just 2 years old from liver failure.
Digestive Issues
The acidic juices and high fiber content found in citrus fruits like tangerines can irritate a bearded dragon’s digestive tract leading to impaction or diarrhea. Their digestive systems aren’t designed to properly break down citric acid or complex sugars.
One sad forum account describes a dragon becoming impacted after eating orange slices resulting in a $300 vet bill. Severe impaction requires surgery and can be life-threatening if untreated. Sticking with safer staples like leafy greens, vegetables, and appropriate insects can prevent most digestion issues per bearded dragon forums.
The Best Fruits for Bearded Dragons
Apples
Apples make a nutritious occasional treat for bearded dragons. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. However, apples should only comprise a small portion of a dragon’s diet due to their high sugar content. The flesh should be finely chopped or grated before feeding to prevent choking.
Remove all seeds and core first, as they contain toxic cyanide compounds. The best apples to offer dragons are Granny Smith or Fuji for their crisp, sweet-tart flavor and low acidity compared to other varieties.
Blueberries
These tiny, antioxidant-rich berries can benefit bearded dragons. Blueberries contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Their small size makes them a safe finger food. However, they should be fed sparingly, no more than once or twice a week, due to natural sugars.
Prior to serving, gently rinse fresh organic blueberries to remove any pesticide residue. Frozen blueberries can also be thawed and drained as an alternative when fresh are unavailable. Limit portion sizes to 2-3 berries per feeding.
Strawberries
As an occasional treat in tiny amounts, strawberries offer great nutrition for bearded dragons. These berries supply a hefty dose of vitamin C plus manganese, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. Strawberries should always be ripe, fresh, cleaned, and finely chopped into small, bite-size pieces before serving.
Due to their sweetness and acidity, they are best restricted to a once-a-month indulgence. The green tops and seeds should always be removed first since they may cause intestinal upset if swallowed.
Fruit | Benefits | Precautions |
---|---|---|
Apples | High in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber | Limit due to natural sugars, remove seeds/core |
Blueberries | Rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and K, manganese | Feed sparingly, limit to 2-3 berries per serving |
Strawberries | Excellent source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium | Tiny portions once monthly, remove tops/seeds |
Conclusion
In conclusion, tangerines can be fed to bearded dragons as an occasional treat in small amounts. They provide beneficial vitamins but too much tangerine may pose health risks. It’s best to feed a variety of fruits sparingly along with a staple diet of insects and vegetables.
Follow these guidelines for providing your bearded dragon with a nutritious, balanced diet.