TL:DR
If you simply want to know if bearded dragons can eat strawberries, then yes, bearded dragons can eat strawberries. Read on for more information.
Have you ever desired or pondered the idea of what it would be like to own a bearded dragon?
If so, then I can guarantee that you will not regret your decision to have one of these guys as a companion.
Bearded dragons are an incredibly unique type of lizard, originally inhabiting the woodlands and the hot deserts of central Australia.
However, ever since the 1990’s, these reptiles can now be found in almost every pet shop around the United Kingdom and the United States and is known to be one of the most popular exotic pets to own in society today.
These lizards are fantastic pets for both new and experienced reptile enthusiasts looking to adopt. Bearded dragons are extremely laid-back, super easy to handle, and very hardy, making them one of the most easy-going species amongst reptiles to own.
Furthermore, they are highly affectionate little lizards that generally have big personalities that you will undeniably fall in love with.
Though owning a bearded dragon to call one of your own can be invigorating, you must know how to care for them properly.
For example, if you feed your lizard companion a well-balanced nutritious diet, you can expect him or her to live for six to ten years, sometimes even longer.
Bearded Dragons and Strawberries
One fruit, in particular, that is commonly asked about is strawberries. This fruit is sold all around the world, and in a variety of forms, both wet and dry. They are an excellent source of Vitamin C, manganese, and also contain a decent amount of folate and potassium.
Furthermore, they are significantly rich in antioxidants, which has been proven to promote healthy heart health and helps with managing blood sugar level control.
Despite its name, strawberries are actually not considered a berry because they do not have seeds inside them like ordinary berries do. Because of this reality, many people are nervous about feeding their bearded dragon this fruit due to the abundance of tiny seeds strawberries contain on their surfaces.
So can bearded dragons eat strawberries?
The truth is that yes, in moderation, bearded dragons can eat strawberries, just like with almost any other fruit. By consuming them, they can gain high levels of useful nutrients from it that will increase their quality of life.
But be sure to only feed your lizard strawberries, or anything for that matter, in moderation. Anything in abundance can be harmful. When it comes to strawberries, feeding your lizard too much of it can give them some unpleasant stomach issues.
To avoid this from happening to your pet, only feed them strawberries on an occasional basis and ensure that it appropriately portioned to their daily nutritional needs.
Keep in mind that with any fruit, be diligent in washing them first and chopping them up for your dragon to eat comfortably.
The Bearded Dragon Menu
For a full list of food bearded dragons can and cannot eat, see here.
Bearded dragons are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal-based foods. When it comes to preparing a nutrition plan for your bearded dragon, there are some key factors that come into play.
As a general rule of thumb, despite the highly age-dependent factors, a bearded dragon’s diet should be about 50 percent plant-based and about 50 percent animal-based. However, in many cases this ratio sways, being closer to 80 percent greens and 20 percent insects.
You may see this scenario more in adult bearded dragons versus the younger ones, which I will touch more upon later in this article.
To compensate for this dietary shift, feed your adult lizard insects once every one or two days and always maintain a fresh supply of fruits, plants and vegetables in their cage for them to snack on throughout the day.
To get more insight and an accurate meal plan depiction on your particular beloved reptile, you can always consult their veterinarian to see if he or she has any specific needs outside the bearded dragon norm. Doing this can give you the peace of mind knowing that you are caring for your bearded dragon in the most optimal ways.
In central Australia, food was pretty scarce for these lizards, which evolved them to be open and accepting of eating a wide variety of foods, such as crickets, mealworms, king worms, vegetables, and a various selection of fruits.
If the idea of feeding your lizard fruits comes to a shock to you, you can have peace knowing that these little guys love all sorts of fruits, and they should be a part of your bearded dragon’s overall diet.
They happily munch on tons of options, such as apples, raspberries, plums, papayas, peeled bananas, peaches, and pears. You can even switch it up a bit and feed your pet lizard fruits such as watermelon, pineapples, cherries, and grapes.
Bearded Dragons and Eating Habits
As with any animal or reptile, eating behaviours range based on their ages. Bearded dragons are no different, and their age has a huge impact when it comes to eating habits and preferences.
For instance, the younger ones will tend to be much more carnivores and display intense interest in protein-rich foods more so than the fruit and vegetables you serve them.
The little ones will have a considerable appetite for insects and will consume as much protein and fats as they can to promote fast growth into adulthood.
Keep in mind that though they will favour the animal-based products in their earlier stage, still diligently offer them other herbal options to ensure that they are getting the well-rounded nutritional balance they need. When it comes to feeding times, aim to fee your baby breaded dragon about two or three times per day.
On the other end of the spectrum, the adult bearded dragons are much more plant-based than their younger counterparts. As your lizard grows up into adulthood, their appetite will change significantly, and you will see them learn more towards the herbivores side instead, favouring the fruits and vegetables over the insects.
The reason for this shift is because the fully-grown bearded dragons are done growing and do not need as much protein as they did before.
Now that they are adults, they now like to focus more on eating vegetables and fruits to absorb the nutrients to maintain their overall health. When it comes to feeding an adult bearded dragon, they will consume far less, about once a day. You could, however, have a hungrier one on your hands, so play it by ear and feed them according to his or her individual appetite.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons have grown tremendously in societal popularity ever since they were introduced to the North American regions a few decades ago. Their hardiness, relatively long-life span, and mellow temperament make them a fantastic exotic pet choice for those who have a strong desire to own a reptile.
These guys are considered one of the best pets because of their good-natured disposition and their excellent adaptation to their human caretakers. Your lizard may even portray fascinating behaviors, such as arm waving as a form of communicating with you.
However, even though these little guys are clearly remarkable, as with anything, you need to be responsible and provide them what they need to thrive. In order to keep your pet in the best condition and have them remain content, you must be able to care for them properly and ensure that your lizard’s general and specific needs are met.
As long as you are able to give your bearded dragon an appropriate habitat, an excellent diet, and a lifetime of compassion and love, they will be entirely happy.