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The best diet for a pet lizard is one that is as close as possible to the diet of a free-ranging lizard. Unfortunately not all the ingredients are available. Until controlled studies are done, it is best to feed a variety of foods and not rely on any one to form the bulk of the diet. Regular voracious eating is usually a good indicator of health. It is also necessary to have a feeding arrangement so that food is uncontaminated by litter.

The best diet for a pet lizard is one that is as close as possible to the diet of a free-ranging lizard. Unfortunately not all the ingredients are available. Until controlled studies are done, it is best to feed a variety of foods and not rely on any one to form the bulk of the diet. Regular voracious eating is usually a good indicator of health. It is also necessary to have a feeding arrangement so that food is uncontaminated by litter.

*'''For information on lizard diets and food composition, see''' [[Reptile Diet|Lizard Diet]].

*'''For information on lizard diets and food composition, see''' [[Reptile Diet Composition|Lizard Diet]].

== Herbivore ==

== Herbivore ==

Crickets should not be more than 50% of the diet and the remainder can include mealworms, king mealworms, wax worms, earthworms, cockroaches, giant cockroaches, flies, cicadas, grasshoppers, field crickets, caterpillars and newborn pinkie mice.

Crickets should not be more than 50% of the diet and the remainder can include mealworms, king mealworms, wax worms, earthworms, cockroaches, giant cockroaches, flies, cicadas, grasshoppers, field crickets, caterpillars and newborn pinkie mice.

Prey items should be fed 72 hours before being offered to the lizard. [[Reptile Diet|Commercial preparations]] are available to feed the insects. Minerals and vitamins can be dusted onto the insects but this is not a substitute for feeding them. The amount of prey items placed in the cage should be equal to the amount than can be eaten at once.

Prey items should be fed 72 hours before being offered to the lizard. [[Reptile Diet Composition|Commercial preparations]] are available to feed the insects. Minerals and vitamins can be dusted onto the insects but this is not a substitute for feeding them. The amount of prey items placed in the cage should be equal to the amount than can be eaten at once.

== Carnivore ==

== Carnivore ==

Carnivores should be fed captive bred pre-killed whole prey. In descending order of preference feed: rodents, chicks, fish. Small prey should be fed to smaller lizards and large prey should be fed to the larger lizards. Juveniles should be fed daily and adults once or twice a week.

Carnivores should be fed captive bred pre-killed whole prey. In descending order of preference feed: rodents, chicks, fish. Small prey should be fed to smaller lizards and large prey should be fed to the larger lizards. Juveniles should be fed daily and adults once or twice a week.

Other items can be offered but are less optimal than whole prey. Dog food, cat food and other preparations are not formulated for lizards and should not be used as a significant part of the [[Reptile Diet|diet]].

Other items can be offered but are less optimal than whole prey. Dog food, cat food and other preparations are not formulated for lizards and should not be used as a significant part of the [[Reptile Diet Composition|diet]].

[[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|F]]

[[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|F]]