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− | {{unfinished}} | + | {{review}} |
− | [[Image:Elgaria_multicarinata_eating_mantis.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''A Southern Alligator Lizard (''Elgaria multicarinata'') eating a preying mantis''' (Wikimedia Commons)]] | + | [[Image:Elgaria_multicarinata_eating_mantis.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''A Southern Alligator Lizard''' (''Elgaria multicarinata'') <br> Sparkla 2006, WikiMedia Commons]] |
− | | + | ==Introduction== |
| 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. |
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− | *'''For information on lizard diets and food composition, see''' [[Lizard Diet|Lizard Diet]]. | + | *'''For information on lizard diets and food composition, see''' [[Reptile Diet Composition|Lizard Diet]]. |
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| == Herbivore == | | == Herbivore == |
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− | Herbivorous lizards use microbial fermentation for a significant part of their digestion, have high [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|POTZ]] and require high amounts of ultraviolet light. | + | Herbivorous lizards use microbial fermentation for a significant part of their digestion, have high [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ)]] and require high amounts of ultraviolet light. |
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− | Animal protein has previously been advised but until proven otherwise it appears best to forego non-plant food sources. It seems that a varied vegetable and fruit diet with added calcium and access to sunlight allows normal growth in iguanas. Time of feeding may be important since free-ranging iguanas bask before eating so it may be better to feed in the late morning. | + | Animal protein has previously been advised but until proven otherwise it appears best to forego non-plant food sources. It seems that a varied vegetable and fruit diet with added [[Calcium - Reptiles|calcium]] and access to sunlight allows normal growth in iguanas. Time of feeding may be important since free-ranging iguanas bask before eating so it may be better to feed in the late morning. |
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− | Ground iguanas, the prehensile-tailed skink, spiny-tailed iguanas, and the chuckawalla generally do well with iguana husbandry techniques. | + | [[Rhinocerous Iguana|Ground iguanas]], the [[Prehensile-tailed Skink|prehensile-tailed skink]], [[Spiny-tailed Iguana|spiny-tailed iguanas]], and the [[Chuckwalla|chuckawalla]] generally do well with iguana husbandry techniques. |
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| Iguanas will eat leafy greens, vegetables, flowers and fruit that are grated and chopped to a size appropriate to the size and age of the iguana. | | Iguanas will eat leafy greens, vegetables, flowers and fruit that are grated and chopped to a size appropriate to the size and age of the iguana. |
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− | ===Diet===
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| Feed a varied diet: | | Feed a varied diet: |
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| == Insectivore == | | == Insectivore == |
− | [[Image:Lizard_feed.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Insectivore''' (Wikimedia Commons)]] | + | [[Image:Lizard_feed.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Insectivore''' (© Rémi Jouan, CC-BY-SA, GNU Free Documentation License, Wikimedia Commons)]] |
| 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. |
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− | Prey items should be fed 72 hours before being offered to the lizard. [[Lizard 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. |
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| == Carnivore == | | == Carnivore == |
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| 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. |
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− | 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 [[Lizard 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]]. |
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| + | ==Literature Search== |
| + | [[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]] |
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| + | Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation). |
| + | <br><br><br> |
| + | [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=(od:(lizards)+OR+title:(lizard))+AND+(subject:(diet)+OR+title:(diet)+OR+title:(feeding))&fq=sc:%22ve%22 Lizard feeding publications] |
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| + | [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2006/20063121888.pdf '''Insects as food: nutritious and delicious.''' Hernandez-Divers, S. M.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 20, Orlando, Florida, USA, 7-11 January, 2006, 2006, pp 1794-1795, 2 ref. - '''Full Text Article'''] |
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| [[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|F]] | | [[Category:Lizard_Husbandry|F]] |