Bearded Dragons are native to Australia and are found in various environments, including deserts, grassland, and forest.
As with any pet, it is important to feed them a balanced and nutritious diet. It includes choosing the right foods and avoiding those that can harm their health.
One food that bearded dragon owners often question is persimmons. Can bearded dragons eat persimmons?
This blog post will cover all the information you need about persimmons for bearded dragons.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Persimmons?
Feeding persimmons to Bearded Dragons is not recommended as it can harm their health.
While persimmons can be a tasty treat for humans, they should be avoided as part of a bearded dragon’s diet.
Here are three main reasons you shouldn’t feed your bearded dragon persimmons.
High in Vitamin A
Bearded dragons require vitamin A as part of their diet, but they are also prone to developing vitamin A toxicity if they consume too much.
Persimmons are particularly high in vitamin A, which can lead to excess vitamin A in a bearded dragon’s system if they are fed persimmons frequently.
It can cause various health problems, including kidney damage, weight loss, and even death.
Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio
Persimmons are also high in phosphorus and low in calcium, which can lead to an unbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the bearded dragon’s diet.
It can cause a condition called metabolic bone disease (MBD), which is a common health problem in captive reptiles.
MBD occurs when calcium is deficient in the diet, leading to weak bones, muscle tremors, seizures, and even paralysis.
Therefore, providing a balanced diet that includes calcium-rich foods, such as leafy greens, insects, and calcium supplements, is important.
High in Sugar
Persimmons are also high in sugar, which can be problematic for bearded dragons if consumed excessively.
Like humans, bearded dragons can develop health problems related to high sugar intakes, such as obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Bearded dragons are primarily herbivores, and their natural diet consists mostly of vegetables and insects. Therefore, limiting their intake of fruits and other sugary foods is important as providing a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.
What Are Persimmons?
Persimmons are a fruit typically grown in warm climates, such as in Asia and North America. They come in different varieties, such as the Hachiya and Fuyu persimmons, and are known for their sweet and tangy flavor.
Persimmons are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
However, as mentioned earlier, they should not be part of a bearded dragon’s diet due to their high vitamin A content, unbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and potential digestive problems.
Nutritional value of Japanese Raw Persimmons per 100 g
- Energy 293 kJ (70 kcal)
- Carbohydrates: 18.59 g
- Sugars: 12.53 g
- Dietary fiber: 3.6 g
- Fat: 0.19 g
- Protein: 0.58 g
- Vitamin A equiv: 81 μg
- Beta-carotene: 253 μg
- lutein zeaxanthin: 834 μg
- Thiamine B1: 0.03 mg
- Riboflavin B2: 0.02 mg
- Niacin B3: 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg
- Folate B9: 8 μg
- Choline: 7.6 mg
- Vitamin C: 7.5 mg
- Vitamin E: 0.73 mg
- Vitamin K: 2.6 μg
- Calcium: 8 mg
- Iron: 0.15 mg
- Magnesium: 9 mg
- Manganese: 0.355 mg
- Phosphorus: 17 mg
- Potassium: 161 mg
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Zinc: 0.11 mg
Source: Wikipedia
Conclusion
While persimmons may be a tasty treat for humans, they should not be part of a bearded dragon’s diet due to their high vitamin A content, unbalanced phosphorus-to-calcium ratio, and potential digestive problems.
It is important to provide bearded dragons with a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of insects, leafy greens, and occasional fruits to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
Related Articles:
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Apples?