In the wild, adult bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are opportunistic omnivores that consume a diverse array of plants and animals. This is important to mimic in captivity; in addition to the staple collard, mustard and turnip greens, be sure to offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Bell or sweet peppers make a good occasional component of their diet, though not all dragons will accept them.
Where's the Heat?
Unlike hot peppers, bell peppers are sweet rather than hot because they display a simple-recessive trait that prevents the production of capsaicin -- the chemical that gives most peppers their heat. Accordingly, bell peppers are no threat to the health of your bearded dragon. Bell peppers provide your lizard with lots of water and vitamins, so they make a great component of their diet. Be sure to cut bell peppers into very small pieces before offering them to your lizard. Red bell peppers may be preferred to green or yellow peppers.
References
Photo Credits
-
George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images