Reptiles eat a wide range of foods. Some are primarily carnivorous while others may be omnivorous or herbivorous.
Many pet lizards can be fed gut loaded or dusted insects such as crickets, mealworms and wax worms. This is a great option for those who are uncomfortable feeding their pet mice.
Insects
Reptiles depend on insects to provide important nutrients such as protein, fats, fiber and a number of vitamins and minerals. It is important to provide a diet that closely resembles the reptile’s natural feeding behaviors in order to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
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Insects are cold-blooded and live in four distinct life stages: egg, larva or nymph, pupa, and adult. Insect mouthparts may be adapted for chewing (beetles, caterpillars), piercing-sucking (thrips, fruit flies) or rasping-sucking (moths).
Reptile owners should feed their reptiles a variety of insect feeders such as mealworms, crickets, superworms, dubia roaches and wax worms. It is recommended that these feeders be gut loaded for 24-48 hours before being offered to the consuming reptile. Feeding guidelines vary by reptile species, so please consult your veterinarian or reptile expert for recommendations.
Fruits
Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth, but they also have some of the most unique diets. Some are carnivores, consuming only meat, while others are omnivores or herbivores. Still, all reptiles have something in common: they are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and rely on external sources to maintain their body temperature.
Some reptiles such as green iguanas and tortoises are vegetarians and will consume leaves, grasses, and even cactus. Other species such as crocodiles and alligators are hyper-carnivorous, eating just about any animal they can catch or find.
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Herbivorous lizards need a lot of vegetables in their diet, including dark leafy greens like romaine, spinach and collard greens. Celery, carrots and turnips are also excellent staples. Grapes and strawberries are a great source of antioxidants but should only be eaten in small quantities because they are high in oxalates and goitrogens.
Vegetables
Vegetables provide bulky dietary fiber, low calories and essential vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients. [21] It can be confusing because botanically, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are technically fruits but we know them as vegetables.
Herbivorous reptiles including the green iguana and many tortoise species should have access to fresh leafy vegetables, greens and grasses that can make up 30-50% of their diet. These veggies are high in protein, low in fat and rich in dietary fiber.
Omnivorous species (bearded dragons, many skinks, box turtles) should be fed a mix of insects, vegetables and fruits daily. It is important to seek advice on the proper ratio of food types as these reptiles can become malnourished if their diet is too heavy in one direction. [22]
Meat
A reptile’s diet is crucial to its survival. It may be an omnivore or herbivore which specialises in eating plant matter or carnivorous which eats insects and other prey items. The reptile diet should provide a wide variety of nutrients for the animal to thrive.
Commercial reptile food can supplement a reptile’s diet with essential vitamins and minerals that are not provided in their live foods. This includes fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, which are important for reptile skin health and a healthy immune system. It can also provide calcium to prevent squamous metaplasia in iguanas and other bone-related issues in tortoises. It can also help them absorb the necessary phosphorus to strengthen their bones. However, these commercial diets should only make up 20-50% of a reptile’s diet.
Fish
Reptiles, like most animals in the wild, forage and hunt for their food. Providing your reptile with live prey, such as crickets, worms, earthworms, and bloodworms can stimulate their natural behavior and provide them with much-needed calcium and other vitamins.
Carnivorous reptiles, such as a freshwater crocodile, require a varied diet of fish, birds, bats, small mammals, and other warm-blooded prey. Typically, this type of diet requires only weekly feedings.
Herbivorous and omnivorous reptiles need a good supply of leafy greens and other vegetables to obtain the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need. Supplementing a plant-based diet with meats and other foods allows your reptile to have more variety in their diet. It also helps reduce dependence on a single prey item, which can be risky in the case of some species of reptiles.
Reptile Pellets
Reptiles require a highly-diversified diet in order to maintain optimal health. Feeding pellets formulated for specific reptile species can help to fill in any gaps in nutrition and provide important vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are often deficient in the wild.
Pellet foods for Iguanas, Bearded Dragons, Geckos and Tortoises provide high levels of protein, minerals including calcium, & fiber. These foods are formulated to support healthy growth, vibrant color and strong bones. Most pellet foods are soaked in pure water before feeding to ensure the dietary composition is finely tuned for your specific reptile. Fuzzy Fox offers a variety of branded reptile foods that are formulated to meet specific dietary requirements for your pets. These foods also undergo rigorous quality control measures to prioritize the health of your pet.
Reptile Supplements
Reptile supplements and vitamin powders can be an important part of your pet’s diet. They help to ensure that your reptile gets the nutrients that they may not be getting from a limited captive diet.
Some common supplement types are calcium, probiotics, multivitamins, and electrolyte supplements. Most of these are available in powder or liquid form and can be sprinkled over your reptile’s food.
Many of these supplements contain Vitamin D3 which is essential for calcium absorption. However, some contain excess phosphorus that interferes with calcium absorption and leads to metabolic bone disease. It is therefore important to check the label on any supplement that you purchase and follow the directions carefully. Also, be cautious about over-supplementing a reptile with calcium as too much can have the same effect as taking too many antacids!