Mango is a sweet and tasty fruit that many people enjoy. As a bearded dragon owner, you may wonder if you can share a bite of this fruit with your scaly friend. The quick answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat mango, but only in moderation.
In this comprehensive article, we will dive into the details around feeding mango to bearded dragons. We’ll look at the nutritional value of mango for dragons, the preparation needed, how much to feed, and any precautions you need to take.
The Nutritional Value of Mango for Bearded Dragons
High water content
Mangoes are an excellent source of fluids for bearded dragons. These tropical fruits have a water content of approximately 83%, which helps keeps dragons well hydrated. Proper hydration is crucial for these reptiles, as they are susceptible to dehydration in captivity.
The high moisture content in mangoes can help replenish the fluids lost through normal biological processes like urination, defecation and respiration. Additionally, the vitamins and minerals in mangoes are more easily absorbed when paired with high water content foods.
Rich in vitamins and minerals
Mangoes contain a wide array of essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for bearded dragons. They are high in vitamin C, providing over 100% of a dragon’s recommended daily intake per serving.
Vitamin C aids collagen production for healthy skin and blood vessels, boosts the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. Mangoes also contain decent amounts of vitamin A for good vision and reproductive health, B vitamins for converting food into energy, vitamin E for antioxidant support, and vitamin K for proper blood clotting.
In terms of minerals, mangoes provide potassium for fluid balance, magnesium for bone development, and copper for melanin production.
Contains natural sugars
Mangoes have a sweet taste because they contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose and sucrose. These natural fruit sugars provide a quick source of energy for bearded dragons. The sugars are also easily digested and absorbed.
However, owners should feed mangoes in moderation, as excess sugar can potentially cause obesity and related health issues in reptiles if overfed. A good rule of thumb is to offer mangoes no more than 2-3 times per week as an occasional treat.
For young, growing bearded dragons, the natural sugars in mangoes can help support their rapid metabolic rate and activity levels.
Preparing and Serving Mangoes for Your Bearded Dragon
Choosing Ripe Mangoes
When selecting mangoes to feed your bearded dragon, it’s important to find ones that are ripe. Unripe, hard mangoes can be difficult for your dragon to digest. Look for mangoes that yield slightly when gently squeezed but aren’t mushy.
The skin color can also indicate ripeness. A red, orange, or yellow skin suggests the mango is ripe and ready to eat. Greenish skin means it’s still unripe. The best test is to sniff the stem end – it should have a sweet, fruity aroma if ripe.
Cutting Mango into Pieces
Once you’ve identified ripe mangoes, washing thoroughly before preparing them. To cut the mango, carefully slice vertically along one side of the large, flat pit in the center. Then score cubes into the mango flesh without piercing the skin.
Gently push the skin inside out to separate mango cubes. Cut any remaining flesh off the pit. Then dice the mango cubes and flesh into smaller, bearded dragon bite-sized pieces no more than 0.5 inches (1 cm).
Avoiding Mango Skin and Pit
While mango flesh can make for a tasty, nutritious treat for bearded dragons, the skin and pit should always be avoided.
Mango skin contains plant compounds like urushiol and sap that can irritate a dragon’s digestive tract. The pit is also too difficult and large to digest properly.
Discard mango skins immediately after peeling the fruit. Take care when cutting around the pit to avoid nicking it, scooping out any remaining flesh after separation.
Properly preparing ripe, high-quality mangoes by removing skins and pits ensures your bearded dragon can enjoy this vibrant fruit safely.
How Much Mango Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Mango as an Occasional Treat
Mango can be a tasty and nutritious snack for bearded dragons when given in moderation. As with any human food offered to beardies, mangoes should only be an occasional treat. Overdoing it on sugary fruits can lead to obesity and other health issues in reptiles.
Veterinarians typically recommend limiting mangoes and other fruits to no more than 10% of your dragon’s overall diet. Their staple foods should always be leafy greens and vegetables, with the occasional nibble of a sweet fruit.
Risks of Too Much Sugar and Phosphorus
The main risk factors with feeding too much mango or other fruit are excess sugar, calories, and phosphorus.
- Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, metabolic issues, and even diabetes in reptiles.
- Too many calories from sugary treats can quickly lead to an obese bearded dragon.
- High levels of phosphorus can prevent proper calcium absorption and increase the risk of metabolic bone disease.
To play it safe, mangoes should only supplement a well-balanced diet, not become a beardie’s main food source.
Ideal Portion Sizes
When offering mango as an occasional treat, aim for a portion size of:
- Baby dragons: A couple small bites once or twice a week
- Juvenile dragons: 1-2 thin mango slices once or twice a week
- Adult dragons: Around 2 tablespoons of cubed mango once a week
| Bearded Dragon Age | Ideal Mango Portion | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Babies | A couple small bites | 1-2 times per week |
| Juveniles | 1-2 thin slices | 1-2 times per week |
| Adults | Around 2 tablespoons cubed | Once per week |
Pay attention to your dragon’s weight and health markers while offering mango treats. Discontinue use if you observe signs of excess sugar or phosphorus.
For more detailed bearded dragon diet advice, check out BeardedDragonCare101.com.
Precautions to Take When Feeding Mango
Monitoring for Allergic Reactions
As with introducing any new food, it’s important to monitor your bearded dragon for signs of an allergic reaction when first offering mango. Allergic reactions can include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, swelling around the mouth, or reddening of the skin.
If you notice any of these symptoms, stop feeding mango immediately and contact your exotic vet.
It’s best to only feed a small amount of mango at first to test your dragon’s tolerance. Observe them closely for at least 24 hours to ensure they don’t have a reaction before offering more. Additionally, never leave fresh foods like mango in your bearded dragon’s enclosure unattended, as overeating can also cause digestive upset.
Being Careful with Younger Dragons
Younger and juvenile bearded dragons have more sensitive digestive systems that may have difficulty processing the natural sugars in fruit. For this reason, it’s generally recommended to wait until a dragon is over 12 months old before introducing treats like mango.
If you wish to try sooner, only feed a tiny bite of flesh once a week at most. Never give younger dragons the skin or pit, as these hard pieces can pose a choking hazard. Mangos are also diuretic, meaning they stimulate urination.
Therefore, only offer small amounts so as not to cause dehydration in younger dragons.
Avoiding Pesticides and Chemicals
When selecting mangos to feed your beardie, always choose organic whenever possible. Conventional mangos tend to be heavily sprayed with pesticides and chemicals you wouldn’t want your pet ingesting. Thoroughly wash the mango flesh under cold water before serving to help remove residues.
You’ll also want to peel off the skin, as pesticides accumulate on the surface. Always avoid feeding your bearded dragon the pit or seed, as these contain trace amounts of toxins. Lastly, never feed your dragon mango that has become spoiled, rotten, fermented or moldy, as ingesting these can cause illness.
Conclusion
Mango can be a tasty and nutritious supplement to your bearded dragon’s diet when fed properly and in moderation. Pay attention to your dragon’s reaction, only offer ripe mango flesh, and stick to an occasional small serving.
With some care and common sense, many dragons can enjoy this sweet, healthy treat!
