One of the cactus that bearded dragons like to eat is the prickly pear. Despite being an American native, it has been spread over the globe by people. The plants are raised for human use and utilized as houseplants. Some folks, however, grow these plants only for their lizards.
These cacti are excellent for your animals since they are rich in calcium, moisture, and nutrients. There are numerous variants of the plant. They significantly differ in terms of color, shape, and environmental needs. While some, like purple prickly pears, have some color, the majority are green.
Beardies adore the fruit of the prickly pear. Unfortunately, the plant has sharp spines that could harm your lizard. However, a prickly pear cactus can be bought having the spine removed.
This cactus needs to be pruned frequently to prevent it from becoming too large for its environment.
Christmas Cactus
Given that its pads are smooth, this cactus would be ideal for your bearded dragon. It’s a lovely plant that requires little maintenance. Like other sedum cultivars, it is secure and does best in cooler climates. They require a lot of water, therefore you will need to water them thoroughly.
Stapelia
These unusual small cacti have flowers that resemble stars. Depending on the species, the blossoms can be either purple or red. Their blossoms may have a fragrant aroma or a more pungent one. They favor some light or partial shade.
Dragon fruit
A resilient cactus with fragrant white and yellow blossoms, the dragon fruit. It’s a beautiful plant for your house and requires little maintenance. It grows best in full sunlight. The shell of the edible fruits is either red or brown, and they feature a red or yellow prickly covering. A fruit that resembles a dragon’s egg is produced by the cactus.
Which cacti are edible to bearded dragons?
Opuntia cacti are an excellent snack for your dragon because they are naturally rich in calcium, moisture, and other minerals. Your dragon will have to put in some effort to get this cactus down to the stump because of its thick protective skin. These cacti have no spines and are completely safe for your dragon.
Do bearded dragons eat the pads of prickly pears?
Opuntia, a flowering cactus that is indigenous to North and South America, is more frequently referred to as prickly pear.
Many bearded dragon owners are curious if the prickly pear cactus is okay for their beardie because it is widespread in some regions.
As long as the spines are removed, prickly pear cactus is incredibly nourishing and perfectly safe to feed a bearded dragon. The skin and seeds of the cactus fruit must first be removed before eating.
Continue reading to learn more about what makes the prickly pear cactus so adaptable as we dive into its multiple uses.
Can you eat prickly pear cactus?
The lower 48 states of the United States are home to the eastern prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa). In addition to being a lovely plant, it is edible, offers sustenance and safety to wildlife, and can be utilized in natural landscaping.
This cactus is simple to locate, especially in Indiana. The prickly pear features flat, fleshy pads (known as cladodes) covered in spiky spines, similar to other spiny succulents. Showy yellow blossoms are produced by the prickly pear.
How to eat a prickly pear
A red, egg-shaped fruit starts to form after flowering. After removing the skin, the fruits can be eaten raw and are edible. The fruit is frequently converted into jams, candies, and other sweets, and some people even eat the plant’s fleshy pads as a snack.
For thousands of years, the prickly pear cactus has been an essential part of Mexican and Central American cuisine. Prickly pears are becoming more popular as food in various areas of the United States.
The nopal, or cactus pad, which is frequently used as a vegetable, and the pear, or fruit, are the only two edible portions of the prickly pear plant.
What do prickly pears taste like?
Cactus pears have a sweet, rather bland flavor that is comparable to melon. The fruit is not technically a member of the pear family, despite its name. It was merely given that name because the prickly fruit looks and acts like a pear.
Where can I find prickly pears?
In Indiana, such as the Kankakee Sands and the Lake Michigan shore dunes, the prickly pear cactus can be found in open sand and arid places.
Another fantastic location to see Indiana’s sole cactus is the lovely Ober Savanna in Starke County.
Prickly pear in your yard
The fact that this native cactus is challenging to manage is unknown to many who like planting it in their backyards. A single plant can develop into a tangled, dense colony very fast.
The best approach to stop the prickly pear from spreading is to plant it in a pot. Purdue Pest & Plant Diagnostics Lab has a few options to get rid of prickly pear from your property if it is already out of control on the cactus.
When handling this lovely native cactus, be sure to use thick gloves. Their long, thorny spines, which can reach a length of several inches, are the least of your concerns. Glochids are painful and challenging to remove because of their hair-like appearance and decreased visibility.
Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.)
Although prickly pear cacti are native to the Americas, people have spread them all over the globe.
They thrive in arid environments and are raised for human consumption as well as for ornamental purposes.
Bearded dragons can eat prickly pear cacti, and some lizard keepers give their pets the cactus’ pads expressly for nourishment.
Prickly pear cacti come in a variety of species, each with unique characteristics such as height, morphology, environmental needs, and color.
The majority are green, but some are highly colorful, like the purple prickly pear (Opuntia macrocentra).
Prickly pear cacti, as their name suggests, have spines that could hurt or irritate your lizard. On the other hand, you can frequently locate spineless cactus for sale. Keep in mind that to keep your prickly pear cactus from outgrowing its environment, you might need to clip it frequently.
Aloe Plants (Aloe vera)
Aloe plants have a long history of use by humans as medicines, and they frequently enhance the environments of bearded dragons.
Aloe plants were once only found in arid areas near the Indian Ocean, but like prickly pear cacti, they have now been introduced to many other places in the world.
To what succulents are bearded dragons poisonous?
Succulents such the Jade plant, Silver Dollar plant, Aloe vera, Snake plant, Kalanchoe, Pencil cactus, Crown of thorns, String of Pearls, Peyote, and Stonecrop should not be given to reptiles. However, depending on the variety, its harmful content may differ. One of the least toxic plants is stonecrop.
Go to the vet right once for your reptile’s safety if it exhibits symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or an erratic heartbeat after ingesting a hazardous plant.
The succulents that reptiles cannot eat are listed in the following table along with their scientific names:
Jade plant
- Crassula ovata is its scientific name.
- Common names include money plant and jade plant.
- native to: Mozambique and South Africa
- The Crassulaceae family
- Family: Crassula
Given that it resembles a small tree, this succulent frequently makes a stunning adornment. Jade plants grow easily in a room with no special conditions. It may also survive in dry areas.
Even though not all reptile species are toxic, the jade plant can be extremely dangerous to certain.
Silver Dollar plant
- Lunaria annua is its scientific name.
- Common names: Annual honesty, Silver Dollar plant
- Native to: Balkans and south-west Asia
- the Brassicaceae family
- the Lunaria genus
This flowering plant has unusual characteristics like paper-like stalks. In eight months, they attain their full potential. This plant has a 36-inch maximum height.
Unknown chemicals in this succulent may be dangerous to pets, including reptiles. Keep your reptile away from this one if at all possible.
Aloe vera
- Aloe barbadensis miller, scientific name
- Aloe vera, among other names
- Arabian Peninsula native
- The Asphodelaceae family
- Family: Aloe
Aloe vera, a widespread species of succulent, is a prominent element in cosmetic products. Due to its low maintenance requirements, the plant is simple to grow. Direct sunlight and well-drained soil are suitable conditions.
The only two reptiles that are not harmful to it are ball pythons and bearded dragons. With this plant, it is essential to avoid taking any chances.
Snake plant
- Dracaena trifasciata is its scientific name.
- Common names: Saint George’s sword, snake plant
- native to: Nigeria and West Africa
- the Asparagaceae family
- Family: Dracaena
One of the most resilient plants is thought to be this flowering plant. They can endure in low light and contribute to the cleanliness of the air in your home. With the use of leaf cuttings, they are easily multiplied.
If taken in high quantities, this plant may be poisonous to your reptile. It may result in gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
Widow’s thrill
- Kalanchoe, scientific name
- Known as: The widow’s delight
- Originally from Madagascar
- Family: Kalanchoe
One of the first plants to be transported into space was this tropical plant variety. It produces several different vibrant flowers. Temperatures greater than 40 degrees Celsius are often necessary.
Kalanchoe is toxic to most animals and can upset a reptile’s digestive system. If ingested in high amounts, it can elevate heart rate.
Pencil cactus
- Euphorbia tirucalli is its scientific name.
- Common names: Indian tree spurge and pencil cactus
- indigenous to: Africa
- Euphorbiaceae family
- Family: Euphorbia
A little tree that thrives in dry environments is the pencil cactus. Several slender pencil-like stalks are among its distinctive characteristics. It can easily thrive in environments with little water and lots of light.
This plant, when hurt, releases a poisonous sap that can harm both people and other animals, including reptiles, by causing inflammation and stomach issues.
Crown of thorns
- Euphorbia milii is its scientific name.
- Common names: Christ plant and crown of thorns
- the Euphorbiacea family
Compact disc-shaped blooms are produced by the Crown of thorns. This succulent can survive in temperatures that are very high. It requires only minimal upkeep.
Its lengthy spines, however, can be dangerous to both people and animals. Additionally, it releases a poisonous sap that may upset your stomach.
String of pearls
- Senecio rowleyanus is its scientific name.
- Common Names: Bead or thread of pearls
- Originally from: South-West Africa
- The Asteraceae family
- Species: Curio
The String of Pearls plant is easily recognized thanks to its distinctive long branches made of beads. Its leaves have been modified to store water in dry environments. It can therefore survive for longer periods of time without water.
Both humans and most other animals are poisoned by this succulent. If ingested, it might result in nausea and diarrhea.
Peyote
- Lophophora williamsii is its scientific name.
- Known as: Peyote
- indigenous to Mexico
- the Cactaceae family
- The Lophophora genus
Native to Mexico, peyote is a flowering cactus without spines. It can survive and even thrive in the arid environment. It is frequently employed medicinally.
When consumed, it can be poisonous to reptiles. It includes unidentified poisons that, in the majority of animals, can have negative side effects.
Stonecrop
- Sedum, scientific name
- Known as: Stonecrop
- African and South American native
- Sedum, a genus
Outdoor gardens love these beautiful plants. Sedums don’t need much maintenance, so they can grow anywhere. They grow a variety of blooms that entice birds and insects.
They’re regarded as non-toxic. Sedums are not a good source of nutrition, thus it is not a good idea to feed them to your reptile.
Bearded dragons can eat aloe, right?
Aloe Vera plants are a fantastic alternative; they look fantastic in bearded dragon cages and are relatively easy to maintain compared to Tillandsia ionantha plants.
Due to its ease of cultivation and maintenance, aloe vera is a cult favorite plant.
You may rest certain that it is absolutely SAFE for children and NOT AT ALL harmful! But if they consume a lot of it, you might need to remove it from their tank because it might cause them to get diarrhea.
What kind of food should a bearded dragon eat?
Insects, fruits, and vegetables from the list below are healthy options to add to your bearded dragon’s diet:
- Earthworms, crickets, dubia roaches, and superworms.
- strawberries, peaches, blueberries, apples, and watermelon.
- Sweet potato, pumpkin, collard greens, kale, and cabbage.
Dubia roaches are a great supplement to a bearded dragon’s diet because they are strong in protein and simple to digest. For diversity, you can also feed superworms and crickets, however they are less easily digestible.
Leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and dandelion greens should be fed in large quantities. These greens are nutrient-rich and high in calcium.
Fruits can be added to their diet in modest amounts, but because they are heavy in sugar, it’s crucial not to overfeed them.
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Peaches
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Clementine Greens
- Green dandelion
- Kale
- Pepper
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Sugar Potato
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Crickets
- Bugaboo roaches
- Earthworms
- Mealworms (only adults)
What Fruit Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Fruits play a significant role in the diets of bearded dragons. Many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are hard to find in other foods are provided by them. You should give your bearded dragon the following fruits as an alternative:
Fruits should only be given to your bearded dragon on special occasions as treats.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat:
No, bananas. Bananas shouldn’t be fed frequently because of their high phosphorus to calcium ratio, which can be harmful.
Apples: You can feed your bearded dragon apples, which are a great fruit choice. Before serving, peel the apples and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
Yes, strawberries make a great treat since they are packed with essential nutrients including vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium. Because strawberries contain a lot of oxalates, you shouldn’t feed them too frequently.
Yes, watermelon. Contrary to many of the fruits on this list, it is not the ideal food to give infants because it is not nutrient-dense.
You can occasionally feed blueberries, thus the answer is yes. They contain a lot of vitamin K and C. Avoid feeding your bearded dragon too many of them since their high oxalate content may prevent it from getting enough calcium.
No, oranges. It is advised to avoid giving oranges or other citrus fruit, including lemons and limes, to pets. The acidity of these fruits is too high for beard dragons. Their stomachs might get irritated by acidity, which can cause a number of gastrointestinal problems.
Yes, bearded dragons can occasionally eat raspberries. Numerous vital minerals, including antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins C and K, are present in raspberries.