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Insectivorous lizards feed on insects (e.g., leopard gecko). Below are a few feeding guidelines:
- Live prey items should not be larger than the width of the lizard's head.
- Offer a variety of insects (waxworms, black crickets, house crickets, tebos, flies, mealworms, locusts etc.
- All insect foods should be nutrient loaded by feeding them a good quality diet (e.g. Grub Grub and Bug Grub, Vetark) before feeding them to the lizards.
- All insect foods should be thoroughly dusted with a calcium rich reptile supplement (e.g. Nutrobal,
- Vetark) immediately prior to offering them to the lizards.
- Feed daily but only feed as many insects as will be eaten within a few hours and remove uneaten food.
Carnivorous lizards (e.g. large monitor lizards) eat meat based prey items and many are
hunters or scavengers:
- Offer dead (defrosted and warmed) lean rodents no larger than the width of the lizards head.
- Supplements are not routinely necessary as long as the prey items are lean and have been frozen for less than 12 weeks.
- Amount and frequency of feeding depends on a host of factors. Try to base feeding on observation and physiological needs, increasing prior to breeding and during
growth. In general, neonates and juveniles will require feeding every 1-3 days while adults will require feeding every 3-7 days. Large, sedate monitors may only require feeding every 1-2 weeks. Avoid
obesity!
- Avoid commercial dog, cat or primate diets.
Herbivorous lizards (e.g. green iguana) feed on plant material:
- Offer a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers appropriate to species (e.g. green iguanas should be offered leafy greens and not a lot of fruit).
- Choose food items with a good calcium content including various cabbages, lettuces, grasses, garden weeds, etc. Avoid the poor nutritional items such as tomatoes,
cucumber and bananas!
- Routinely supplement with a calcium rich reptile supplement (e.g. Nutrobal, Vetark).
- Offer washed, fresh food daily.
Many species are omnivorous and may eat plant and insect/meat items. For example, baby Bearded dragons should be offered a 50% insect and 50% plant based diet but
adults should be more 70-80% vegetarian and only offered insects 1-2 times each week. Offering too many insects quickly causes obesity and leads to various disease problems.
Lizard Diseases . Lizard Care . Lizard Health . Lizard Feeding . Lizard Breeding . Lizard Hygiene
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