Can bearded dragons eat mango?
The good news is that bearded dragons can eat mango. It’s a delicious and highly nutritious treat that they can eat happily once a week without worry. Of course, there are risks if they have too much, but if you keep it in moderation, your dragon will be fine.
Join me as I take you through everything you need to know about giving your beardie mango.
Also Read: What Are Bearded Dragons Favorite Food?
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Bearded dragons can eat mango, but only in moderation
- Mango is full of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for a bearded dragon’s diet
- When feeding mango to bearded dragons, be sure to remove the pit and skin first
Are Mangoes Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Yes, mangoes are perfectly SAFE fruits for bearded dragons to eat. This popular tropical fruit contains minerals and vitamins beneficial for your pet reptile.
When feeding mango to your bearded dragon, PEEL the fruit and remove the pit. You can chop up the fruit’s flesh into small pieces or offer it as slices. As with all fruits, feed mangoes to your bearded dragon in MODERATION as part of a balanced diet.
Pro Tip: Baby bearded dragons should not eat mango because they are still growing and need all the nutrients they can get from their natural diet.
How Much Mango Can Bearded Dragons Have and How Often?
Mangoes are a healthy treat for bearded dragons and can be fed to them ONCE a week. When feeding mango to your bearded dragon, give them around 1-2 small slices or a few small chunks.
It’s one of the few treats that can be fed to beardies weekly instead of monthly; just remember to keep the quantities SMALL so that they don’t end up with too much sugar in their system (which can be very bad for their health). [1]
Pro Tip: Bearded dragons eating mango are pretty cute, so I recommend having your camera ready. The same goes for them snacking on any sweet and juicy fruits.
READ MORE: Bananas for Bearded Dragons – Is it Safe?
7 Benefits of Giving Bearded Dragons Mangoes
There are quite a few advantages to giving your dragons mango, and the health benefits [2]are pretty good.
1-Vitamins A and C
Mango is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. [3] Vitamin A is IMPORTANT for bearded dragons because it helps with their night vision, while vitamin C helps to boost their immune system.
Bearded dragons that are vitamin A deficient can develop eye problems, and those that are vitamin C deficient can become more susceptible to diseases.
By offering your bearded dragon mango, you’re helping to ensure they get the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy and happy.
2-Vitamins E and K
Mango is also a good source of vitamins E and K. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps to PROTECT bearded dragons from free radicals. In contrast, vitamin K is necessary for proper blood clotting.
While bearded dragons don’t typically NEED extra vitamin E or K in their diet, it’s still good to know that mango can provide these nutrients.
3-Fiber
Mango is a good source of fiber, which is vital for bearded dragons because it HELPS with their digestion. Fiber also helps to keep bearded dragons feeling full and satisfied after they eat.
If your bearded dragon is having trouble with constipation, eating mango may help to relieve the condition.
4-Folate
Mango is also a good source of folate, which is essential for bearded dragon health because it helps to PRODUCE new cells.
Folate is essential for growing juvenile bearded dragons, as it helps them develop properly.
5-Antioxidants
Mango is high in antioxidants, which are essential for bearded dragon health because they help PROTECT against free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells and lead to illness and disease.
6-Manganese
Mango is also a good source of manganese, which is important for bearded dragon health because it helps with BONE development.
Manganese is also necessary for proper metabolism and helps protect bearded dragons from oxidative damage.
7-Magnesium and Zinc
Mango is also a good source of magnesium and zinc. Magnesium is important for bearded dragon health because it helps with HEALTHY bone and joint development.
Zinc is important for bearded dragon health because it helps with WOUND healing and immunity.
What are the Risks of Feeding Bearded Dragons Mango?
However, it should be remembered that there are RISKS that come with feeding mango to your dragons.
1. High in Sugar
Mango is high in sugar, which can be BAD for bearded dragons if they overeat it. Bearded dragons that overeat sugar can develop obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
For this reason, it’s essential to feed mango to bearded dragons in MODERATION and to make sure that they’re getting a well-rounded diet that includes other fruits and vegetables.
2. Low in Calcium
Mango is also LOW in calcium, which can be a problem for bearded dragons. [4] Calcium is vital for bearded dragon health because it helps with BONE and JOINT development.
Pro Tip: Bearded dragons that don’t get enough calcium can develop health problems such as metabolic bone disease.
For this reason, it’s essential to supplement bearded dragons’ diets with calcium when feeding them mango.
3. High in Vitamin A
Mango is also high in vitamin A, which can be a problem for bearded dragons if they overeat it. Bearded dragons that eat too much vitamin A can develop HEALTH PROBLEMS such as liver disease.
Also Read: Are Cherries Good for Bearded Dragons?
FAQs
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Unripe Mango?
No, bearded dragons should not eat unripe mango. Bearded dragons should only eat ripe mangoes that are free from toxins.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mango Peel?
No, bearded dragons should not eat mango peels. Mango peels are high in fiber which can be difficult for bearded dragons to digest. Bearded dragons should only eat the flesh of the mango, which is easier to digest.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Dried Mango?
Yes, bearded dragons can eat dried mango. Dried mango is a good source of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for bearded dragons.
Conclusion
So can bearded dragons eat mango? YES! Most definitely. This popular tropical fruit is full of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your pet reptile.
When feeding mango to your bearded dragon, be sure to REMOVE the pit and skin first. You can either chop up the flesh of the fruit into small pieces or offer it as slices. As with all fruits, feed mango to your bearded dragon in MODERATION as part of a well-rounded diet.
If you want to learn more about what you can and cannot feed your beardies, make sure you check out the rest of my guides.
So, did you ever feed mango to your bearded dragon? Let us know in the comments section!
Sources:
- 1. What fruits can my bearded dragon eat. idkuu.com. https://idkuu.com/what-fruits-can-my-bearded-dragon-eat/amp
- 2. Raman R. Mango: Nutrition, Health Benefits and How to Eat It. Healthline. Published December 17, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mango
- 3. Ukaj SS. A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: A retrospective study of 529 patients. Researchgate. Published September 2017. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319941929_A_survey_of_diseases_in_captive_bearded_dragons_A_retrospective_study_of_529_patients
- 4. Fowomola M. some nutrients and antinutrients contents of mango (Magnifera indica) seed. African Journal of Food Science. 2010;4(8):472-476. Accessed October 17, 2022. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380729035_Fowomola.pdf
- 5. Burdon JN, Moore KG, Wainwright H. Mineral distribution in mango fruit susceptible to the physiological disorder soft-nose. Scientia Horticulturae. 1991;48(3-4):329-336. doi:10.1016/0304-4238(91)90143-m
Alina Hartley is a small-town girl with a ginormous love of bearded dragons. It all started with Winchester, a baby bearded who was abandoned at the shelter by his former owners because of a birth defect that caused one front leg to be shorter than the other. Alina originally went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig, but one look at Winchester and it was love at first sight. From that day on, Alina has dedicated her life to learning everything she can about bearded dragons. She loves helping new beardie parents start their incredible journey with these magnificent reptiles.
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