Pogona is a reptile genus comprising of the six species of lizards known as bearded dragons.The name ‘bearded dragon’ refers to the underside of the lizard’s throat (or ‘beard’). It can turn black and puff up for a variety of reasons, the most common of which is stress or that your pet feels threatened.Bearded dragons are around 15-20 in (38.1-50.8 cm) long, including their tail, and have spines on both sides of their bodies that run to the base of their tail. Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal creatures that spend much of their time on branches, in bushes, and in close contact with humans. Pogona species bask on exposed branches and rocks in the mornings and afternoons. The majority of their diet consists of insects, vegetation, and tiny rodents.They were previously classified as part of the Amphibolurus genus, but have subsequently been reclassified as Pogona. They exist in a range of environments, including deserts, shrub lands, and Eucalyptus forests, and may be found over much of Australia. These reptiles are omnivores in the wild, eating a variety of insects, vegetables, and fruits. To ensure the health of a beardie, he or she should be given a range of food.Fruit is an essential element in the diet of bearded dragons. Fruit contains a variety of vitamins and minerals and other nutrients that are not commonly available in other foods. Fruits should make up the tiniest percentage of a bearded dragon’s diet. Papayas, peeled bananas, apples, raspberries, plums, peaches, and pears are among their favorite fruits. Watermelon, pineapples, cherries, and grapes are other bearded dragon favorites.Is feeding your bearded dragon watermelon safe? We’ll go over all you need to know about watermelon and beardies! If you like reading about can bearded dragons eat watermelon, you may also enjoy reading these fun fact articles: can bearded dragons eat apple and can bearded dragons eat grapes.How To Feed Watermelon To Your Bearded DragonWatermelon is an uncommon treat for bearded dragons. Watermelon does not have much nutritional value for dragons, making it less helpful than other fruits.So, can bearded dragons eat watermelon? Watermelon may appear to be the ideal healthy snack, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Watermelon is edible for bearded dragons, however, it should not be the main meal which you give your bearded dragon to eat. You may feed watermelon to your bearded dragon once a month to provide a sweet and pleasant reward without causing harm to their health.Give your beardie the dark pink part of the watermelon. Never feed your bearded dragon the watermelon rind or white section because it is too hard for them to chew. After removing the seeds from the fruit, chop the pink flesh into small pieces and place them in your beardie’s food dish alone or with vegetables.Watermelon has many nutritional benefits that make it safe to feed to your bearded dragon. For example, it contains Vitamin C and Beta carotene. The latter is necessary for healthy eyesight, immune system function, reproduction, and growth. Watermelon provides numerous nutritional values that are beneficial to the health of bearded dragons. Vitamin C is the most important component in watermelon, as it is required for beardie growth. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are giving your pet the appropriate amount of any food containing sugar.The potassium in watermelons also regulates bearded dragons’ blood pressure, while magnesium assists metabolism and helps your pet to avoid inflammation. Choose organic watermelons that haven’t been treated with herbicides or pesticides if possible. Remove the rind and seeds before slicing them into pieces. The thinner white rind of the fruit should also be removed.Cut the watermelon into small pieces, about the size of a teaspoon. Start with a little amount of watermelon, around a quarter teaspoon, for your bearded dragon. If and when bearded dragons eat watermelon, you should keep an eye on them for the next 24-48 hours to make sure that they don’t have an allergic reaction.Owners need to remove the seeds before their bearded dragons eat watermelon. The pits can get caught in a bearded dragon’s intestines if ingested, causing impaction or obstruction. You should not offer your bearded dragon watermelon again if your pet suffers from digestive issues, lethargy, or loss of appetite. If they seem to enjoy their watermelon treat, you may want to give it to them on special occasions.Every day, you should inspect your pet bearded dragon’s cage and remove any fresh fruits and veggies that they haven’t eaten so that they don’t go rotten.How Often To Feed Bearded Dragons WatermelonAccording to veterinarians, bearded dragons can consume watermelon. Watermelon should only be given to your bearded dragon on occasion since, like other fruits, it is low in nutrients. It’s also a good idea to break it up into tiny pieces to make it simpler to eat.Although they can be eaten from time to time, watermelons are not a good food for a dragon to eat on a daily basis.Watermelon is a favorite of bearded dragons, but it should only be given to them as a special treat. It’s high in sugar and can mess with your pet’s sensitive phosphorus-to-calcium ratio. If they are given watermelon too frequently, it might cause metabolic bone disease.When compared to staple greens and veggies like kale and watercress, watermelon is high in sugar, low in calcium, has a poor phosphorus ratio and a lack of other essential minerals, making it something that should only be eaten on rare occasions. Watermelons and other fruits for that matter should only be given to your dragon once a month and in tiny amounts, such as as a salad topping for your bearded dragon. If you follow this advice, your pet dragon will be able to eat watermelons without experiencing any negative effects.Juveniles and infants should be fed a variety of nutritional food as part of their diet; it is critical to vary a bearded dragon’s diet as they develop.Can Watermelon Be Harmful To Bearded DragonsToo much watermelon can be harmful to your bearded dragon. You should feed them no more than a few little pieces of watermelon once a month. Bearded dragons eating watermelon in massive amounts can lead to too much sugar for a beardie and may cause health concerns. Bearded dragons in the wild don’t eat a lot of sugar content.Watermelon may grow to be extremely big and slippery, posing a choking threat to smaller or younger dragons. To decrease the chance of choking, consider cutting the fruit down to a smaller, more manageable size before offering it to beardies.Watermelon, like any other fruit, has a high sugar content. Too much sugar in a dragon’s diet on a regular basis can cause diabetes, dehydration, digestive problems, tooth decay, and lack of appetite, all of which can lead to more serious problems. When compared to what is considered healthy, watermelon has an imbalanced phosphorus to calcium ratio when eaten in large quantities.Even though they must ingest phosphorous, bearded dragons require more calcium in their daily diet than phosphorus. Phosphorus is a mineral that aids in the formation of strong, healthy bones. Because phosphorus binds with calcium, it can prevent bearded dragons from using the calcium that they consume. A bearded dragon may develop a metabolic bone disease if the aforementioned ratios are not followed.Can they eat watermelon seeds?Allowing your bearded dragon to ingest watermelon with seeds poses a choking hazard to your pet.Watermelon seeds might irritate your beardie’s stomach or cause choking. You must remove all seeds from the slices of watermelon you offer to your beardie throughout the preparation process. Regardless of whether you bought a seeded or seedless watermelon, double-check for seeds and remove them.Some watermelons may include a large number of both black and tiny white seeds, both of which can be harmful to your beardie. The pits can become trapped in your pet’s intestines if ingested, resulting in impaction or obstruction.Watermelon rind, like seeds, is dangerous for this reptile. It’s incredibly challenging to chew and swallow. If bearded dragons eat watermelon rind, no matter how big or little the piece, it will be too tough for them to consume or swallow.If a bearded dragon does manage to take a bite, the chances are that they will swallow the entire piece. This could be harmful to your pet’s digestive system as it might get trapped in the gastrointestinal tract (causing gastrointestinal difficulties).Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can bearded dragons eat watermelon then why not take a look at can bearded dragons eat orange or eastern bearded dragon facts?
Pogona is a reptile genus comprising of the six species of lizards known as bearded dragons.
