Many people keep bearded dragons as pets, and many of these owners wonder if their lizards can eat oranges. The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. But can bearded dragons eat oranges?
So, can bearded dragons eat oranges? Bearded dragons can eat oranges. However, they will not eat it if you give them any. This is due to the acidity in the oranges that the reptile doesn’t like the taste of. If they do eat the oranges, they will gain many health benefits from it since the fruit is high in nutrition.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Oranges?
Bearded dragons don’t eat oranges. In the wild, oranges don’t exist and the fruit is something that’s unknown to them.
Most beardie will not eat oranges since they are not accustomed to them.
Also, bearded dragons don’t like the taste of the oranges. The only way they will eat the citrus fruit is if you mix it with other fruits such as apples or bananas.
Is It Safe For Bearded Dragons To Eat
Bearded dragons, like most reptiles, are not able to eat citrus fruits. While oranges are good for them in some ways, the acidity of the fruit will do more harm than good. If you’re looking to feed your bearded dragon oranges, make sure to mix it with other types of food so it gets all the nutrients it needs.
In the wild, bearded dragons eat mostly insects. Bearded dragons can safely eat oranges in moderation because they contain sufficient nutrients and fiber for a bearded dragon to thrive on.
Is It Healthy For Bearded Dragons To Eat Oranges
Oranges are packed with nutrition that your bearded dragon can benefit from. The fruit is a good source of calcium, fiber, and vitamin B6 and C.
Nutrition Facts
Half of a large orange (100 grams):
- Calories: 47
- Water: 87%
- Protein: 0.9 grams
- Carbs: 11.8 grams
- Sugar: 9.4 grams
- Fiber: 2.4 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
Below are some of the health benefits of feeding oranges to your bearded dragons:
Good For Hydration
Oranges have a high content of water. Feeding your beardie some oranges will keep them hydrated. This is a great food to give them during the summer when it’s hot.
Boost Immune System
Oranges are one of the fruits that is the highest amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is important for a strong immune system.
When your bearded dragons have plenty of vitamin C in their diet, they are less likely to become ill.
How To Feed Oranges To Bearded Dragons
When it comes to bearded dragons, most of them will not eat the oranges. If you try to feed them just the oranges, they will completely ignore it.
If you want them to eat some, you’ll need to mix it with other fruits that they like. This could be apples, bananas, and grapes.
As they are eating the other fruits, they will eat the oranges as well.
How Often Can Bearded Dragons Eat Oranges?
Bearded dragons can eat oranges, but they should only be fed them occasionally. As a part of his natural diet, a bearded dragon is actually supposed to consume quite a lot of fruit and vegetables.
In the wild, he would have access to an entire range of vegetation, so feeding him too many fruits could lead to vitamin deficiency.
The most suitable option for your pet is probably an orange once in a while. If you feel like giving him more than that you should consider adding some fat-free yogurt or steamed broccoli on top of it.
Other Fruit That Bearded Dragons Can Eat
Dragonfruit
While bearded dragons can eat dragonfruit, it’s important to understand the high sugar content in this fruit. This could lead to a number of health-related issues if you feed your pet dragon too much. So, while a small amount is fine for a treat every once in a while, don’t make it part of your pet’s regular diet.
Bananas
Bearded dragons love eating bananas. In fact, they are a favorite treat for many pet owners that have bearded dragons as pets. This is because bananas provide them with important vitamins and minerals that their bodies need. They also contain natural sugars that bearded dragons love to eat.
Pears
Bearded dragons can eat pears. In fact, they love to eat them. Pears are high in fiber and water, which makes them a great food option for bearded dragons.
Conclusion
While bearded dragons can eat oranges, they are not very nutritious for them. They contain far too much acidity and sugar, which is not great for their digestive systems.
