Miss_Croft
Active Member
This is going to be a bit off the topic – but I am going to talk about bearded dragon food as a whole and then talk a little about recommendations on greens.
Studies of stomach contents of wild bearded dragons in Australia showed that when young the lizards eat almost 50% live food and 50% plants, and when mature, they eat mostly (65-90%) plant matter. Observations of thousands of dragons in breeding facilities suggest simular food preferences occur when these lizards are in captivity.
Hoser states they prey on a variety of insects and small invertabrates such as grasshoppers, termites, insect larvae, cockroaches, ants, spiders and when very hungry even eat occasional small rodent or lizard.
The above two statements comes from http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/invitecomment/pubs/pogona-vitticeps-importing.pdf
Most insects eaten should deliver just over 50% protein. My calculation adult bearded dragons should get a maximum of around 12-15% protein and have a high fibre diet. This brings me to the issue – all the dragon feed I have looked at has a very high protein (Up to 30%) and low fibre. This is fine for a juvenile dragon – but not that good for and adult. (Lowest I have found was 23%). Not sure what brand would supply low protein and high fibre diet required for an adult bearded dragon.
As for greens I suggest the following are good for bearded dragons:
Dandelion both the leaves and flowers
Plantains (both rainbow and greater)
Red and white clover
Mustard greens
Rose
Normal grasses could also be good – but not as good as the above mentioned greens as they are high in silica and I doubt the bearded dragons stomach is able to cope with it.
I would avoid spinach, kale (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) as they are high in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid tends to remove calcium from their bodies and can course Metabolic bone disease.
Lettuce is an interesting one – they are probably best fed in moderation as they have been reported coursing the runs – leading to dehydration. I have read leafy lettuces are ok.
Also remember non-acidic fruits (Apples, pares…) are good.
I question the statement garlic is poisonous to bearded dragons – garlic or garlic extract is found in most commercial animal feed including bearded dragon food (Look up the recipe)
Studies of stomach contents of wild bearded dragons in Australia showed that when young the lizards eat almost 50% live food and 50% plants, and when mature, they eat mostly (65-90%) plant matter. Observations of thousands of dragons in breeding facilities suggest simular food preferences occur when these lizards are in captivity.
Hoser states they prey on a variety of insects and small invertabrates such as grasshoppers, termites, insect larvae, cockroaches, ants, spiders and when very hungry even eat occasional small rodent or lizard.
The above two statements comes from http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/invitecomment/pubs/pogona-vitticeps-importing.pdf
Most insects eaten should deliver just over 50% protein. My calculation adult bearded dragons should get a maximum of around 12-15% protein and have a high fibre diet. This brings me to the issue – all the dragon feed I have looked at has a very high protein (Up to 30%) and low fibre. This is fine for a juvenile dragon – but not that good for and adult. (Lowest I have found was 23%). Not sure what brand would supply low protein and high fibre diet required for an adult bearded dragon.
As for greens I suggest the following are good for bearded dragons:
Dandelion both the leaves and flowers
Plantains (both rainbow and greater)
Red and white clover
Mustard greens
Rose
Normal grasses could also be good – but not as good as the above mentioned greens as they are high in silica and I doubt the bearded dragons stomach is able to cope with it.
I would avoid spinach, kale (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) as they are high in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid tends to remove calcium from their bodies and can course Metabolic bone disease.
Lettuce is an interesting one – they are probably best fed in moderation as they have been reported coursing the runs – leading to dehydration. I have read leafy lettuces are ok.
Also remember non-acidic fruits (Apples, pares…) are good.
I question the statement garlic is poisonous to bearded dragons – garlic or garlic extract is found in most commercial animal feed including bearded dragon food (Look up the recipe)
it wouldnt suprise me tht they have garlic, they also have chicken feet, and cereal.
