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What can bearded dragons eat? Greens, fruit and foods to avoid

Updated

Short answer: Bearded dragons eat insects plus greens. Staple greens include collard, turnip and mustard greens, endive, escarole, arugula, bok choy, kale and watercress. Fruit such as apple, banana, grapes, melon and berries is a rare treat, about once a month, because of its sugar. Never feed avocado, onion, mushrooms or wild-caught insects.

Written from the cited care and veterinary sources below. No AI-written care advice.

How much, by age

Age Insects Greens
Juvenile (under 12 in) 5–6 head-sized insects a day Every day, about 3 times the volume of the insects
Adult (over 12 in) 3–4 head-sized insects twice a week 3 times a week, one portion the size of its head

Staple greens (feed often)

Arugula, bok choy, cactus pads, collard greens, endive, escarole, kale, mustard greens, mustard cress, pea shoots, spring mix, turnip greens, watercress.

Mix in occasionally

Spinach, grated raw carrot, carrot greens, peeled cucumber. These add variety; they are not the base of the salad.

Fruit: rare treats

Apple, banana, prickly pear (cactus fruit), mango, melon, berries, grapes, figs, papaya, peaches. Think once a month, not daily or weekly. Wild bearded dragons rarely eat fruit, and the sugar can lead to obesity.

Never feed

  • Avocado, onion, mushrooms.
  • Wild-caught insects: they may be coated in pesticide or herbicide, or be naturally toxic.
  • Box elder bugs.

Tomato, broccoli and celery are not on ReptiFiles’ lists either way. We don’t make a call without a source, so stick to the staple greens above.

How often to feed your bearded dragon, by ageOpen the calculator →

Questions

Can bearded dragons eat spinach?
As an occasional mixer, not a staple. ReptiFiles lists spinach among the vegetables to feed now and then, noting it is a valuable source of iodine.
Can bearded dragons eat bananas, apples or grapes?
Yes, as rare treats in small amounts, about once a month rather than daily or weekly. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to obesity.
Can bearded dragons eat carrots?
Yes, grated raw carrot and carrot greens are on ReptiFiles' list of vegetables to mix in occasionally.
Can bearded dragons eat cucumber?
Peeled cucumber is an occasional mixer. Wet, slimy vegetables like cucumber can frustrate a dragon, so it should not be the main green.
Can bearded dragons eat watermelon, strawberries or blueberries?
Melon and berries are on ReptiFiles' fruit list, so they fall under the rare-treat rule, in small amounts about once a month.
What should bearded dragons never eat?
Avocado, onion and mushrooms are on ReptiFiles' poison list. Don't feed wild-caught insects, which may carry pesticides or be toxic; box elder bugs are toxic too.

Sources

General information, not veterinary advice. To find a reptile vet, use the ARAV directory. Updated November 9, 2026.