What Do Lizards Eat?
Lizards are an immensely diverse species of reptiles, and their diets vary considerably according to species. Most lizards fall into one of four feeding groups: insectivores, omnivores, herbivores or carnivores.
In nature, the diet of lizards is heavily determined by their environment; while in captivity, a varied and well-rounded diet is crucial to their wellbeing.
Vegetables
Lizards love eating fruits, veggies and insects and require plenty of water to stay hydrated. Selecting nutritious vegetables and fruits for your pet lizard will ensure they receive all the essential vitamins they require for health and activity – such as avocados, onions and juniper berries which may not be beneficial – however some veggies must first be processed prior to feeding them to them as some require special processing methods before being given to lizards.
Baby lizards tend to be omnivorous eaters, meaning they consume both plant and animal products. As they mature and become larger, however, some may become carnivorous and exclusively consume animal species like mice frogs and small mammals; other varieties are insectivores that feast upon bugs such as grasshoppers, ants, or crickets.
If you own a garden, it’s essential that you understand which vegetables are safe for lizards. Some common examples are carrots, green beans, peas, tomatoes and squash – in addition to leafy greens such as bok choy, Napa cabbage or dandelion greens – although make sure they’re washed well beforehand to remove pesticides or harmful chemicals that could otherwise linger on these foodstuffs.
Other common lizard foods include strawberries, figs, apricots, bananas, mangoes and papayas; you can also give your lizards antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries and prunes for their nutritional needs. It is wise to avoid feeding citrus or iceberg lettuce to your lizard as these have low nutritive value that could cause health issues in their bodies.
Some foods to feed your lizard include potatoes, yams and sweet potatoes; sunflower seeds and walnuts; apples, bananas and melons can be given occasionally as treats; commercial food available from pet stores often includes these fruits and vegetables as ingredients as well. Incorporating calcium and multivitamin supplements into their diet is also highly recommended to ensure they get all of the essential vitamins they require for a healthy existence.
Fruits
Lizards enjoy eating a range of fresh produce grown from the soil, including fruits and vegetables that grow from seeds. This provides them with nutritious options while decreasing the risk of vitamin deficiencies. However, it’s wise to consult a reptile expert or veterinarian prior to feeding any particular vegetable or fruit to your lizard; certain food may be toxic for lizards so this should be kept in mind before feeding anything directly to them.
In the wild, most lizards are insectivores – meaning that they hunt and consume insects – like leopard geckos, anoles, house geckos, etc. This includes leopard geckos, anoles and house geckos which feed on insects such as flies, crickets, grasshoppers, moths and ants; while larger prey like scorpions or spiders might also be eaten depending on size preference.
However, some lizards also enjoy eating other types of food from the ground such as berries and leafy greens, fruits that grow on trees such as bananas or tomatoes, carrots, yams or peppers.
As a general guideline, always wash produce before feeding it to your lizard in order to eliminate bacteria and parasites that may grow on it. Also, never feed raw meat without first placing it in the freezer for at least 30 days first before offering it as food for your pet lizard.
Some lizards enjoy dining on foods commonly enjoyed by humans, such as bok choy and Napa cabbage – available from supermarkets or specialty grocers – while they also consume dandelion greens, watercress and chicory leaves from your garden if possible – provided these have not been treated with pesticides prior to collection.
Lizards can consume various varieties of apples in limited amounts without suffering digestive distress. When selecting baking variety apples for consumption, as these tend to remain firmer and won’t become waterlogged after being digested by their stomachs. They should be cut into small pieces with seeds removed prior to consumption; some also enjoy strawberries which must be chopped finely prior to consumption.
Meat
Lizards are carnivorous animals that feed primarily on meat-based diets, though they occasionally enjoy vegetables and fruit as snacks. To maintain optimal health for both animal and owner alike, it’s essential that lizards receive a well-rounded diet in order to prevent obesity issues or other potential health concerns from emerging.
One of the key mistakes people make when feeding their lizards is not providing enough variety in its diet, which may lead to health problems like vitamin deficiencies and boredom in its food intake. A lack of variety will only increase its susceptibility to disease outbreaks! Additionally, an unvaried diet could leave your lizard hungry!
Once they have shed, lizards often consume their old skin as it may contain parasites and bacteria harmful to them.
Many lizard species prey upon insects, including wasps and honey bees. Though beneficial in terms of pollinating flowers and eating pests like aphids and tomato hornworms, wasps and honey bees can also consume maggots and root fly larvae that could damage plants as well as disrupting reproduction cycles. Unfortunately, backyard lizards could consume these harmful bugs too!
Insects are an integral component of a lizard’s diet, providing vital protein and nutrition. While crickets, hoppers, locusts and cockroaches may provide most of this sustenance, some species also feed on wax worms and mealworms; all can be purchased from pet stores or reptile specialty shops.
Lizards can consume small spiders as part of their natural diet. However, it’s important to avoid feeding lizards spiders since these may contain poisonous elements that could be dangerous to their health.
Most lizards only remain active for part of the year before retreating into hibernation for most of it. When not hungry, lizards will eat dirt to increase calcium intake for bone and joint health, or when dehydrated and lacking minerals; some even resort to eating sand as an energy boost! Therefore, it’s essential that your lizard always has access to water so they remain healthy throughout their entire lives.
Insects
Lizards are both herbivorous and carnivorous, meaning that they consume both plants and animals for food. A significant portion of a lizard’s diet should consist of insects such as crickets, locusts, various cockroach species, waxworms, dubia worms or mealworms (available from reptile-specific pet stores) to provide ample protein sources. Insects provide excellent sources of energy.
Herbivorous lizards, such as green iguanas, feed only on plant matter. This species of lizard is often kept as pets in homes. Herbivorous lizards should be fed leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce and turnips as well as fresh fruit for proper diet and care. Ensure any unwanted seeds or stems are cut away before offering to your lizard for feeding purposes.
Some lizards are predators and will hunt their food in the wild; desert sand and gecko species in particular will hunt down food sources such as insects such as flies and scorpions as well as small spiders that they devour, while hunting birds, fish, or even other lizards for sustenance.
As with fruits, it is vital that any vegetables fed to lizards be washed and chopped or finely shredded prior to feeding them as this will decrease the likelihood of vitamin deficiency and prevent food-borne illness. It is also wise to refrain from offering anything high in theobromine content such as chocolate as this can be toxic for them.
All lizards need fresh water every day, as well as supplements that may include vitamins and minerals sprinkled onto their food or taken as powder supplements once or twice each week depending on age, breeding status and species. When feeding captive lizards it’s also important to remember they do not get as much exercise in the wild and may therefore require protein-rich foods like insects – this is particularly important when raising younger bearded dragons in growth phases as their metabolisms need more energy for support of development.
