Bearded dragons are omnivores which means they can eat a wide range of insects, fruit, and vegetables. In the wild a young bearded dragon’s diet is usually 75 percent insects and only 25 percent vegetables.
Now, if you already own a pet bearded dragon then you should know that they will pretty much eat anything you chuck at them. Which brings us to the question is Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?
Yes! bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, In fact, cucumbers are packed with water and minerals which is a great way to keep your reptile hydrated and healthy, they also contain vitamins C, and K which can have a positive effect on their diet.
So it’s safe to say bearded dragons can eat cucumbers, however, there are some things you need to know first and should be aware of before you start feeding them cucumbers.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers?
If you have a fully grown bearded dragon then feeding them cucumbers is fine. However, if you have a baby dragon then you need to limit the number of vegetables you feed them.
Baby bearded dragons are known to have a high metabolism, which means they require a different nutritional diet from adults.
In the wild. baby dragons require more protein so their diet consists of 60 percent insect and about 40 percent vegetation. Although you can still feed them cucumber their main diet should be live insects.
In other words, you should feed the baby dragon live insects at least three or four times a day and vegetables (cucumbers) only three times per week.
Once the bearded dragon has gained some mass and fat their diet will change slightly this usually happens after 18 months old and the dragon had reached adulthood.
“This is where the reptile will start to eat more vegetation than live insects”
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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers Peels?
Some would say that the peels of the cucumbers are the most nutrient-dense parts and contain fiber and beta-carotene which is great for the skin.
Although this is correct, what’s good for us humans is not necessarily good animals including reptiles.
In fact, the skins on some vegetables can be toxic to bearded dragons, for example, non-organic vegetables are sprayed with a variety of pesticides and preservatives which can be harmful to a reptile.
Not to mention that the cucumber peels can be quite tough to chew on for bearded dragons.
If they do manage to eat these peels the fact that reptiles have a sensitive digestive system, could lead to the dragon having digestive issues which could be fatal.
It’s better just to be on the safe side and peel the cucumber first before you serve it to the bearded dragon.
It’s always recommended to feed your reptile organic vegetables that are free of any pesticides. “But even then” you should still remove the skins from the cucumber just for the sack of their digestion.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers Seeds?
Since the seeds are in the heart of the cucumber is safe to say the bearded dragon can eat it. The seeds are also the softest part of the flesh making it easier for the bearded dragon to digest.
Not only that, but the center of the cucumber contains high amounts of nutrients, and the fact that the heart of the cucumber is mostly made of water, can help keep your reptile hydrated.
Although feeding your reptile the seeds is fine there are different types and sizes of cucumbers that may have bigger seeds. If you do encounter any of these seeds then it’s best not to feed them to your dragon.
These bigger types of seeds can be slightly bitter for the bearded dragon. However, with that said, the most traditional type of cucumber seeds are usually ok for them to eat.
Just remember when you feed cucumbers to your dragon make sure it’s been washed first and be sure to mix it with other food such as insects to balance their diet.
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Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cucumbers Daily?
If you have an adult bearded dragon then feeding them cucumber on a daily basis is fine. However, as mentioned before if you have a baby dragon then you should limit this to 3 times per week.
When feeding your reptile cucumber you should feed them small amounts mixed in with other foods. Vegetables should never be their main diet as it doesn’t provide all the nutrients they need to survive.
Feeding your bearded dragon too many vegetables in one go can cause digestive issues and diarrhea.
As mentioned at the start, younger bearded dragons will usually eat 75 percent insects and only 25 percent vegetables. But for adults their diet changes to 40 percent insects and 60 percent vegetables.
Meaning you can feed them vegetables or cucumbers on a daily basis without any worry just as long as you feed them insects on top of this.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Old Cucumbers?
If you have any old or expired cucumbers at the bottom of the fridge and you thinking about feeding them to your bearded dragon “Don’t” If you do then you could be putting your pet dragon’s health at risk.
Fruits are a natural provider of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
However, once the fruit starts to expire these nutrients start to break down losing all their flavor and goodness. Feeding your bearded dragon fruit that’s gone bad can be harmful to the dragon.
You see! When fruit expires harmful bacteria will start to grow on the fruit and if the bearded dragon consumes this fruit they can end up with serious digestion issues which could lead to much worst.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Pickled Cucumbers?
Cucumber pickles are perfect for burgers and sandwiches, they are crunchy, delicious, and have a slightly sour taste, yet are low in calories. But can you feed them to a bearded dragon?
“To answer this we need to dive into the ingredients of the pickled cucumbers”
Cucumbers are sock in brine which is a saltwater solution, vinegar is also added and some even contain spices depending on what pickles you have.
The problem with feeding these pickles to your reptile is the vinegar! The vinegar is very acidic which is not for the bearded dragon’s diet.
If you have pickles that have just been sock in brine which is basically salty water then your dragon can eat them with no problems.
But if the pickles have been mixed with other ingredients like chili or vinegar then you shouldn’t feed them any of these pickles. Doing so could cause your reptiles to have serious digestion issues.
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How To Prepare Cucumbers For Bearded Dragons?
So before feeding cucumbers to your bearded dragon they are some things you need to do first. Now, depending on the size of your reptile or the size of the cucumber preparing their food correctly is key for a healthy diet.
Step 1 Wash Under A Tap
The first thing you should always do is wash off any dirt or grit from the vegetables or cucumbers before you feed them to the bearded dragons.
Step 2 Remove The Skin
Once you’ve washed the cucumber you can then remove the skin. The best way to do this is to use a photo peeler this way you won’t have any unnecessary wastage.
Step 3 Remove Seeds (optional)
Depending on the size of the cucumber if you think the seeds are too big for your reptile to eat then you can scoop them out using a spoon.
Step 4 Slice
It can be quite different for a bearded dragon to eat a big chunk of cucumber so it might be better to serve it to them in small thin slices this way it’s less of a strain for your reptile.
Types Of Cucumbers Bearded Dragons Can Eat
There are many types of cucumbers bearded dragons can eat, the most common type is the English cucumber which is slightly longer than other types.
These shorter cucumbers are usually around, 3-4 inches long with slightly thinner skins and the skin coloration is of a dark green to light green at the blossom end.
The flesh of the shorter type cucumbers is actually softer and taster than the most traditional types making it easier for the dragons to eat.
Types Of Cucumbers
- Diva Cucumbers
- Ashley Cucumbers
- English Cucumbers
- Muncher Cucumbers
- Straight Eight Cucumbers
- Sweet Success Cucumbers
- Green Fingers Persian Cucumbers
Diva Cucumbers
Produce a crisp, sweet-like flavor that is non-bitter and seedless which means you don’t need to go through the trouble of removing the seeds so you can feed them to the reptile.
The great thing about these cucumbers is you can grow them yourself which are Suitable for both outdoor or protected growing.
Ashley Cucumbers
Are slightly darker than other cucumbers yet, have a nice sweet taste, and can grow up to 30cm, However, the skins are tougher than most traditional type cucumbers so they will need peeling before you feed them to your reptile.
English Cucumbers
English cucumber is generally sweeter and does have larger seeds which can be bitter the skins are thinner than most so you could feed this cucumber to your dragon without peeling it.
Just make sure you wash the cucumber first before serving it and remove the seeds.
Muncher Cucumbers
Grow up to 6 to 8 inches long, and 3 inches wide that is very tender, tasty, and seedless saving you the trouble of removing the seed for your reptile. However, again the skins should be removed first before serving.
Straight Eight Cucumbers
Grows up to 8-inches long and is well known for its high quality, flavor, and deep green color similar to the Ashley cucumber. The skin can quite think so they will need peeling before your bearded dragon can eat them.
Sweet Success Cucumbers
Can grow up to 14″ long and taste very sweet and are seedless which again means you don’t need to remove any seeds, however, the skin can be tough so they will need peeling.
Green Fingers Persian Cucumbers
Has sweet juicy flesh that can grow up to 6-8 inches long, they have very thin and dark green skin, meaning the bearded dragon can eat the skins however they do have seeds that will need to be removed before serving.
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Nutrition In Cucumbers
Cucumbers are packed with all kinds of Nutrients and are low in calories. Additionally, as mentioned cucumbers also have high water content. In fact, cucumbers contain 96 percent of water.
Cucumbers have so many beneficial nutrients, as well as antioxidants and if you feed them to your bearded dragon correctly then cucumbers can definitely improve the diet of your reptile.
| Nutritions | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | Vision & Growth |
| Vitamin K | Good For The Blood |
| Magnesium | Helps With Metabolism |
| Potassium | Heart, Kidneys |
| Manganese | Aids Brain & Muscle Health |
| Fiber | Digestive System |
| Protein | Bones & Muscles |
| Carbs | Energy |
| Calories | Very low |
Other Fruits They Can Eat
When feeding a bearded dragon fruit they should stay away from anything that’s very citrusy like oranges lemons, limes, and grapefruit, and like pickled cucumbers, these types of fruit can cause digestion issues.
Below is a list of fruits that a bearded dragon can safely eat but like cucumbers, you should peel the fruit first and feed them only the flesh part just for the sack of their digestion.
Other Fruits Bearded Dragons Can Eat
- Apples
- Mango
- Watermelon
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Pears
- Banana
Conclusion
So now you know that bearded dragons can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are a fantastic healthy refreshing fruit that is packed with lots of nutrients which will make a fine addition to your reptiles diet if serve correctly.
Remember with all fruit to wash it first even if you’re going to peel the skins you should still wash the outside of the fruit to remove anything that could be harmful to your bearded dragon.
It’s a real privilege to have a pet Bearded dragon so making sure you have their safety in mind is key especially with their diet. The healthier they eat the happier they are.
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