Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

How to prepare cactus pads for beardie consumption?

RangerGrrl Oct 18, 2004 08:20 AM

I've read that cactus pad is a great veggie to feed your dragon. Well, I found some in the store today, but now I don't know what to do with it. It stabbed me, my husband, and the checkout girl before I even got out of the store *LOL* and I can't imagine feeding spiny stuff to my dragons. Do I skin it, chop it, what? Thanks in advance...

1.0.0 Ball Python (Parantachin)
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Titan and Tiamat)
1.0.0 Sinaloan Milksnake (Oryn)
1.1.0 Red-tail Boas (Onyx and Diamond)
0.1.0 Grey Tabby Cat (Jade)

Replies (1)

Giantrobo Oct 18, 2004 08:35 AM

"When preparing cactus (nopal) paddles, make sure you wear gloves to avoid the ag�ates or tiny thorns. Use a potato peeler or small paring knife to remove them."

I think the potato peeler idea is great. I suggest peeling them down to the soft meaty area otherwise I think the tough outer skin will pass through your dragon like corn. After that try chopping it into small bite sized pieces.

How about trying your blender or food processor to mince it a bit after you clean the cactus leaves? I've done this and my dragons seemed to like it.
-----
0.0.2 Bearded Dragons(Ziggy and Stardust)
0.1.0 Royal/Ball Python(Not named yet)

You can format your posts and signature using BBCode. Here are some common examples:

You type	Result
`[b]Bold text[/b]`	Bold text
`[i]Italic text[/i]`	Italic text
`[u]Underlined[/u]`	Underlined
`[url]https://kingsnake.com[/url]`	https://kingsnake.com
`[url=https://kingsnake.com]Kingsnake[/url]`	Kingsnake
`[img]https://example.com/image.jpg[/img]`	Displays the image at that address.
`[color=green]Green text[/color]`	Green text
`[quote]Quoted text[/quote]`	Formats a quoted block of text.

Keep things readable and family‑friendly; staff may edit signatures or posts that affect thread readability.

Support

Help, tips & resources quick links

Manage

Manage your user and advertising accounts

Register For A User Account Login to MyAccount Manage Your Classified Account Manage Your Banner Account Manage Your Business Directory Account Manage your Photo Gallery Account

Purchase

Advertising and services purchase quick links

Purchase a classified account$ varies Renew a classified account$ varies Purchase a business directory listing$50/yr Purchase a banner advertisement$ varies Free Expo Event listingFree! Purchase a standard event listing$25/listing Pay an open invoice

Are you registered?

To advertise here using a business name you must have your legal business name registration verified. Click for details on the program or to register your business FREE!