Can bearded dragons eat mango? Yes, bearded dragons can eat mango. Mango contains several minerals that are favorable for the health of bearded dragons. Mangoes are also high in water content, which is important to keep them hydrated. It’s best to feed them ripe mangoes as it is soft and contain a lot of nutrition.
Is It Safe for Bearded Dragons to Eat Mango?
Yes, it is safe for bearded dragons to eat mango in moderation. Mangos are high in sugar concentration, that is the reason moderation is essential.
Also, bearded dragons should eat mangoes in conjunction with other foods due to their insufficient calcium: phosphorous ratio.
Due to the high sugar content, moderate oxalate concentration, and substantial acidic content, it may damage beardies’ physiological functions if eaten in excess. For this reason, avoid overfeeding them mangoes, as it can be lethal for bearded dragons.
Is It Healthy For Bearded Dragons To Eat Mango?
Mangoes are healthy for your bearded dragons to eat since it’s packed with vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition Facts
One cup (165 grams) of sliced mango provides:
- Calories: 99
- Protein: 1.4 grams
- Carbs: 24.7 grams
- Fat: 0.6 grams
- Dietary fiber: 2.6 grams
- Vitamin C: 67% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Copper: 20% of the RDI
- Folate: 18% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 11.6% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 10% of the RDI
- Vitamin E: 9.7% of the RDI
- Vitamin B5: 6.5% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 6% of the RDI
- Niacin: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 6% of the RDI
- Riboflavin: 5% of the RDI
- Manganese: 4.5% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 4% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 4% of the RDI
Source: USDA
Mango, aside from being delicious, has several nutrients that are pretty helpful to bearded dragons.
Potassium: Mangoes are a good supply of potassium, a mineral they require to maintain their blood pressure and neurological system. Potassium also aids in the maintenance of your dragon’s muscles and optimum water retention.
Low in oxalates: Another benefit of mangoes is that they are low in oxalates. Oxalates can be highly dangerous, if not deadly, to bearded dragons. They inhibit calcium from being taken into the body. Thus, bearded dragons who consume an excessive amount of oxalates is in danger of developing metabolic bone disease (MBD).
Calcium: Mangoes have balanced calcium to phosphorus ratio because they contain an equal amount of calcium and phosphorus. Bearded dragons should eat a range of fruits and vegetables that are either equal in calcium and phosphorus or have more calcium than phosphorus. Too much phosphorus, like too much oxalate, can induce MBD because it inhibits calcium absorption.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Mangoes?
Mango is safe for baby bearded dragons to eat, just like it is for adults. The cautions we expressed above regarding overfeeding mangoes are much more relevant for newborn beardies.
Young bearded dragons are becoming more prominent by the day, they require more nutrient-dense meals and calcium than adults. It is much more critical not to feed a newborn beardie food that will not help them grow.
Of course, you may occasionally feed mango and other fruits as a treat, but it’s crucial to remember that the first 16-24 months are critical in terms of their nutrition if you want them to grow large, strong, and healthy.
How to Feed Mangoes to Bearded Dragons?
When discussing meals to serve or prepare for your beardie, we always start with where you obtain them. If an organic option is available, it is always recommended.
However, this isn’t always possible, but it’s well worth the extra money to know that the fruit is pesticide and herbicide-free.
Choose the proper mangos that have low water content and are suitable for feeding the beardie. Also, avoid overripe fruits because they are highly acidic owing to their high benzoic acid concentration.
Harvest ripe mangoes and set them aside for at least two days to drain water. It improves nutrition uptake in bearded dragons.
To eliminate chemicals from the mango’s skin, wash it in warm or treated water.
Allow the mango to dry for about 15 minutes after cleaning before peeling.
Cut the mango into tiny pieces no more than the diameter of the beardie’s eye.
How Often to Feed Mangoes to Bearded Dragons?
Mangoes should not be consumed daily by bearded dragons. It is because mango is heavy in sugar and lacks nutrients such as calcium, as discussed previously.
There isn’t a clear answer to this issue, but I recommend bearded dragon should be OK eating mango once or twice a month as a treat. The quantity should be modest and served with other nutritious greens or vegetables, ideally as a salad topping.
Other Fruits That Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Grapes
Bearded dragons can eat grapes, and it’s healthy for them. Grapes are a good source of antioxidants, fiber, and potassium. Also, it’s high in water content, which can help keep the beardie hydrated.
Papaya
Papaya makes a good treat for bearded dragons. Be sure to only feed them ripe papaya, as it is soft and contains a lot of nutrition. Green papaya or unripe papaya will be difficult for them to eat since it’s tough.
Watermelon
Watermelon is nutritious and healthy for beardie to eat. Not only is it packed with vitamins and minerals, but it also has a very high content of water. The water will help keep the beardie hydrated, especially during the summer.
Conclusion
It is advisable to feed your bearded dragon mango in tiny amounts as a treat. It’s rich in sugar and has a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, so it’s not something you’d want to serve every day or even every week. Because bearded dragons struggle to acquire enough calcium in their diet, we recommend making high calcium foods like dandelion and collard greens a regular component of their diet and saving delicacies like mango for special occasions.
