Can bearded dragons eat cantaloupe
iStock.com/OcsanaDen

Can Bearded Dragons Eat Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a popular garden fruit that has a sweet and refreshing taste. Cantaloupe is a good source of vitamins and minerals and has a mild flavor which allows it to complement other fruits and vegetables. But how safe is cantaloupe for bearded dragons and are there any health concerns when feeding beardies cantaloupe?

The quick answer is yes, bearded dragons can eat cantaloupe, but only when served correctly and in the correct portion size. Read below for more details.

Cantaloupe Nutrition Summary

Below is the nutritional details for cantaloupe. We created this nutrition label using information provided by the USDA and other reputable sources.

Reptile Nutrition

Cantaloupe (raw)Per 100g Serving
Core
Calories34Cal
Water Content90.15g
Carbohydrates8.16g
Total Carbohydrate8.16g
Fiber, total dietary0.9g
Starch0.03g
Sugars7.86g
Fructose1.87g
Galactose0.06g
Glucose1.54g
Maltose0.04g
Sucrose4.35g
Fat0.19g
Total Fat0.19g
Total saturated0.051g
12:00.001g
14:00.001g
16:00.043g
18:00.005g
Total monounsaturated0.003g
18:10.003g
Total polyunsaturated0.081g
18:20.035g
18:30.046g
Proteins0.84g
Protein0.84g
Alanine0.095g
Arginine0.029g
Aspartic acid0.136g
Betaine0.1mg
Cystine0.002g
Glutamic acid0.209g
Glycine0.026g
Histidine0.015g
Isoleucine0.021g
Leucine0.029g
Lysine0.03g
Methionine0.012g
Phenylalanine0.023g
Proline0.019g
Serine0.042g
Threonine0.017g
Tryptophan0.002g
Tyrosine0.014g
Valine0.033g
Minerals
Calcium, Ca9mg
Copper0.041mg
Fluoride1μg
Iron0.21mg
Magnesium12mg
Manganese0.041mg
Phosphorus, P15mg
Potassium, K267mg
Selenium0.4μg
Sodium16mg
Zinc0.18mg
Vitamins
Vitamin A, IU3382IU
Vitamin A, RAE169μg
Alpha-carotene16μg
Beta Cryptoxanthin1μg
Beta-carotene2020μg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin26μg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.041mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.019mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.734mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.105mg
Vitamin B60.072mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)21μg
Folate (from food)21μg
Folate (dietary equivalent)21μg
Vitamin C36.7mg
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)0.05mg
Gamma Tocopherol0.11mg
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)2.5μg
Choline7.6mg
Sterols
Phytosterols10mg
Other
Oxalates2mg
pH6.3
Nutrition Scores
Ca:P Ratio0.6:1
Ca:P RatingPoor
Safe to FeedOnce per week
HealthinessFair

Notes/Instructions: Remove all seeds and rind. Cut into small cubes before serving.
Show Less
Expand

Cantaloupe Health Concerns

Overall, cantaloupe appears fairly healthy. It has a good pH value, is low in oxalates, and is rich in vitamins. However, it does have one health concern.

Poor Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio

Cantaloupe has nearly twice as much phosphorus than calcium. This is a concern because phosphorus binds to and prevents calcium from being absorbed. This means cantaloupe will not provide any dietary calcium and the excess phosphorus will prevent calcium from other parts of the meal from being absorbed. You can offset this imbalance by serving cantaloupe with other foods that are rich in calcium like arugula or kale.

How to Feed Cantaloupe to Bearded Dragons

When prepared correctly and served in the correct portions, cantaloupe can be fed safely to bearded dragons. Keep in mind it does have a poor calcium to phosphorus ratio so you should only feed it to your bearded dragon no more than once or twice a week. Anytime you do feed your beardie cantaloupe you should provide additional calcium (10mg per 100g serving) to correct the mineral imbalance.

Cantaloupe Preparation

You should only feed your bearded dragon fresh ripe cantaloupes. Frozen or preserved cantaloupes sometimes have sugars and/or preservatives added which may alter the nutrition. Be sure to wash the outside of the cantaloupe before cutting. Oftentimes cantaloupes are sold unwashed so washing it before cutting will prevent any dirt, debris, or chemicals from coming in contact with the fruit's flesh.

Once the cantaloupe has been washed cut the fruit in half with a knife. Using a spoon, scoop and remove all the seeds from the cantaloupe's flesh. Bearded dragons can choke on the seeds so make sure they are all removed.

Cut the cantaloupe in thin slices or cubes no larger than the distance between your bearded dragon's eyes. The rind is not editable so do not serve any pieces with rind to your beardie.

Serve the cantaloupe with other fruits, vegetables, or insects that are rich in calcium.

Other Foods

Site Menu